How to Connect Samsung Soundbar to TCL/Hisense/Roku TV
This post may contain affiliate links. As an affiliate of retailers(like Amazon), we earn from qualifying purchases.
Whether you own a TCL, Hisense, or Roku TV, you may find that you want to improve the sound of your device by adding a Samsung soundbar to the mix, however, how can this device be connected to a variety of different brands of televisions?
To connect a Samsung soundbar to a TCL, Hisense, or Roku TV, you can use a variety of different connection methods to complete the process. These include connection by an HDMI, through an optical cable, with an AUX cord, or by Bluetooth, but Bluetooth should be a last resort.
There are a number of different reasons as to why individuals choose a particular brand of TV to bring into their home or business, but when it comes to sound, many find themselves sticking to the tried and true system of Samsung audio devices. If you have a TCL, Hisense, or Roku TV and are wanting to connect a Samsung soundbar to that device, continue reading to see how this can be done for each brand of TV with only a few short steps.
How to Connect Samsung Soundbar to Roku TV
You may have started out using a Roku streaming device, but when Roku started producing their own TVs, many ditched the second-party streamer to welcome a more accessible device by purchasing a Roku TV. This TV allows users to have access to all their favorite applications, games, and other features through one easy-to-use interface for a competitive price. If you want to connect a Samsung soundbar to make this device even better though, read on below.
To connect a Samsung Soundbar to a Roku TV, be sure all devices are off and insert one end of the cable into the HDMI port on your Roku TV and connect the other to HDMI OUT port on the soundbar. Press the ‘Source’ button on the soundbar until you see ‘HDMI’ and select this input on your Roku TV.
If you are looking to connect your Samsung soundbar to your Roku TV in a way that doesn’t include an HDMI cable, another great way to connect both devices is through an optical cable. To do this, turn on both the soundbar and TV and insert one end of the cable into the ‘Optical Out’ port on the TV. Insert the other end of the cable into the ‘Digital Audio In (Optical)’ port on the Samsung Soundbar.
From here you will hold down the ‘Source’ button on the soundbar until you are able to select the D.IN. setting. Once this has been selected, go back to your Roky TV and be sure to choose external speakers when it comes to your speaker function. When you have this process completed, you should be able to hear audio coming from your Samsung soundbar without any issue.
How to Connect Samsung Soundbar to Hisense TV
If you are an owner of a Hisense TV, you know that this device delivers exceptional images through the color balance offered as well as the ability to give owners access to Roku without having to worry about a second-party streaming device. However, you may not be as impressed with the sound of your Hisense TV, which is why some Hisense TV owners have found themselves looking to connect a Samsung soundbar to their television.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDIY.com for this article. This post was first published on 2022-02-08.
To connect a Samsung soundbar to a Hisense TV, power off all devices and plug one end of an HDMI cable into the back of the TV and the other end of the cable into the ‘HDMI OUT’ port on the soundbar. Select the correct HDMI input on your TV and the soundbar should be operational.
You can also connect your Hisense TV to a Samsung soundbar by using an optical cable and this process can be found in the previous section titled “How to Connect Samsung Soundbar to Roku TV.’ If you would like to try and connect the soundbar by Bluetooth, but this option should be used as either a last resort, or a method that is only temporary, as the sound quality that is produced by a Bluetooth connection is not of high quality for a Hisense TV.
To connect your Hisense TV to a Samsung soundbar by using Bluetooth, press the ‘Source’ button on the soundbar until you see the display ‘Bluetooth Pairing.’ From here, you can follow the process on your screen to select the soundbar and complete the pairing process to enable audio from the Samsung soundbar.
How to Connect Samsung Soundbar to TCL TV
For those looking for a TV that comes at an affordable price, but doesn’t skimp on features that it can deliver, a TCL TV is a great way to get the most for your money without having to sacrifice the conveniences that Smart features offer. If you notice that you want to improve the overall sound of your TCL TV though and purchase a soundbar to accommodate the device, take a look below to see how to pair this soundbar with your television.
To connect a Samsung soundbar to a TCL TV, connect the HDMI cord to the ‘HDMI ARC’ port on the TV and connect the other end of the cable to your soundbar. Turn the TV and soundbar back on and select ‘Settings’ ‘System’ ‘Control Other Devices’ ‘Search for CEC devices’ ‘OK.’
After you have selected ‘OK,’ your TV will show CEC compatible devices, which should include your Samsung soundbar. You will then go back to ‘Settings’ and select ‘System’ ‘Control Other Devices’ ‘HDMI ARC’ then select ‘OK’ to enable the device.
