Samsung Q800B Review – Full Honest Opinion (2024)

What exactly is the Samsung Q800B Soundbar?

At its core, the Samsung Q800B soundbar is a beacon of audio excellence designed to transform your living room into a cinematic paradise. It’s not just about making noise; it’s about creating an atmosphere, with every sound, from the whisper of the wind to the roar of a jet engine, delivered with crystal clarity. In a market flooded with options, the Q800B stands out by offering a harmonious blend of immersive 3D audio, robust build quality, and seamless Alexa integration, making it a timeless addition to any home entertainment setup.

Benefits of using this soundbar

1. Immersive audio experience: With Dolby Atmos support, the soundbar envelops you in sound, making you feel like you’re in the heart of the action.
2. Seamless integration: Q-Symphony technology harmonises audio between the Samsung TV and soundbar, enhancing the overall experience.
3. Easy setup: The soundbar is designed to be user-friendly, ensuring you can get up and running with minimal fuss.
4. Robust build: Indicative of Samsung’s commitment to quality, the soundbar’s construction promises longevity.
5. Value for money: Given its features and performance, the Q800B offers great bang for your buck.

Un-boxing & First Impressions

Upon unboxing the Samsung Q800B, its sturdy build and sleek design immediately caught my eye. Measuring 111 cm in width, it’s certainly not the smallest soundbar on the market, but its size is justified by the audio power it packs. The materials felt premium to the touch, and its weight (9.3 kg) reassured me of its quality. My initial thought? This soundbar means business.

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Features: Quick overview of what you’re getting

• Dolby Atmos support: For an immersive audio experience.
• Q-Symphony: Harmonises audio between the TV and soundbar.
• Alexa built-in: For easy voice control.
• Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity: For seamless streaming.
• Robust build quality: Ensuring durability.
• Immersive 3D audio: For a cinematic sound experience.
• Competitive pricing: Offering great value.
• Easy setup: User-friendly installation.
• Seamless TV integration: With Samsung Q-Symphony.
• Dimensions: 111 cm (W) x 12 cm (D) x 6 cm (H).
• Weight: 9.3 kg.
• Brand reputation: Samsung’s reliability and quality.

While the features list is impressive, it’s a real shame that the soundbar’s bulky design may not suit all living spaces, and the dominant bass could overpower other frequencies straight out of the box. Additionally, the costly optional speakers needed for the full Atmos experience might deter some.

Smart Features

Delving into the smart features of the Samsung Q800B soundbar, it’s clear that this device is not just about sound; it’s about smart, seamless integration into your digital life. With built-in Alexa voice control, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi connectivity, it’s designed to be at the heart of your smart home ecosystem. Let’s break down its main smart features:

Alexa Voice Control – Having Alexa built into the soundbar is like having a personal assistant ready to play your favourite tunes, adjust the volume, or even control other smart home devices, all without lifting a finger. It’s convenience at its best.

What we liked about the Samsung Q800B

After spending some quality time with the Samsung Q800B soundbar, a few features stood out that genuinely enhanced our audio experience. Here’s a closer look at what we found particularly impressive:

Immersive 3D Audio

The Dolby Atmos support brings a cinematic quality to your living room that’s hard to beat. The sound feels like it’s coming from all around you, creating an immersive experience whether you’re watching movies, playing video games, or just listening to music. It’s a game-changer for home entertainment.

Q-Symphony Technology

The Q-Symphony feature, which harmonises audio playback between the Samsung TV and the soundbar, creates a cohesive and immersive sound experience. This synergy ensures that you’re not just hearing sound from one direction but enveloped in it, enhancing every viewing experience.

Robust Build Quality

The soundbar’s sturdy construction not only speaks volumes about its durability but also its quality. It’s reassuring to know that the device delivering such fantastic sound is built to last, making it a worthwhile investment for any audiophile.

Competitive Pricing

Considering its advanced features, superior sound quality, and robust build, the Samsung Q800B offers great value for money. It’s competitively priced, especially when you consider the immersive audio experience it provides, making it accessible to a wider audience.

What we were disappointed with

While the Samsung Q800B soundbar ticks many boxes, there were a few areas that left us wanting more:

Bulky Design

Its size and weight, while indicative of its solid construction, might not suit all living spaces. We found that its bulk could be a bit imposing in smaller rooms, potentially affecting the sound dynamics depending on its placement.

