The Samsung HW-Q800D is a 5.1.2 soundbar that features wireless Dolby Atmos support and some trademark Samsung features, like SpaceFit Sound for room calibration and Q-Symphony, which works with the built-in speakers in compatible Samsung TVs to produce a more immersive sound. That said, compared to last year's Samsung HW-Q800C, which has similar specs, any updates featured in this 2024 model are incremental at best. Support for Chromecast is now universal rather than region-locked, plus it has support for Bluetooth 5.2, but beyond that, there is little to report beyond these changes.
The Samsung HW-Q800D is great for mixed usage. With wireless support for Dolby Atmos, this soundbar covers a lot of ground, whether you're using it for movies, TV shows, or gaming. The dedicated sub helps bring out boom and rumble in everything from 808 kicks to on-screen explosions. Dialogue and speech are rendered with detail and clarity, too, thanks to a discrete center channel, and can be enhanced using the 'Active Voice Amplifier' feature. With support for sound formats like Dolby Digital and DTS, as well as game-centric features like 4k passthrough at 60Hz, this bar can handle almost anything you throw at it.
The Samsung HW-Q800D is excellent for dialogue-heavy content, like TV shows. Its 5.1.2 setup features a discrete center channel that can help accentuate voices within a densely crowded mix. The bar can reproduce mid and treble frequencies in great detail, aided by a few sound enhancement features, including 'Active Voice Amplifier,' which analyzes the audio signal in real-time to ensure voices remain clear, and the more standard 'Voice Enhance' and 'Night' modes.
The Samsung HW-Q800D is great for music. Its dedicated subwoofer helps amp up basslines and kicks in songs, while the bar itself outputs detailed mids and smooth highs that can help bring out nuances in vocals and lead instruments. The SpaceFit Sound feature helps adjust the output to get the best out of the unique acoustic characteristics of your room, too, so music should sound vibrant regardless of whether you keep your setup in your basement or living room. That said, there's a fair bit of compression at max volume, particularly in the bass range, so audio quality can suffer when you crank the bar up.
The Samsung HW-Q800D is impressive for movies. Thanks to its dedicated sub, it's capable of outputting rumbling bass that lends itself well to tense action sequences. The detailed mid and treble ranges, as well as the discrete center channel, mean dialogue and speech sound crisp, too. Using 'Standard' mode, it can get pretty loud without compressing. That said the soundstage and surround sound performance leave a little to be desired, though this can be improved using the 'Adaptive Sound' mode. While the up-firing drivers create some impression of height when listening to Atmos content, the audio never feels like it's coming from directly above you.
The Samsung HW-Q800D comes in just one color variant: 'Black.' You can see our unit's label here. If you encounter a different variant of this soundbar, please let us know in the comments, and we'll update our review.
The Samsung HW-Q800D is a 5.1.2 soundbar, released in 2024, with support for Dolby Atmos. It's the next generation of the Samsung HW-Q800C, although the 2024 model features incremental updates at best. Both its features and performance are remarkably similar to the previous generation, with the only notable additions being universal Chromecast support and Bluetooth 5.2. It lacks some of the more premium features seen in the flagship Samsung HW-Q990D, too, like support for HDMI 2.1 and 4k at 120Hz passthrough gaming.
If you're looking for more soundbars, check out our recommendations for the best soundbars, the best Dolby Atmos soundbars, and the best soundbars for movies.
The Samsung HW-Q800C and the Samsung HW-Q800D have extremely similar performance and feature sets, with only minor tweaks made to the 2024 model. They have an almost identical design, using sleek plastic and mesh. They're both 5.1.2 bars compatible with Dolby Atmos and come with some proprietary Samsung features, like Q-symphony—which works with compatible Samsung TVs to produce a more immersive sound. While both bars can passthrough 4k signals at 60Hz, they lack HDMI 2.1 compatibility, which those with current-gen gaming consoles may miss. Otherwise, the only notable differences are that the Q800D now features built-in Chromecast support that's not region-locked and Bluetooth version 5.2. If these extra features aren't important to you, it's worth picking up the previous generation when it goes on sale.
The Sonos Arc is a standalone bar that works well for smaller homes where space is at a premium, but it lacks the rumble and boom that's brought by the Samsung HW-Q800D's dedicated subwoofer. It's fair to say that the Samsung performs better overall: it has a more balanced sound, can get louder, and is better built, with more sound enhancement features available. Gamers will also appreciate having an HDMI In port, as well as 4k passthrough capabilities at 60Hz, which aren't present in the Sonos. That said, the Sonos' default preset has a slightly wider soundstage than the Samsung's 'Standard' mode, and there's less compression at max volume with the Sonos. All in all, unless you're in a tight space and can't make too much noise, it's worth opting for the cheaper Samsung.