To connect a Samsung soundbar to a TCL, Hisense, or Roku TV, you can connect both devices by a number of different methods such as an HDMI, through an optical cable, with an AUX cord, or by Bluetooth, but Bluetooth should be a last resort.
Related Articles
ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on 2022-02-08.
How To Connect Samsung Subwoofer To Soundbar Without Remote?
When it comes to sound quality, you want nothing less than the best. The Samsung Subwoofer is the perfect addition if your speaker doesn’t make enough deep, rich bass tones that bring movies and songs to life.
Soundbars are often hard to set up for people who use remotes. When you have a Samsung TV, Soundbar, and subwoofer, it may seem overwhelming.
But, if you follow the following steps, you will be able to quickly know how to connect Samsung subwoofer to soundbar without remote.
Samsung Soundbar System
Samsung manufacturers seem to be relentless in their efforts to make their mark in the tech market. Samsung soundbar systems are truly unique. Samsung makes about ten soundbar systems.
They are unique in their features. These features include sound quality and strong body characteristics.
It is built with solid and durable materials. It’s also beautiful, giving your home theater system a more aesthetic feel. Each model is well-thought-out and executed with intelligence and soundness. Even slight hits or drops won’t make a significant impact.
It produces a rich and intelligent sound. This is balanced production. The TV’s mix of sounds, tones, and voices is something you will enjoy. The subwoofer connects wireless to your TV room, amplifying the sound output.
Imagine that your home could be transformed into a movie theater. Samsung soundbar systems produce a rich and profound sound effect that draws you into each scene. The action unfolds in front of your eyes so that you can feel and hear it.
The ports behind the device make it easy to pair. It’s easy to connect your devices using the full HDMI In or install wirelessly. You have a variety of options to ensure you don’t get stuck.
Want to know more about how to connect the soundbar to the TV, check https://hookeaudio.com/how-to-connect-soundbar-to-TV/
How Soundbars Work
The soundbar will often be paired with a subwoofer to produce the full range of sound in your video or game. The soundbar to subwoofer without remote. It requires either Bluetooth or a wire to connect to your TV/gaming device. How clear your sound is will depend on how you connect.
There are many options in Samsung soundbars, including HDMI, Aux cable, and Tos-Link.
There are two options for connecting to HDMI. There are two options for connecting to HDMI ARC or HDMI.
You will need to connect the HDMI cable from your TV HDMI port to your soundbar’s HDMI Out port. Connect the HDMI Out of any other wireless device, such as a gaming console, to the HDMI In on the soundbar.
Connect the ARC to your TV’s HDMI In (ARC) and your soundbar’s HDMI (TV-ARC). Now you’re ready for great sound.
You can also use the optical cable option (TosLink). Connect the cable to your TV’s OPTICAL OUT port and link it to your DIGITAL AUDIO INS (OPTICAL). Next, set the feature to allow you to hear the D.IN.
Aux cable and Bluetooth are also options. These options are best used when HDMI or optical cables are not available. These options produce the weakest sound effect.
The reason is that the first two are digital connections. They can pick up every sound coming through the cable. The Bluetooth system is analog, but fluctuations in the environment can easily distort the Aux cable.
How to Sync Samsung Subwoofer with Soundbar without Remote?
It might be challenging to connect subwoofers to soundbars with built-in speakers. While many manufacturers will allow you to add subwoofers to your soundbar by recommending them for you, this is very rare.
To ensure seamless operation, the subwoofer and soundbar must be compatible. Many soundbars include a subwoofer and external speakers to enhance surround sound.
A jerry-rigged method of synchronizing a subwoofer and a soundbar is available. This differs from traditional connecting soundbars to subwoofers manufactured by the same manufacturer. You will need a small stereo mixer and a receiver to use this method effectively.
Next, connect your mini-mixer and receiver by plugging in the main unit to both. The mini-mixer can be used to connect the subwoofer to the receiver.
Connecting A Samsung Soundbar To A Subwoofer Without A Remote
Sometimes it isn’t easy to connect Samsung soundbar to subwoofer without remote. Both the soundbar and subwoofer should be compatible and natively paired to establish a connection.
The sub and soundbar must be sold together and paired within the same brand line, such as a Samsung sub or soundbar. Samsung soundbars and subs might not work well with non-Samsung soundbars.
A sub can be connected to a soundbar for a richer, more immersive sound experience. Most soundbars typically produce only front-treble sound and no powerful bass output. To get a cinematic sound experience, an external subwoofer is required.
Connecting a standalone sub to a soundbar is difficult without a remote control. Possible causes include using an incompatible power adapter with the incorrect wall outlet. Sometimes the power cords can become loose when plugged in, causing problems with the automatic connection.
