Samsung Hw-m550 31-channel Soundbar With Wireless Subwoofer Review

Test Results

Marketplace Context

The HW-R550 is a budget soundbar arrangement from Samsung's 2019 lineup, but has now been replaced by the 2020 Samsung HW-T550. This ii.i organisation setup doesn't take a dedicated eye channel similar the Samsung HW-R650, but has more speakers than the two.1 Samsung HW-R450, which came out the aforementioned year. These two models are likewise the R550'due south main competitors, and information technology'south also compared to some similar budget two.1 setups like the Yamaha YAS-207.

Design

The Samsung HW-R550 resembles the Samsung HW-R650 a lot. It has a metal grille to cover the forepart confront, but the rest is made of solid plastic. On the correct side, there are four buttons to control the soundbar's functions.

The sub is generally made of wood. The front confront is covered with fabric that tin get easily muddy or damaged. The port is found on the back.

There are no satellites on this setup.

Width 35.half dozen" (90.v cm)

Superlative 2.1" (5.iv cm)

Depth 3.ii" (8.2 cm)

The Samsung HW-R550 is adequately wide and unlikely to fit between the legs of nigh 55" TVs. On the upside, it isn't as well alpine and won't obstruct the lower role of the screen, unless your Telly has a very low stand or sits flush on the table.

Width 7.9" (20.0 cm)

Height 13.8" (35.0 cm)

Depth eleven.4" (29.0 cm)

The subwoofer is almost equally big every bit an average desktop. It connects wirelessly to the system so y'all can place it anywhere in the room, as long as you tin provide it with ability.

Width Due north/A

Peak N/A

Depth Northward/A

There are no satellites in this setup.

Bar Mounting Universal (holes on underside)

The back of the bar has two openings for the power cablevision and the input ports. The wall-mounting holes are on the underside, and the required brackets are included in the box.

Enclosure Ported

The sub's back is plain. The port is fabricated of plastic and is located on the top, while the ability cable connects on the bottom, making information technology easy to hide it.

Mounting No

There are no satellites in this setup.

The Samsung HW-R550 has a great build quality. It'due south a robust construction that's mostly made of solid plastic and a metal grille on the front face. The sub is made of wood and its weakest bespeak is the fabric on the front of the subwoofer that tin can get dirty or damaged.

HDMI Cable Length North/A

Digital Optical Cable Length 1.v m (4.nine ft)

• Remote & batteries
• Bar power cable
• Bar power brick
• Subwoofer power cablevision
• Optical cablevision
• Screws & washers
• Wall-mounting brackets & template
• Manuals

Sound

Tested Preset Standard

Slope -0.63

Std. Err. two.77 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 44.3 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 19.9 kHz

The Samsung HW-R550 has a decent stereo frequency response. Its low-frequency extension is slightly high but still ameliorate than some higher-end models. Its sound profile is slightly dark, equally there's an overemphasis in the bass range and a lack of detail in the treble range.

Suggested Preset Standard

Suggested Bass Setting 0

Suggested Treble Setting 0

Slope -0.63

Std. Err. ii.77 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 44.iii Hz

Loftier-Frequency Extension 19.ix kHz

Crosstalk Mistake 3.04 dB

When listening to the Samsung HW-R550, the soundstage is but okay. The bar isn't that wide and the speakers are situated at the extremities of the bar. The R550 doesn't exercise any tricks to try widening the soundstage, significant information technology's about as wide every bit the bar itself. The focus of sounds is fairly good, but due to the dark sound profile, information technology sounded a flake more diffused than the Samsung HW-R650.

SPL @ Max Volume 93.9 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Book 0.70 dB

The Samsung HW-R550 can become to a practiced volume level that will be suitable for a large room or a crowded environs. Besides, it performs quite well at max volume and doesn't produce compression artifacts, which is great.

Weighted THD @ 80dB 0.39

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 2.73

The Samsung HW-R550's THD performance is good. At a normal listening volume, the amount of THD is within very good limits, which results in a clear and pure audio. However, there's a noticeable big jump in THD at maximum book, especially in the bass range and low-mid. However, this might not exist aural with real-life content.

Localization Phantom

Slope -one.55

Std. Err. iv.11 dB

SPL @ Max Book 92.viii dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 0.28

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 1.50

The center channel performance of this soundbar is sub-par. It's a 2.1 setup, meaning that it doesn't have a dedicated center speaker. It uses the left and correct speakers to create a sound in the centre, which will sound more diffused and less clear compared to a discrete one. The graph shows a pretty night-sounding contour, only since in that location'southward hardly whatever bass on the center channel, this shouldn't affect the performance too much. Voices will notwithstanding sound fairly clear and accurate.

