Samsung HW-Q80R vs Denon HEOS BAR

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

HW-Q80R vs HEOS BAR comparison chart

Overall
Samsung HW-Q80R
8
Denon HEOS BAR
7
10
10
Multichannel surround
10
5

Samsung HW-Q80R vs Denon HEOS BAR review

Samsung HW-Q80R
vs
Denon HEOS BAR

Being able to compare Samsung HW-Q80R and Denon HEOS BAR gave us an insight into what features and technologies these devices offer. HW-Q80R turned out to be a more technological and better-sounding device than the HEOS BAR. According to the results of our comparison, HW-Q80R received 8 points out of 10 possible, and HEOS BAR was rated 7 points.

Advantages Samsung HW-Q80R over Denon HEOS BAR

  • Separate subwoofer provided
  • Supports object-oriented sound with Dolby Atmos technology
  • Surround sound with DTS:X support
  • Wireless connection via Wi-Fi

Advantages Denon HEOS BAR over Samsung HW-Q80R

  • Available the Amazon Music service

Audio features

The HW-Q80R is rated 8 of 10 against 6 for the HEOS BAR according to the audio features rating.

HW-Q80R
8
HEOS BAR
6

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 HW-Q80R and the HEOS BAR.

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 HW-Q80R has 5.1.2 channels, while the HEOS BAR has 3.0 channels.

HW-Q80R HEOS BAR
Built-in channels5.1.23.0
Amplification typeactiveactive
Output power, W372 (overall)N/A
Separate speaker (in package)00
Separate speaker connectionswirelesswireless

Subwoofers

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. The HW-Q80R comes with an external subwoofer. Competitors support wireless connection to a separate external subwoofer.

HW-Q80R HEOS BAR
Built-in subwoofer
Separate subwoofer (in package)
Separate subwoofer connectionswirelesswireless

Multichannel surround

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 HW-Q80R received rating 10 out of 10 for multichannel audio processing, but the HEOS BAR, in the same category, earned 5 out of 10 points.

HW-Q80R
10
HEOS BAR
5

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 HW-Q80R.

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 HW-Q80R.

HW-Q80R HEOS BAR
Dolby Atmos
Dolby (other)Dolby Digitalhas not
DTS:X
DTS (other)DTS Digital SurroundDTS HD

Streaming services

The possibility to listen online to millions of songs from one device has become a reality thanks to streaming services. For the ability to work with streaming services, the HW-Q80R received 5 points, and the HEOS BAR - 7 on a 10-point scale.

HW-Q80R
5
HEOS BAR
7

None of the two models is not implemented AirPlay function. The popular Spotify service is available on both soundbars.

HW-Q80R HEOS BAR
Apple Music (AirPlay)
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming serviceshas notPandora, Deezer, TIDAL, Napster, SiriusXM, iHeart

Connectivity

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. Connectivity of competitors was rated 7 out of 10.

HW-Q80R
7
HEOS BAR
7

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 HW-Q80R.

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 HW-Q80R has 2/1 HDMI inputs/outputs, but the HEOS BAR got 4/1 HDMI inputs/outputs from the manufacturer.

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.

HW-Q80R HEOS BAR
WI-FI
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)01
NFC
HDMI input/output2/14/1
HDMI ARC
HDMI eARC
HDMI CEC
Optical digital input/output1/01/0
USB1 (USB 2.0)1 (USB 2.0)
Coaxial digital input/output0/00/0
Analog audio input/output (RCA)0/01/0
Headphone output00
Subwoofer output00

Features

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 ability to control the soundbar using the application is implemented in each of the competitors. Both soundbars have 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. It is possible to create a multiroom system based on each of these soundbars.

HW-Q80R HEOS BAR
Voice controlAmazon AlexaAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant
App control
Microphone
Remote control
Multi-room

Dimensions

HW-Q80R HEOS BAR
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in122.4 x 8.1 x 13.4/48.2 x 3.2 x 5.3109.8 x 7.1 x 14.7/43.3 x 2.8 x 5.8
Weight, kg/pounds8.7/19.44.8/10.5
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