The connection can be impeded if there is no power at the outlet.
Automatic Connect
After plugging in the power cords, your Samsung soundbar or subwoofer will often automatically connect. This is possible because both devices have the integrated ID set, which allows for instantaneous connections.
Connect the power cords from the subwoofer and soundbar to the power outlet. Please turn on a soundbar and wait for it to turn on for a few seconds. Connecting the subwoofer to the soundbar is complete after the blue LED indicator lights up.
A lack of connectivity is indicated if the blue LED indicator continues blinking after some time has passed. The process must be restarted. Please turn off the soundbar and unplug the cords from their wall socket. Reconnect them.
Plug into another power adapter if possible. Make sure it is securely plugged in. It could be because the cords are not tight enough.
It could be the soundbar or sub that is faulty if the connection fails again.
Using Soundbar App
To connect your Samsung soundbar to a Subwoofer without remote, you must first install the Samsung soundbar application on your smartphone. It is impossible to automatically connect soundbar to a subwoofer without the remote control.
Samsung has developed a digital remote to allow you to operate your soundbar regardless of whether you have the physical remote. This soundbar remote can be accessed through their mobile app. Samsung’s app is the best way to connect to your Samsung soundbar.
You can use the included factory remote to control your soundbar, but you will need first to connect your phone over Bluetooth.
This is a step-by-step guide to pairing:
- Simply visit the App Store on your mobile device and look for the Samsung Soundbar app to install it.
- Start the app by clicking the first result.
- Please wait for the Samsung app to finish downloading and installing before using it.
- Start the digital remote app to navigate to the Options menu.
- Scroll down to find the digital and wireless remote options.
- This button will allow your mobile device to search for a soundbar that it can simply connect with.
How do I turn my Bluetooth soundbar on?
You can check if the Bluetooth on your Samsung soundbar is turned on by pushing the source button. If not, you can make it until you hear a beep. Click to find out if any wireless subwoofer can be completely connected to your soundbar.
Continue pushing the button until it reads BT WAIT BT PAIRING, and then the button glows continuously with a blue light.
Once these messages have been sent, the soundbar’s display should read BT Ready.
The Samsung soundbar can now be found and connected to other compatible devices.
Manual Connection
You can manually connect Samsung soundbar to subwoofer or if they don’t connect automatically. Soundbars can be controlled with a remote.
If a connection doesn’t establish immediately, you can connect manually the Samsung soundbar to subwoofer. The connection process will be made more accessible by our audio experts.
You can look on the market to search for a replacement remote if yours is damaged. You can also contact your local Samsung store to get a suitable replacement. Avoid remotes sold by dubious dealers.
First, connect both power cords to an AC outlet. Locate the ID button on the subwoofer’s back and press it. You might find the button too small to keep, so we recommend that you use a pointed object to push down on it.
You will find the link I-D SET button on most Samsung soundbars, not the subs. To activate, press and hold on to the ID SET button of the remote menu. Make sure that the remote control points at the soundbar.
Continue pressing the button until the blue LED indicator blinks quickly. Keep the button down until the soundbar is still visible.
Continue holding down the Mute button until the ID SET appears or a flashing light on the power button. Next, turn on your soundbar. If the blue LED indicator stays steady, your subwoofer is connected to the sound bar. However, if it blinks, you will need to restart the process.
FAQs
How do I reset my Samsung soundbar without the remote?
Turn off the sound bar and hold the Play/Pause key until the display says INIT OK. Please turn on the soundbar and pair it with your TV.
How can I increase the bass volume on my Samsung Soundbar?
It depends on the model of your soundbar remote. The WOOFER button on most soundbar remotes can adjust the sound level from.6 to 6 depending on how it compares with other speakers.
Why is my Samsung subwoofer not working?
Make sure you check your wall outlet.
Correctly plug the subwoofer back in and unplug it. If it is receiving power, the subwoofer should have a standby lamp. If the outlet is not working, try another lamp or something similar. It could be a problem if the outlet is not powered, although this may be a simple issue like a tripped circuit.
Conclusion
In this guide, we listed all the steps you need to follow to connect the two pieces of hardware successfully.
This can help your sound system out tremendously, allowing you to relax and take in the thrilling score of your movie or music with greater ease.
Hooke Audio hopes you had fun reading the guide. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comment section below.
How to Reset Samsung Soundbar: Step-by-step
If you enjoy watching movies or series or playing video games on a big screen, you will likely purchase a soundbar to have a greater and richer listening experience. Also, many soundbars can connect with your smartphone via Bluetooth, making it a huge Bluetooth speaker.
