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  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Style - Bar
    2. Style - Subwoofer
    3. Style - Satellites
    4. Dimensions - Bar
    5. Dimensions - Subwoofer
    6. Dimensions - Satellites
    7. Mounting
    8. Build Quality
    9. In The Box
  5. Sound
    1. Stereo Frequency Response
    2. Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
    3. Stereo Soundstage
    4. Stereo Dynamics
    5. Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
    6. Center
    7. Surround 5.1
    8. Height (Atmos)
    9. Sound Enhancement Features
  6. Connectivity
    1. Inputs/Outputs - Bar
    2. Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
    3. Audio Format Support: HDMI In
    4. Audio Format Support: Optical
    5. Audio Latency: ARC
    6. Audio Latency: HDMI In
    7. Audio Latency: Optical
    8. Video Passthrough To TV
    9. Wireless Playback
  7. Additional Features
    1. Interface
    2. Bar Controls
    3. Remote
    4. Voice Assistants Support
  8. Comments

Samsung HW-Q800A vs Samsung HW-Q800C

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Samsung HW-Q800A
Samsung HW-Q800C

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Jan 12, 2024 07:41 PM

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Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Jul 26, 2024 07:06 PM

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Samsung HW-Q800A Picture
Samsung HW-Q800C Picture

Variants

  • HW-Q800A (Black)
  • HW-Q800C (Black)

Our Verdict

Samsung HW-Q800A

Samsung HW-Q800C

The Samsung HW-Q800C is a newer iteration of the Samsung HW-Q800A, offering slightly better overall performance. The Q800A is an older model with a 3.1.2 setup, meaning it has to downmix surround sound into stereo to play it. The 5.1.2 Q800C, however, has side-firing drivers to bring a more realistic feel to the sound. It's better built, too, with more enhancement features like room correction.

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Black
HW-Q800A
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Black
HW-Q800C
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Black
HW-Q800A
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Black
HW-Q800C
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Black
HW-Q800A
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Black
HW-Q800C
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

8.1
8.2
No major differences between these soundbars for mixed usage. See full list of tests below.

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Samsung HW-Q800A Style photo - bar
Samsung HW-Q800C Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Samsung HW-Q800A Style photo - sub
Samsung HW-Q800C Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-Q800A Style photo - satellites
Samsung HW-Q800C Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Samsung HW-Q800A Dimensions photo - bar
Samsung HW-Q800C Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

38.6" (98.0 cm)
43.7" (111.1 cm)

Height  

2.4" (6.0 cm)
2.3" (5.9 cm)

Depth  

4.5" (11.5 cm)
4.7" (12.0 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Samsung HW-Q800A Dimensions photo - sub
Samsung HW-Q800C Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

8.0" (20.4 cm)
8.1" (20.6 cm)

Height  

15.8" (40.1 cm)
15.7" (40.0 cm)

Depth  

15.8" (40.1 cm)
15.8" (40.2 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-Q800A Dimensions photo - satellites
Samsung HW-Q800C Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Samsung HW-Q800A Bar Mounting Holes
Samsung HW-Q800C Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Samsung HW-Q800A Satellite Mounting Holes
Samsung HW-Q800C Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes
Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Yes
Yes

Mountable Satellites 
 

No
No

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

8.0
8.5

Build quality photo  

Samsung HW-Q800A Build quality photo
Samsung HW-Q800C Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Samsung HW-Q800A In The Box photo
Samsung HW-Q800C In The Box photo
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.4
8.3

Stereo Setup  

Samsung HW-Q800A Stereo Setup
Samsung HW-Q800C Stereo Setup

Raw Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Frequency Response Small  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Channels 
 

3.1.2
5.1.2

Tested Preset 
 

Standard
Standard

Slope 
 

-0.62
-0.45

Standard Error 
 

2.49 dB
2.83 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

28.7 Hz
28.3 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

8.4
8.3

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Standard
Standard

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

0
0

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

0
0

Slope 
 

-0.56
-0.45

Standard Error 
 

2.46 dB
2.83 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

29.1 Hz
28.3 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

7.5
7.5

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

2.57 dB
2.34 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

7.5
8.2

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

95.1 dB SPL
97.6 dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

0.59 dB

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

2.57 dB
2.99 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

7.7

THD  

See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.40

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

2.40
Show Text 

Center 
 

8.5
8.5

Center Setup  

Samsung HW-Q800A Center Setup
Samsung HW-Q800C Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

0.52
-0.12

Std. Err. 
 

2.49 dB
2.53 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

91.2 dB SPL
90.5 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.37
0.23

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

4.34
1.15
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

4.7
6.4

Surround Setup  

Samsung HW-Q800A Surround Setup
Samsung HW-Q800C Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Stereo (Downmix)
Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)

Slope 
 

-0.43
-0.54

Std. Err. 
 

2.13 dB
3.24 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

95.0 dB SPL
95.6 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.39
0.46

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

2.59
3.71

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

5.9
5.8

Height Setup  

Samsung HW-Q800A Height Setup
Samsung HW-Q800C Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)

Slope 
 

0.35
0.37

Std. Err. 
 

4.25 dB
5.22 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

83.3 dB SPL
89.8 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

1.05
0.59

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.76
1.09
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

7.4
9.5

Room Correction 
 

No
Yes

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
Graphic + Presets

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Height Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Virtual Surround 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q800A Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Samsung HW-Q800C Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Samsung HW-Q800A Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Samsung HW-Q800C Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
1

HDMI ARC 
 

1 (shared)

HDMI Out 
 

1 (shared)
eARC

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

No

Full HDMI In 
 

1
1

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

No
No

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

No
No

Ethernet 
 

No
No

Subwoofer Output 
 

No
No
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

10
10

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Supported

DTS 
 

Yes
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
Show Text 

Audio Latency: ARC 
 

8.7

ARC Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

39 ms

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

35 ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

67 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

89 ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

93 ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

95 ms
Show Text 

Audio Latency: HDMI In 
 

8.9
9.0

HDMI Latency Video  

Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

40 ms

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

39 ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

72 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

102 ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

97 ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

98 ms

ARC 
 

31 ms

Optical 
 

38 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

-32 ms
Show Text 

Audio Latency: Optical 
 

7.7

Optical Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

110 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

292 ms
Show Text 

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 
 

Yes

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough 
 

Yes
Show Text 

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
Yes
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Samsung HW-Q800A Interface photo
Samsung HW-Q800C Interface photo

Display 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Samsung HW-Q800A Controls photo
Samsung HW-Q800C Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

Samsung HW-Q800A Remote photo
Samsung HW-Q800C Remote photo
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

Yes (Built-in)
Yes (Built-in)

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
HW-Q800A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HW-Q800C
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HW-Q800A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HW-Q800C
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HW-Q800A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HW-Q800C
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Samsung HW-Q800A

Samsung HW-Q800C

Comments

  1. Comparison

Samsung HW-Q800A vs Samsung HW-Q800C: Main Discussion

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