design and construction
At first glance, the Samsung HW-Q800A appears to be almost identical to the HW-Q600A. Therefore, the design of the two products has not changed significantly, and they can be distinguished by appearance alone.
On the downside, the bars are much more prominent than expected. Therefore, placing the device on the mobile together with the TV will require additional space for both devices.
In addition to the impossibility of placing the device in the space between the feet of the TV, the challenge is even greater for models with a solid base. During the tests, it was necessary to periodically disarm the TV in order to be able to send an infrared signal to it.
For this reason, it is ideal to use this rod that is screwed into the wall bracket – along with the TV – to avoid these problems in the use experience. Fortunately, the company supported the packaging of the product.
On the soundbar, Samsung has provided five speakers, four at the ends – two on each side – and one in front of the soundbar to ensure the distribution of audio in a 360° format. In addition, the device has a separate subwoofer dedicated to the lower frequencies that the bass emits.
There are 4 buttons on the top for volume control, connection switching and microphone. However, at various times, I noticed that the sound adjustment was performing other equalization functions.
This can be an isolated issue, as seen in units tested by Canaltech, but it’s important to be aware when shopping at the store. So, if possible, try the navigation options before you buy.
The subwoofer is all wood, and the sound output is on the left. However, if this sound reproduction area is provided at the bottom, it can be used better as it helps to reverberate the bass more effectively.
Remote Control
The controls used on the HW-Q800A soundbar are similar in shape to the accessories found on Samsung Smart TVs. However, to facilitate the configuration of the equalizers present in the model, some audio-centric features are implemented.
In addition to the soundbar and subwoofer volume controls, the control has buttons for pairing, adjusting sound modes, and buttons for changing how the product is used.
It is worth mentioning that, although Samsung offers the accessory, you don’t have to use it all the time, as the TV Control also allows access to several options.
connectivity
The Samsung HW-Q800A has a physical HDMI Arc connection for clearer sound, an HDMI input for using the soundbar with other types of devices (DVD, Blu-ray, etc.), an optical output, and a power port. . .
One of the great advantages of the soundbar is its compatibility with the Alexa virtual assistant, as the commands can be used to perform different actions, improving usability.
The subwoofer only has an input using the cable that connects it to the outlet, as the device works wirelessly with the bar. Recognition is done automatically.
Still about wireless connectivity, the HW-Q800A has Bluetooth 4.2, which is a disadvantage when compared to models that already use this new generation of connectivity.
Does the Samsung HW-Q800A sound good?
I was very dissatisfied with the sound quality of the Samsung HW-Q800A, as the overall quality was below expectations for a product of this type. However, there are some specific features that caught my attention.
One of them is the individual adjustment of the frequencies, since in the bar configuration menu you can increase or decrease bass, mids and treble. Also, the sound experience when watching more narrative-focused videos is interesting.
However, to effectively switch between tones, the volume must be adjusted below its maximum capacity. Otherwise, using this type of configuration will not be successful.
For movies, you have to keep in mind that the sound isn’t always what you expect, as in more impactful scenes – like the T-Rex attacking the car in Jurassic Park – you’ll get the feeling that the subwoofer isn’t carrying the power. expected.
The HW-Q800A has a total power of 330W, but actual usage shows that it’s not loud enough for better sound. When tested with acoustic foam in the studio, it was clear that it did not interfere with the narration without altering the intensity of the sound.
This suggests that the expected strength of a product with so many different properties is not as high as expected. Another downside is that the subwoofer doesn’t change power when it reaches full volume, a linearity that can interfere with the sound that accompanies different songs.
So it’s clear that there are songs that explore the bass even if you don’t need so much “pressure” from the lower frequencies. As a result, the highs and mids are suppressed by other tones.
direct competitors
One option that conflicts with the Samsung HW-Q800A is the LG SP8A. Soundbars in the same category as the models reviewed in this article have a number of attractive features that make sense in their price range.
The 3.1.2 channel device has a power of 440W and works best in a well-controlled audio environment. In addition, it has Hi-Res and DTS:X modes in its settings to ensure an important improvement in the sound experience.
In addition, LG supports a number of virtual assistants, including Google Assistant, Alexa, ThinQ and Apple AirPlay. In this way, it is worth mentioning that, regardless of the platform, the device would prefer to be part of the smart home ecosystem.
The average price of the LG SP8A is 2,300 reais, which makes the purchase of this soundbar a little more expensive than it would cost to own the Q800A (300 reais).
Conclusion
The Samsung HW-Q800A is a good soundbar, but there are several factors that you should carefully consider when choosing it.
The sound quality was below expectations, as the subwoofer left the bass very prominent and left other frequencies “off” at different times.
In addition, the product’s body prevents it from being used on furniture without affecting the placement of the TV – unless it is mounted on a wall. Therefore, it is ideal to make a suspended installation.
Samsung HW-Q800A (Photo: Ivo/Canaltech)
It is clear, however, that there are some positive aspects to the device, such as the separate configuration of bass, mids and treble, as well as various connectivity options that, especially when used via HDMI Arc, allow for clearer audio.
Considering that the price of the Samsung HW-Q800A varies between 2,500 reais and 2,000 reais, this value is a little higher than I would consider proportional to the quality it offers.
So, knowing that there are better options in the same range, I believe the LG SP8A is a better option, even if you have to pay more for it.