Samsung soundbars are very popular; they are affordable, easy to set up and provide a good audio punch compared to your TV speakers. On many occasions, people prefer soundbars over-complicated surround setups. However, even high-quality soundbars are not free of problems. Fortunately, you can solve most of these minor issues with your Samsung soundbar in a few minutes, just with a reset.
Why do we need to reset the soundbar?
After you use any device for a while, you will likely find some issues, especially when the device has been plugged in for long periods. We’re talking days or even weeks.
For a Samsung soundbar, some of the following issues could arise over time:
- The soundbar will refuse to connect to your TV.
- The soundbar won’t connect to the subwoofer.
- The soundbar will “connect” to a Bluetooth device but won’t play any sound.
Most people will consider buying a new soundbar or sending it to RMA (return merchandise authorization) with the manufacturer, in this case, Samsung. Instead, you can quickly fix these minor issues with a reset.
Be aware that there are two types of reset, Soft reset and Hard reset.
What is a Soft reset?
A Soft reset could be described as a restart of a device. It has the advantage that no configuration will be lost, and there is no need to pair your Bluetooth devices again.
What is a Hard reset?
A Hard reset could be described as loading the factory values of your device. It removes all user data, settings, and Bluetooth-paired devices and returns a device to the same state it was when it shipped from the factory. Hence, a Hard reset is also known as a factory reset.
Try these before you attempt a hard reset
A Hard-reset is the easiest way to solve most soundbar issues, including connectivity issues. Nevertheless, you will lose all your settings, which is inconvenient. So, you might want to try less severe fixes first.
First, try connecting to another device. For example, try using a smartphone if you’re having issues with your TV and soundbar. It will let you know whether the problem is with the soundbar or the connected device.
Second, if the issue is with a Bluetooth device, try turning the Bluetooth off and on. These can be done very quickly with any smartphone.
Third, perform a soft reset. Remember that you won’t lose any data or configuration, so doing a soft reset is safe. Please follow the steps:
- Turn off your soundbar and unplug the power cord from the outlet for 1 or 2 minutes.
- Plug your power cord back into the power outlet.
- Turn on your soundbar.
If none of the above works, you must perform a Hard reset (factory reset).
Steps to Reset your Samsung Soundbar
Now you’re going to reset (hard reset) your Samsung soundbar. Many people think it is a very complex process, but you will see it’s much easier than you think and can be completed in less than a minute. Please follow the steps.
- Turn on the soundbar by pressing the switch on button. You can use the remote control or dedicated button in your soundbar.
- Hold the power button either on the remote control or the soundbar control panel.
- Continue to press the power button until you see the ‘INIT OK’ message on the display panel.
- Wait for the soundbar to restart, and that’s all.
As promised, in less than a minute! Once your Samsung soundbar is back on, you must connect all your devices again, especially Bluetooth devices, and check the settings for any personalization you want to set.
Final words
These steps should work for most Samsung soundbars. As always, I strongly recommend you read your user manual. You can always find it via the manufacturer’s website if you don’t have it. Also, you could find helpful information about your product, like how to clean and store it, firmware updates, etc.
My Samsung HW-J650 sound bar turns off and on continuously. I have my sound bar and subwoofer wired in directly so there is no wireless connection accept for the remote control (obviously). I never done a software update and I probably had my system since 2016-17. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thank you in advance.
Thanks. my Samsung Soundbar works now. B650 with Rear-speakers 9200s after I press both the volume button and. physical buttons on the Soundbar until the Init appears then OK will appear after that and then it’s great to go.
Monday 10th of April 2023
Both reset methods did not work for my soundbar and subwoofer. I left it for over 5months then tried it today and it worked now it has gone off again. Please I need your help
Sunday 19th of March 2023
I have tried everything. Q80 Samsung Harmen Karmen soundbar is unresponsive. All it says is Wi-Fi is disconnected. Remote seems to be unresponsive too. Changed batteries. Held on/off button. Held vol up and down. Nothing. Pressed Network button on bottom. Nothing. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Saturday 31st of December 2022
My HW-MS750 sound bar switched to BT from TV Arc on its own. Sound from BT continues to drop out (Issue in Troubleshooting section of manual. with BT) Trying to reprogram sound bar back to TV Arc which now does not show as an option.
The New Samsung S800B Defines the Ultra-Slim Soundbar Category
by Mark Henninger on April 20, 2022 in Guides Reviews, Music and Video, Home Audio, Speakers, Top Picks Rating: 4 Stars
Techlicious editors independently review products. To help support our mission, we may earn affiliate commissions from links contained on this page.