Localization Stereo (Downmix)

Gradient -1.59

Std. Err. 4.24 dB

SPL @ Max Volume xc.ii dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 0.33

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 1.20

7.1 Rears No

The Samsung HW-R550 is a two.1 setup, so it'll downmix environment content and will as well audio very dark and bass-heavy. This soundbar can only use its left and right speakers, which won't do an accurate and articulate representation of environment objects in the soundstage. This means the result won't exist very immersive and the objects will be perceived to come up from the front instead of to your sides or behind y'all.

Localization Not Supported

Slope N/A

Std. Err. N/A

SPL @ Max Volume Due north/A

Weighted THD @ 80dB Northward/A

Weighted THD @ Max Book N/A

The Samsung HW-R550 doesn't have elevation channels and doesn't support Atmos.

Room Correction No

Dialogue Enhancement Yes

Automobile-Volume/Night Way Yes

Subwoofer Level Adjustment Aye

Bass Adjustment Yes

Treble Aligning Yes

EQ Graphic + Presets

Surround Level Adjustment No

Rear Level Aligning No

Height Level Adjustment No

Virtual Surround Yes

Update 06/xvi/2020: The HW-R550 supports surround sound content, but we had previously listed 'Surround Level Aligning' to 'N/A'. The exam issue has now been set to 'No', which has slightly decreased the scoring.

The Samsung HW-R550's sound enhancement features are good. Information technology lacks room correction, so it might sound different depending on your room. On the upside, it has a dialogue enhancement feature to make voices and dialogue in movies clearer. Also, you have a dynamic range control, which is the nighttime fashion, and tin be enabled/disabled by holding down the sound mode button on the remote for a few seconds. However, this is only available with Dolby Digital tracks. You also get a 7-ring EQ and a woofer aligning level to control the amount of bass produced.

Connectivity

Optical Sound In 1

HDMI ARC one (shared)

HDMI Out 1 (shared)

Total HDMI In 1

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 1

RCA In No

USB for Files 1

Ethernet No

The Samsung HW-R550 can accept several types of inputs to suit well-nigh every need. The Analog Audio In tin be handy for older devices that merely accept audio out ports, whereas the Optical Sound In tin be helpful with older TVs. Thanks to the Full HDMI In and the HDMI ARC port, you can place the bar in between an external device and the TV and obtain the all-time visual and audio experience. If you want to listen to music from a USB primal, yous accept to use an adapter as the available port is micro-USB.

eARC No

Dolby Atmos No

Dolby Digital Yeah

Dolby Digital Plus No

DTS Yes

DTS:X (eARC only) No

Dolby TrueHD (eARC but) No

DTS-HD MA (eARC simply) No

five.i PCM (eARC only) No

This setup tin can playback Dolby Digital and DTS over ARC although it downmixes it to 2.one. Dolby Digital is widely used in streaming platforms like Netflix and Blu-rays. DTS is rarely institute on its own. It's mainly found every bit the fallback of the higher quality DTS-Hard disk drive MA widely available in Blu-rays.

Dolby Atmos No

DTS:10 No

Dolby Digital Aye

Dolby Digital Plus No

DTS Yes

Dolby TrueHD No

DTS-Hd MA No

5.1 PCM No

When your external device is connected to the Total HDMI in port, this bar will downmix Dolby Digital and DTS sound formats to two.one. Unfortunately, the higher end object-based audio formats, similar Dolby Atmos, or the lossless ones like 5.1 PCM are not supported, so you can't relish the highest-fidelity audio experience.

Dolby Digital Yes

DTS Yes

Through Optical, both Dolby Digital and DTS are supported only downmixed to 2.1 due to the bar's pattern. You tin can find Dolby Digital content in well-nigh all streaming platforms, and most Blu-rays. DTS is usually found as the fallback of the DTS-Hard disk drive MA which is constitute on most recent Blu-rays.

ARC 41 ms

Optical 51 ms

Total HDMI In -63 ms

Bluetooth Yes

Wi-Fi No

Chromecast built-in No

Apple tree AirPlay No

Only like the Samsung HW-R650, you tin can savor your music on your phone or tablet wirelessly through Bluetooth. Unfortunately, you can't connect to WiFi or bandage using Chromecast built-in or AirPlay.

4k @ threescore Hz Passthrough No

4k @ threescore Hz @ x bit Passthrough No

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough No

HDR10 Passthrough No

Thank you to the Full HDMI In and the HDMI ARC ports you can laissez passer through a video signal. However, the HW-R550 can't pass through a 4k @ 60Hz video even if both your Television receiver and PC back up it.

Sub Wireless Yes

The subwoofer connects wirelessly to the bar and all you have is the ability cable.

Sat Wireless No

There are no satellites on this setup.

