(Pocket-lint) – 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.
The Samsung HW-S800B is aimed toward anybody in search of Dolby Atmos from a sublime and discreet soundbar and subwoofer combo. The soundbar itself manages to cram 9 audio system into its ultra-slim cupboard, together with upfiring overhead channels. The compact sub employs a force-cancelling design to supply deep bass, leading to a strong 3.1.2-channel system.
The connectivity has been stripped again, with the one bodily port being a Mini HDMI connector. So that you’ll want an adapter or the included devoted cable to attach your TV, and there’s no assist for eARC, which is a disgrace. Wi-fi is best, with Bluetooth, built-in Wi-Fi and assist for AirPlay 2. There’s additionally built-in Alexa, making the S800B a fully-functioning good speaker.
By way of different options, the HW-S800B additionally helps DTS Digital:X, plus there’s Spotify Join, Samsung’s Q Symphony integration for supporting TVs, Faucet Sound, Lively Voice Amplifier and Adaptive Sound processing. Setup is straightforward due to the very helpful SpaceFit Sound room correction characteristic, which is able to get probably the most out of the general system.
The efficiency is great in the case of immersive Atmos, with a soundstage that delivers width, top and a stunning quantity of bass from the compact sub. Should you’re in search of an unobtrusive soundbar system, the S800B gained’t disappoint and sounds very good with TV, films and music. It additionally has the choice so as to add wi-fi rear audio system, making a 5.1.4-channel system.
- 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 properly made, with a strong steel mesh grille. The curved ends and black end make for a beautiful look, whereas additionally permitting the soundbar to be unobtrusive when positioned beneath your TV.
The soundbar is large 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. Should you determine to go for the latter Samsung contains devoted brackets for this objective.
The wi-fi subwoofer is compact, and in addition 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 lowering 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, in reality, that they are comprised of a single Mini HDMI output. Whereas the soundbar is definitely svelte by way of its proportions, there does seem like enough area for a daily HDMI connector and an optical digital enter, so Samsung’s selection right here is puzzling.
As a consequence of this choice, 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, the soundbar can be restricted to lossy moderately than lossless audio through HDMI. You probably have an older TV that does not assist ARC, the dearth of an optical digital connection additionally means this is not the soundbar for you.
The scenario is best in the case 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 good speaker, with an assistant and the additional benefit of voice management.
By way of different management choices, there is a well-designed and fully-specified distant that gives intensive 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 too can function the S800B utilizing the controls on the soundbar itself, or your TV’s distant.
Audio system and efficiency
- Dolby Atmos object-based decoding
- Assist for DTS Digital:X
- 3.1.2-channel output
- Excessive-res audio assist
- Elective wi-fi rear audio system
The Samsung HW-S800B confounds its ultra-slim look with a efficiency that sounds significantly larger than it appears. That is largely due to some revolutionary expertise created by the intelligent scientists on the Samsung Audio Lab in California.
They’ve managed to cram 9 drivers into the modern enclosure, which create three ahead firing audio system (left, proper and centre) and a pair of upward-firing audio system for prime entrance left and proper. The addition of the wi-fi subwoofer creates a 3.1.2-channel system total.
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 top, plus a strong bass basis that offers the general supply depth and influence. 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 through 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. The Samsung strikes sounds seamlessly across the entrance of the room when our characters are within the ‘Upside Down’, and the sub provides some wonderful low-end influence.
There are some first rate overhead results as Max tries to flee the ‘Upside Down’ to the strains of Kate Bush’s Operating Up that Hill, and the sub delivers loads of deep bass. Whereas Samsung hasn’t disclosed how a lot energy is constructed into the S800B, the amplification is able to being pushed exhausting 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 top 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 through lossless Dolby TrueHD. Given the HDMI limitations, the final lack of DTS:X content material and the dearth of decoding mixed, the inclusion of DTS Digital:X makes good sense.
The Samsung HW-S800B rewrites the guide on what an ultra-slim soundbar can obtain, with an expansive entrance soundstage, noticeable overhead results, and deep bass from its compact subwoofer. It’s handles Dolby Atmos with ability, though its supply is understandably entrance heavy. Nonetheless, there’s the choice so as to add wi-fi rear audio system to create a completely immersive system. There’s additionally built-in Alexa, and solely the Mini HDMI connection actually disappoints. In consequence, this bar is right for anybody who desires one thing lifestyle-friendly, discreet and spectacular sounding.
Writing by Steve Withers. Modifying by Verity Burns.