Soundbars are the go-to solution for easily adding better audio to a TV. The all-in-one design plus slender, low-profile form factor is easy on the eyes, easy to install, and compared to other surround-sound solutions, typically easy on the wallet.
Early soundbars were basic in function and capability. Today, you’ll find models with highly sophisticated Smart features and high-fidelity surround-sound capability, including 3D immersive sound like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. The Samsung HW-S800B Ultra-Slim (799) 3.1.2 Dolby Atmos soundbar and wireless subwoofer system is all of these things but packaged in an almost impossibly slender design.
When compared to the S800B, even the slimmest soundbars look chunky. This is particularly true for Dolby Atmos soundbars, which need to accommodate the physical width of the up-firing drivers. Consequently, Dolby Atmos soundbars are at least several inches deep and stick out more than the TV when wall mounted.
But the Samsung S800B is something different; it’s radically shrunken in height and depth and a generous 45.6 wide, which makes it a great match for TVs 55 and up.
The S800B offers a dramatically lower profile than any soundbar I’ve seen or heard, much less reviewed. Despite its slenderized form, this Samsung incorporates Dolby Atmos with real up-firing drivers on the main soundbar, which are used for the Atmos height channels, instead of relying solely on height virtualization like many entry-level Atmos soundbars. It can also upmix non-Atmos content and uses the up-firing drivers for that.
Features and Specifications
The S800B is a 3.1.2 soundbar system consisting of the main soundbar and a compact wireless subwoofer. The dimensions of the soundbar speak for themselves: 45.6 wide, 1.5 high, and 1.57 deep. In addition, it is the first soundbar from Samsung that offers a wireless connection for Dolby Atmos, and it is compatible with 2022 Samsung TVs.
The form factor of the S800B is revolutionary. So is its wireless connectivity: Samsung touts it as the first-ever to offer a wireless connection for Dolby Atmos (when used with compatible 2022 Samsung TV, starting at the BU8000 and above).
Furthermore, the soundbar’s Q Symphony feature works concurrently with the built-in speakers of Q Symphony-equipped Samsung TVs. Q Symphony is a function that combines the soundbar’s speakers with the TV’s built-in speakers, so they operate as one cohesive system. Q Symphony allows the combined TV and soundbar system to produce a more immersive and powerful listening experience than either can achieve on its own. Samsung has a full list of Q Symphony compatible TVs and an in-depth explanation of the features.
The S800B takes an ultra-minimalist approach when it comes to wired inputs. The single option is HDMI ARC, and there’s no way to connect any other sources. However, this soundbar offers the option of wireless connection and streaming through both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Wi-Fi streaming uses Chromecast, Spotify Connect, or AirPlay.
With Bluetooth, you can connect various sources for direct playback—most likely a smartphone, but it’ll also support dedicated players. Meanwhile, the Wi-Fi option even supports Dolby Atmos, a capability that’s a first for a wirelessly connected soundbar.
The reason you need a separate soundbar is that TVs have gotten ever thinner, and the front is now all screen. This leaves little or no room for built-in speakers. But with today’s TVs, even a typical soundbar might be too tall to fit under the TV when on a stand, or it’ll protrude excessively from the wall compared to a flush-mounted TV.
This soundbar is compatible with Samsung SWA-9500S/XY wireless rear surround speakers, allowing users to expand the surround sound and immersive audio capabilities from 3.1.2 to 5.1.4 channels. The surrounds are real 2.0.2 speakers with their own up-firing drivers, so you increase the height channel count to four when you add them. This configuration supports real Atmos as well as upmixed Atmos.
The SmartThings app for iOS and Android phones offers easy access to all the soundbar’s functions and helps with setup, too.
Once connected to Wi-Fi, the S800B offers Apple AirPlay and Chromecast built-in for easy audio streaming from mobile devices, in case you want to use it as a sound system. It also offers Tap and Play with compatible Samsung phones, letting you switch music playback seamlessly from the phone through earbuds to the soundbar using Bluetooth.
This soundbar offers multiple sound modes; for example, Game Mode Pro activates automatically when you start gaming and uses the up-firing speakers to create a maximally expansive surround-sound experience for gamers. I did not sense any latency, but I don’t have a way to measure it.
There is an AVA (Active Voice Amplifier) function within each sound mode that offers enhanced audibility for dialog.
- Incredibly slim
- Low-profile bracketless wall mount
- Compact subwoofer
- 3.1.2 channels with up-firing drivers
- Wireless Dolby Atmos (with compatible TVs)
- Samsung Q Symphony support (with compatible TVs)
- Adaptive Sound calibration
- ARC via micro-HDMI is the only wired input
- Requires compatible Samsung TV for some features
Unpacking and Setup
I had no idea what to expect when I first unpacked the S800B. I’d seen it before but never heard it or physically handled one. Because the packaging is sized to accommodate the subwoofer, it looks like any other soundbar.
