Notice: Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available.
  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
    10. Back - Bar
    11. Back - Subwoofer
    12. Back - Satellites
  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
    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 Sony HT-S350

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Samsung HW-R550
Sony HT-S350

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Mar 28, 2022 12:13 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Jan 12, 2024 03:47 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Samsung HW-R550 Picture
Sony HT-S350 Picture

Variants

  • HW-R550
  • HT-S350

Our Verdict

Samsung HW-R550

Sony HT-S350

The Samsung HW-R550 is a better soundbar than the Sony HT-S350. It has a more accurate audio reproduction and overall sound profile. The bass of the Samsung is more extended as well. While the Sony can get marginally louder, it compresses noticeably more than the Samsung. The Samsung soundbar also has more inputs, since the Sony lacks Full HDMI Ins, and supports DTS, which the Sony doesn't.

0 

Check Price

Standard
HW-R550
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Standard
HT-S350
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Standard
HW-R550
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Standard
HT-S350
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Standard
HW-R550
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Standard
HT-S350
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Standard
HW-R550
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Standard
HT-S350
Amazon.com
Standard
HW-R550
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Standard
HW-R550
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Standard
HW-R550
Amazon.com
 
Read more

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

7.1
6.4

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.6
6.6

Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In 
 

7.4
0.0

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Samsung HW-R550 Style photo - bar
Sony HT-S350 Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Samsung HW-R550 Style photo - sub
Sony HT-S350 Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-R550 Style photo - satellites
Sony HT-S350 Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Samsung HW-R550 Dimensions photo - bar
Sony HT-S350 Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

35.6" (90.5 cm)
35.5" (90.2 cm)

Height  

2.1" (5.4 cm)
2.5" (6.3 cm)

Depth  

3.2" (8.2 cm)
3.5" (8.9 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Samsung HW-R550 Dimensions photo - sub
Sony HT-S350 Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

7.9" (20.0 cm)
7.5" (19.0 cm)

Height  

13.8" (35.0 cm)
15.0" (38.0 cm)

Depth  

11.4" (29.0 cm)
15.4" (39.1 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-R550 Dimensions photo - satellites
Sony HT-S350 Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Sony HT-S350 Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Sony HT-S350 Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

No

Mountable Satellites 
 

No

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

No

Build Quality 
 

7.5
7.5

Build quality photo  

Samsung HW-R550 Build quality photo
Sony HT-S350 Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Samsung HW-R550 In The Box photo
Sony HT-S350 In The Box photo

HDMI Cable Length 
 

N/A

Digital Optical Cable Length 
 

1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Show Text 

Back - Bar  

Back photo - bar  

Samsung HW-R550 Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting 
 

Universal (holes on underside)
Show Text 

Back - Subwoofer  

Back photo - sub  

Samsung HW-R550 Back photo - sub

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported
Show Text 

Back - Satellites  

Back photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-R550 Back photo - satellites

Mounting 
 

No
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.6
6.6

Stereo Setup  

Samsung HW-R550 Stereo Setup
Sony HT-S350 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
-0.34

Std. Err. 
 

2.77 dB
4.56 dB

Channels 
 

2.1
2.1

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

44.3 Hz
56.6 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
16.7 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

7.6
6.6

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Standard
Standard

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

0
8

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

0
N/A

Slope 
 

-0.63
-0.34

Std. Err. 
 

2.77 dB
4.56 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

44.3 Hz
56.6 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
16.7 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
2.64 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

8.3
7.6

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

93.9 dB SPL
95.5 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

0.70 dB
2.53 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

7.6
7.6

THD  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.39
0.38

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

2.73
2.97
Show Text 

Center 
 

6.4
6.3

Center Setup  

Samsung HW-R550 Center Setup
Sony HT-S350 Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom
Phantom

Slope 
 

-1.55
-1.70

Std. Err. 
 

4.11 dB
4.44 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

92.8 dB SPL
95.5 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.28
0.39

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.50
2.47
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

3.8
2.9

Surround Setup  

Samsung HW-R550 Surround Setup
Sony HT-S350 Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Stereo (Downmix)
Stereo (Downmix)

Slope 
 

-1.59
-1.54

Std. Err. 
 

4.24 dB
6.85 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

90.2 dB SPL
92.6 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.33
0.64

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.20
3.40

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

0.0
0.0

Height Setup  

Samsung HW-R550 Height Setup
Sony HT-S350 Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

Samsung HW-R550 H Frequency Response
Sony HT-S350 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
5.6

Room Correction 
 

No
No

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Yes
Yes

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Bass Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Treble Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

EQ 
 

Graphic + Presets
Presets

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Height Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Virtual Surround 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Samsung HW-R550 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Sony HT-S350 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Samsung HW-R550 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Sony HT-S350 Physical Connections 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) 
 

1
No

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

1
No

Ethernet 
 

No
No

Subwoofer Output 
 

No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support - ARC 
 

7.1
6.1

eARC 
 

No
No

Dolby Atmos 
 

No
No

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

No
No

DTS 
 

Yes
No

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
0.0

Dolby Atmos 
 

No
No

DTS:X 
 

No
No

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
No

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
6.0

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Yes

DTS 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Latency 
 

8.0
6.5

Latency Video  

ARC 
 

41 ms
98 ms

Optical 
 

51 ms
113 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

-63 ms
N/A
Show Text 

Wireless Playback 
 

6.0
6.0

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
Yes

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

No
No

Chromecast built-in 
 

No
No

Apple AirPlay 
 

No
No

Spotify Connect 
 

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

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1  

Samsung HW-R550 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

Physical controls satellites photo 1  

Samsung HW-R550 Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless 
 

No
No
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Samsung HW-R550 Interface photo
Sony HT-S350 Interface photo

Display 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Samsung HW-R550 Controls photo
Sony HT-S350 Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

Samsung HW-R550 Remote photo
Sony HT-S350 Remote photo

Universal Remote 
 

No
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

No
No

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

No

App 
 

App image  

Samsung HW-R550 App image

App Name  

Samsung Audio Remote

iOS  

Yes

Android  

Yes

Acts As A Remote 
 

Yes

Controls Soundbar's Settings 
 

Some

Casts Device Files 
 

Yes
Show Text 

Other Features 
 

Power Saving 
 

Auto-off

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control) 
 

Yes
Show Text 

Check Price

Standard
HW-R550
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Standard
HT-S350
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Standard
HW-R550
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Standard
HT-S350
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Standard
HW-R550
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Standard
HT-S350
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Standard
HW-R550
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Standard
HT-S350
Amazon.com
Standard
HW-R550
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Standard
HW-R550
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Standard
HW-R550
Amazon.com
 

Samsung HW-R550

Sony HT-S350

Comments

  1. Comparison

Samsung HW-R550 vs Sony HT-S350: Main Discussion

What do you think of these products? Let us know below.


Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Insiders have direct access to buying advice on our insider forum.

PreviewBack to editorFormat guide
No comments yet, refresh to see new ones