The Samsung HW-Q700A is a 3.1.2 setup from the manufacturer's 2021 lineup. It has a balanced mid-range that can reproduce clear and accurate vocals and lead instruments. However, it struggles to reproduce the thump and punch in the bass range, so you don't feel the deep rumble in action-packed movie scenes. It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X content, though, and it comes with lots of sound enhancement features, including Samsung's Acoustic Beam virtual surround technology, though we don't test for this.
Our Verdict
The Samsung HW-Q700A is good for mixed usage. It has a pretty balanced mid-range that can reproduce vocals and lead instruments clearly. However, it struggles to reproduce a thumpy, punchy bass, which can be disappointing if you like bass-heavy music and action-packed movies. It supports Dolby Atmos, though, which is handy for movie fans. However, it has to downmix surround content into stereo to play it, which isn't as immersive-sounding.
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Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Apple AirPlay compatibility.
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Graphic EQ and presets.
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Gets loud.
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Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support.
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Doesn't support Chromecast built-in.
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Lacks low-bass.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is very good for dialogue-centric content like TV shows. Thanks to its dedicated center channel and balanced mid-range, voices are reproduced clearly, accurately, and with detail. There's even a dialogue enhancement feature available to help make voices sound more clear and crisp. Also, it's Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Apple AirPlay compatible, so you can stream podcasts and audiobooks from your phone to the bar wirelessly.
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Dialogue enhancement feature.
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Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Apple AirPlay compatibility.
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Doesn't support Chromecast built-in.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is good for music. Out-of-the-box, it struggles to reproduce the thump and punch found in bass-heavy genres like EDM. Its balanced mid-range can still reproduce voices and lead instruments pretty clearly, though. Also, there are a lot of sound customization features available, including a graphic EQ, several presets, and bass and treble adjustments.
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Graphic EQ and presets.
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Gets loud.
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Lacks low-bass.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is decent for movies. Its balanced mid-range can reproduce dialogue clearly and accurately, but it struggles to reproduce low and mid-bass, so you may not feel the deep thump and punch in action-packed scenes. It gets pretty loud, though there's some compression when you play it at max volume. It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X content, but it has to downmix surround content into stereo to play it, which doesn't sound as immersive.
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Gets loud.
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Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support.
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Lacks low-bass.
- Mixed Usage
- Dialogue/TV Shows
- Music
- Movies
- Updated May 22, 2024: We've updated Room Correction from 'No' to 'Yes' in Sound Enhancement Features to better align with other Samsung models.
- Updated Apr 30, 2024: We've added a comparison between this soundbar and the Samsung HW-Q700C with SWA-9500S in Surround 5.1.
- Updated Mar 20, 2023: Added cable lengths to In The Box.
- Updated Mar 16, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 1.1. With this update, we've added a Mounting test and added information aboutSubwoofer Output, Spotify Connect, and Microphone Mute.
- Updated Oct 17, 2022: Added information about Dolby Vision Passthrough support to 'Other Input Specifications'.
- Updated Sep 23, 2022: Added market comparison for the Samsung HW-S800B to the 'Stereo Frequency Response' box.
- Updated Jun 21, 2022: Based on user feedback, we checked to see if the bar plays back Atmos content with its Virtual Surround mode on and off. It does, and there were no changes to our test results, though we included more information in the Sound Enhancement Features box for clarity.
- Updated Oct 20, 2021: Updated results with firmware 1008.0.
- Updated Oct 06, 2021: Retested Stereo Frequency Response with Preliminary Calibration.
- Updated Jul 21, 2021: Confirmed 5.1 PCM support via eARC.
- Updated May 19, 2021: Added more information about the bass and treble adjustment issues.
- Updated Apr 16, 2021: Review published.
- Updated Apr 14, 2021: Early access published.
- Updated Apr 08, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Apr 08, 2021: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Mar 31, 2021: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Samsung HW-Q700A is available in 'Black', and you can see the label for the model we tested here.
If you come across another version, let us know in the discussions so we can update our review.