Dominant Bass

Right out of the box, the bass levels can feel a bit too dominant, which might overshadow the mids and highs. While this can be adjusted, it requires fiddling with the settings to achieve a more balanced sound profile.

Costly Optional Speakers

For those looking to experience the full Dolby Atmos effect with additional rear speakers, the cost can add up quickly. It’s a real shame that to achieve the ultimate surround sound experience, you have to invest significantly more.

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Getting Set Up

Setting up the Samsung Q800B soundbar was, on the whole, a breeze, which is a relief considering some of the horror stories you hear about tech setups these days. However, it wasn’t without its quirks. Here’s a step-by-step guide based on my experience and a few tips gleaned from other users:

1. Unbox the soundbar carefully and place it where you intend to use it. Given its size, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got the space sorted beforehand.
2. Connect the soundbar to your TV using the HDMI ARC port. If your TV supports it, this will allow you to control the soundbar volume with your TV remote.
3. Plug in the power cable. Remember, the UK mains leads might not be compatible due to the right-angled plug, so you might need an adapter or a different cable.
4. Turn on the soundbar and follow the on-screen instructions to connect it to your Wi-Fi network. This will enable features like Alexa voice control.
5. Download the Samsung SmartThings app on your smartphone to access additional features and settings.
6. Experiment with the sound settings. Many users, myself included, found the bass to be quite dominant straight out of the box. Adjusting the sound settings can help balance it out.

While the setup is straightforward, the potential need for an additional cable or adapter for the power connection is a bit of a letdown. It’s a small hiccup in what is otherwise a user-friendly process.

Build Quality and Extras

The Samsung Q800B soundbar is a solid piece of kit. Its weight and build quality immediately suggest a product that’s built to last. The robust construction is a clear indicator of Samsung’s commitment to quality. However, it’s worth noting that its bulky design might not be to everyone’s taste or fit every living space.

Regarding the warranty, the soundbar comes with comprehensive coverage, which is reassuring. It’s always good to know that your investment is protected, especially when it comes to tech products. Other users have reported positive experiences with Samsung’s customer service, which adds an extra layer of confidence in the purchase.

Who is this product best suited to?

If You’re an Audiophile

The Samsung Q800B’s support for Dolby Atmos and its immersive 3D audio capability make it a dream for audiophiles. The sound quality is crisp, with clear dialogues and a depth of sound that truly enhances the viewing experience.

If You Love Smart Tech

With built-in Alexa voice control and seamless integration with Samsung SmartThings, this soundbar is a great addition to any smart home setup. It’s perfect for those who appreciate being able to control their tech with just their voice.

If You’re a Movie Buff

The soundbar’s ability to synchronize audio from both the TV and itself ensures an enhanced cinematic experience at home. It’s ideal for movie enthusiasts looking for that immersive sound that draws you into the action.

Who should avoid this

Despite its many positives, the Samsung Q800B might not be for everyone. Its bulky design means it could dominate smaller living spaces or clash with minimalist decor. Additionally, the overpowering bass straight out of the box might not suit those looking for a more balanced sound profile without having to tweak settings. Lastly, the additional cost for the full Atmos setup with optional speakers might deter those on a tighter budget.

Value for Money

Considering its features, build quality, and performance, the Samsung Q800B soundbar offers good value for money. It’s competitively priced within its range, especially when you factor in the immersive audio experience and smart functionality it provides. While there are cheaper options on the market, they often don’t match up in terms of audio quality or features.

The verdict: Is the Samsung Q800B worth a buy?

The Samsung Q800B soundbar is a solid choice for enhancing your home audio experience. Its robust build, excellent sound quality, and smart features like Alexa compatibility and Dolby Atmos support make it a standout product. However, its bulky design and the need for potential adjustments to manage the bass levels are points to consider. When compared to similar products, it holds its own, especially in terms of audio performance and smart functionality. If you’re in the market for a soundbar that can bring cinematic sound into your home and integrate seamlessly with your smart devices, the Samsung Q800B is certainly worth considering. However, weigh the pros and cons carefully to decide if it’s the right fit for your space and audio preferences.

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Detailed Specs