However, the moment I took the S800B out of the box, my first thought was, hey. I can twirl this like a baton or swing it like a sword, and if I was a Tik Tok influencer, I suppose that’s what my review would consist of. The fact you can twirl it with one hand should give you some idea of how long and slender this soundbar is!
I used this soundbar in conjunction with a Samsung 8K QN900A Neo QLED, a 2021 model which supports Q Symphony, a feature of the S800B that lets the soundbar use the up-firing speakers on the TV for enhanced sound. However, the 2022 Neo QLEDs will offer additional functionality not available on the model I used: Wireless Dolby Atmos and the use of all the TV’s speakers when Q Symphony is engaged (as opposed to just the up-firing speakers, like on the TV I used).
While my FOCUS is on using the S800B with a Samsung TV since that plays to its strengths, I also tried it with a projector. It’s the only Dolby Atmos soundbar I have seen that works perfectly within the constraints imposed by an ultra-short-throw (UST) projector. It fits whether wall-mounted right under the screen—where a regular soundbar would block the light—or resting on a stand or credenza in front of the projector, which normally would require an extra-deep credenza.
While I could not use the wireless Dolby Atmos function offered with 2022 TVs and the S800B, I was able to send 5.1 surround sound from the 2021 QN900A to the soundbar via Wi-Fi and had no issue with the connection or sync/delay.
I relied on a wired HDMI ARC connection for sound, using the supplied micro-HDMI to HDMI cable to connect to the TV for most of my listening. One important caveat is that the S800B connects via ARC, not eARC, so it will not work with lossless Dolby Atmos. However, there’s no issue with streaming apps and OTA TV (broadcast/cable); it’ll work seamlessly with those sources, and you don’t have to do anything to work. The only thing missing is support for Atmos on Blu-ray.
If you want to get the most out of this soundbar, you need to use the Samsung SmartThings app, available for Android and iOS devices. You can adjust all the settings with just the remote; the soundbar uses voice prompts and small flashing LEDs to indicate status, but all the settings are easily visible and accessible with the app.
Regardless of what phone I used—I tried both a Galaxy S20 Ultra and an iPhone 13 Pro Max—the app recognized the soundbar right away. I only had to add it once, and it became part of my SmartThings device collection, making it accessible from any phone that has the app.
Audio performance
Sound reproduction is all about physics, and the smaller you make a transducer (the part of a speaker that creates the sound), the greater the limitations in terms of what it can do, especially when it comes to bass output. Of course, this begged the question of how well the S800B handles movie night volume levels and whether the compact wireless subwoofer integrates seamlessly.
Through careful tuning, Samsung has found a way to make this system sound rich, full-bodied, clear, and immersive—at least in what I expect to hear in a soundbar in its price range. It is a distinct improvement over built-in TV sound, I compared it to the QN900A’s built-in sound, and there was no comparison whatsoever—the S800B sounds far better.
There is no free lunch when it comes to the physics of audio reproduction, so Samsung had to do something to make the small drivers of this soundbar deliver such an impressive performance. Some measurements with Room EQ Wizard revealed the possible solution: Take it easy in the lower midrange, including where the soundbar’s bass output crosses over to the sub.
Before going further, a quick bit of audio physics: Sound is measured in dB (decibels), and an increase of 10 dB equals a doubling of perceived loudness. But, it takes ten times as much power to create 10 dB more sound! Every extra 3 dB requires double the power. And the lower the frequency, the more power it takes to achieve a certain output level. This is why a subwoofer does the heavy lifting for the deep bass in many soundbar systems, including this one, but it also lends a hand with some mid/bass output. The trick is ensuring the subwoofer and soundbar blend well so the sound is cohesive.
When measured, this soundbar system has a robust subwoofer—especially considering its size—that cleanly covers a range from roughly 35 Hz (-20 dB) up to 160 Hz. Thanks to room gain, you can hear and even feel output starting at 35 Hz, and it picks up strength beginning at 50 Hz. Bass response drops off to near silence by the time you get to 30 Hz, but the good thing is while the driver is still working, there is no distortion or port noise like I’m used to hearing from most soundbar subs playing below their range.
Running my REW sweeps, I gleaned that the S800B uses a crossover roughly centered around 120 Hz, typical for a soundbar wireless sub. Above 150 Hz, the system’s output experiences a dip of around 6 dB, which I attribute to tuning intended to prevent overloading the system (6 dB less takes ¼ the power to reproduce).