Compared To Other Soundbars
The Samsung HW-Q700A is a 3.1.2 setup with a dedicated subwoofer. Compared to the Samsung HW-Q800A, it lacks a thumpy, punchy low-bass, which might disappoint fans of bass-heavy music. It comes with lots of sound enhancement features, including a graphic EQ and bass and treble adjustments. It also comes with features such as SpaceFit Sound, which is advertised to optimize audio reproduction based on the acoustic characteristics of your room using the microphone on compatible Samsung TVs, and Tap Sound, which mirrors music from your phone when you tap it against the bar, though we don't test for these.
See our recommendations for the best Samsung soundbars, the best soundbars with a subwoofer, and the best Dolby Atmos soundbars.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Samsung HW-Q700A or the Sonos Arc. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup, has better soundstage and surround performances, and comes with a room correction feature. You can also upgrade it to the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers or Sonos Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc. However, the 3.1.2 Samsung comes with a subwoofer, and graphic EQ and presets for sound customization. Its Full HDMI In port supports high-quality passthrough and more wireless playback options.
The Samsung HW-Q700A and the Samsung HW-S800B are two 3.1.2 Dolby Atmos setups with different strengths and weaknesses. The Q700A was released in 2021, and it's a bigger bar with more inputs on hand, including Optical and HDMI In. As a result, you can use it for high-quality passthrough, unlike the S800B. However, the S800B's unique slim design is well-suited for smaller spaces, and it comes with more enhancement features, including room correction. It's also able to reproduce a more extended low-bass than the Q700A despite its smaller sub.
The Samsung HW-Q800C is better than the Samsung HW-Q700A. The Q800C is a newer model that's better built overall. It comes with a room correction feature, which the Q700A lacks. Plus, since it's a 5.1.2 bar, it doesn't have to downmix surround sound into stereo like the 3.1.2 Q700A.
The Samsung HW-Q800A is a better 3.1.2 soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q700A. While they have very similar designs, the HW-Q800A has a better-balanced sound profile with a more extended bass, so you can feel the deep thump and rumble in action-packed movie scenes. Both setups have poor surround sound performance since they lack dedicated satellite speakers.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is a better soundbar than the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround. The Samsung supports Dolby Atmos content and comes with more sound customization features, including a graphic EQ and bass and treble adjustments. It also gets louder and offers a better soundstage. It has a more neutral sound profile than the JBL, which some users may prefer. That said, the JBL reproduces a more extended low-bass, and it has a room correction feature. The JBL also has a better surrounds performance.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is a better soundbar than the Sony HT-G700. The Samsung is better-built, and it offers a better soundstage performance. It also offers more sound customization features, including a graphic EQ as well as bass and treble adjustments.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is a marginally better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q600A. The HW-Q700A has a better soundstage performance, it comes with more wireless playback options, and it's compatible with the SmartThings app, so you can control many of its features from your smartphone. Also, its surrounds and Atmos performances are better, and it supports Amazon Alexa voice assistant when you connect it with a third-party Echo device. That said, unlike the HW-Q700A, the HW-Q600A's USB port supports audio playback, which can be handy for some listeners.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Samsung HW-Q700A or the Sonos Beam (Gen 2). The Samsung is a 3.1.2 setup with a dedicated sub that can reproduce a slightly more extended low-bass. It supports more wireless playback options, and unlike the Sonos, it has a Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough. That said, the 5.0 Sonos is better built with better surround and soundstage performances
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the LG SP8YA or the Samsung HW-Q700A. The LG has a more extended low-bass out-of-the-box, with more wireless playback options and a room correction feature. However, the Samsung is better built, with a better soundstage performance and a graphic EQ for sound customization.
The Vizio M Series M512a-H6 is better than the Samsung HW-Q700A. The Vizio is a 5.1.2 setup that has dedicated satellite speakers. It reproduces a more extended low-bass, making you feel more thump and rumble in your audio. It also has a better soundstage performance. That said, the 3.1.2 Samsung is better built with more wireless playback options. Unlike the Vizio soundbar, it also has a graphic EQ for sound customization.
