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Samsung HW-A550 vs Vizio V Series V21x-J8
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Samsung HW-A550
Vizio V Series V21x-J8
Tested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Jan 12, 2024 03:49 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Sep 03, 2024 07:13 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels2.1
Channels2.1
Variants
- HW-A550 (Black)
- V Series V21x-J8 (Black)
Our Verdict
Samsung HW-A550
Vizio V Series V21x-J8
The Samsung HW-A550 is a better soundbar than the Vizio V Series V21x-J8. The Samsung is better-built and has a more neutral default sound profile, which some listeners may prefer. Unlike the Vizio, it also comes with a graphic EQ for sound customization and a Full HDMI In port. That said, the Vizio offers a better surround performance.
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Black
HW-A550
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V Series V21x-J8
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-A550
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V Series V21x-J8
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HW-A550
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V Series V21x-J8
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HW-A550
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HW-A550
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Samsung.comMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.1
6.8
Stereo Frequency Response
7.9
7.4
Stereo Dynamics
8.2
6.8
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
33.9" (86.1 cm)
36.0" (91.5 cm)
Height
2.2" (5.5 cm)
2.3" (5.8 cm)
Depth
3.4" (8.7 cm)
3.2" (8.2 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
7.9" (20.0 cm)
7.7" (19.5 cm)
Height
13.8" (35.0 cm)
8.4" (21.4 cm)
Depth
11.4" (29.0 cm)
7.7" (19.5 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
N/A
Height
N/A
N/A
Depth
N/A
N/A
Back - Bar
Back photo - bar
Bar Mounting
Universal (holes on underside)
Universal (holes on underside)
Back - Subwoofer
Back photo - sub
Enclosure
Ported
Ported
Back - Satellites
Back photo - satellites
Mounting
No
No
Build Quality
7.5
7.0
Build quality photo
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)
1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.9
7.4
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
Standard
Music
Slope
-0.58
-1.11
Std. Err.
2.35 dB
5.26 dB
Channels
2.1
2.1
Low-Frequency Extension
40.6 Hz
33.2 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
17.0 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.0
7.9
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
Music
Suggested Bass Setting
-3
-5
Suggested Treble Setting
3
1
Slope
-0.12
-0.04
Std. Err.
1.96 dB
3.40 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
40.6 Hz
34.1 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
17.2 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.0
7.0
Crosstalk Error
2.65 dB
2.74 dB
Stereo Dynamics
8.2
6.8
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
92.2 dB SPL
94.5 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
0.55 dB
3.81 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
6.2
7.3
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.08
0.53
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
6.15
2.76
Center
5.9
5.6
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom
Phantom
Slope
-1.63
-1.50
Std. Err.
4.66 dB
6.20 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
87.8 dB SPL
94.4 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.50
0.52
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
3.08
2.83
Surround 5.1
3.3
4.0
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
-1.68
0.62
Std. Err.
4.87 dB
3.39 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
85.1 dB SPL
88.3 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.51
0.72
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.22
3.62
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
6.7
6.6
Room Correction
No
No
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
Yes
Yes
EQ
Graphic + Presets
Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
No
No
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
No
No
Virtual Surround
Yes
Yes
Connectivity
Physical Inputs - Bar
Physical inputs bar photo 1
Physical inputs bar photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI ARC
1 (shared)
1
HDMI Out
1 (shared)
No
Full HDMI In
1
No
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
1
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
1
1
Ethernet
No
No
Audio Format Support - ARC
7.1
7.6
eARC
No
No
Dolby Atmos
No
No
Dolby Digital
Yes
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
No
Yes
DTS
Yes
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
6.4
0.0
Dolby Atmos
No
No
DTS:X
No
No
Dolby Digital
Yes
No
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
10
10
Dolby Digital
Yes
Yes
DTS
Yes
Yes
Latency
7.0
8.1
Latency Video
ARC
104 ms
45 ms
Optical
77 ms
69 ms
Full HDMI In
77 ms
N/A
Wireless Playback
6.0
6.0
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi
No
No
Chromecast built-in
No
No
Apple AirPlay
No
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
No
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Universal Remote
No
No
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
No
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
App
App image
App Name
No App
No App
iOS
No
No
Android
No
No
Acts As A Remote
No
No
Controls Soundbar's Settings
No
No
Casts Device Files
No
No
Other Features
Power Saving
Auto-off
Auto-off
HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)
Yes
Yes
Check Price
Black
HW-A550
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
V Series V21x-J8
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
HW-A550
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BestBuy.comBlack
V Series V21x-J8
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
HW-A550
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Walmart.comBlack
V Series V21x-J8
SEARCH
B&HBlack
HW-A550
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B&HBlack
V Series V21x-J8
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BestBuy.comBlack
HW-A550
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Samsung HW-A550
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Samsung HW-A550 vs Vizio V Series V21x-J8: Main Discussion
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