The Samsung HW-Q930C is an expanded 9.1.4 version of the Samsung HW-Q800D and comes with an additional two satellite speakers for a better surround performance. They share a similar build quality, and the bar and sub look virtually identical. They perform very similarly when it comes to stereo frequency response, height, dynamics, and center, but the Q930C has a notable advantage when it comes to the soundstage and surround sound, as the audio sounds wider and more immersive. If these factors aren't important to you, both bars feature similar connectivity options and can passthrough 4k signals at 60Hz, though neither is HDMI 2.1 compatible.
The Samsung HW-Q990D is Samsung's flagship 2024 11.1.4 soundbar. Unlike the Samsung HW-Q800D, which is just a bar with a subwoofer, the HW-Q990D comes with discrete satellites that help with surround sound formats like Dolby Digital and Atmos. Although the two have a similarly balanced sound, the HW-Q990D also has a better height performance and can get louder with minimal compression at max volume. Gamers will also appreciate the HDMI 2.1 compatibility and ability to passthrough 4k signals at 120Hz. All in all, the HW-Q990D is a more complete soundbar that's worth the additional outlay if you have the space for it.
The Samsung HW-Q800D is a more compact 5.1.2 setup than the LG S90TR, as it lacks the LG's satellite speakers, and the bar itself is a little less wide and can more easily fit between the legs of a TV stand. When it comes to sound, they have different strengths. While they have a similar stereo frequency response, the LG has a more immersive soundstage, a better surround performance, and compresses less as it approaches max volume. However, the Samsung offers a better center performance, better height, and a louder max volume. They both come with a similar suite of sound enhancement options, though the Samsung bar is the only one that features a graphic EQ.
The Samsung HW-Q800D sports a similar design to its predecessor, the Samsung HW-Q800C. It's slim, sleek, and quite wide, with beveled edges. The physical controls are located on the top of the soundbar, near the back. A small Samsung logo is on the top left of the soundbar, with a USB port located underneath the bar, which is reserved for servicing it.
The accompanying subwoofer also looks more or less identical to the one that comes with the Samsung HW-Q800C. It's solid and substantial, with a mesh cover over the driver that looks like it'll trap dust and dirt.
While this model doesn't come with any satellites, you can purchase additional satellites from the manufacturer.
The sub has the exact same proportions as the one that comes with the Samsung HW-Q800C. It's around the same size as the average desktop computer.
The build quality is impressive. The front, top, and sides are encased in metal grilles, while the back and bottom are made of high-quality plastic. The sub is constructed from a melamine-like material with a plastic plate in the back. The mesh cover on the side looks like a potential magnet for dust and dirt and could also rip over time. The controls on the top of the bar feel solid to the touch, though, and are easy to press.
The Samsung Q800D's stereo frequency response is excellent. It sounds balanced across the entire range, with solid bass extension and detailed highs. As a result, it can inject rumble and boom into the blaring lows of orchestral timpani and explosions alike, while still maintaining clarity in the mids and highs. The SpaceFit Sound feature optimizes the sound to work with the acoustics of your living room for a more immersive listening experience. While it didn't alter the frequency response too much in our room, we expect it to perform differently in different acoustic spaces. You can also choose from a variety of presets that can enhance the sound. For example, we found that the 'Standard' preset was quite narrow when compared to the 'Adaptive Sound' preset, which sounded better for music, TV shows, and movies. You can see how the presets alter the sound here. For further customizability, there's also a 10-band EQ available when in 'Standard' mode.
We found that the 'Adaptive Sound' preset produced the most balanced sound while requiring minimal calibration. The 'Standard' preset is the only one that allows you to adjust the EQ; however, this is only possible via a 10-band EQ, which can be daunting to tweak if you haven't ever used one.
The stereo soundstage performance is decent. It can be perceived to be around the same length as the bar itself, and there aren't any digital tricks to make it seem wider. The focus, in general, is pretty good, but we observed that it was diminished very slightly around the edges of the soundbar. That said, rapidly panned audio effects are still easily audible, with a clear separation between the left and right channels. Switching to the 'Adaptive Sound' mode brings about a subtle increase in the perceived width of the soundstage.
The Samsung Q800D's stereo dynamics performance is great when you use the 'Standard' preset, as it can get loud enough to fill larger rooms. There is some compression present as you approach max volume, though. It's worth noting that the dynamics performance worsens if you use the 'Adaptive Sound' preset, as the max volume is lowered with even more compression present.
As a 5.1.2 soundbar, the Samsung HW-Q800D comes with a discrete center channel that's useful for identifying vocals and dialogue within a crowded mix. The response on this channel is balanced and accurate, especially in the mids, where most vocals and speech lie.