The Samsung HW-Q800B is better than the Samsung HW-Q700A. The Q700A is a 3.1.2 setup, while the Q800B is a 5.1.2 setup. That means that the Q800B comes with two side-firing drivers that improve its surround sound performance for a more clear and real sound. It reproduces more low-bass, too, so you get more rumble in your audio. There are also more sound enhancement features such as room correction.
The JBL Bar 9.1 is a bit better for mixed usage than the Samsung HW-Q700A. The 5.1.4 JBL comes with discrete satellites and offers better soundstage and surround performances. It has a room correction feature, and it supports more wireless playback options. Also, its low-bass is more extended. That said, the 3.1.2 Samsung has some more customization features, including bass and treble adjustments and a graphic EQ.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is better than the Polk Audio Signa S4. The Samsung has better soundstage and surround performances, and unlike the Polk, it supports DTS content. There are also more sound enhancement features available, including a graphic EQ.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Samsung HW-Q70R or the Samsung HW-Q700A. The HW-Q70R reproduces a more extended low-bass, meaning you can feel the deep thump and rumble in bass-heavy music and action-packed scenes. However, the HW-Q700A offers better soundstage and surround performances, and it supports Apple AirPlay 2. It also comes with an auto-volume mode, unlike the HW-Q70R.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-A650. The HW-Q700A has a better soundstage performance, and it supports Dolby Atmos content thanks to its two up-firing speakers. It offers more wireless playback options, and it can passthrough the highest bandwidth signals.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q70T. The HW-Q700A has better soundstage and height channel performances. It also comes with more sound enhancement features, including an auto-volume mode to help balance the volume level across different programs. Also, it supports Apple AirPlay, unlike the HW-Q70T.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is a better 3.1.2 setup than the LG SPD7Y. The Samsung is better built and has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. It supports more wireless playback options, and some users may prefer its more neutral default sound profile. It also has a graphic EQ for sound customization, unlike the LG.
The Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 is better than the Samsung HW-Q700A. The Vizio is a 5.1 setup with discrete satellites. It can reproduce a more extended low bass and has better surround performance. Also, it gets louder with less compression at max volume. That said, the 3.1.2 Samsung is better built and has a slightly better soundstage.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is better than the Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR. The Samsung is a 3.1.2 setup that's better built. Unlike the Polk Audio, it supports Dolby Atmos content. Also, it has some more sound enhancement features, like a graphic EQ. That said, the Polk Audio comes with dedicated satellites.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is better than the JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam. The Samsung is a 3.1.2 setup with better soundstage and Atmos performances. It reproduces a more extended low-bass, and some listeners may prefer its more neutral sound out-of-the-box. It even comes with a graphic EQ. That said, the 5.0 JBL has a better surround performance, and a room correction feature.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is better than the LG SP7Y. The Samsung is a 3.1.2 setup that's better-built and supports Dolby Atmos content. It offers more wireless playback options, and it has a graphic EQ. That said, the 5.1 LG offers a better surrounds performance thanks to its discrete surround channels.
The LG SP9YA is better than the Samsung HW-Q700A. The LG is a 5.1.2 setup that reproduces a more extended low-bass. It supports more wireless playback options, and it comes with a room correction feature. It also has a better surrounds performance. However, the 3.1.2 Samsung comes with a graphic EQ for sound customization.
The Samsung HW-Q700A and the Samsung HW-Q60B are very similarly-performing soundbars, so depending on your listening habits, you may prefer one over the other. The HW-Q700A is a better choice for Atmos thanks to its two up-firing drivers, which more clearly represent sound effects in height content. It has more wireless playback options, too, and a better soundstage. It doesn't reproduce as much bass out-of-the-box compared to the HW-Q60B, but you can correct this issue a bit with its subwoofer level adjustment feature.
