Today, we’re delving into the world of immersive sound with the Samsung HW-Q800C Q-Symphony Soundbar. In a market flooded with options, does this soundbar hit the high notes for both audiophiles and the average Joe looking for a sonic upgrade to their home cinema experience? Let’s find out if it’s music to our ears or just another piece in the tech cacophony.
What exactly is the Samsung HW-Q800C Q-Symphony Soundbar?
The Samsung HW-Q800C Q-Symphony Soundbar is a sleek, feature-packed device designed to elevate your home audio experience. In an era where the aesthetics of a living room are almost as important as the functionality it provides, this soundbar promises not just to blend in but to enhance both the visual and auditory aspects of your home entertainment setup. With its promise of stellar sound, seamless integration, and smart control, it’s positioned as a must-have for those looking to bring a cinematic audio experience into their living rooms without the need for a bulky, traditional home theatre system.
Benefits of using this soundbar
- Immersive Audio Experience: The Q-Symphony technology ensures that the soundbar works in harmony with your Samsung TV, providing an immersive sound that envelops you.
- Seamless Integration: Designed specifically to complement Samsung TVs, this soundbar offers a seamless aesthetic and functional integration, enhancing the overall user experience.
- Smart Control: With built-in Alexa voice control, managing your sound settings or integrating with your smart home ecosystem has never been easier.
- Wireless Connectivity: The inclusion of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity options allows for effortless streaming from your devices, ensuring your favourite tunes are always at your fingertips.
- Powerful Bass: The accompanying 8″ subwoofer ensures that you feel every beat, adding depth and dimension to your audio experience.
Un-boxing & First Impressions
Upon unboxing the Samsung HW-Q800C, its sleek design and sturdy build immediately caught my attention. Measuring at a compact 5 x 16 x 5 cm and weighing 14.9 kg, it’s clear that this soundbar is built to impress without dominating your living space. The primary function of enhancing your audio experience is evident, but it’s the soundbar’s unique aspects, like the Q-Symphony technology and SpaceFit Sound Pro, that pique interest. My first thought? This could be the missing piece in my quest for the perfect home cinema setup.
Features: Quick overview of what you’re getting
- Q-Symphony Technology: For synchronised sound with your Samsung TV.
- SpaceFit Sound Pro: Auto-calibrated audio for any environment.
- Built-in Alexa Voice Control: For easy smart home integration.
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Connectivity: For versatile streaming options.
- 8″ Subwoofer: For deep, impactful bass.
- Seamless TV Integration: Designed to work perfectly with Samsung TVs.
- Sturdy Build: Ensuring durability and longevity.
- Compact Dimensions: For a non-intrusive, stylish addition to your living space.
- Easy Installation: Minimal effort required to set up.
- Customizable Sound Settings: Via the SmartThings app.
- Attractive Design: Enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your setup.
- Good Value for Money: Offering a balance between performance and affordability.
However, it’s a real shame that the soundbar’s weight might pose a challenge for those looking to mount it on plasterboard walls. Additionally, the lack of detailed instructions could leave some users scratching their heads during setup and optimisation.
Smart Features
When it comes to smart features, the Samsung soundbar doesn’t shy away from flexing its technological muscles. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of soundbars, if one of the tools was specifically for impressing your friends with your voice-controlled home cinema.
Alexa Voice Control – Having Alexa built-in is like having a personal DJ who doesn’t judge your music taste. You can ask Alexa to play music, control your smart home devices, or even tell you a joke, all without lifting a finger.
Q-Symphony Technology – This feature is like having an orchestra in your living room, where the soundbar and TV speakers work in harmony to envelop you in sound. It’s particularly impressive when watching movies, making you feel like you’re in the centre of the action.
SmartThings App Compatibility – The SmartThings app allows you to control and customize your soundbar’s settings from your phone. It’s like having a remote control that doesn’t get lost in the sofa cushions.
What we liked about the Samsung Soundbar
Seamless TV Integration
We were really pleased to see how well the soundbar integrates with Samsung TVs. It’s like they’re best friends who finish each other’s sentences, but in this case, they’re finishing each other’s soundscapes. This seamless integration enhances the overall audio-visual experience, making it a breeze to set up and enjoy.
Powerful Bass
The 8″ subwoofer delivers a bass that’s so deep and impactful, it’ll make your heart skip a beat – or at least make you think there’s a thunderstorm inside your house. This powerful bass enhances the overall sound quality, adding depth to music and realism to movie explosions.
Wireless Streaming
The Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity options are a godsend for streaming music. It’s incredibly easy to switch from watching TV to playing your favourite tunes, making this soundbar a versatile addition to your home entertainment setup.
