Still developed in partnership with Harmon Kardon, now owned by Samsung (see our news Samsung acquires Harman, an American giant in audio and connected automotive interfaces), the Samsung HW-Q800A soundbar includes all of the technical characteristics of the Samsng HW-Q700A, with a few differences. That is, the total power output remains unchanged, at 330 watts.
First change, the speaker of the wireless subwoofer is larger, 8 inches compared to 16.51 inches on the Q700A. Otherwise, in addition to the AirPlay 2 function, we notice here the Chromecast function, the same for the AVA functionality. The latter is intended to automatically cover new noise in the TV environment. For example that of a kettle or a vacuum cleaner which will be covered by an increase in volume managed directly by the sound bar. Don't panic, the volume drops, always automatically, when the noise stops. Finally, Hi-Res Audio compatibility is on the menu.
Acoustic Beam 2.0 and Q-Symphony technology
For the rest, there is the possibility of evolving into a true discrete 5.1.2 system via the addition of the optional Samsung SWA-9500S wireless surround speaker kit (cf. . photo below).
The Samsung HW-Q800A adopts the straight-line design of the 2020 soundbars with the integration at the top, at the back and at each end, of a tweeter and a tube equipped with multiple holes (56 in total) through which part of the audio information escapes, located and synchronized with what is happening on the screen. Thus, if a character in the game speaks to the right of the image, only the gaps on the right will diffuse the voice. It is the same for a vehicle which crosses the screen: the sound spins from one hole to another to accompany the trajectory of said vehicle. Ditto for a football, an airplane, an explosion ... In short, you have understood the principle. This exclusive process is called Acoustic Beam 2.0.
On the HW-Q800A, as on the HW - Q700A, the tube is placed at the front so as not to interfere with its role in terms of sound distribution if the bar is "wedged" under the television (cf. photo above). Thus, it is possible to bring the sound bar close to the screen for a compact audio-video system without affecting the sound performance of the whole.
Another specificity of the Acoustic Beam 2.0 function, the presence of a tweeter with an enlarged frequency response for a better transition in the low frequencies with the subwoofer. Of course, Acoustic Beam mode is also required with Game Pro mode, which is automatically activated when a game console is connected.
Of course, the Samsung Q-Symphony system, available in the brand's 2020/2021 QLED / Neo QLED TV range, is in order. As a reminder, associated with a Samsung 2020/2021 QLED / Neo QLED TV, the Samsung HW-Q800A sound bar does not deactivate the TV speakers (the standard until now) to enjoy a richer sound environment , magnified by the loudspeakers of the TV.
Main specifications
For the rest, the Samsung HW-Q700A sound bar incorporates seven speakers including two tweeters and five full-range speakers. And a central speaker is dedicated to the reproduction of the dialogues for a perfect intelligibility of the voices. The whole thing is associated with a Class D amplification for a total power of 330 W (2 x 20 W + 4 x 30 W + 10 W + 160 W for the subwoofer).
As announced in the title of this news, the Samsung HW-Q800A sound bar is Dolby Atmos and DTS: X compatible to enjoy the best soundtracks from Blu-Ray and 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray discs, but also certain relevant content available on streaming services such as Netflix.
Space Fit Sound Feature
One of the biggest new features of the Samsung HW-Q800A is the Space Fit Sound feature. In the presence of a Samsung QLED / Neo QLED 2021 television (from references Q70A and higher), the microphone integrated into the TV analyzes the sound diffusion in the room and sends this information to the sound bar. The latter then adjusts its sound parameters accordingly to take into account elements that influence the sound reproduction, for example a curtain, a carpet or a wall. Namely, once the function is activated in the TV menu, everything is automatic and transparent for the user.
Connectivity and Adaptive Sound functionality
The connection has an HDMI CEC 2.0a input / output (with management of the eARC function for the output) transparent to the HDR10 + signal (therefore Ultra HD / 4K), an optical input and a USB port Host. The latter is reserved for Firmware updates. There is also the Bluetooth 4.2 function, the latter also used for wireless connection with a compatible TV, and two DSP modes including Surround Sound Expansion to expand the soundstage and fill the space of the listening room.
Also worth noting, Wi-Fi compatibility, AirPlay 2 and management of audio files in MP3, WMA, Alac, Wav, AAC, Flac, AIFF and Ogg.
For its part, the Adaptive Sound function, via a real-time analysis of the signal frequency, instantly optimizes the sound processing to best match the scene displayed on the screen. Last precision, a wall fixing is included in the box.
SmartThings and Spotify Connect functions
SmartThings is also in the game. This interface makes it possible to control a multitude of connected products, from the thermostat to the surveillance camera, including roller shutters or the robot vacuum cleaner. Samsung announces that the SmartThings function is fully open to all market protocols for almost universal IoT (Internet of Things) compatibility. Likewise, Spotify Connect is in order. Finally, the Samsung HW-Q700A is Works with Alexa certified, so it can be controlled by voice through an Amazon Echo-type speaker.
Available in slate black from April. Indicative price: 799 euros.
Reminder of the key features of the Samsung HW-Q700A sound bar:
• Type: sound bar
• System: 3.1.2
• Amplification: Class D
• Total power: 330 W
• Speaker (s): 8
• Subwoofer: external wireless
• Technology: Acoustic Beam 2.0
• Wi- compatibility Fi
• AirPlay 2 compatibility
• HDR10 + compatibility
• CEC compatibility
• Bluetooth 4.2 compatibility
• eARC compatibility
• MP3 compatibility
• WMA Compatibility
• AAC Compatibility
• Ogg Compatibility
• Wav Compatibility
• AIFF Compatibility
• Ogg Compatibility
• Flac Compatibility
• Function 4K Pass-Trought
• Pro Game Mode Function
• Adaptive Sound Function
• Q-Symphony Function
• Connectivity: 1 HDMI CEC 2.0a input / output (with ARC function for output), 1 optical input, 1 3.5 mm mini-jack input and 1 USB host port
• Dolby Atmos decoder
• DTS decoder: X
• Voice assistant ( aux) Works with Alexa
• HDCP 2.3 certification
• Dimensions (W x H x D, mm): 980 x 60 x 115 mm (bar) + 302 x 353 x 205 mm (box)
• Consumption: 28 W (sound bar) + 28 W (housing) / 0.5 W in standby
• Weight: 9.5 kg (3.6 kg bar + 5.9 kg housing)
