As you shop for a soundbar audio upgrade over your TV‘s weak built-in speakers, Samsung and Sony likely catch your eye pretty quickly. These titans of tech sell some of the most popular soundbar models around. But does one company offer superior performance and value compared to the other?
In this comprehensive soundbar comparison guide, we‘ll analyze key differences between Samsung and Sony‘s lineups across:
- Sound quality and audio characteristics
- Feature sets and connectivity
- Product selections and model ranges
- Pricing and overall value
Let‘s start with a quick overview of Samsung and Sony‘s positions in the soundbar category before diving into how they stack up head-to-head.
Overview: Samsung and Sony‘s Soundbar Ranges
Samsung and Sony take slightly different approaches to product selection and technology in engineering their soundbars:
Samsung Soundbars
- 20+ models spanning lifestyle, QLED-specific, and wallet-friendly affordable options
- Dolby Atmos support on all 2022/2023 Q-Series and most S-Series models
- Focused on expansive, 3D spatial audio through side-firing drivers
- Offer wireless surround speakers for immersive 5.1.2+ setups
Sony Soundbars
- Around 12 models plus an eclectic range of exotic designs
- Custom audio technologies like Vertical Surround Engine in all bars
- Emphasize ultra-clear center channel dialogue reproduction
- Mostly self-contained systems versus wireless expansion options
Now that you have a better sense of each brand‘s soundbar outlook, let‘s see how their available models directly stack up against each other.
Soundbar Showdown: Comparing Samsung and Sony Models
With a wider selection pool with over 20 current models spanning multiple series, Samsung gives you more options to choose from compared to Sony‘s 10-12 models aimed at different price points:
Samsung Series Breakdown
| Series | Models | Prices |
|---|---|---|
| Q Series: Premium/QLED Matching (Dolby Atmos) | Q990B, Q950A, Q900A | $1400-$1800 |
| S Series: Lifestyle Minimalist | S800B/S801B, S60B/S61B | $450-$1000 |
| B Series: Affordable Essentials | B550, B450 | $150-$250 |
Sony Series Breakdown
| Series | Models | Prices |
|---|---|---|
| A Series: Premium Design | HT-A5000, HT-A9 | $1000-$1500 |
| S Series: Mid-Range Value | HT-S40R, HT-S20R | $350-$700 |
| Entry-level: 2.0 Essentials | HT-S100F | $150 |
While model naming and series segmentation differs slightly, you can identify comparable classes of soundbars from budget to premium Dolby Atmos between Samsung and Sony. Let‘s analyze how they compare on paper based purely on technical specifications:
Side-By-Side Spec Breakdowns
Comparing Budget Essential Soundbars
| Specs | Samsung HW-B450 | Sony HT-S100F |
|---|---|---|
| Audio Format Support | DTS Virtual:X | DTS Digital Surround |
| Speakers | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| Channels | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| Wireless Expansion? | No | No |
| HDMI Ports | 1 | 1 |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 41.6 x 2.5 x 3.7 in | 32 × 4.6 × 2.0 in |
Comparing Mid-Range Soundbars
| Specs | Samsung HW-S60B | Sony HT-S20R |
|---|---|---|
| Audio Format Support | Dolby Atmos | Dolby Atmos/DTS:X |
| Speakers | 3.0 | 5.1 |
| Channels | 5.1 | 5.1 |
| Wireless Expansion? | Surround Speakers | No |
| HDMI Ports | 1 | 1 |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 35.4 x 2.4 x 3.7 in | 38 3/8 × 2 1/2 × 4 1/2 in |
Contrasting Premium Flagship Soundbars
| Specs | Samsung HW-Q990B | Sony HT-A9 |
|---|---|---|
| Audio Format Support | Dolby Atmos/DTS:X | Dolby Atmos |
| Speakers | 11.1.4 | 5.1.2 |
| Channels | 22 | 7 |
| Wireless Expansion? | Surround Speakers | No |
| HDMI Ports | 2 | 1 |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 49.0 x 3.2 x 5.4 in | 12.4 diameter sphere |
By peeking under the hood at what powers their soundbars, you can start gauging key differences:
- How Sony focuses on self-contained systems versus Samsung‘s wireless expansion through added speakers
- How Sony fits slightly less advanced audio decoding (no DTS:X) in cheaper models
- How Samsung gives you higher overall channel counts for a surround sound experience from fewer boxes
Of course, real-world performance matters much more than impressive spec sheets. Do Samsung and Sony soundbars actually sound dramatically different? How about comparing overall features beyond just speakers and format support? Let‘s dig in.