Attractive Design and Build Quality
Not only does this soundbar sound good, but it also looks good. The design is sleek and modern, fitting seamlessly into any decor. Plus, the build quality is top-notch, ensuring that this soundbar will be a part of your home cinema setup for years to come.
What we were disappointed with
Weighty Wall Mounting Woes
It’s a real shame that the soundbar’s 14.9 kg weight makes wall mounting a challenge. For those of us who prefer a minimalist setup or simply don’t have the space for a soundbar to sit on a TV stand, this limitation can be a real headache. A lighter design or more robust mounting options would be a welcome improvement.
Lack of Detailed Instructions
The multilingual instructions lack the detail needed to optimise the soundbar’s settings fully. It’s like being given a map with no street names. You’ll eventually get where you need to go, but it could be a lot easier. More comprehensive guidance would greatly enhance the setup experience.
Subwoofer Size
While the subwoofer’s size contributes to its powerful bass, it also poses placement challenges in smaller spaces. It’s like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole – you might find a way, but it won’t be without its difficulties. A more compact design without sacrificing sound quality would be ideal.
Getting Set Up
Setting up the Samsung soundbar was an adventure, akin to deciphering an ancient scroll, but in tech language. The process wasn’t as straightforward as one might hope, with the multilingual instructions lacking the detail necessary for a smooth setup. It seems I wasn’t alone in this, as other buyers have echoed similar frustrations. However, fear not, for I’ve distilled my experience into a handy step-by-step guide to make your setup as seamless as possible:
- Unbox the soundbar and subwoofer carefully. Marvel at its sleek design for a moment before moving on.
- Connect the soundbar to your TV using the HDMI ARC port for the best audio quality. If your TV is a Samsung, you’re in for a treat with the Q-Symphony feature.
- Place the subwoofer in your desired location, ideally somewhere it can flex its muscles without causing a domestic disturbance.
- Power on both devices and connect them wirelessly. They should pair automatically, but if they decide to be difficult, refer to the manual (with a magnifying glass, if necessary).
- Download the SmartThings app on your smartphone to access additional features and settings. This is where the magic happens.
- Experiment with the SpaceFit Sound Pro feature to calibrate the audio perfectly to your room. It’s like having your personal sound engineer.
- Finally, test the voice control with Alexa or Google Assistant. It might take a few tries before they listen to you, but persistence is key.
While the initial setup might test your patience, the reward is a sound system that transforms your living room into a cinematic oasis.
Build Quality and Extras
The build quality of the Samsung soundbar is nothing short of exceptional. It’s sturdy, with a design that screams ‘I mean business’. The attention to detail is evident, from the sleek finish to the robust feel of the buttons. However, it’s the soundbar’s weight that might raise eyebrows. At 14.9 kg, it’s a heavyweight champion, making wall mounting a workout in itself. It’s a real shame that its heft could deter some from achieving the perfect setup.
Who is this product best suited to?
If You’re an Audiophile with a Love for Movies
With its cinematic audio performance and Q-Symphony technology, this soundbar is a dream for movie buffs. The powerful bass and seamless TV integration create an immersive viewing experience that’s hard to beat.
If You’re a Tech Enthusiast with a Smart Home
The soundbar’s compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant, along with its wireless streaming capabilities, make it a central piece in any smart home setup. It’s perfect for those who love controlling their tech with just their voice.
If You Appreciate Design and Build Quality
Its attractive design and exceptional build quality make the soundbar a statement piece in any living room. It’s suited to those who not only care about sound quality but also the aesthetics of their tech.
Who should avoid this
Despite its many virtues, the Samsung soundbar isn’t for everyone. Its heavyweight makes it a poor choice for those with plasterboard walls, fearing the structural integrity of their home. Additionally, its substantial size, especially the subwoofer, could be a deal-breaker for those living in smaller spaces, where every inch of real estate counts. It’s also not the best pick for the technologically faint-hearted, given the initial setup challenges and occasional voice control hiccups.
Value for Money
Considering its features, performance, and build quality, the Samsung soundbar offers excellent value for money. It’s competitively priced, especially when you factor in the immersive audio experience it provides. While there are cheaper options on the market, few can match the soundbar’s combination of sound quality, design, and smart features. It’s a solid investment for those looking to elevate their home cinema experience without breaking the bank.
The verdict: Is the product name short worth a buy?
The Samsung soundbar impresses with its brilliant sound quality, seamless TV integration, and powerful bass. Its compatibility with smart home systems and easy streaming options add to its appeal. However, its weight and the challenges associated with wall mounting, along with the occasional voice control issue, might deter some. Despite these drawbacks, the soundbar’s performance, design, and value for money make it a compelling choice for audiophiles and movie lovers alike. It’s not without its flaws, but the Samsung soundbar is undoubtedly a worthy addition to any home cinema setup.
