Sony HT-S40R vs Samsung HW-A650

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

HT-S40R vs HW-A650 comparison chart

Overall
Sony HT-S40R
5.2
Samsung HW-A650
5
4
4
Multichannel surround
8
6

Sony HT-S40R vs Samsung HW-A650 review

Sony HT-S40R
vs
Samsung HW-A650

Comparison of Sony HT-S40R and Samsung HW-A650 will reveal the best features offered by the devices. HT-S40R is a better soundbar than the HW-A650. Its sound profile is well-balanced and stereo performance is better. According to the results of our comparison, HT-S40R received 5.2 points out of 10 possible, and HW-A650 was rated 5 points.

Advantages Sony HT-S40R over Samsung HW-A650

  • Comes with 2 separate speakers

Advantages Samsung HW-A650 over Sony HT-S40R

  • We do not know advantages

Audio features

Each of the compared models received 7 points for the audio features.

HT-S40R
7
HW-A650
7

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 HT-S40R and the HW-A650.

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 HT-S40R has 5.1 channels, while the HW-A650 has 3.1 channels. Also, the output power of the soundbars under consideration is different, Sony HT-S40R has 600 (overall) W, and 430 (overall) W has the competitor.

HT-S40R HW-A650
Built-in channels5.13.1
Amplification typeactiveactive
Output power, W600 (overall)430 (overall)
Separate speaker (in package)20
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. Both reviewed devices are equipped with an external subwoofer. Sony HT-S40R has the ability to handle wired connections from an external subwoofer, while Samsung HW-A650 only has wireless connections.

HT-S40R HW-A650
Built-in subwoofer
Separate subwoofer (in package)
Separate subwoofer connectionswiredwireless

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 HT-S40R received rating 8 out of 10 for multichannel audio processing, but the HW-A650, in the same category, earned 6 out of 10 points.

HT-S40R
8
HW-A650
6

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. If we look at the models in terms of Dolby Atmos support, then none of these soundbars can work with this technology.

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. This ability to reproduce surround sound with DTS:X technology is not implemented in any of the soundbars in this comparison.

HT-S40R HW-A650
Dolby Atmos
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital, Dolby Dual monoDolby 5.1ch
DTS:X
DTS (other)DTS 5.1ch, DTS Virtual:X

Streaming services

The possibility to listen online to millions of songs from one device has become a reality thanks to streaming services.

HT-S40R
0
HW-A650
0

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

HT-S40R HW-A650
Apple Music (AirPlay)
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming serviceshas nothas not

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. The devices received different ratings for connectivity: Sony HT-S40R was rated 7 out of 10, and Samsung HW-A650 was rated 8 out of 10.

HT-S40R
7
HW-A650
8

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. Such connection as via Wi-Fi is not possible on any of the devices in comparison.

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 HT-S40R has 0/1 HDMI inputs/outputs, but the HW-A650 got 1/1 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.

HT-S40R HW-A650
WI-FI
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)00
NFC
HDMI input/output0/11/1
HDMI ARC
HDMI eARC
HDMI CEC
Optical digital input/output1/01/0
USB1 (USB 2.0)0
Coaxial digital input/output0/00/0
Analog audio input/output (RCA)0/00/0
Headphone output00
Subwoofer output10

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. In our case, the ability to control the soundbar using the app is not implemented in any of the competitors. None of these 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. However, it is impossible to create a multiroom system based on each of these soundbars.

HT-S40R HW-A650
Voice control
App control
Microphone
Remote control
Multi-room

Dimensions

HT-S40R HW-A650
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in90.1x5.3x7.6/35.5x2.1x338.6x2.3x4.1/98x5.8x10.4
Weight, kg/pounds1.8/4.18.8/19.5
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