Samsung HW-S800B evaluation: Tremendous-slim Atmos soundbar
The Samsung HW-S800B is the most recent lifestyle-oriented soundbar from the model, and represents a brand new route, with its trendy and ultra-slim cupboard, mixed with a compact subwoofer utilizing a force-cancelling design to generate deeper bass.
The result’s a discreet system that may conveniently and successfully ship Dolby Atmos immersion with the minimal of compromise. Want huge sound with out the large footprint? Learn on for our full evaluation.
Samsung
Samsung HW-S800B
The Samsung HW-S800B rewrites the e book on what an ultra-slim soundbar can obtain, and handles Dolby Atmos with ability – the choice so as to add wi-fi rear audio system solely bolstering the impact. With good bass response and built-in Alexa, solely the Mini HDMI connection actually disappoints. It is ideally suited for anybody who needs one thing lifestyle-friendly, discreet and spectacular sounding.
- Immersive 3.1.2-channel efficiency
- Deep bass from a compact sub
- Fashionable ultra-slim design
- Growth choices
- Makes use of Mini HDMI connector
- No eARC assist
Design and construct
- Soundbar – Dimensions: 1160 x 38 x 40mm (WxHxD) / Weight: 1.4kg
- Subwoofer – Dimensions: 238 x 241 x 238mm (WxHxD) / Weight: 6.4kg
- Black end solely
The Samsung HW-S800B makes use of a newly designed ultra-slim cupboard that’s discreet and effectively made, with a strong metallic mesh grille. The curved ends and black end make for a gorgeous look, whereas additionally permitting the soundbar to be unobtrusive when positioned beneath your TV.
The soundbar is huge sufficient to be paired with TVs providing display screen sizes of 55 inches and even bigger, and there is a selection of stand or wall mounting. In the event you resolve to go for the latter Samsung consists of devoted brackets for this goal.
The wi-fi subwoofer is compact, and likewise styled in black to match the soundbar It seems to be utilizing a force-cancelling design, with back-to-back drivers that fireside out to the left and proper, thus decreasing cupboard vibrations and growing the utmost output.
Connections & Management
- Ports: 1 x Mini HDMI (ARC)
- Wi-fi connectivity: Bluetooth (SBC); Apple AirPlay 2; Spotify Join; Wi-Fi
- Full distant management
- SmartThings app
- Alexa built-in
The Samsung HW-S800B has a really restricted set of bodily connections – so restricted, actually, that they are comprised of a single Mini HDMI output. Whereas the soundbar is definitely svelte when it comes to its proportions, there does seem like ample house for an everyday HDMI connector and an optical digital enter, so Samsung’s selection right here is puzzling.
As a consequence of this resolution, you may want an HDMI-to-Mini HDMI adapter or cable (fortunately included within the field) to attach the S800B to your TV. Since Mini HDMI connectivity solely helps ARC (slightly than eARC), the soundbar can be restricted to lossy slightly than lossless audio by way of HDMI. If in case you have an older TV that does not assist ARC, the shortage of an optical digital connection additionally means this is not the soundbar for you.
The scenario is best in terms of wi-fi connectivity, with the inclusion of Bluetooth (SBC) and Wi-Fi, together with assist for Apple AirPlay 2 and Spotify Join. There’s additionally built-in Amazon Alexa, which makes the S800B a completely functioning sensible speaker, with an assistant and the additional advantage of voice management.
By way of different management choices, there is a well-designed and totally specified distant that gives in depth management choices, however stays intuitive to make use of.
The SmartThings app makes setup straightforward too, permitting you to shortly create a Wi-Fi connection, configure Alexa, and replace the firmware. You can too function the S800B utilizing the controls on the soundbar itself, or your TV’s distant.
Audio system and efficiency
- Dolby Atmos object-based decoding
- Help for DTS Digital:X
- 3.1.2-channel output
- Excessive-res audio assist
- Optionally available wi-fi rear audio system
The Samsung HW-S800B confounds its ultra-slim look with a efficiency that sounds significantly larger than it appears to be like. That is largely because of some revolutionary know-how created by the intelligent scientists on the Samsung Audio Lab in California.
They’ve managed to cram 9 drivers into the smooth enclosure, which create three ahead firing audio system (left, proper and centre) and a pair of upward-firing audio system for high entrance left and proper. The addition of the wi-fi subwoofer creates a 3.1.2-channel system general.
Whereas the audio system contained in the soundbar are pretty small, they handle to supply a clear midrange and detailed treble. The sub makes use of a force-cancelling design, permitting it to generate spectacular quantities of bass, whereas SpaceFit Sound ensures all these audio system are completely built-in.
The result’s a cohesive soundstage, with loads of width and peak, plus a strong bass basis that offers the general supply depth and impression. The system can be tonally balanced, making the S800B nice with music, which is beneficial as a result of you’ll be able to stream lossless audio by way of Wi-Fi.
With Dolby Atmos soundtracks the S800B is an excellent performer, and watching the most recent collection of Stranger Issues reveals an extremely immersive object-based soundtrack.
There are some first rate overhead results as Max tries to flee the ‘Upside Down’ to the strains of Kate Bush’s Working Up That Hill, and the sub delivers loads of deep bass too. Whereas Samsung hasn’t disclosed how a lot energy is constructed into the S800B, the amplification is able to being pushed arduous with out working out of stream or sounding clipped and distorted.
As is often the case with a soundbar and subwoofer combo, the supply is front-heavy with no actual encompass results. That is anticipated given the absence of rear audio system, however there’s the choice so as to add the wi-fi 9500S rear audio system. These not solely add encompass channels, but additionally have upward-firing drivers for rear peak channels, creating a completely immersive 5.1.4-channel system.
The shortage of lossless audio assist over the Mini HDMI connection is not a deal-breaker, with most unable to distinguish between Atmos delivered by lossy Dolby Digital+ and by way of lossless Dolby TrueHD. Given the HDMI limitations, the overall lack of DTS:X content material and the shortage of decoding mixed, the inclusion of DTS Digital:X makes excellent sense.
Verdict
The Samsung HW-S800B rewrites the e book on what an ultra-slim soundbar can obtain, with an expansive entrance soundstage, noticeable overhead results, and deep bass from its compact subwoofer.
It handles Dolby Atmos with ability, and whereas its supply is understandably entrance heavy, the choice so as to add wi-fi rear audio system to create a completely immersive system is nice.
The Mini HDMI connection – and so lack of lossless sound over eARC – can be a disappointment for house cinema purists, however this soundbar is in any other case ideally suited for anybody who needs one thing lifestyle-friendly, discreet and spectacular sounding.
