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Samsung HW-Q80R vs Sonos Playbar
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Samsung HW-Q80R
Sonos Playbar
Tested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Jan 11, 2024 07:55 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Apr 09, 2024 02:26 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels5.1.2
Channels3.0
Variants
- HW-Q80R
- Playbar
Our Verdict
Samsung HW-Q80R
Sonos Playbar
The Samsung HW-Q80R is better than the Sonos Playbar since we tested the Sonos without the separate sub and satellites. The bass performance of the Samsung is greatly helped by the good wireless sub and has a very good stereo frequency response. It also supports Atmos, which the Playbar doesn't do. On the other hand, the Sonos soundbar has a better soundstage as it sounds wider and more accurate, and it has a room correction feature, which is great. However, the Sonos doesn't have modern inputs like HDMI ports as it's a fairly old product. It also only supports Wi-Fi, but the Samsung supports both wireless playback types.
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Standard
HW-Q80R
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Amazon.comStandard
Playbar
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Amazon.comStandard
HW-Q80R
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Amazon.comStandard
Playbar
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Amazon.comStandard
Playbar
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B&HStandard
Playbar
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B&HStandard
Playbar
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B&HMain Differences for
Threshold
Mixed Usage
8.1
7.2
Stereo Frequency Response
8.5
7.4
Audio Format Support - ARC
10
0.0
Height (Atmos)
6.1
0.0
Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
10
0.0
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
No
Yes
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
48.3" (122.7 cm)
35.5" (90.1 cm)
Height
3.1" (8.0 cm)
3.3" (8.5 cm)
Depth
5.4" (13.8 cm)
5.4" (13.8 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
7.9" (20.1 cm)
N/A
Height
15.9" (40.4 cm)
N/A
Depth
15.7" (39.8 cm)
N/A
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)
Proprietary
Back - Subwoofer
Back photo - sub
Enclosure
Ported
No Subwoofer
Back - Satellites
Back photo - satellites
Mounting
No
No
Build Quality
8.0
8.0
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
HDMI Cable Length
1.5 m (4.9 ft)
N/A
Digital Optical Cable Length
N/A
1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.5
7.4
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
Standard
No Preset
Slope
-0.52
0.48
Std. Err.
2.49 dB
2.21 dB
Channels
5.1.2
3.0
Low-Frequency Extension
26.3 Hz
51.9 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
18.2 kHz
15.6 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.5
7.5
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
No Preset
Suggested Bass Setting
0
1
Suggested Treble Setting
0
-3
Slope
-0.52
-0.11
Std. Err.
2.49 dB
2.04 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
26.3 Hz
51.1 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
18.2 kHz
19.3 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.5
8.0
Crosstalk Error
2.35 dB
2.63 dB
Stereo Dynamics
8.4
7.7
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
100.4 dB SPL
96.0 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
2.06 dB
2.41 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
8.4
7.6
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.16
0.47
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.34
1.96
Center
8.8
8.8
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.32
0.44
Std. Err.
2.38 dB
1.99 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
97.8 dB SPL
96.1 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.33
0.67
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.05
1.83
Surround 5.1
5.1
4.5
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
0.84
0.12
Std. Err.
6.72 dB
2.51 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
92.4 dB SPL
94.8 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.34
1.24
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.47
2.53
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
6.1
0.0
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Not Supported
Slope
0.10
N/A
Std. Err.
4.79 dB
N/A
SPL @ Max Volume
93.7 dB SPL
N/A
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.32
N/A
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.91
N/A
Sound Enhancement Features
6.3
6.2
Room Correction
No
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
No
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
Yes
Yes
EQ
Graphic + Presets
No
Surround Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Rear Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Height Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Virtual Surround
Yes
No
Connectivity
Physical Inputs - Bar
Physical inputs bar photo 1
Physical inputs bar photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI ARC
1 (shared)
No
HDMI Out
1 (shared)
No
Full HDMI In
2
No
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
No
Ethernet
No
2
Audio Format Support - ARC
10
0.0
eARC
Yes
No
Dolby Atmos
Yes
No
Dolby Digital
Yes
No
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
No
DTS
Yes
No
DTS:X (eARC only)
Yes
No
Dolby TrueHD (eARC only)
Yes
No
DTS-HD MA (eARC only)
Yes
No
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
Yes
No
Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
10
0.0
Dolby Atmos
Yes
No
DTS:X
Yes
No
Dolby Digital
Yes
No
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
No
DTS
Yes
No
Dolby TrueHD
Yes
No
DTS-HD MA
Yes
No
5.1 PCM
Yes
No
Audio Format Support - Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Yes
Yes
DTS
Yes
Yes
Latency
7.3
8.8
Latency Video
ARC
85 ms
N/A
Optical
67 ms
36 ms
Full HDMI In
89 ms
N/A
Wireless Playback
8.0
2.0
Bluetooth
Yes
No
Wi-Fi
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
No
No
Apple AirPlay
No
No
Other Input Specifications
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
Yes
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
Yes
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
Yes
No
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
No
Connectivity - Subwoofer
Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1
Physical controls subwoofer photo 1
Sub Wireless
Yes
No
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
Samsung SmartThings
Sonos Controller
iOS
Yes
Yes
Android
Yes
Yes
Acts As A Remote
Yes
Yes
Controls Soundbar's Settings
Some
All
Casts Device Files
Yes
Yes
Other Features
Power Saving
Auto-off
No
HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)
Yes
No
Check Price
Standard
HW-Q80R
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Amazon.comStandard
Playbar
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Amazon.comStandard
HW-Q80R
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Amazon.comStandard
Playbar
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Amazon.comStandard
Playbar
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B&HStandard
Playbar
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B&HStandard
Playbar
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B&H
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Samsung HW-Q80R
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Samsung HW-Q80R vs Sonos Playbar: Main Discussion
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