Boosted Features

Display Yeah

There's a minor screen behind the grille that serves as the interface. It tin brandish the input source and the book level and sometimes has to whorl to display the entire bulletin.

The four buttons on the right side of the bar control the volume, the input source selection, and can power the bar on and off.

Universal Remote No

The Samsung HW-R550'southward remote is the same as the Samsung HW-R650's remote. It allows yous to command all the settings of the soundbar. A message on the interface screen confirms your actions.

Amazon Alexa No

Google Assistant No

Apple Siri No

App Proper name Samsung Audio Remote

iOS Yep

Android Yeah

Acts As A Remote Yes

Controls Soundbar's Settings Some

Casts Device Files Yes

The Samsung Audio Remote is the app that pairs with this bar. However, it can't completely replace the remote as it's lacking the 'Settings' and 'Bluetooth' buttons. On the upside, it has great functionality and you tin can cast files from your phone to the bar.

Power Saving Auto-off

HDMI CEC (Tv Remote Command) Yep

After 5 minutes of inactivity, the Samsung HW-R550 will switch off thanks to its Auto-Off feature. Also, due to HDMI CEC, your Boob tube'south remote can control some bones functionality of the bar.

Compared To Other Soundbars

The Samsung HW-R550 is a decent overall soundbar, peculiarly for its price range. Information technology has a good overall sound profile, only lacks a chip of sub-bass, even with a dedicated subwoofer. Since it's a adequately affordable soundbar, it doesn't support high-end features like Atmos and can't passthrough 4k @ 60Hz. Come across our recommendations for the best soundbars, the all-time soundbars under $300, and the best soundbars with subwoofer.

The Samsung HW-R650 and Samsung HW-R550 are practically identical, but the R650 has a dedicated eye aqueduct that the R550 doesn't have. This results in better dialog and voice reproduction, which is great when watching Telly shows and movies. Other than that, these soundbars are pretty much the aforementioned.

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

The Samsung HW-A550 is a newer version of the Samsung HW-R550. They're both ii.i soundbars with like 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 amend soundstage. Neither bar supports Dolby Atmos, though.

The Samsung HW-T550 from 2020 is a slightly ameliorate option than the 2019 Samsung HW-R550. While they perform quite similarly, the overall sound signature of the HW-T550 is a fleck more neutral throughout the range and its stereo soundstage sounds a little bit wider. On the other manus, our unit has some slight distortion problems in the treble range, which we didn't encounter with the HW-R550. The 2019 model also has access to an app, which the 2020 HW-T550 doesn't, although all settings are nevertheless available through the remote.

The Samsung HW-Q60R is slightly more versatile than the Samsung HW-R550 thank you to the Samsung Acoustic Beam upwards-firing speakers. It also has a dedicated center aqueduct for improve and clearer dialog. The Acoustic Beam helps with the surround operation of the Q60R.

The Samsung HW-R550 is a ameliorate soundbar for dialogue and TV shows than the LG SL6Y. The Samsung is better balanced for reproducing vocals, it tin go loud enough for normal utilise, and it has a graphic EQ if y'all want to tweak its audio a little more. However, the LG has improve eye and surround performances even though all surround content is still downmixed into stereo. If yous connect a device to it using its HDMI input, it can also easily pass a full 4k point, although it won't pass HDR10 content through.

The Samsung HW-R550 and the Vizio SB3220n-F6 are both decent soundbars. The 2.1-channel Samsung gets more than low-bass thanks to the dedicated subwoofer and has more sound enhancement features; however, its stereo soundstage isn't every bit broad as spacious as that of the Vizio. While the Samsung has more input options, like HDMI, the Vizio also has a more meaty design that's better if you're tight on space.

The Samsung HW-R550 is a better 2.ane soundbar than the TCL Alto five+. It sounds ameliorate, has more sound enhancement features that let you slightly customize the way it sounds to your preference, has more inputs, and supports DTS. If you're looking for a budget soundbar, the price deviation between these ii won't be loftier plenty to brand the TCL a amend option; the Samsung is a meliorate overall soundbar.

The Samsung HW-N450 and Samsung HW-R550 are similarly performing 2.1 soundbars. They have an well-nigh identical sound contour that's slightly dark and lacks a bit of bass. The HW-R550 is better suited for TV and dialogue, however, as it has the added reward of a dialogue enhancer feature, unlike the HW-450.

The Yamaha YAS-207 is a better soundbar arrangement than the Samsung HW-R550. These 2 two.1 setups take decent overall functioning, but the Yamaha'south stereo frequency response is a bit more accurate and neutral. Its centre channel performance is too noticeably improve and results in more detailed and accurate voices and dialog in movies. On the other hand, the Samsung has more than features, is better-congenital, and is more stylish.

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Source: https://www.rtings.com/soundbar/reviews/samsung/hw-r550

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