The Samsung HW-Q800T is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q700A. The HW-Q800T reproduces a more extended low-bass, and it has less compression when you play it at max volume. However, the HW-Q700A has a better soundstage performance. It comes with some additional sound enhancement features that we don't test, like SpaceFit Sound, which creates a more immersive sound, and Tap Sound, which lets you mirror audio from your smartphone to the bar with a tap.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is better than the Samsung HW-A450. The HW-Q700A is a better-built 3.1.2 setup with better center and surround performances. Unlike the HW-A450, it even supports Dolby Atmos content. The 2.1 HW-A450 can get louder with less compression at max volume.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module is a bit better for mixed usage than the Samsung HW-Q700A. The Bose is better-built, and its discrete satellites help create a better surround performance. It also has a better stereo soundstage, and its default sound profile is more neutral. It even comes with a room correction feature. However, only the Samsung supports Dolby Atmos content. It also comes with a graphic EQ and presets as well as a Full HDMI In port.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is better than the Bose Soundbar 500. The Samsung comes with a subwoofer that helps it reproduce a more extended low-bass. It has better soundstage and surround performances, and it has more sound enhancement features. Unlike the Bose, it supports Atmos content and has a Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough. That said, only the Bose has voice assistant support.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is a better soundbar than the Sonos Beam for most uses. The Samsung supports Dolby Atmos content and offers a better surround performance. It reproduces a slightly more extended low-bass than the Sonos and comes with a Full HDMI In port. It also has a graphic EQ and presets to customize its sound, and it supports more wireless playback options. However, the Sonos supports voice assistants and has a better soundstage. It has a room correction feature, and some listeners may prefer its smaller design.
The Vizio V Series V51-H6 is marginally better for mixed usage than the Samsung HW-Q700A. The Vizio is a 5.1 setup with discrete satellites that can reproduce a more extended low-bass. It has better surround and soundstage performances, and it can get louder. However, it doesn't support Dolby Atmos content like the Samsung. Also, the Samsung is better built.
The Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers is better than the Samsung HW-Q700A. The Sonos is a better built 5.1.2 setup with discrete satellites. It has better soundstage and surround performances, too. That said, the 3.1.2 Samsung comes with a graphic EQ, and it also has a Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough, unlike the Samsung.
The Sony HT-ST5000 is better than the Samsung HW-Q700A. The Sony is better-built with a better surrounds performance. It also reproduces a more extended low-bass. That said, the Samsung comes with some more sound customization features, like a graphic EQ and bass and treble adjustments.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is better than the Sony HT-S400. The Samsung is a 3.1.2 bar, and unlike the 2.1 Sony, it has a discrete center channel to improve vocal clarity. Also, it supports more audio formats, such as Dolby Atmos content. There are more sound enhancement features, too, including a graphic EQ to customize its sound.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is a bit better for mixed usage than the Sony HT-A7000. The Samsung is a 3.1.2 setup that comes with a dedicated subwoofer. It can reproduce a more extended low-bass, and it has a better Atmos performance. If you want a graphic EQ for sound customization, check out the Samsung, while the Sony is a good choice for users who want a bar with room correction. The Sony is also better built with a better surround performance. You can also upgrade it with a sub and satellites for a better performance.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is a better overall soundbar than the Sony HT-Z9F. The Samsung has a better soundstage performance, and thanks to its up-firing speakers, it has a better Atmos performance. It also comes with more sound enhancement features, including a graphic EQ ideal for customizing its sound. However, the Sony has less compression when you play it at max volume, which is handy if you like to turn up the volume for parties.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Klipsch Cinema 600 or the Samsung HW-Q700A. The Klipsch has a better-balanced sound profile out-of-the-box with a more extended low-bass, and it can also get louder. The Samsung is better built with more sound enhancement features, more wireless playback options, and a Full HDMI In port that supports high-quality passthrough. It also supports Dolby Atmos and DTS content, unlike the Klipsch.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is better than the Klipsch Cinema 400. The Samsung is a 3.1.2 setup that's better-built and supports Dolby Atmos content. It has better soundstage, center, and surround performances, and it supports more wireless playback options. There are also more sound enhancement features, like a graphic EQ and presets. That said, the 2.1 Klipsch reproduces a more extended low-bass, so you feel more thump and rumble in bass-heavy audio.