It’s not a textbook smooth response curve. Still, it’s also not a huge compromise and technically is within the /-3 dB response range cited by most speaker specifications, so nothing to get too excited about! The SpaceFit room correction feature reduces this effect to only a 4 dB dip in response, which might be a big deal for an audiophile evaluating multi-thousand-dollar speakers. Still, it is quite a trivial deviation for a lifestyle soundbar system.
The tuning of this soundbar passes muster and has good tonality, with just a bit of brightness to the treble, which is not at all fatiguing and comes across as extra detail. Besides, that can be easily dialed out with the treble control, if you wish.
The response curve of the S800B makes sense to anyone who obsesses over the physics of sound. In my opinion, the goal is to ensure the soundbar does not overwork its miniaturized transducers.
The sub may be small, but it benefits from DSP tuning that lets it leverage a passive radiator to create clean deep bass from a very compact enclosure. It is so small, it fits directly behind my TV on the TV stand, totally hidden and taking up no extra space in the room! It also works great right next to the stand. The subwoofer level adjustment on the remote gets a discrete switch, one of the best features of any soundbar; it lets you dial in as much or little bass as you want—or that neighbors will tolerate.
With this or any soundbar, I recommend placing the sub near the soundbar because otherwise, you may be able to tell where it is located. When the sub is near the soundbar, it blends seamlessly.
Samsung’s SpaceFit Sound function promises to actively apply room correction using the built-in mic, with no setup needed; you just enable it. I ran frequency response sweeps with the function turned on and off, and from any seat in my living room, the SpaceFit-enabled response curve offered a measurable and audible improvement.
Audio quality
In the context of a soundbar system, I’m thoroughly impressed with the performance Samsung squeezed into the S800B. It is especially impressive with movies containing sophisticated Dolby Atmos mixes, well beyond my expectations. For example, Mad Max: Fury Road is a staple of countless Dolby Atmos demos I’ve attended. The S800B pulled off the essentials with ease to my jaded ears, from the bass rumble of engines and so many percussive blasts from explosions and crashes. The sub is quite surprisingly powerful and precise, and capable. It easily keeps up with the demands made by the soundbar.
The S800B offered more 3D envelopment—whether Dolby Atmos or upmixed surround-sound—than any compact standalone soundbar has a right to! It’s not something I can quantify, and yes, Samsung’s own full-size Atmos soundbars will offer higher performance. Still, it was obvious that this soundbar can generate a holographic sound field, one that benefits from its Atmos and upmixing abilities. My impression is it creates a sound field that’s as broad and enveloping as what I get from a full-size surround sound system featuring real speakers.
As for the height channels, I would not say it’s anything like an AVR-based Atmos system in terms of overhead effects. But, the soundbar can make the whole sound field appear elevated and with dialog that appears to come from the screen itself. It does this regardless of what display you use, and you don’t need a Samsung TV to enjoy this benefit. Along with the elevation, you get a great sense of width. The system can convincingly create distinct, focused sound effects that appear to float in the air, far to the left or right of the screen if the mix calls for it, and not merely emanating from a slim soundbar located just under the screen.
I tried the different listening modes and found that I could leave Adaptive Sound enabled; I found no need to second-guess the soundbar. I can’t imagine anyone would want to fiddle with different sound modes to figure out which one works best. If you are playing a movie, Adaptive sound is, to my ears, just like the Surround sound mode. But if another sound mode does something specific you like—whether it’s the toned-down Standard mode or the extremely expansive DTS Virtual:X mode—then by all means, use it.
I had zero issues with dialog clarity, regardless of what I watched. But for anyone that’s an issue, Samsung has a Voice Enhancement function and the Active Voice Amplifier, which uses the built-in mic to determine how much to enhance dialog clarity. It’s a rather strong effect, not something I’d use unless there is a specific issue, but it will ensure that every word comes through loud and clear!
One thing I wish I could comment upon further is Q Symphony. A few weeks before starting this review, I heard the effect of pairing a Q Symphony equipped 2022 Samsung TV and soundbar, and the combined effect is superior to the TV or soundbar operating on their own. The S800B I reviewed has this capability, and I wish I could comment further on how the pairing sounds in this review, but the 2022 TVs are not yet available to review.
While this soundbar is aimed at TV owners, I appreciated how I could use it with a UST projector. I review USTs for Projector Central and can unequivocally state that none can offer anywhere near the audio performance of the S800B. But because of the design of UST projectors, they sit where you’d usually put a soundbar or a center channel. I queued up Gravity, which unfortunately is not yet out in UHD 4K but has a truly excellent Atmos soundtrack that makes full use of the 3D immersion from the first scene onward.
