Samsung HW-Q800A 3.1.2-Channel
SoundbarProduct Gallery
Product Overview
HW-Q800A is a premium 3.1.2-channel soundbar with wireless subwoofer in Samsung's 2021 Q-series. It is a successor to the HW-Q800T from 2020, adding primarily compatibility with the new SWA-9500S wireless rear speakers.
Compared to the HW-Q700A, the HW-Q800A differs only in the subwoofer upgrade. This unit has a larger driver that, whilst delivering the same power output, should be able to extend more confidently into the lower frequencies.
The SWA-9500S wireless rear speakers that the HW-Q800A is compatible with has up-firing Dolby Atmos speakers.
For those who wish for surround sound support, Samsung also markets the HW-Q900A and HW-Q950A for 2021.
Ratings
What we found
Pros
- Attractive, compact design
- Supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
- Built-in Alexa and AirPlay 2
- Easy to upgrade to full surround sound
Cons
- Nothing in particular
What external reviewers found
External score 73%
Pros
- Excellent sound quality
- Impressive dynamic range
- Sleek design
- Powerful Dolby Atmos performance
- Supports AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect
- Easy to set up and use
Cons
- Lack of definition
- Lacks room correction feature
- No Chromecast support
- No HDMI passthrough
- Doesn't support Dolby Atmos
- No dedicated music presets
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Price Comparison
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Specifications
Related Products
- Excellent sound quality
- Excellent sound enhancement features including room correction and eARC
- Excellent surround performance
- Powerful audio performance with deep bass and punchy highs
- Comfortable remote control
- DTS Virtual:X surround
External Reviews
rtings[1]
Reviewer score 44% (normalized by Neofiliac)The Samsung HW-Q800A is very good for mixed usage. It has a neutral, balanced sound profile, making it suitable for a variety of audio content. It can produce a thumpy, punchy low-bass, which is nice for action-packed movie scenes and bass-heavy music genres. Unfortunately, it doesn't provide an immersive surround sound experience since it lacks dedicated satellite speakers.
Pros
- Graphic EQ and presets available
- Dialogue enhancement feature
- Good for dialogue-heavy content like TV shows and movies
- Gets very loud
Cons
- Doesn't support Dolby Atmos
- Lacks room correction feature
t3[2]
Reviewer score 80% (normalized by Neofiliac)The HW-Q800A is a highly entertaining 3D audio soundbar, that in its core 3.1.2 configuration provides a towering soundstage that benefits action movies and sports. Dialogue handling is excellent, the soundbar thrills with action movies, yet is capable of subtle sonic nuance, and the sub has popper wallop. There are more expensive soundbars that offer improved audio compared to this, but in terms of cinematic power, detail and dynamic range, and features and size, this is probably the best all-round soundbar buy available today.
Pros
- Excellent sound quality
- Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
Cons
- No HDMI passthrough
- No built-in subwoofer
techhive[3]
Reviewer score 73% (normalized by Neofiliac)The HW-Q800A comes with most of the perks we like to see in a premium soundbar. You can cast audio to the Q800A from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, including tunes from any installed music app. The Samsung SmartThings app is intended more for smart home control than audio.
Pros
- Easy to set up and use
- Alexa on board
- Supports AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect
Cons
- No Chromecast support
techradar[4]
Reviewer score 89% (normalized by Neofiliac)The Q800A is sensitive and sophisticated enough in the way it projects its sound to ensure that no detail goes missing in even the densest mixes. Details are typically uncannily well placed in the soundstage, too, while dialogue sounds rich, believable, perfectly contextualized, and clear without becoming over-prominent. Just occasionally a particularly heavy and sustained bass sound becomes fractionally overwhelming using the soundbar's default settings.
Pros
- Impressive dynamic range
- Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks
Cons
- No dedicated music presets
whathifi[5]
Reviewer score 80% (normalized by Neofiliac)The Q800A has two HDMI ports, one equipped with eARC, and an optical input. For playing music from a portable device, there's Bluetooth. Once connected to wi-fi, you can stream via Spotify Connect and AirPlay 2. All of Samsung's Q soundbars offer enhanced features if used with newer TVs from within the brand's ecosystem.
Pros
- Powerful Dolby Atmos performance
- Sleek design
Cons
- Lack of definition
References
- ^ Samsung HW-Q800A Soundbar Review. [rtings].
- ^ Samsung HW-Q800A review: this Dolby Atmos soundbar is a T3 Awards 2021 winner!. [t3].
- ^ Samsung HW-Q800A review: Samsung TV users will get the most out of this 3.1.2 Dolby Atmos soundbar. [techhive].
- ^ Samsung HW-Q800A soundbar review. [techradar].
- ^ Samsung HW-Q800A review. [whathifi].
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