Audio Quality Comparison: Samsung vs. Sony
If you care about your entertainment experience, soundbars live and die by audio reproduction quality above all. But it‘s not always straightforward to judge factors like clarity, immersion, bass presence, and soundstage width solely from specs. Professional reviews help assess how Samsung and Sony soundbars actually fare:
Samsung Audio Quality
- "Open, rich, and nicely detailed" reports Sound+Vision, appreciating Samsung‘s expansive soundstage reach outside the physical confines of soundbars themselves.
- Well-balanced across frequencies from Weighted bass to clear, strain-free dialogue and articulate effects notes Trusted Reviews testing Samsung‘s Q-Series
- Warm yet lively character, never sounding strained, hollow or sterile across testing by publications like TechRadar and CNET
Sony Audio Quality
- "Vocals are focused and always easy to understand" thanks to dedicated center channels relaying clear mid-range sound says DigitalTrends
- Intimate listening experience as What HiFi describes from forward sound that sounds more in your head rather than surrounding you
- Analytical over punchy, reports Tech Hive, preferring subtler textural detail versus aggressive audio dynamism on the HT-A5000
While professionals discern differences in sonic signature between Samsung and Sony‘s approaches, personal preferences dictate which profile suits you better.
Comparing Key Features: Connectivity, Streaming, and Expandability
Beyond working to perfect raw sonic reproduction, Samsung and Sony pack comparable conveniences and next-gen connectivity:
Universal Premium Features
- Voice control integration with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth streaming from mobile/PC sources
- HDMI eARC connectivity to source devices like TVs
Samsung-Specific Features
- Q-Symphony: Audio synergy between Samsung TV and soundbar working in tandem
- SpaceFit Sound: Adaptive tuning tailored specifically to your room
- Wireless expansion: Add surrounds and rears to scale up channel count
Sony-Specific Features
- 360 Spatial Sound: Virtualized enveloping audio effect
- Sound Field Optimization: One-touch intelligent tuning to room
- Custom modes: Developer/Studio mixing modes and presets
Top-end models from both companies support next-gen gaming technologies like 4K/120fps passthrough and VRR/ALLM. And they both let you customize aspects of the listening experience through companion mobile apps.
Price Comparison: Samsung vs. Sony Soundbars
As premium CE brands, Samsung and Sony command appropriately higher pricing in line with the innovation and performance offered compared to budget competitors:
Entry-level models: $150 to $250
- Sony HT-S100F: $148
- Samsung HW-B450: $197
Mid-range soundbars: $450 to $700
- Sony HT-S40R: $598
- Samsung HW-S50B: $477
Premium flagships: $1400 to $1700
- Samsung HW-Q990B (w/ rears & sub): $1399
- Sony HT-A9: $1598
While shoppers eyeing their first soundbar may blanch at four-figure costs for 11.1.4 channel setups like Samsung‘s flagship, appreciate that immersive Atmos sonics still scale down affordably to their entry-level models.
And buying direct from each manufacturer‘s official website nets you regular chunky discounts and seasonal sales from 15-25% off MSRP. This helps increase value.
Verdict: Samsung or Sony Soundbars – Which Brand Comes Out On Top?
So with all factors from sound to selection to pricing in mind, should you choose audio elevation from Samsung or Sony?
Here is a quick 5-point checklist to help you decide:
1) Desired audio profile
- Samsung: Spacious, richly-layered immersive bubble of sound
- Sony: Intimate and precise, optimized for vocal clarity
2) Music or Movies?
- Samsung: Cinematic experiences translate better from films to games and TV
- Sony: Nuanced audiophile-grade musicality
3) Multi-speaker wireless expansion?
- Samsung: More support for adding wireless surrounds/rears to scale immersion
- Sony: Focused on better built-in sound optimization
4) Voice Assistant preference?
- Samsung: SmartThings ecosystem with Bixby
- Sony: Google Home and Alexa built-in
5) Budget target
- Samsung $500: HW-S60B with Dolby Atmos
- Sony $500: HT-S40R with Dolby Atmos and tall-boy design
Based on the above head-to-head analysis though, Samsung pulls ahead as the overall winner through a combination of superior audio quality, better future expandability, and more diverse model range selection satisfying both tight budgets and premium immersive sound appetites.
Of course, Sony makes an outstanding choice too for buyers craving a simpler setup fine-tuned for music and vocal clarity over maximum cinema immersion. You can‘t go wrong either way – but assess the checklist to decide what‘s right for your entertainment needs and budget!
