The Samsung S800B All-In-One Soundbar is a powerful audio device that aims to enhance your entertainment experience. Packed with advanced features and cutting-edge technology, this soundbar offers immersive sound quality, sleek design, and seamless connectivity options. This review will delve into its various aspects to help you determine if it’s the right soundbar for your needs.
Design and Build Quality
Samsung has always been known for its stylish and modern designs, and the S800B soundbar is no exception. It features a slim profile and a sleek, black finish that effortlessly complements any home décor. The build quality is solid, with a sturdy construction that exudes durability. The soundbar can be wall-mounted or placed on a TV stand, providing installation flexibility.
Audio Quality
The primary purpose of a soundbar is to deliver exceptional audio, and the S800B excels in this aspect. Equipped with advanced audio technologies, including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, this soundbar creates a 3D soundscape that engulfs you in a truly immersive experience. The sound output is rich, detailed, and well-balanced, with impressive clarity across the frequency range. The integrated subwoofer delivers deep bass, adding depth and impact to your audio.
Connectivity Options
The Samsung S800B offers a wide range of connectivity options, ensuring compatibility with various devices. It features HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) and HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) ports, allowing you to connect it directly to your TV for a simplified setup. Additionally, it supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, enabling seamless wireless streaming from your smartphone, tablet, or other compatible devices. The soundbar also includes a USB port and an optical audio input for further connectivity versatility.
Installation and Setup
Thanks to its user-friendly design, setting up the S800B soundbar is a breeze. The package includes all the necessary cables, mounting hardware, and a detailed instruction manual. Depending on your preference, you can choose between wall mounting or placing it on a TV stand. The soundbar automatically detects the type of connection and optimizes the settings accordingly, making the initial setup hassle-free.
Our Verdict
The Samsung S800B All-In-One Soundbar is a feature-packed audio solution that ticks all the boxes for a superior home entertainment experience. Its sleek design, powerful audio performance, and versatile connectivity options make it an excellent choice for movie enthusiasts and music lovers. The Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support ensure an immersive experience, while the integrated subwoofer delivers deep and punchy bass. The ease of installation and the wide range of connectivity options make it a convenient addition to any home theater setup. Overall, the S800B is a highly recommended soundbar that offers excellent value for its price range.
Remote Control and User Interface
The Samsung S800B All-In-One Soundbar has a sleek and intuitive remote control that allows you to navigate its various settings and features effortlessly. The remote provides quick access to essential functions like volume control, input selection, and sound modes. Additionally, the soundbar can be controlled through the Samsung SmartThings app, which offers a user-friendly interface and the convenience of controlling the soundbar directly from your smartphone or tablet.
Speaker Configuration
The S800B features a well-designed speaker configuration that enhances audio performance. It consists of dedicated drivers for the left, center, and right channels, along with side-firing and upward-firing drivers for wider sound dispersion. This configuration ensures the sound is evenly distributed across the room, resulting in a more immersive listening experience.
Bass and Treble Performance
The bass performance of the S800B is impressive, thanks to its integrated subwoofer. It produces deep and punchy bass, impacting action-packed movies and enhancing the low-frequency response in music. The subwoofer seamlessly blends with the soundbar’s main drivers, creating a cohesive and well-balanced soundstage.
The treble performance is equally commendable, with clear and detailed high frequencies. The soundbar maintains clarity even at higher volumes, allowing you to enjoy every audio nuance without distortion or harshness.
EQ Settings
To cater to individual preferences, the S800B offers customizable EQ settings. The soundbar provides various preset sound modes, including Standard, Music, Movie, and Sports, which optimize the audio settings based on the content you’re consuming. Additionally, you can manually adjust the EQ settings to fine-tune the sound according to your taste. This flexibility allows you to tailor the audio experience to match your preferences for different types of content.
Soundstage and Imaging
One of the standout features of the S800B is its ability to create a wide and immersive soundstage. The side-firing and upward-firing drivers help in expanding the soundstage, making it feel more spacious and enveloping. This is particularly beneficial for movies and games, as it adds depth and dimension to the audio, making you feel like you’re part of the action.
The imaging capabilities of the soundbar are impressive, accurately placing sound effects and vocals within the virtual space. This precision enhances the overall realism and immersion, delivering a cinematic experience from the comfort of your home.
Surround Sound Performance
While the S800B is not a dedicated surround sound system, it utilizes advanced sound processing algorithms to create a simulated surround sound effect. The soundbar uses virtualization technology to mimic the experience of having multiple speakers positioned around the room. This feature enhances immersion and spatial awareness, particularly for movies and games encoded with surround sound formats.
The surround sound performance of the S800B is convincing, effectively expanding the soundstage and creating the illusion of sound coming from different directions. However, it’s important to note that the experience may not be as immersive as a full-fledged surround sound system with dedicated rear speakers.
Dialogue Clarity
The Samsung S800B All-In-One Soundbar excels in dialogue clarity, ensuring that speech is clear and intelligible. With dedicated center channel drivers, the soundbar delivers crisp and well-defined vocals, making dialogues in movies, TV shows, and documentaries easily understandable. This feature enhances the overall viewing experience, especially in scenes with heavy background noise or accents that might otherwise be challenging to comprehend.
Volume and Power Handling
The S800B soundbar boasts impressive volume and power handling capabilities. With its robust amplifiers and well-designed drivers, it can deliver high sound pressure levels without distortion. Whether watching an action-packed movie or hosting a party, the soundbar maintains clarity and detail even at higher volumes. This ensures a dynamic and immersive audio experience that fills the room with rich sound.
