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Hisense HS218 vs Samsung HW-A550
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Hisense HS218
Samsung HW-A550
Tested using Methodology v1.1
Updated Apr 17, 2024 03:01 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Jan 12, 2024 03:49 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels2.1
Channels2.1
Variants
- HS218 (Black)
- HW-A550 (Black)
Our Verdict
Hisense HS218
Samsung HW-A550
The Samsung HW-A550 is better than the Hisense HS218. The Samsung has a better stereo soundstage, and it comes with more sound enhancement features like a graphic EQ and auto-volume mode. Unlike the Hisense, it has a Full HDMI In port. That said, the Hisense has better center and surround performances.
Notice: Two or more of the products selected have been tested with different test methodologies, so some of the results below aren't directly comparable. Learn how our test benches and scoring system work, and read more about the latest changes to our soundbars test methodology.
Main Differences for
Threshold
Mixed Usage
6.7
7.1
Stereo Frequency Response
7.6
7.9
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
No
Yes
Stereo Dynamics
7.1
8.2
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
Yes
Enclosure
Ported
Ported
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
37.8" (96.0 cm)
33.9" (86.1 cm)
Height
2.4" (6.0 cm)
2.2" (5.5 cm)
Depth
3.6" (9.2 cm)
3.4" (8.7 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
6.7" (17.0 cm)
7.9" (20.0 cm)
Height
13.5" (34.3 cm)
13.8" (35.0 cm)
Depth
13.1" (33.4 cm)
11.4" (29.0 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
N/A
Height
N/A
N/A
Depth
N/A
N/A
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
Mountable Satellites
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
Build Quality
7.5
7.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
HDMI Cable Length
N/A
Digital Optical Cable Length
1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Back - Bar
Back photo - bar
Bar Mounting
Universal (holes on underside)
Back - Subwoofer
Back photo - sub
Enclosure
Ported
Ported
Back - Satellites
Back photo - satellites
Mounting
No
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.6
7.9
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
Music
Standard
Slope
-0.88
-0.58
Std. Err.
3.10 dB
2.35 dB
Channels
2.1
2.1
Low-Frequency Extension
40.6 Hz
40.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
17.7 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.7
8.0
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Music
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
-3
-3
Suggested Treble Setting
4
3
Slope
-0.04
-0.12
Std. Err.
2.58 dB
1.96 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
43.6 Hz
40.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
6.5
7.0
Crosstalk Error
2.52 dB
2.65 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.1
8.2
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
95.7 dB SPL
92.2 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
3.43 dB
0.55 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
8.0
6.2
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.35
1.08
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.23
6.15
Center
6.6
5.9
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom
Phantom
Slope
-0.57
-1.63
Std. Err.
3.47 dB
4.66 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
93.1 dB SPL
87.8 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.39
0.50
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.24
3.08
Surround 5.1
4.2
3.3
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
-0.63
-1.68
Std. Err.
3.44 dB
4.87 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
93.1 dB SPL
85.1 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.40
0.51
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.18
2.22
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
0.0
0.0
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Not Supported
Not Supported
Slope
N/A
N/A
Std. Err.
N/A
N/A
SPL @ Max Volume
N/A
N/A
Weighted THD @ 80dB
N/A
N/A
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
N/A
N/A
Sound Enhancement Features
4.1
6.7
Room Correction
No
No
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
No
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
Yes
Yes
EQ
Presets
Graphic + Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
No
No
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
No
No
Virtual Surround
Yes
Yes
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI ARC
1
1 (shared)
HDMI Out
No
1 (shared)
Full HDMI In
No
1
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
1
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
1
1
Ethernet
No
No
Subwoofer Output
No
Audio Format Support - ARC
6.1
7.1
eARC
No
No
Dolby Atmos
No
No
Dolby Digital
Yes
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
No
No
DTS
No
Yes
DTS:X (eARC only)
No
No
Dolby TrueHD (eARC only)
No
No
DTS-HD MA (eARC only)
No
No
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
No
No
Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
0.0
6.4
Dolby Atmos
No
No
DTS:X
No
No
Dolby Digital
No
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
No
No
DTS
No
No
Dolby TrueHD
No
No
DTS-HD MA
No
No
5.1 PCM
No
No
Audio Format Support - Optical
6.0
10
Dolby Digital
Yes
Yes
DTS
No
Yes
Latency
9.0
7.0
Latency Video
ARC
32 ms
104 ms
Optical
24 ms
77 ms
Full HDMI In
N/A
77 ms
Wireless Playback
6.0
6.0
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
No
No
Chromecast built-in
No
No
Apple AirPlay
No
No
Spotify Connect
No
Other Input Specifications
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
No
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
No
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
No
No
HDR10 Passthrough
No
No
Connectivity - Subwoofer
Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1
Physical controls subwoofer photo 1
Sub Wireless
Yes
Yes
Connectivity - Satellites
Physical inputs satellites photo 1
Physical controls satellites photo 1
Sat Wireless
No
No
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Universal Remote
No
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
No
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
App
App image
App Name
No App
iOS
No
Android
No
Acts As A Remote
No
Controls Soundbar's Settings
No
Casts Device Files
No
Other Features
Power Saving
Auto-off
HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)
Yes
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Hisense HS218
Samsung HW-A550
Comments
Hisense HS218 vs Samsung HW-A550: Main Discussion
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