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  1. Home
  2. Soundbar
  3. Compare
  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. Back - Bar
    8. Back - Subwoofer
    9. Back - Satellites
    10. Build Quality
    11. 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. Physical Inputs - Bar
    2. Audio Format Support - ARC
    3. Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
    4. Audio Format Support - Optical
    5. Latency
    6. Wireless Playback
    7. Other Input Specifications
    8. Connectivity - Subwoofer
    9. Connectivity - Satellites
  7. Additional Features
    1. Interface
    2. Bar Controls
    3. Remote
    4. Voice Assistants Support
    5. App
    6. Other Features
  8. Comments

Samsung HW-R550 vs Samsung HW-A550

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Samsung HW-R550
Samsung HW-A550

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Mar 28, 2022 12:13 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Jan 12, 2024 03:49 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Samsung HW-R550 Picture
Samsung HW-A550 Picture
Channels
2.1
Channels
2.1

Variants

  • HW-R550
  • HW-A550 (Black)

Review

See Samsung HW-R550 Review
See Samsung HW-A550 Review
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Our Verdict

Samsung HW-R550

Samsung HW-A550

The Samsung HW-A550 is a newer version of the Samsung HW-R550. They're both 2.1 soundbars with similar overall performances, however, the HW-A550 is slightly better. It's able to reproduce a slightly more extended low-bass out-of-the-box, and it has a better soundstage. Neither bar supports Dolby Atmos, though.

0 

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Standard
HW-R550
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HW-A550
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HW-R550
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HW-A550
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HW-R550
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HW-A550
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HW-R550
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HW-A550
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HW-R550
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HW-A550
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HW-R550
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HW-A550
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

7.1
7.1

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.6
7.9

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Samsung HW-R550 Style photo - bar
Samsung HW-A550 Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Samsung HW-R550 Style photo - sub
Samsung HW-A550 Style photo - sub
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-R550 Style photo - satellites
Samsung HW-A550 Style photo - satellites
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Samsung HW-R550 Dimensions photo - bar
Samsung HW-A550 Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

35.6" (90.5 cm)
33.9" (86.1 cm)

Height  

2.1" (5.4 cm)
2.2" (5.5 cm)

Depth  

3.2" (8.2 cm)
3.4" (8.7 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Samsung HW-R550 Dimensions photo - sub
Samsung HW-A550 Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

7.9" (20.0 cm)
7.9" (20.0 cm)

Height  

13.8" (35.0 cm)
13.8" (35.0 cm)

Depth  

11.4" (29.0 cm)
11.4" (29.0 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-R550 Dimensions photo - satellites
Samsung HW-A550 Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Back - Bar  

Back photo - bar  

Samsung HW-R550 Back photo - bar
Samsung HW-A550 Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting 
 

Universal (holes on underside)
Universal (holes on underside)
Show Text 

Back - Subwoofer  

Back photo - sub  

Samsung HW-R550 Back photo - sub
Samsung HW-A550 Back photo - sub

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported
Show Text 

Back - Satellites  

Back photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-R550 Back photo - satellites
Samsung HW-A550 Back photo - satellites

Mounting 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

7.5
7.5

Build quality photo  

Samsung HW-R550 Build quality photo
Samsung HW-A550 Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Samsung HW-R550 In The Box photo
Samsung HW-A550 In The Box photo

HDMI Cable Length 
 

N/A
N/A

Digital Optical Cable Length 
 

1.5 m (4.9 ft)
1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.6
7.9

Stereo Setup  

Samsung HW-R550 Stereo Setup
Samsung HW-A550 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

Tested Preset 
 

Standard
Standard

Slope 
 

-0.63
-0.58

Std. Err. 
 

2.77 dB
2.35 dB

Channels 
 

2.1
2.1

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

44.3 Hz
40.6 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

7.6
8.0

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Standard
Standard

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

0
-3

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

0
3

Slope 
 

-0.63
-0.12

Std. Err. 
 

