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Denon Home Sound Bar 550 vs Samsung HW-Q950A
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Denon Home Sound Bar 550
Samsung HW-Q950A
Tested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Jan 12, 2024 08:01 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Jan 12, 2024 07:39 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels2.0
Channels11.1.4
Variants
- Home Sound Bar 550 (Black)
- HW-Q950A (Black)
Our Verdict
Denon Home Sound Bar 550
Samsung HW-Q950A
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the Denon Home Sound Bar 550. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup with a dedicated sub and discrete satellites. It reproduces a more extended low-bass, and it gets louder. It also has better soundstage, center, and surround performances. There are even more sound enhancement features, including a graphic EQ and room correction. However, the Denon is better built, and it has a more compact design that some users may prefer.
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Black
Home Sound Bar 550
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q950A
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Amazon.comBlack
Home Sound Bar 550
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BestBuy.comBlack
HW-Q950A
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BestBuy.comBlack
Home Sound Bar 550
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B&HBlack
HW-Q950A
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B&HBlack
Home Sound Bar 550
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Walmart.comBlack
HW-Q950A
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Samsung.comBlack
HW-Q950A
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Walmart.comMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
6.8
8.4
Stereo Frequency Response
7.1
8.2
Stereo Dynamics
5.2
8.8
Center
6.3
8.8
Surround 5.1
4.2
8.3
Height (Atmos)
3.7
6.6
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
No
Yes
Enclosure
No Subwoofer
Ported
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
Yes
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
25.6" (65.0 cm)
48.4" (123.0 cm)
Height
3.0" (7.5 cm)
2.8" (7.0 cm)
Depth
4.8" (12.2 cm)
5.4" (13.8 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
N/A
8.2" (20.9 cm)
Height
N/A
15.8" (40.2 cm)
Depth
N/A
15.9" (40.3 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
4.9" (12.4 cm)
Height
N/A
8.0" (20.2 cm)
Depth
N/A
5.5" (14.0 cm)
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
Mountable Satellites
Yes
Satellite Brackets Included
No
Build Quality
8.0
7.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
HDMI Cable Length
1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Digital Optical Cable Length
1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Back - Bar
Back photo - bar
Bar Mounting
Universal (holes on back)
Back - Subwoofer
Back photo - sub
Enclosure
No Subwoofer
Ported
Back - Satellites
Back photo - satellites
Mounting
No
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.1
8.2
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
Stereo
Standard
Slope
-0.55
0.30
Std. Err.
2.88 dB
2.65 dB
Channels
2.0
11.1.4
Low-Frequency Extension
55.8 Hz
33.2 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
18.8 kHz
19.1 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.1
8.4
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Stereo
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
-3
2
Suggested Treble Setting
1
0
Slope
0.16
0.01
Std. Err.
2.67 dB
2.19 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
59.9 Hz
30.4 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.3 kHz
19.6 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.0
7.5
Crosstalk Error
3.07 dB
2.24 dB
Stereo Dynamics
5.2
8.8
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
87.8 dB SPL
98.8 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
5.50 dB
1.08 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.5
8.4
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.57
0.18
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.25
1.27
Center
6.3
8.8
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom
Discrete
Slope
-0.91
0.28
Std. Err.
3.70 dB
2.19 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
90.0 dB SPL
96.6 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.97
0.17
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.31
0.86
Surround 5.1
4.2
8.3
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Discrete
Slope
-0.66
-0.36
Std. Err.
3.04 dB
2.92 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
89.6 dB SPL
89.8 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.86
0.52
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.30
2.31
7.1 Rears
No
Yes
Height (Atmos)
3.7
6.6
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Slope
-0.92
-0.28
Std. Err.
3.77 dB
4.20 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
85.0 dB SPL
90.5 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.90
0.54
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.82
1.03
Sound Enhancement Features
4.6
9.5
Room Correction
No
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
Yes
Yes
EQ
Presets
Graphic + Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Rear Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Height Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Virtual Surround
Yes
Yes
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI Out
1 (shared)
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Full HDMI In
1
2
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
1
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
1
No
Ethernet
1
No
Subwoofer Output
No
HDMI ARC
1 (shared)
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
10
10
Dolby Atmos
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Yes
Supported
DTS
Yes
Supported
DTS:X
Yes
Supported
eARC
Yes
DTS-HD MA
Yes
Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
Yes
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
10
10
Dolby Atmos
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Yes
Supported
DTS
Yes
Supported
DTS:X
Yes
Supported
DTS-HD MA
Yes
Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
5.1 PCM
Yes
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
DTS
Yes
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Latency
8.7
7.7
Latency Video
ARC
15 ms
80 ms
Optical
38 ms
60 ms
Full HDMI In
-56 ms
59 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
0.0
8.5
1080p Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
8k Max Refresh Rate
30Hz
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
Yes
HDR10+ Passthrough
Yes
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
Yes
FreeSync Passthrough
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
ALLM Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
Yes
Wireless Playback
9.0
9.0
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
No
No
Apple AirPlay
Yes
Yes
Spotify Connect
Yes
Connectivity - Subwoofer
Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1
Physical controls subwoofer photo 1
Sub Wireless
No
Yes
Connectivity - Satellites
Physical inputs satellites photo 1
Physical controls satellites photo 1
Sat Wireless
No
Yes
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
No
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Universal Remote
No
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
Yes (Built-in)
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
Yes
App
App image
App Name
Heos
iOS
Yes
Android
Yes
Acts As A Remote
Yes
Controls Soundbar's Settings
All
Casts Device Files
Yes
Other Features
Power Saving
No
HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)
Yes
Check Price
Black
Home Sound Bar 550
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q950A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Home Sound Bar 550
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
HW-Q950A
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
Home Sound Bar 550
SEE PRICE
B&HBlack
HW-Q950A
SEARCH
B&HBlack
Home Sound Bar 550
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
HW-Q950A
SEARCH
Samsung.comBlack
HW-Q950A
SEARCH
Walmart.com
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Denon Home Sound Bar 550
Samsung HW-Q950A
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Denon Home Sound Bar 550 vs Samsung HW-Q950A: Main Discussion
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