LG SP11RA 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

SP11RA (Black)

HW-Q850A (Black)

Review

See LG SP11RA review

See Samsung HW-Q850A review

Our Verdict

LG SP11RA

Samsung HW-Q850A

The LG SP11RA and the Samsung HW-Q850A are both very versatile soundbars. The LG is a 7.1.4 setup. Unlike the Samsung, it has a room correction feature and Chromecast built-in support. However, the 5.1.2 Samsung has better surround and Atmos performances. It also comes with a graphic EQ, which some users may prefer for sound customization.

Check Price

Black

SP11RA

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

SP11RA

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

SP11RA

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

SP11RA

Black

HW-Q850A

Samsung.com

Black

HW-Q850A

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

Show text

Style - Subwoofer

Style photo - sub

Show text

Style - Satellites

Style photo - satellites

Show text

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)

Show text

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)

Show text

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)

Show text

Back - Bar

Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting

Universal (holes on underside)

Show text

Back - Subwoofer

Back photo - sub

Enclosure

Ported

Show text

Back - Satellites

Back photo - satellites

Mounting

Universal (holes on underside)

Universal (holes on back)

Show text

Build Quality

8.0

Build quality photo

Show text

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

Show text

Sound

Stereo Frequency Response

8.1

8.0

Stereo Setup

Raw Frequency Response

Frequency Response Small

Tested Preset

Standard

Slope

-0.75

0.92

Std. Err.

3.18 dB

3.24 dB

Channels

7.1.4

5.1.2

Low-Frequency Extension

32.2 Hz

33.2 Hz

High-Frequency Extension

19.9 kHz

Show text

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration

8.3

8.4

Frequency Response Calibrated

Suggested Preset

Standard

Suggested Bass Setting

-4

Suggested Treble Setting

-1

N/A

Slope

-0.45

0.46

Std. Err.

2.42 dB

2.33 dB

Low-Frequency Extension

32.7 Hz

29.5 Hz

High-Frequency Extension

19.9 kHz

Show text

Stereo Soundstage

7.5

Crosstalk

Crosstalk Error

2.05 dB

2.26 dB

Show text

Stereo Dynamics

7.9

7.4

Dynamic Range Compression

SPL @ Max Volume

92.5 dB SPL

94.4 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume

1.13 dB

2.69 dB

Show text

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion

7.0

7.8

THD

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.60

0.39

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

4.01

2.21

Show text

Center

8.0

7.7

Center Setup

Frequency Response

Localization

Discrete

Slope

-0.86

1.32

Std. Err.

3.19 dB

4.43 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

88.1 dB SPL

90.7 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

1.01

0.52

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

9.37

4.70

Show text

Surround 5.1

6.9

8.2

Surround Setup

Frequency Response

Localization

Discrete

Slope

0.59

0.50

Std. Err.

6.92 dB

2.54 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

94.4 dB SPL

97.5 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

1.26

0.62

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

2.38

3.46

7.1 Rears

Yes

Show text

Height (Atmos)

5.7

6.2

Height Setup

H Frequency Response

Localization

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)

Slope

-0.97

1.06

Std. Err.

5.64 dB

3.55 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

81.9 dB SPL

83.5 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

1.73

0.47

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

2.20

0.88

Show text

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

Show text

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

Show text

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

Show text

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

Show text

Audio Format Support - Optical

Dolby Digital

Yes

DTS

Yes

Show text

Latency

9.8

7.3

Latency Video

ARC

-9 ms

67 ms

Optical

14 ms

48 ms

Full HDMI In

-14 ms

-86 ms

Show text

Wireless Playback

9.0

Bluetooth

Yes

Wi-Fi

Yes

Chromecast built-in

Yes

Apple AirPlay

Yes

Show text

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

Show text

Connectivity - Subwoofer

Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1

Sub Wireless

Yes

Show text

Connectivity - Satellites

Physical inputs satellites photo 1

Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless

Yes

Partial, satellites wired together

Show text

Additional Features

Interface

Interface photo

Display

Yes

Show text

Bar Controls

Controls photo

Show text

Remote

Remote photo

Universal Remote

Show text

Voice Assistants Support

Amazon Alexa

Yes (Built-in)

Google Assistant

Apple Siri

Show text

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

Show text

Other Features

Power Saving

Auto-off

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)

Yes

Show text

Check Price

Black

SP11RA

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

SP11RA

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

SP11RA

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

SP11RA

Black

HW-Q850A

Samsung.com

Black

HW-Q850A