Samsung HW-B650 Review (2024)

Are you looking to upgrade your home entertainment system with a powerful soundbar? The Samsung HW-B650 might just be what you’re searching for.

With its 3.1 channel configuration and wireless subwoofer, this soundbar delivers a robust 360W of audio power.

But there’s more to this soundbar than just raw power. Stay tuned to discover how its advanced features and sleek design can enhance your audio experience.

Key Takeaways

• The Samsung HW-B650 soundbar offers a sleek design with plastic construction and a metal grille for durability.
• It provides clear and accurate sound reproduction, making it suitable for movies, music, and dialogue-heavy shows.
• While it may lack some low bass, it delivers loud sound and clear dialogue and has the option to add rear speakers for enhanced surround sound.
• The soundbar offers multiple audio connections, including HDMI and optical, and supports wireless playback via Bluetooth for convenient streaming.

Design and Build Quality

With its plastic construction and sleek angled design, the Samsung HW-B650 soundbar exudes a modern and durable aesthetic. The metal grille covering the front and sides adds to its robust build quality, while the subwoofer, predominantly made of wood with fabric covering the front, complements the overall design.

The soundbar’s angled edges contribute to its contemporary look, making it a stylish addition to any living room. However, it’s worth noting that the front fabric on the soundbar tends to collect dust easily, necessitating regular cleaning to maintain its appearance.

On the positive side, the wireless connection between the soundbar and subwoofer provides flexibility in placement, and the inclusion of brackets and screws for wall mounting enhances its versatility. These design elements make the Samsung HW-B650 soundbar a suitable and visually appealing choice for larger TVs, ensuring that it not only improves your audio experience but also enhances the aesthetic appeal of your living space.

Audio Performance Analysis

The sleek and modern design of the Samsung HW-B650 soundbar not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your living space but also contributes to its impressive audio performance.

When evaluating the audio performance of the Samsung HW-B650, consider the following aspects:

• Surround Sound Support: The HW-B650 supports 5.1 surround sound formats like Dolby Digital, delivering an immersive listening experience for various types of audio content.
• Sound Reproduction: This soundbar provides clear and accurate sound reproduction, with customization tools available to optimize the audio according to your preferences.
• Bass Performance: While the HW-B650 lacks some low-bass, it compensates by delivering loud sound and presenting dialogue clearly, enhancing the overall audio experience.
• Enhanced Surround Sound: With support for Dolby Digital and DTS formats, the HW-B650 offers an option to add rear speakers for even better surround sound, creating a more immersive audio environment without compromising on clarity.

Connectivity and Ease of Use

When setting up the Samsung HW-B650 soundbar, you can take advantage of its multiple audio connections, including HDMI and optical, providing you with flexibility in configuring your audio system.

This allows you to easily connect the soundbar to various devices, such as TVs, gaming consoles, and media players.

The inclusion of HDMI ARC and HDMI eARC also simplifies the setup process and ensures high-quality audio transmission from your TV.

The support for Dolby Digital and DTS formats, along with downmixing for 5.1 surround sound content into stereo, enhances the compatibility of the soundbar with different audio sources.

Moreover, the wireless playback via Bluetooth enables convenient streaming from your mobile devices, adding to the ease of use.

While some latency over ARC and optical connections was observed during testing, no significant lip-syncing issues were encountered, maintaining the overall user experience.

Furthermore, the wireless connection between the soundbar and subwoofer provides flexibility in placement and easy setup, contributing to a hassle-free installation process.

Gaming Mode Pro Features

If you’re a gaming enthusiast looking to elevate your audio experience, the Samsung HW-B650 soundbar’s Gaming Mode Pro features offer optimized sound settings and reduced input lag for a more immersive and responsive gameplay environment.

The Gaming Mode Pro enhances your gaming audio experience with customized sound settings and reduced input lag, allowing for more responsive gameplay. The feature also provides immersive surround sound, creating a captivating gaming environment.

Additionally, the customizable sound settings cater to different gaming genres, ensuring an optimal audio experience across various games. Moreover, Gaming Mode Pro improves dialogue clarity and audio detail during gaming sessions, enhancing your overall gaming experience.

With these features, the Samsung HW-B650 soundbar sets a new standard for gaming audio, offering a competitive edge and an immersive gaming environment.

Comparisons and Alternatives

Samsung HW-B650 vs. Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

In comparing the Samsung HW-B650 with the Sonos Beam (Gen 2), it’s essential to consider their respective features, performance, and overall value for your home entertainment setup.

• The Samsung HW-B650 offers powerful bass and a wider soundstage, ideal for a more immersive audio experience.
• The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) supports Dolby Atmos, providing a virtualized immersive sound experience.
• Samsung HW-B650 supports the addition of a rear speaker kit for a more comprehensive surround sound setup.
• Sonos Beam (Gen 2) can be integrated with additional speakers, such as the Sonos Sub and Sonos One SL, for an expanded and immersive audio experience.

These features highlight the distinct advantages of each soundbar, catering to different preferences and requirements for an audio experience tailored to your Samsung TV or home entertainment setup.

Samsung HW-B650 vs. Bose Smart Soundbar 300

When comparing the Samsung HW-B650 with the Bose Smart Soundbar 300, you’ll find that both offer distinct features and performance metrics for your home entertainment setup.

The Samsung HW-B650 provides a 3.1 channel soundbar with a wireless subwoofer, offering a power output of 360W and supporting Dolby Digital and DTS Virtual:X for immersive sound. It emphasizes voice clarity and spatial audio, making it suitable for a wide range of content.