With the S800B, that immersion did not extend above and behind me as it would with an AVR and speaker-based system, but it created an impressive bubble of sound around the TV with considerable width, some height, and some depth. It did not extend behind me, but all Samsung promises is 3.1.2 unless you add the optional surrounds. The one constant is the clarity of the sound, and it constantly defies expectations with its clarity.
Music also sounds great through the S800B. At times, shockingly so. This is great news for living rooms where the TV and soundbar are the primary sound system for the home. It was not lost on me that the QN900A TV included Spotify in its initial setup, and you can definitely use a TV to run a variety of music streaming services.
At first, I was apprehensive about listening to music because in my head, even if it could handle movies and video games, somehow, music would reveal the S800B to be some sort of gimmick. It didn’t happen. I almost feel silly heaping such praise on a soundbar. Still, it’s fun to listen to. It has qualities I’d associate with a high-fidelity sound system, not a soundbar that’s deliberately trying to be as low profile as possible. In addition to the soundbar playing surprisingly loud and clear, the subwoofer handled bass nicely, it’s tight, with good tonality, and you can feel it. Overall, the stereo sound field is satisfyingly wide and deep and detailed.
My greatest apprehension with music and soundbars is sung vocals. With instrumental electronic music, you can adapt to inaccurate sound; there’s no point of reference to say, hey, this is wrong, but that’s not the case with singing. So I figured we’re good to go if this soundbar can handle Queen. So I queue up We Will Rock You, let ‘er rip, and it was finally time for my jaw to drop.
It sure sounds like Freddie Mercury, but not only could I hear the lyrics, I could listen to all the little nuances as the track builds to the guitar solo, and then the guitar itself came through with a FOCUS and precision that took me completely by surprise. There’s no way you can look at the S800B, consider its sound, and not be impressed.
So I thought, OK, passed the Queen test, let’s see what happens if I feed this soundbar A Day In The Life by The Beatles. Not only have I been listening to the track for practically my whole 50-year life, but I have also been to Abbey Road and heard that chord— the one with the long sustain played at the end of the track—on the actual piano, in the same studio and in the same spot as The Beatles, so I have the ultimate subjective point of reference. And what shocked me was that by the time the track reached its climactic conclusion, the S800B triggered goosebumps. I got goosebumps from a soundbar!
Overall, The Beatles sounded excellent through this slim Samsung, as did other artists like Public Enemy, Bassnectar, and my current go-to work-at-home soundtrack, Blockhead. Unlike soundbars that rely purely on virtual surround processing for Dolby Atmos, this Samsung creates a sense of immersion without altering the character of the sound. Music comes through clear and detailed, and natural.
Finally, there’s gaming. There’s nothing to complain about here; the S800B gave me great game sound that had the same qualities as movies, with a wide sound field, distinctly localizable individual sounds, and an enveloping ambiance. All of which combine to create a greater sense of realism, or at least of being in the game. Although there is a dedicated Game sound mode, I found no reason to stop using Adaptive Sound for games since it sounds essentially the same to my ears.
The bottom line
The 799 S800B is a genuinely innovative soundbar system that offers an aesthetic advantage and placement flexibility beyond that of other soundbars offering 3.1.2 Atmos with up-firing drivers. It is optimized for use with Samsung TVs that offer Q Symphony and Wi-Fi connectivity, but it will work with just about any TV or projector with an HDMI ARC port and Bluetooth-equipped devices. Despite its minimalist design, it is quite flexible.
What matters most, to my ears, is that the size reduction achieved by the S800B does not come at the cost of fidelity. The main limitation imposed by physics is output, which is to say you can buy larger and more powerful Dolby Atmos soundbars that will play louder than the S800B. But even so, I found it gets plenty loud for my needs and maintains clarity and dynamics even with the volume turned up high.
When I first saw the S800B, I wondered if Samsung could shrink a soundbar to this extent and still offer a compelling listening experience. I’m surprised the engineers pulled it off. The S800B demonstrates a mastery of compact soundbar design that, at times, seemed like pure sorcery. On its own, without the extra features you get with select Samsung TVs, it creates clear, balanced, surprisingly immersive, eminently listenable sound.
Price: 799, shipping by May 2022
[Image credit: Mark Henninger/Techlicious]
Mark Henninger is an AV enthusiast, equipment reviewer, photographer and videographer. He is a THX-trained video calibrator and has extensive experience working with consumer displays including TVS, projectors, monitors and smartphones. Mark started the editorial review program at AVS Forum, where he served as Senior Editor and then Editor.