The Samsung HW-Q900A is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q700A. The HW-Q900A reproduces a more extended low-bass, and it gets louder with less compression at max volume. It also has a better surround performance, as well as a room correction feature. That said, the HW-Q700A is better built.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is better than the Bose Smart Soundbar 300. The Samsung comes with two up-firing drivers that support Dolby Atmos content, and it has a better surround performance. It also reproduces a more extended low-bass, and it comes with a graphic EQ and presets for sound customization. However, the Bose has built-in voice assistant support, whereas the Samsung requires a third-party device to access Amazon Alexa.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is better than the Yamaha YAS-209. The Samsung is better-built, and it supports Dolby Atmos content. It also has better center and soundstage performances, and it supports more wireless playback options. It has more sound enhancement features, too, including a graphic EQ and auto-volume mode. That said, the Yamaha has a more extended low-bass.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is better than the Denon Home Sound Bar 550. The Samsung comes with a dedicated sub, so it can reproduce a more extended low-bass. It has better soundstage and center performances, and it can get louder. It also comes with a graphic EQ, unlike the Denon. That said, the Denon has a better surrounds performance.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is better than the Samsung HW-T650. The HW-Q700A is better-built and it supports Dolby Atmos content. It has a better surround performance and more wireless playback options. Unlike the HW-T650, it has a graphic EQ, and its Full HDMI In port supports high quality passthrough.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q60T. The HW-Q700A supports Dolby Atmos content, and it has better center and soundstage performances. It also supports more wireless playback options, and you can plug in a third-party voice assistant device, unlike the HW-Q60T.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is marginally better for mixed usage than the Samsung HW-Q60R. The HW-Q700A is a 3.1.2 setup that supports Dolby Atmos content. It also offers a better soundstage performance and more wireless playback options. That said, the 5.1 HW-Q60R has a better surrounds performance.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is better than the Samsung HW-S60A. The HW-Q700A comes with a dedicated sub, so it can reproduce a more extended low-bass. Unlike the HW-S60A, it supports Atmos content and has a Full HDMI In port for high quality passthrough. That said, the more compact HW-S60A has a better surrounds performance. It comes with built-in voice assistant, whereas you need a third party device to use voice assistants with the HW-Q700A.
The Samsung HW-Q900T is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q700A. The HW-Q900T is a 7.1.2 setup that reproduces a more extended low-bass to help you feel deep thumps and rumbles. It also gets louder with less compression at max volume. However, the 3.1.2 HW-Q700A is better built, with a better Atmos performance and Apple AirPlay 2 support.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is a 3.1.2 setup that's better than the 2.1 Sony HT-X9000F. The Samsung is better built and gets louder. It also has better center, surround, and Atmos performances. It even comes with some more sound enhancement features, like a graphic EQ.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is better than the TCL Alto 9+. The Samsung is a 3.1.2 setup that's better built. It has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances, and it supports DTS content. There are even some more sound enhancement features, like a graphic EQ. Some users may also prefer its more balanced sound profile out-of-the-box.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the LG SN8YG or the Samsung HW-Q700A. The Samsung is better built, and it offers better soundstage and surround performances. It also gets louder and comes with a graphic EQ for sound customization. However, the LG reproduces a more extended low-bass. It also comes with a room correction feature and built-in support for Google Assistant, unlike the Samsung.
The 3.1.2 Samsung HW-Q700A is better than the 3.1 LG SN6Y. The Samsung is a better built setup that supports Dolby Atmos content, unlike the LG. It has better soundstage and surround performances. Also, it supports more wireless playback options. Also, it comes with a graphic EQ to help you customize its sound.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is better than the Yamaha YAS-408. The Samsung is a 3.1.2 setup that's better-built, and it supports Dolby Atmos content. It also has better center and soundstage performances, and it comes with a graphic EQ for sound customization.