Bluetooth and Wireless Connectivity
The Samsung S800B offers seamless Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to stream audio from your compatible devices wirelessly. Whether it’s your smartphone, tablet, or laptop, you can effortlessly connect and enjoy your favorite music or podcasts. The Bluetooth connection is stable and reliable, providing a hassle-free wireless experience.
Compatibility with TV and Other Devices
The S800B soundbar is designed to integrate with your TV and other devices seamlessly. It features HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) and HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) ports, enabling a single HDMI cable connection to your TV for audio playback and control. This simplifies the setup process and eliminates the need for multiple cables.
Additionally, the soundbar supports optical audio input, allowing you to connect it to devices such as Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, and set-top boxes. With its wide range of connectivity options, the S800B ensures compatibility with various devices, making it a versatile audio solution for your home entertainment setup.
Streaming Services Support
The S800B soundbar supports popular streaming services, allowing you to access your favorite music and podcasts directly. With built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, you can easily connect to your home network and stream from services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. This feature eliminates the need for additional devices and provides convenient access to a vast content library.
Audio Codecs Supported
The S800B soundbar supports a range of audio codecs, ensuring compatibility with different formats and enhancing audio playback. It supports popular codecs like Dolby Digital and DTS, providing immersive and high-quality audio decoding. This allows you to enjoy surround sound content with enhanced clarity and precision.
Size and Compatibility with Room
The S800B soundbar is designed to be compact yet powerful, making it suitable for various room sizes. Its slim profile and sleek design ensure it blends seamlessly with your TV setup. Whether you have a small living room or a larger entertainment area, the soundbar delivers immersive sound without overwhelming the space. Additionally, it offers adjustable sound modes and EQ settings, allowing you to optimize the audio output based on the room’s acoustics.
Brand and Reputation
Samsung is a well-established and reputable brand known for its innovative technology and quality products. With years of experience in the electronics industry, Samsung has garnered a strong reputation for delivering cutting-edge audio solutions. The S800B soundbar is a testament to Samsung’s commitment to providing high-performance audio devices that enhance the entertainment experience.
Price and Value for Money
The Samsung S800B All-In-One Soundbar offers excellent value for money. Considering its feature set, audio performance, and build quality, it falls within a competitive price range. The soundbar delivers immersive sound, seamless connectivity options, and a range of features that make it a worthwhile investment for enhancing your home entertainment setup.
Warranty and Customer Support
Samsung provides a warranty for the S800B soundbar, offering peace of mind to consumers. The specific warranty terms may vary depending on your region, but generally, Samsung offers a standard warranty period for manufacturing defects. In addition, Samsung has a reliable customer support system to assist with any inquiries, troubleshooting, or after-sales service requirements.
Durability and Longevity
The S800B soundbar is built with durability in mind. The solid construction and high-quality materials ensure that it can withstand regular use and provide long-lasting performance. The soundbar’s components are designed to handle the demands of daily audio playback, ensuring reliability and longevity over time. Samsung’s reputation for producing durable electronics further reinforces the soundbar’s reliability.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is an important consideration for many consumers, and the Samsung S800B delivers in this aspect. The soundbar incorporates energy-saving features, such as automatic power-saving modes and standby functionality, which help reduce power consumption when not in use. This not only contributes to energy savings but also minimizes environmental impact.
Portability and Convenience
While the S800B is designed primarily for home use, it offers portability and convenience. The soundbar’s compact and slim design makes it easy to move or reposition within your home. Whether you want to take it to a different room or bring it to a friend’s house for a movie night, the soundbar’s lightweight build ensures hassle-free portability. Additionally, the soundbar’s wireless connectivity options, such as Bluetooth, provide added convenience when connecting and streaming audio from mobile devices.
Mounting Options
The Samsung S800B soundbar offers flexible mounting options for your preferences and room layout. It can be easily wall-mounted using the included mounting hardware, which saves space and creates a clean, clutter-free setup. Alternatively, you can place the soundbar on a TV stand or media console, allowing for a more traditional setup. The multiple mounting options ensure versatility and compatibility with various room configurations.
Comparison with Similar Products
To make an informed decision, comparing the Samsung S800B All-In-One Soundbar with similar products is helpful. Consider factors such as audio performance, connectivity options, build quality, and pricing. This comparison will help you determine whether the S800B offers the best value and features for your requirements.
Buying Guide and Recommendations
When considering the Samsung S800B All-In-One Soundbar for purchase, keep the following factors in mind:
Room Size: Consider the size of your room and the soundbar’s compatibility with the space. Ensure that the soundbar’s dimensions and audio performance suit your room layout.
Audio Preferences: Assess your audio preferences and requirements. If you prioritize dialogue clarity, immersive sound, or specific audio codecs, ensure the soundbar aligns with your preferences.
Connectivity Options: Evaluate the connectivity options provided by the soundbar. Consider the devices you intend to connect and stream from, such as TVs, gaming consoles, or streaming devices, and ensure compatibility.
Budget: Determine your budget and compare the S800B’s price with other soundbars offering similar features and performance. Consider the overall value for money regarding audio quality, build quality, and additional features.
Final Thoughts
The Samsung S800B All-In-One Soundbar is an impressive audio solution that offers immersive sound, sleek design, and versatile connectivity options. While it may not provide the same level of surround sound as dedicated systems, its performance, dialogue clarity, and customizable EQ settings make it a worthwhile investment. By considering customer reviews, weighing the pros and cons, and comparing it to other options, you can confidently decide whether the S800B is the right soundbar for your home entertainment setup.