On the other hand, the Bose Smart Soundbar 300 offers integration with other Bose products, supports all Dolby sound formats, and provides powerful bass, especially for an entry-level soundbar with 1 surround. It also excels in connectivity options, including Wi-Fi and easy setup with HDMI.

Both soundbars present compelling features, so your decision may come down to whether you prioritize specific sound formats, voice clarity, or integration with other Bose products.

Samsung HW-B650 vs. JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass

The comparison between the Samsung HW-B650 and the JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass soundbar allows for consideration of alternative options after looking at the distinct features and performance metrics of the Bose Smart Soundbar 300 in the previous discussion.

• The Samsung HW-B650 has a higher power output of 360W compared to the 300W of the JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass.
• The JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass features a taller subwoofer for improved performance and deeper bass for a better audio experience.
• Samsung HW-B650 supports HDMI ARC and HDMI eARC for easy TV connection and higher quality audio transmission, while the JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass is equipped with HDMI and power cords for straightforward setup.
• The JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass includes an updated remote with three bass settings to suit different sound preferences.

Samsung HW-B650 Pros and Cons

Samsung HW-B650 Pros

1. Decent Sound Performance: Offers a solid audio experience suitable for a variety of content, including movies, podcasts, and TV shows.
2. Clear Dialogue Reproduction: Enhances the clarity of spoken words, making it great for dialogue-heavy content.
3. Powerful Bass: The soundbar, coupled with its subwoofer, delivers robust bass performance.
4. Supports 5.1 Surround Sound Formats: Compatible with Dolby Digital, providing a more immersive audio experience.
5. Solid Build Quality: Durable and well-constructed, ensuring longevity.
6. Customization Tools: Allows users to tweak the audio settings to their preferences.
7. Wireless Subwoofer Connectivity: Offers flexibility in placement without the hassle of wires.
8. Sleek Design and Wall-Mount Kit: Aesthetically pleasing and suitable for larger TVs, with easy wall-mounting options.

Samsung HW-B650 Cons

1. Lacks Dolby Atmos Support: Missing out on the latest in immersive audio technology.
2. Limited Low-Bass: Some users might find the bass lacking in depth for certain types of content.
3. No Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay, or Chromecast Support: Limits wireless streaming options.
4. Latency Issues Over ARC and Optical Connections: Can lead to audio-sync problems, particularly noticeable in gaming and movies.
5. Remote Control Lacking Volume Control: Makes adjusting the volume less convenient.
6. Front Fabric Prone to Dust Accumulation: Requires regular cleaning and might not be as durable over time.

Should You Buy the Samsung HW-B650 Soundbar?

When deciding if the Samsung HW-B650 soundbar is the right choice for you, it’s important to consider your individual needs and preferences. This soundbar is an excellent choice for those who value clear dialogue, powerful bass, and a solid overall audio experience without needing the latest features like Dolby Atmos.

Ideal for Non-Dolby Atmos Users: If the newest audio technology, like Dolby Atmos isn’t a priority, the Samsung HW-B650 is an attractive option. Its ability to provide clear and crisp dialogue makes it perfect for regular TV shows, news, and podcasts, where clarity of speech is crucial. The soundbar’s powerful bass and support for 5.1 surround sound formats like Dolby Digital also suit it for an engaging movie-watching experience. Coupled with its sleek design, wireless subwoofer, and customization options, it’s a versatile and easy-to-use choice for improving your TV’s audio.

Considerations for Dolby Atmos Enthusiasts: If you’re an audio enthusiast looking for the engaging experience Dolby Atmos provides, the Samsung HW-B650 might not meet your needs. Dolby Atmos is popular for its ability to create a more engaging soundstage, positioning sounds in a three-dimensional space around the listener. If this is important to you, you might consider other options in the same price range that include Dolby Atmos.

A key alternative is the Sonos Beam (Gen 2). This soundbar not only offers excellent sound quality but also comes with Dolby Atmos, creating a more engaging audio experience, particularly for movies and gaming. The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) also fits well into the Sonos ecosystem, making it a good choice for those wanting to create or add to a multi-room audio setup.

Bottom Line: The Samsung HW-B650 is a great soundbar for those who are not looking for the latest features like Dolby Atmos but still desire a high-quality audio experience. Its mix of clear dialogue, powerful bass, and user-friendliness makes it a valuable investment for most consumers. However, for those who value the latest audio technology and engaging sound, alternatives like the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) may be more suitable. Your decision should match your specific audio needs and the kind of content you most often enjoy.

Final Thoughts

If you’re seeking a soundbar that offers versatile audio performance and modern connectivity options, the Samsung HW-B650 may be a compelling choice for your home entertainment setup.

Its 3.1 channel configuration with a wireless subwoofer delivers a powerful 360W output, enhancing your audio experience.

The support for Dolby Digital and DTS formats ensures immersive sound quality, suitable for a variety of audio content, including dialogue-heavy TV shows and movies.

The inclusion of HDMI ARC and HDMI eARC simplifies TV connection and facilitates higher-quality audio transmission.

While the soundbar lacks Wi-Fi and Apple AirPlay support, it compensates with Bluetooth connectivity for wireless streaming.

The HW-B650’s sleek and modern design, along with the included wall-mount kit, makes it a suitable companion for larger TVs, complementing your home entertainment setup aesthetically.