The Vizio M Series M51a-H6 is better than the Samsung HW-Q700A. The Vizio is a 5.1 setup with discrete satellite speakers. It offers better surround performance and can reproduce a more extended low bass. It also gets louder with less compression at max volume. That said, the 3.1.2 Samsung is better built. It also has a better soundstage and a graphic EQ.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is better than the LG Eclair QP5. The Samsung is a better-built 3.1.2 setup with more wireless playback options. It has better center and surround performances. Its soundstage is more immersive-sounding, and it's better for Atmos content, too. Also, some users may prefer its more neutral, balanced sound profile out-of-the-box. That said, it's bigger than the LG.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the Samsung HW-Q700A for most uses. The Bose is a better-built setup that comes with discrete satellites. It has better surround and soundstage performances, and it reproduces more low-bass. That said, the Samsung is still a good choice for dialogue-centric content like TV shows. Unlike the Bose, it even supports DTS content and has a Full HDMI In port for video passthrough.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is a slightly better soundbar for mixed usage than the LG GX Soundbar. The Samsung is better built and offers a better Atmos performance thanks to its up-firing speakers. It comes with a graphic EQ that gives you more control over its sound profile, and it has more wireless playback options. That said, the LG gets louder with less compression at max volume, and some listeners may prefer its unique, sleek design.
The Samsung HW-Q950T is better than the Samsung HW-Q700A. The HW-Q950T has better stereo frequency response and surround performances. It gets louder, and it has built-in voice assistant support. However, the HW-Q700A is better-built, with Apple AirPlay 2 support and an auto-volume mode.
The Samsung HW-Q700A and the Klipsch Cinema 800 are both similar 3.1 setups. The Klipsch is able to reproduce a more extended low-bass. However, the Samsung is better built with a better Atmos performance thanks to its two up-firing drivers. It also has DTS support.
The Samsung HW-Q850T is better than the Samsung HW-Q700A for mixed usage. The HW-Q850T is a 5.1.2 setup that comes with discrete satellites. It can reproduce a more extended low-bass, so you feel more thump and punch in your audio. It also has a better surrounds performance. That said, the 3.1.2 HW-Q700A has a better soundstage. Unlike the HW-Q850T, it also supports Apple AirPlay.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q700A. The HW-Q950A is an 11.1.4 setup that comes with dedicated satellite speakers and offers better surround and Atmos performance. It gets louder, too, and it comes with a room correction feature. That said, the 3.1.2 HW-Q700A is better-built.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is a 3.1.2 setup that's better than the 2.1 Samsung HW-A550. The HW-Q700A is better-built, and unlike the HW-A550, it supports Dolby Atmos content. It also has better soundstage, center, and surround performances. There are even more wireless playback options to choose from.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is better than the Sony HT-X8500. The Samsung is better built, and it has better soundstage, center, surround, and Atmos performances. It also reproduces a more extended low-bass and supports more wireless playback options. You can even use its graphic EQ to customize its sound.
The Samsung HW-Q850A is a bit better soundbar for mixed usage than the Samsung HW-Q700A. The HW-Q850A comes with dedicated satellite speakers, and it offers a better surrounds performance since it doesn't have to downmix this content into stereo to play it. It also comes with built-in voice assistant support, and it reproduces a more extended low-bass.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Samsung HW-Q65T or the Samsung HW-Q700A. The HW-Q65T is a 5.1 setup with discrete satellites that offers a better surround performance. It also gets a bit louder with less compression at max volume. However, unlike the HW-Q700A, it doesn't support Dolby Atmos content. The HW-Q700A is also better built with a better soundstage.
The LG SN10YG is better for mixed usage than the Samsung HW-Q700A. The LG is a 5.1.2 setup with a better surrounds performance. It reproduces a more extended low-bass, and it has built-in voice assistant support. It also comes with a room correction feature. That said, only the 3.1.2 Samsung has a graphic EQ for sound customization.
The Samsung HW-Q90R is better than the Samsung HW-Q700A. The HW-Q90R is a 7.1.4 setup with dedicated satellites. It can reproduce a more extended low-bass, and it gets louder. It also has a better surrounds performance. However, the 3.1.2 HW-Q700A comes with a few additional features, such as an auto-volume mode and Apple AirPlay support.
