Samsung HW-Q80R vs Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

HW-Q80R vs MusicCast BAR 400 comparison chart

Overall
Samsung HW-Q80R
8
Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400
8.2
10
10
Multichannel surround
10
6

Samsung HW-Q80R vs Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 review

Samsung HW-Q80R
vs
Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400

Against the background of the increasing popularity of soundbars, the comparison of Samsung HW-Q80R and Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 takes place. And based on the available data, we can conclude that MusicCast BAR 400 has better sound and performance than HW-Q80R. According to the results of our comparison, HW-Q80R received 8 points out of 10 possible, and MusicCast BAR 400 was rated 8.2 points.

Advantages Samsung HW-Q80R over Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400

  • Available the Apple Music service
  • Supports object-oriented sound with Dolby Atmos technology
  • Surround sound with DTS:X support
  • App for remote control

Advantages Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 over Samsung HW-Q80R

  • Available the Amazon Music service

Audio features

The HW-Q80R is rated 8 of 10 against 7 for the MusicCast BAR 400 according to the audio features rating.

HW-Q80R
8
MusicCast BAR 400
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 HW-Q80R and the MusicCast BAR 400.

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 MusicCast BAR 400 has 5.1 channels. Also, the output power of the soundbars under consideration is different, Samsung HW-Q80R has 372 (overall) W, and 200 (overall) W has the competitor.

HW-Q80R MusicCast BAR 400
Built-in channels5.1.25.1
Amplification typeactiveactive
Output power, W372 (overall)200 (overall)
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. Both reviewed devices are equipped with an external subwoofer. Competitors support wireless connection to a separate external subwoofer.

HW-Q80R MusicCast BAR 400
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 MusicCast BAR 400, in the same category, earned 6 out of 10 points.

HW-Q80R
10
MusicCast BAR 400
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. 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 MusicCast BAR 400
Dolby Atmos
Dolby (other)Dolby DigitalDolby Digital
DTS:X
DTS (other)DTS Digital SurroundDTS Virtual:X, DTS Digital Surround

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 MusicCast BAR 400 - 10 on a 10-point scale.

HW-Q80R
5
MusicCast BAR 400
10

The popular Spotify service is available on both soundbars.

HW-Q80R MusicCast BAR 400
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming serviceshas notPandora, Deezer, TIDAL, Napster, SiriusXM, Qobuz

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: Samsung HW-Q80R was rated 7 out of 10, and Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 was rated 8 out of 10.

HW-Q80R
7
MusicCast BAR 400
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. Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible on both devices.

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 MusicCast BAR 400 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. Connecting external devices via USB can be done on both models.

HW-Q80R MusicCast BAR 400
WI-FI
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)01
NFC
HDMI input/output2/11/1
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 HW-Q80R has its own remote control application. 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 MusicCast BAR 400
Voice controlAmazon AlexaAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant
App control
Microphone
Remote control
Multi-room

Dimensions

HW-Q80R MusicCast BAR 400
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in122.4 x 8.1 x 13.4/48.2 x 3.2 x 5.394.2 x 8.3 x 11/38.6 x 3.3 x 4.3
Weight, kg/pounds8.7/19.42.7/6
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