2.77 dB
1.96 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

44.3 Hz
40.6 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

6.5
7.0

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

3.04 dB
2.65 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

8.3
8.2

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

93.9 dB SPL
92.2 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

0.70 dB
0.55 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

7.6
6.2

THD  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.39
1.08

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

2.73
6.15
Show Text 

Center 
 

6.4
5.9

Center Setup  

Samsung HW-R550 Center Setup
Samsung HW-A550 Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom
Phantom

Slope 
 

-1.55
-1.63

Std. Err. 
 

4.11 dB
4.66 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

92.8 dB SPL
87.8 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.28
0.50

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.50
3.08
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

3.8
3.3

Surround Setup  

Samsung HW-R550 Surround Setup
Samsung HW-A550 Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Stereo (Downmix)
Stereo (Downmix)

Slope 
 

-1.59
-1.68

Std. Err. 
 

4.24 dB
4.87 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

90.2 dB SPL
85.1 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.33
0.51

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.20
2.22

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

0.0
0.0

Height Setup  

Samsung HW-R550 Height Setup
Samsung HW-A550 Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

Samsung HW-R550 H Frequency Response
Samsung HW-A550 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
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

6.7
6.7

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
Graphic + Presets

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Height Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Virtual Surround 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 
Connectivity

Physical Inputs - Bar 
 

Physical inputs bar photo 1  

Samsung HW-R550 Physical inputs bar photo 1
Samsung HW-A550 Physical inputs bar photo 1

Physical inputs bar photo 2  

Samsung HW-R550 Physical inputs bar photo 2
Samsung HW-A550 Physical inputs bar photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
1

HDMI ARC 
 

1 (shared)
1 (shared)

HDMI Out 
 

1 (shared)
1 (shared)

Full HDMI In 
 

1
1

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

1
No

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

1
1

Ethernet 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support - ARC 
 

7.1
7.1

eARC 
 

No
No

Dolby Atmos 
 

No
No

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

No
No

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
Show Text 

Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In 
 

7.4
6.4

Dolby Atmos 
 

No
No

DTS:X 
 

No
No

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

No
No

DTS 
 

Yes
No

Dolby TrueHD 
 

No
No

DTS-HD MA 
 

No
No

5.1 PCM 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support - Optical 
 

10
10

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Yes

DTS 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Latency 
 

8.0
7.0

Latency Video  

ARC 
 

41 ms
104 ms

Optical 
 

51 ms
77 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

-63 ms
77 ms
Show Text 

Wireless Playback 
 

6.0
6.0

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
Yes

Wi-Fi 
 

No
No

Chromecast built-in 
 

No
No

Apple AirPlay 
 

No
No
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

Connectivity - Subwoofer 
 

Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1  

Samsung HW-R550 Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1
Samsung HW-A550 Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1  

Samsung HW-R550 Physical controls subwoofer photo 1
Samsung HW-A550 Physical controls subwoofer photo 1

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Connectivity - Satellites 
 

Physical inputs satellites photo 1  

Samsung HW-R550 Physical inputs satellites photo 1
Samsung HW-A550 Physical inputs satellites photo 1

Physical controls satellites photo 1  

Samsung HW-R550 Physical controls satellites photo 1
Samsung HW-A550 Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless 
 

No
No
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Samsung HW-R550 Interface photo
Samsung HW-A550 Interface photo

Display 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Samsung HW-R550 Controls photo
Samsung HW-A550 Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote 
 

Remote photo  

Samsung HW-R550 Remote photo
Samsung HW-A550 Remote photo

Universal Remote 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

No
No

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

App 
 

App image  

Samsung HW-R550 App image
Samsung HW-A550 App image

App Name  

Samsung Audio Remote
No App

iOS  

Yes
No

Android  

Yes
No

Acts As A Remote 
 

Yes
No

Controls Soundbar's Settings 
 

Some
No

Casts Device Files 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Other Features 
 

Power Saving 
 

Auto-off
Auto-off

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control) 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Check Price

Standard
HW-R550
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Black
HW-A550
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Standard
HW-R550
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Black
HW-A550
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Standard
HW-R550
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Black
HW-A550
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HW-R550
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HW-A550
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HW-R550
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HW-A550
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HW-R550
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HW-A550
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Samsung HW-R550

Samsung HW-A550

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Samsung HW-R550 vs Samsung HW-A550: Main Discussion

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