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Samsung HW-Q800A vs Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Samsung HW-Q800A
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
Tested using Methodology v1.1
Updated Jan 12, 2024 07:41 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Nov 21, 2024 02:28 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels3.1.2
Channels5.0
Variants
- HW-Q800A (Black)
- Beam (Gen 2) (Black)
- Sonos Beam (Gen 2) (White)
Our Verdict
Samsung HW-Q800A
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
The Samsung HW-Q800A is better than the standalone Sonos Beam (Gen 2). The Samsung is a 3.1.2 setup with a dedicated sub that reproduces a more extended low-bass. It gets louder than the Sonos and also supports more wireless playback options like Bluetooth. However, the Sonos is better built, and its more compact design may be better suited for some users. Despite its small size, it still has better soundstage and surround performances.
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Black
HW-Q800A
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Beam (Gen 2)
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HW-Q800A
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Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
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HW-Q800A
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HW-Q800A
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HW-Q800A
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HW-Q800A
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Finding storeNotice: 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
8.1
7.4
Stereo Frequency Response
8.4
7.4
Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
10
0.0
Center
8.5
7.4
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
No
Enclosure
Ported
No Subwoofer
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
38.6" (98.0 cm)
25.6" (65.0 cm)
Height
2.4" (6.0 cm)
2.6" (6.7 cm)
Depth
4.5" (11.5 cm)
4.0" (10.1 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
8.0" (20.4 cm)
N/A
Height
15.8" (40.1 cm)
N/A
Depth
15.8" (40.1 cm)
N/A
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
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
No
Mountable Satellites
No
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
No
Build Quality
8.0
8.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.4
7.4
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
3.1.2
5.0
Tested Preset
Standard
No Preset
Slope
-0.62
-0.56
Standard Error
2.49 dB
2.82 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
28.7 Hz
50.4 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
16.7 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.4
7.4
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
No Preset
Suggested Bass Setting
0
-3
Suggested Treble Setting
0
2
Slope
-0.56
0.05
Standard Error
2.46 dB
2.66 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
29.1 Hz
51.9 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
17.2 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.5
8.0
Crosstalk Error
2.57 dB
2.32 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.5
7.1
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
95.1 dB SPL
88.8 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
N/A
DRC @ Max Volume
2.57 dB
1.70 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.7
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.40
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.40
Center
8.5
7.4
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
0.52
0.24
Std. Err.
2.49 dB
3.73 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
91.2 dB SPL
72.3 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.37
0.63
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
4.34
1.54
Surround 5.1
4.7
5.9
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Phantom (Front Firing and Side Firing, Bar)
Slope
-0.43
-0.56
Std. Err.
2.13 dB
2.79 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
95.0 dB SPL
70.4 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.39
0.38
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.59
0.87
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
5.9
5.7
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Front Firing, Bar)
Slope
0.35
1.01
Std. Err.
4.25 dB
3.35 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
83.3 dB SPL
59.2 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.05
1.45
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.76
0.30
Sound Enhancement Features
7.4
5.4
Room Correction
No
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
Yes
Yes
EQ
Graphic + Presets
No
Surround Level Adjustment
No
No
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Virtual Surround
Yes
No
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
Adapter into HDMI ARC
HDMI ARC
1 (shared)
HDMI Out
1 (shared)
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Full HDMI In
1
No
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
No
Ethernet
No
1
Subwoofer Output
No
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
10
9.6
Dolby Atmos
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Yes
Supported
DTS
Yes
Supported
DTS:X
Yes
Not Supported
eARC
Yes
DTS-HD MA
Yes
Not Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
Yes
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
10
0.0
Dolby Atmos
Yes
Not Supported
Dolby Digital
Yes
Not Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
Not Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Yes
Not Supported
DTS
Yes
Not Supported
DTS:X
Yes
Not Supported
DTS-HD MA
Yes
Not Supported
PCM Channels
Not Supported
5.1 PCM
Yes
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
DTS
Yes
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Audio Latency: ARC
7.3
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
61 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
61 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
79 ms
Dolby Digital
111 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
121 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
121 ms
Audio Latency: HDMI In
8.9
0.0
HDMI Latency Video
Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
N/A
PCM-5.1 ch
N/A
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
N/A
Dolby Digital
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
N/A
ARC
31 ms
Optical
38 ms
Full HDMI In
-32 ms
Audio Latency: Optical
7.8
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
119 ms
Dolby Digital
180 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
0.0
0.0
1080p Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
4k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
8k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
No
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
No
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
Yes
FreeSync Passthrough
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
ALLM Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
Yes
Wireless Playback
9.0
3.0
Bluetooth
Yes
No
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
No
No
Apple AirPlay
Yes
Yes
Spotify Connect
Yes
Yes
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
No
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
Yes (Built-in)
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
No
Yes (Built-in)
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
Yes
Yes
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Black
HW-Q800A
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Beam (Gen 2)
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HW-Q800A
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Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
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HW-Q800A
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HW-Q800A
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HW-Q800A
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HW-Q800A
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Samsung HW-Q800A
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Samsung HW-Q800A vs Sonos Beam (Gen 2): Main Discussion
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