Samsung HW-A550 Soundbar Review

7.42 Mixed Usages
7.9 SOUND QUALITY
8 BASS ACCURACY :
7 AUDIO & VIDEO LATENCY:
6.7 AUDIO ENHANCEMENT FEATURES:
7.5 BUILD QUALITY :
Release year: 2021 Rating: 4.5

Samsung HW-A550 is a 2.1 channel soundbar that comes with a wireless subwoofer. DTS Virtual:X and Dolby Digital 5.1 are present so that you can hear virtual surround sound. However, this isn’t very immersive. 5.5” subwoofer ensure good bass but misses adequate thump. Music, movies and TV shows are well represented. Multiple EQ options and settings are available.

Our Verdict

Samsung HW-A550 is an affordable soundbar that produces great sound for movies and music. That said, you need to overlook the lack of Atmos or up-firing drivers. Consider this an upgrade over TV sound. Although there is no center channel, you can use the Adaptive Sound mode to boost the dialogs. The soundbar has excellent dynamics and has a balanced sound profile.

PROS
  • Pleasant mids
  • Satisfying soundstage
  • Expandable with SWA-9100S
  • Wireless sub
  • Loud
CONS
  • No center channel
Where to buy
Amazon Buy on Amazon
Specification

GENERAL

Number of Channel 2.1 Channel
Placement Type Table-top , Wall-mountable
Connectivity Type
Subwoofer Feature Separate Subwoofer
Rear Speaker N/A
Central Channel Speaker N/A
Audio Enhancement Features Yes
HDMI input/output Yes
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) N/A
Loudness High Volume ( > 92db )
Warranty 12 months Months

CONNECTIVITY:

Digital Optical Audio Input ( Toslink ) 1 Optical Audio Input
HDMI ARC 1 (shared)
HDMI Output 1 (shared)
Full HDMI Input 1 HDMI Input
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) None
RCA Ports No
USB Port 1 USB Port
Ethernet Jack No

AUDIO QUALITY ( TESTED )

Dialogue & Vocal Accuracy Frequency deviation from target is less than standard error (3.4 dB ); which means soundbar is very good to reproduce dialog and instrumental music
Bass Accuracy ( for music, film scores, movies, and games) Soundbar 's Low-Frequency-Extension is more than 35 Hz. Which means It can reproduce the deep thump and rumble in the low-bass accurately.
3- Dimensional Sound Accuracy ( Sound Stage) soundstage has good focus overall but but some sound tracks seem to be bit more diffused and lack separation.
Total Harmonic Distortion ( Center Channel ) No Dedicated Center Channel Speaker. So, it can not produce sound quite as clear as 3.0, 3.2 , 5.1 or 7.2 channels Soundbar. But It has decent center performance to produce accurate audio and dialogue.
Surround Sound Imaging ( Rear Channel ) No dedicated or alternative channel for surround content. So it downmixes surround content to stereo.
Streo Dynamics ( Loudness ): Dynamic Range Compression @ Max Volume is little bit less than standard deviation (<2 dB) and maximum valume is more then 92 dB SPL
Audio & Video Latency Here no visible latency via ARC (104 ms) and Optical (77 ms) but visuals difference may found via Full HDMI Input (77 ms).

AUDIO ENHANCEMENT FEATURES:

Digital Room Correction: N/A
Auto Volume Adjustment/ Night Mode: Yes
Equilizer Options: Graphic + Presets
Bass Adjustment ( Thump & Punch of sound) Yes
Treble Adjustent ( Brightness and Clarity od Audio) Yes
Surround Level Adjustment: N/A
Virtual Surround Effect: Yes

SUPPORTED AUDIO FORMAT ( HDMI ARC)

eARC Standard N/A
Dolby Atmos N/A
Dolby Digital Yes
Dolby Digital Plus N/A
DTS Yes
DTS: X N/A
Dolby True HD ( eARC only ) N/A
DTS- HD MA (eARC only) N/A
5.1 PCM ( eARC only ) N/A

SUPPORTED AUDIO FORMAT (FULL HDMI IN' PORT ):

Dolby Atmos : N/A
DTS:X : N/A
Dolby Digital : Yes
Dolby Digital Plus: N/A
DTS : N/A
Dolby TrueHD : N/A
DTS-HD MA : N/A
5.1 PCM N/A

AUDIO FORMAT SUPPORT ( OPTICAL PORT ):

Dolby Digital : Yes
DTS : Yes

DRIVERS SPECS

Tweeter Size and Type : None
Midrange Size & Types: Cones (4)
Woofer Size & Type : None
Subwoofer Driver 5.5" Cone

BUILD MATERIAL

Enclosure Sealed (bar),Ported (sub)
Finish The bar is mostly made of plastic, which feels solid and durable. The metal grille on the front helps to protect the drivers. The sub is mostly made of melamine.
Color Black
Soundbar Width 33.9" (86.1 cm)
Soundbar Height 2.2" (5.5 cm)
Soundbar Depth 3.4" (8.7 cm)
Subwoofer Width 7.9" (20.0 cm)
Subwoofer Depth 11.4" (29.0 cm)
Where to buy
Amazon Buy on Amazon
Where to buy
Amazon Buy on Amazon

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