This bar features two side-firing drivers located at the edges to create the impression of surround sound. However, the frequency response across these channels is a little inconsistent and deviates from our target response a bit, especially in the bass and treble ranges. This can detract from the reproduction of vocals and speech in the mid-range, which is underemphasized by comparison. We also tested the surround performance using the 'Adaptive Sound' preset and found this gave us more inconsistent results, likely due to the Digital Signal Processing (DSP) having to process the signal in real time. It's worth checking out a bar that comes with satellite speakers, like the LG S90TR, if you're after a better surround sound performance.
The height performance is mediocre. It can produce some impression of height using its two up-firing drivers to bounce audio off the ceiling. The frequency response of these channels is quite even, though sound never seems to elevate beyond the height of the TV. That said, we found that the bar was pleasant to listen to during subjective Atmos listening. There's a good amount of rumble in the bass, and sweeps from right to left sound vivid. Using 'Standard' mode results in a very narrow soundstage, so you'll want to use 'Adaptive Sound' mode for a more immersive sound and wider listening field. That said, sounds like ascending drones don't sound like they're coming from directly above you.
The Samsung Q800D comes with a wide variety of sound enhancement features that can help you get the best sound for your needs. It features SpaceFit Sound Pro, which calibrates the sound according to the unique characteristics of your room. You can also toggle through a few different presets, including 'Standard,' 'Adaptive Sound,' 'Game,' and 'Surround Sound.' Within 'Standard' mode, you can access a 10-band EQ by pressing and holding the Sound Control button. Additionally, there's a 'Night' mode, which turns down the bass and compresses audio so as not to disturb the neighbors, a 'Voice Enhance' mode for vocal clarity, and an 'Active Voice Amplifier' mode, which analyzes external noise in real time to ensure voices remain clearly discernable.
As with last year's model, this bar features support for Samsung Q-Symphony technology, which works with compatible Samsung TV to harness the TV's speakers for a more immersive sound.
The bar features ports for HDMI and optical connections, as well as an HDMI In port in case you want to use it as a hub between different devices for video passthrough. However, some users will be disappointed that there's still no support for HDMI 2.1. Additionally, there's a USB port underneath the bar that's used for servicing the bar.
The Samsung HW-Q800D supports all common 5.1 surround sound formats including Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, and DTS.
Using its HDMI In port, this bar supports a range of audio formats commonly found on both streaming platforms and Blu-rays, including Dolby Digital and Dolby Atmos.
The Samsung Q800D offers support for Dolby Digital and DTS over an Optical connection. Dolby Digital is the more common of the two and is found on many streaming platforms and Blu-rays. DTS is often used as a fallback for the higher-quality DTS HD-MA format on certain Blu-rays.
The audio latency over an ARC connection is exceptional. Some apps and TVs compensate for latency differently, though, so if you have any issues, you can use the AudioSync feature via the remote or app to manually adjust the delay.
The latency using an HDMI In connection is superb. Audio latency is low across all audio platforms, including Dolby Digital and Dolby Atmos. You can also use the AV Sync feature via the app or remote to manually adjust it, should you encounter any delays between the audio and video.
Audio latency is great using an Optical connection. It falls within good limits when playing back 2.0 PCM content but is slightly higher with Dolby Digital content. That said, you're still unlikely to notice any sync issues with either format, and, if you do, you can always adjust for this via the the AV Sync feature.
Gamers will appreciate the Samsung Q800D's ability to act as a hub between your TV and gaming console, with a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz at 1080p and 60Hz at 4k. There's support for variable refresh rate technologies, too, like HDMI Forum VRR, which makes for a tear-free gaming experience. That said, you'll need to pick up a more high-end setup like the Samsung HW-Q990D if you're looking for features like 4k passthrough @120Hz or HDMI 2.1.
This bar makes it extremely easy to connect mobile devices wirelessly, thanks to its wealth of connectivity options. It's compatible with Spotify Connect and Apple AirPlay, plus Chromecast support is no longer region-dependent. You can also wirelessly connect the bar to your Samsung TV, though this would likely increase latency.
A small display on the right-hand side of the bar underneath the exterior grille can show up to four characters. It indicates the volume level and current input source upon adjustment. Pressing the 'i' button on the remote will also display the format you're playing. The display will scroll through longer words due to its four-character limitation.
The remote is more or less the same as the one that comes with the Samsung HW-Q800C, and it lets you adjust most functions. You can also use the Samsung SmartThings app if you prefer, and you can see what it looks like here.
The Samsung Q800D features built-in integration for Alexa and Bixby. There's also compatibility with Google Assistant, too, when using the SmartThings app. However, you'll need to set up the bar within the Google Home app first to unlock this functionality.