Being able to compare Samsung B550 and Samsung Q910B gave us an insight into what features and technologies these devices offer. Q910B turned out to be a more technological and better-sounding device than the B550. According to the results of our comparison, B550 received 4.6 points out of 10 possible, and Q910B was rated 9.4 points.
The B550 is rated 6 of 10 against 9 for the Q910B according to the audio features rating.
It worth understanding the difference between the two types of amplification: a passive soundbar does not have its own amplifier and receives amplification from the signal source, while an active soundbar has a built-in amplifier. The same active type of amplification is used in the B550 and the Q910B.
There are stereo soundbars and multichannel ones. It is with the help of multichannel devices that you can get volumetric sound. It is worth noting one of the main differences, the B550 has 2.1 channels, while the Q910B has 9.1.2 channels. Also, the output power of the soundbars under consideration is different, Samsung B550 has 410 (overall) W, and 520 (overall) W has the competitor.
B550 | Q910B | |
---|---|---|
Built-in channels | 2.1 | 9.1.2 |
Amplification type | active | active |
Output power, W | 410 (overall) | 520 (overall) |
Separate speaker (in package) | 0 | 2 |
Separate speaker connections | wireless | wireless |
Soundbars can have a built-in or external subwoofer. The first type is inseparable from the soundbar body, but for the second, you can choose a good location for deep bass. Both reviewed devices are equipped with an external subwoofer. Competitors support wireless connection to a separate external subwoofer.
B550 | Q910B | |
---|---|---|
Built-in subwoofer | ✖ | ✖ |
Separate subwoofer (in package) | ✔ | ✔ |
Separate subwoofer connections | wireless | wireless |
Unlike stereo, when reproducing multichannel sound, each specific direction of sound corresponds to its dedicated channel with a separate independent loudspeaker, which creates a three-dimensional sound stage. The B550 received rating 6 out of 10 for multichannel audio processing, but the Q910B, in the same category, earned 10 out of 10 points.
The peculiarity of Dolby Atmos is that this format is object-oriented, that is, each object of the audio signal is sounded separately and linked to its spatial location. Dolby Atmos surround sound support is implemented only in Samsung Q910B.
DTS:X is an algorithm for processing sound scenes by the processor, linking directly to objects, rather than channels, and calculating the optimal distribution of sound output in a room. The manufacturer has implemented DTS:X technology only in Q910B.
B550 | Q910B | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✖ | ✔ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby 2ch | Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Music |
DTS:X | ✖ | ✔ |
DTS (other) | DTS 2ch | DTS-HD HRA, DTS-HD MA, DTS Express, DTS 5.1ch |
The possibility to listen online to millions of songs from one device has become a reality thanks to streaming services.
The popular Spotify service is available on the Q910B.
B550 | Q910B | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | ✖ | ✔ |
Amazon Music | ✖ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✖ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | has not | Pandora, SoundCloud |
The existence of a sufficient number of current connectors significantly expands the functionality of the device. For example, only through HDMI is it possible to implement the transfer of object-oriented formats, and the presence of a Bluetooth connection will allow remote control, etc. The devices received different ratings for connectivity: Samsung B550 was rated 7 out of 10, and Samsung Q910B was rated 9 out of 10.
The presence of Wi-Fi in the soundbar allows you to get rid of wires when connected to a sound source and get minimal audio latency when playing content from streaming services. Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible on the Q910B.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for speaker systems, which provides excellent quality and minimal audio latency. The availability of Bluetooth protocol, we can see in both models. The competitors in this comparison has 1/1 HDMI inputs/outputs.
HDMI ARC is a very usefull technology that creates a two-way communication channel between a TV and another device. This is convenient since there is no need to use optical and other cables in the system. HDMI ARC is basic for both soundbars. Connecting external devices via USB can be done on both models.
B550 | Q910B | |
---|---|---|
WI-FI | ✖ | ✔ |
Bluetooth | ✔ | ✔ |
Ethernet (RJ45) | 0 | 0 |
NFC | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI input/output | 1/1 | 1/1 |
HDMI ARC | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC | ✖ | ✔ |
HDMI CEC | ✔ | ✔ |
Optical digital input/output | 1/0 | 1/0 |
USB | 1 (USB 2.0) | 1 (USB 2.0) |
Coaxial digital input/output | 0/0 | 0/0 |
Analog audio input/output (RCA) | 0/0 | 0/0 |
Headphone output | 0 | 0 |
Subwoofer output | 0 | 0 |
Voice control is designed to make operating the device more convenient. This allows you to control basic soundbar functions from anywhere in the room.
Proprietary applications allow you to control your soundbars remotely. This is possible both via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The Q910B has its own remote control application. Only Samsung Q910B has a built-in microphone.
Some soundbars can be part of a multi-room system and it is an affordable solution for sounding the whole house. However, it is impossible to create a multiroom system based on each of these soundbars.
B550 | Q910B | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | ✖ | ✔ |
App control | ✖ | ✔ |
Microphone | ✖ | ✔ |
Remote control | ✔ | ✔ |
Multi-room | ✖ | ✖ |
B550 | Q910B | |
---|---|---|
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in | 86x5.9x7.5/33.8x2.3x2.9 | 110.9x6x11.9/43.7x2.4x4.7 |
Weight, kg/pounds | 2.1/4.6 | 5.3/11.9 |