The LG SN9YG is slightly better for mixed usage than the Samsung HW-Q700A. The LG is a 5.1.2 setup that reproduces a more extended low-bass and offers a better surround performance. Unlike the Samsung, it has a room correction feature and built-in voice assistant support. However, the 3.1.2 Samsung has better soundstage and Atmos performances, and a graphic EQ for sound customization.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is better than the Harman/Kardon Enchant 1300 for most uses. The Samsung is a 3.1.2 setup with a dedicated sub. It can reproduce a more extended low-bass, and unlike the Harman/Kardon, it supports Dolby Atmos content. However, the 5.0 Harman/Kardon has better soundstage and surround performances. If you want a standalone bar for surround content, it's still a solid choice.
The Samsung HW-Q80R is better than the Samsung HW-Q700A. The HW-Q80R is a 5.1.2 setup that has better center and surround performances. It also reproduces a more extended low-bass, so you feel more thump and punch. However, the HW-Q700A has an auto-volume mode and more wireless playback options.
Test Results
The Samsung HW-Q700A is a sleek soundbar with a similar design to the Samsung HW-Q70T. There's a metal grille covering the top and the front of the bar, and the rest of the bar is made of hard plastic.
The Samsung HW-Q700A's sub is mostly made of wood. There's also a thin fabric covering the front of the sub.
The Samsung HW-Q700A doesn't come with any satellites. However, you can purchase Dolby Atmos Wireless Rear Speakers separately.
The Samsung HW-Q700A soundbar is a bit wide, so it likely won't fit between the legs of your 55" TV. However, it isn't very tall, so it shouldn't block your TV screen unless your TV sits flush on the table.
The sub is roughly the same size as a typical desktop PC. It's wireless, so you can place it anywhere in the room.
The Samsung HW-Q700A has an impressive build quality. The bar has a metal grille covering the top and the front, which helps protect the drivers. The rest of the bar is made of plastic, which feels solid and durable. The sub is made of melamine, but unfortunately, the thin fabric on the front seems like it could rip or get dirty easily.
- Manual
- HDMI cable (4.9 ft / 1.5m)
- Remote with batteries (2xAA)
- 2x power cables (4.9 ft / 1.5m)
- Adapter for power cable (4.9 ft / 1.5m)
- Mounting brackets with screws with template
- 4x rubber foot stickers
The Samsung HW-Q700A has a satisfactory stereo frequency response. It struggles to reproduce the thump and punch in the low to mid-bass, which is disappointing if you like to feel the rumbles in bass-heavy music and action-packed movies. Its balanced mid-range can still reproduce vocals and lead instruments pretty clearly, though. You can also customize its sound to your liking using the graphic EQ and presets as well as the bass and treble adjustments. Also, you can take a look at another 3.1.2 bar, the Samsung HW-S800B, which reproduces a more extended low-bass despite the smaller size of the subwoofer.
With calibration, the Samsung HW-Q700A soundbar has a good stereo frequency response. With its subwoofer level set to '2', it has a pretty neutral, balanced sound profile, with a little extra punch in the bass range. However, it still struggles to reproduce the deep thump and rumble in the low bass.
Note: Normally, we calibrate the bar using bass and treble adjustments. We ran some passes after adjusting the bass and treble levels; however, we noticed that this didn't change the stereo frequency response. As a result, we performed this test by adjusting the subwoofer level.
The Samsung HWQ700A has a good stereo soundstage performance. The soundstage is perceived to be about as wide as our testing table, but it doesn't have any tricks to make it seem wider than that. It also has good focus, so it's easy to pinpoint the location of objects like voices and footsteps in the stereo soundstage.
The Samsung HWQ700A has a decent stereo dynamics performance. It gets loud enough to use at parties and in large rooms; however, there's some compression in the bass and treble ranges when you play it at max volume.
The Samsung HW-Q700A has a satisfactory THD performance. At normal listening volumes, there isn't a lot of distortion, resulting in clear and pure audio reproduction. There's a jump in THD when you play the bar at max volume. However, distortion can be difficult to hear with real-life content.
The Samsung HW-Q700A has an impressive center performance. This 3.1.2 setup has a discrete center channel, resulting in a clearer and more accurate reproduction of dialogue in vocal-centric content like TV shows.
