LG SN11RG vs Samsung HW-Q850A Side-by-Side Soundbar Comparison

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Jan 12, 2024 04:48 PM

Channels7.1.4

Channels5.1.2

Variants

SN11RG (Black)

HW-Q850A (Black)

Review

See LG SN11RG review

See Samsung HW-Q850A review

Our Verdict

LG SN11RG

Samsung HW-Q850A

The LG SN11RG is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q850A. The LG is a 7.1.4 setup with a slightly bass-heavy sound profile out-of-the-box, which some users may prefer. It also comes with a room correction feature. However, the 5.1.2 Samsung has a better surrounds performance and a graphic EQ for sound customization.

Check Price

Black

SN11RG

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

SN11RG

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

SN11RG

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

SN11RG

LG.com

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

SN11RG

Black

HW-Q850A

Samsung.com

Main Differences for

Threshold

0.10

Mixed Usage

8.0

7.9

No major differences between these soundbars for mixed usage. See full list of tests below.

Full Comparison

Mixed Usage

8.0

7.9

Dialogue/TV Shows

8.2

8.1

Music

8.1

7.7

Movies

7.9

Design

Style - Bar

Style photo - bar

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Style - Subwoofer

Style photo - sub

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Style - Satellites

Style photo - satellites

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Dimensions - Bar

Dimensions photo - bar

Width

56.8" (144.2 cm)

38.6" (98.0 cm)

Height

2.5" (6.3 cm)

2.4" (6.0 cm)

Depth

5.8" (14.7 cm)

4.5" (11.5 cm)

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Dimensions - Subwoofer

Dimensions photo - sub

Width

8.7" (22.1 cm)

8.0" (20.4 cm)

Height

15.4" (39.1 cm)

15.8" (40.1 cm)

Depth

12.3" (31.2 cm)

15.8" (40.1 cm)

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Dimensions - Satellites

Dimensions photo - satellites

Width

5.1" (13.0 cm)

3.5" (9.0 cm)

Height

8.3" (21.0 cm)

5.8" (14.8 cm)

Depth

7.5" (19.0 cm)

3.5" (9.0 cm)

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Back - Bar

Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting

Universal (holes on underside)

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Back - Subwoofer

Back photo - sub

Enclosure

Ported

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Back - Satellites

Back photo - satellites

Mounting

Universal (holes on underside)

Universal (holes on back)

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Build Quality

8.0

Build quality photo

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In The Box

In The Box photo

HDMI Cable Length

N/A

1.5 m (4.9 ft)

Digital Optical Cable Length

1.5 m (4.9 ft)

N/A

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Sound

Stereo Frequency Response

8.2

8.0

Stereo Setup

Raw Frequency Response

Frequency Response Small

Tested Preset

Standard

Slope

-0.79

0.92

Std. Err.

3.59 dB

3.24 dB

Channels

7.1.4

5.1.2

Low-Frequency Extension

28.3 Hz

33.2 Hz

High-Frequency Extension

19.9 kHz

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Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration

8.4

Frequency Response Calibrated

Suggested Preset

Standard

Suggested Bass Setting

-5

Suggested Treble Setting

-1

N/A

Slope

-0.44

0.46

Std. Err.

2.73 dB

2.33 dB

Low-Frequency Extension

28.7 Hz

29.5 Hz

High-Frequency Extension

19.9 kHz

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Stereo Soundstage

7.5

Crosstalk

Crosstalk Error

2.23 dB

2.26 dB

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Stereo Dynamics

7.7

7.4

Dynamic Range Compression

SPL @ Max Volume

90.5 dB SPL

94.4 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume

1.05 dB

2.69 dB

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Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion

6.8

7.8

THD

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.67

0.39

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

4.47

2.21

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Center

7.9

7.7

Center Setup

Frequency Response

Localization

Discrete

Slope

0.02

1.32

Std. Err.

3.61 dB

4.43 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

87.5 dB SPL

90.7 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.95

0.52

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

3.39

4.70

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Surround 5.1

6.7

8.2

Surround Setup

Frequency Response

Localization

Discrete

Slope

-0.24

0.50

Std. Err.

7.39 dB

2.54 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

92.9 dB SPL

97.5 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.48

0.62

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

2.30

3.46

7.1 Rears

Yes

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Height (Atmos)

6.1

6.2

Height Setup

H Frequency Response

Localization

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)

Slope

-1.64

1.06

Std. Err.

5.51 dB

3.55 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

88.7 dB SPL

83.5 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.37

0.47

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

1.99

0.88

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Sound Enhancement Features

9.8

7.5

Room Correction

Yes

Dialogue Enhancement

Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode

Yes

Subwoofer Level Adjustment

Yes

Bass Adjustment

Yes

Treble Adjustment

Yes

EQ

Presets

Graphic + Presets

Surround Level Adjustment

Yes

Rear Level Adjustment

Yes

Height Level Adjustment

Yes

Virtual Surround

Yes

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Connectivity

Physical Inputs - Bar

Physical inputs bar photo 1

Physical inputs bar photo 2

Optical Audio In

HDMI ARC

1 (shared)

HDMI Out

1 (shared)

Full HDMI In

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)

RCA In

USB for Files

Ethernet

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Audio Format Support - ARC

eARC

Yes

Dolby Atmos

Yes

Dolby Digital

Yes

Dolby Digital Plus

Yes

DTS

Yes

DTS:X (eARC only)

Yes

Dolby TrueHD (eARC only)

Yes

DTS-HD MA (eARC only)

Yes

5.1 PCM (eARC only)

Yes

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Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In

Dolby Atmos

Yes

DTS:X

Yes

Dolby Digital

Yes

Dolby Digital Plus

Yes

DTS

Yes

Dolby TrueHD

Yes

DTS-HD MA

Yes

5.1 PCM

Yes

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Audio Format Support - Optical

Dolby Digital

Yes

DTS

Yes

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Latency

9.3

7.3

Latency Video

ARC

28 ms

67 ms

Optical

8 ms

48 ms

Full HDMI In

35 ms

-86 ms

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Wireless Playback

9.0

Bluetooth

Yes

Wi-Fi

Yes

Chromecast built-in

Yes

Apple AirPlay

Yes

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Other Input Specifications

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough

Yes

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough

Yes

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough

Yes

HDR10 Passthrough

Yes

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Connectivity - Subwoofer

Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1

Sub Wireless

Yes

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Connectivity - Satellites

Physical inputs satellites photo 1

Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless

Yes

Partial, satellites wired together

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Additional Features

Interface

Interface photo

Display

Yes

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Bar Controls

Controls photo

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Remote

Remote photo

Universal Remote

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Voice Assistants Support

Amazon Alexa

Yes (Built-in)

Google Assistant

Yes (Built-in)

Apple Siri

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App

App image

App Name

LG Sound Bar

Samsung SmartThings

iOS

Yes

Android

Yes

Acts As A Remote

Yes

Controls Soundbar's Settings

All

Some

Casts Device Files

Yes

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Other Features

Power Saving

Auto-off

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)

Yes

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Check Price

Black

SN11RG

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

SN11RG

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

SN11RG

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

SN11RG

LG.com

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

SN11RG