The Samsung HW-Q700A has poor surrounds performance. It has to downmix surround content into stereo to play it. As a result, surround objects in the soundstage, like voices and footsteps, aren't as clearly or accurately localized as setups with dedicated surround speakers, like the Samsung HW-Q700C with SWA-9500S. Audio can seem like it's coming from in front of you rather than from speakers placed all around you.
The Samsung HW-Q700A has a mediocre Atmos performance. It uses up-firing speakers on the bar to bounce sound off the ceiling and back down towards you to give the illusion of height. However, this doesn't sound as clear or real as discrete localization created by down-firing speakers in a home theater setup.
The Samsung HW-Q700A has an excellent selection of sound enhancement features. If you want to customize its sound, you can use the graphic EQ or choose between the EQ presets: 'Standard,' 'Surround,' 'Game Pro,' and 'Adaptive Sound.' If you go into the Advanced Sound settings on the SmartThings app, you can also find a voice enhancement feature that makes dialogue more clear and crisp, as well as a bass enhancement feature. Virtual surround mode extends the soundstage a bit, and whether it's on or off, you can playback Atmos content.
Like most soundbars, this manufacturer has included a feature that they advertise to enhance the sound when it's paired with a compatible Samsung TV. Samsung calls the feature SpaceFit Sound, which is a room correction feature that allows the bar to adjust its sound reproduction to your room's unique acoustics. It uses your TV's microphones to calibrate the bar and requires you and the TV to both use the SmartThings app. Unfortunately, as with most of these features, it really doesn't do much to change the sound or the soundstage. There's also Tap Sound, which lets you mirror music from your phone when you tap it against the bar. You can still stream audio wirelessly over Bluetooth, though.
The Samsung HW-Q700A comes with several physical inputs. There's a Full HDMI In port, which lets you use the bar as a hub between different devices. While there's a micro-USB port, it's only for service and software updates, so you can't use it to play audio files.
Update 07/21/2021: We retested this soundbar with our new methodology and confirmed that it supports 5.1 PCM content via eARC. There are no changes to our results.
The Samsung HW-Q700A has incredible support for audio formats over its HDMI ARC port. It supports Dolby Digital and DTS, which are commonly found on Blu-ray discs and streaming platforms. It also supports more premium surround formats like Dolby Digital Plus and DTS:X.This soundbar can play audio from most sources over its Full HDMI In port, including Blu-ray discs and streaming platforms.
The Samsung HW-Q700A supports both Dolby Digital and DTS content via Optical, which is handy if you like to watch a lot of Blu-ray discs and content from streaming platforms.
This soundbar has a very good latency performance. It has low latency over its ARC and Optical ports, so audio and video are in sync, which makes it suitable for watching videos. However, latency over its Full HDMI In port is a bit high, so you hear audio before you see the corresponding visuals. That said, some apps and some TVs compensate for latency differently, so your real-world experience may vary.
The Samsung HW-Q700A has fantastic wireless playback connectivity. You can stream audio from your phone or tablet to the bar wirelessly via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Apple AirPlay2. Unfortunately, you can't stream audio via Chromecast.
This soundbar can passthrough the highest bandwidth signals, including Dolby Vision Passthrough. If you want to connect the bar to your TV and your PC, text on the screen appears clear and crisp. However, it can't passthrough 4k @ 120Hz.
There's a small display on the right side of the bar behind the metal grille. It indicates the volume level and the input you're using. However, it's only a four-character display, so you may need to wait for some messages to scroll to read them.
The touch-sensitive controls are located on the top of the bar. You can use them to power the bar on and off, adjust the volume, and change the input.
The remote lets you control the bar's functions, and it has a similar design to the remote for the Samsung HW-Q70T. However, it can't be used as a universal remote, so you can't control your TV with it. This soundbar is also compatible with Samsung's SmartThings app, so you can control it from your mobile devices.
The Samsung HW-Q700A doesn't have built-in support for voice assistants. It's advertised to support Amazon Alexa, but the bar needs to be connected to an Amazon Echo device to access this feature since it doesn't have its own microphone.