Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 vs Samsung HW-S40T

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

MusicCast BAR 400 vs HW-S40T comparison chart

Overall
Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400
8.2
Samsung HW-S40T
5
10
6
Multichannel surround
6
5

Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 vs Samsung HW-S40T review

Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400
vs
Samsung HW-S40T

Being able to compare Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 and Samsung HW-S40T gave us an insight into what features and technologies these devices offer. MusicCast BAR 400 turned out to be a more technological and better-sounding device than the HW-S40T. According to the results of our comparison, MusicCast BAR 400 received 8.2 points out of 10 possible, and HW-S40T was rated 5 points.

Advantages Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 over Samsung HW-S40T

  • Separate subwoofer provided
  • Available the Amazon Music service
  • Stream music with Spotify
  • Possible to create a multi-room system
  • Wireless connection via Wi-Fi
  • HDMI ARC supports
  • Voice control supports
  • Built-in microphone

Advantages Samsung HW-S40T over Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400

  • Has an integrated subwoofer
  • Available the Apple Music service
  • App for remote control

Audio features

The MusicCast BAR 400 is rated 7 of 10 against 6 for the HW-S40T according to the audio features rating.

MusicCast BAR 400
7
HW-S40T
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 MusicCast BAR 400 and the HW-S40T.

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 MusicCast BAR 400 has 5.1 channels, while the HW-S40T has 2.0 channels. Also, the output power of the soundbars under consideration is different, Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 has 200 (overall) W, and 100 W has the competitor.

MusicCast BAR 400 HW-S40T
Built-in channels5.12.0
Amplification typeactiveactive
Output power, W200 (overall)100
Separate speaker (in package)00
Separate speaker connectionswirelesshas not

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. A built-in subwoofer is only present in the HW-S40T. The MusicCast BAR 400 comes with an external subwoofer.

MusicCast BAR 400 HW-S40T
Built-in subwoofer
Separate subwoofer (in package)
Separate subwoofer connectionswireless

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 MusicCast BAR 400 received rating 6 out of 10 for multichannel audio processing, but the HW-S40T, in the same category, earned 5 out of 10 points.

MusicCast BAR 400
6
HW-S40T
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. 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.

MusicCast BAR 400 HW-S40T
Dolby Atmos
Dolby (other)Dolby DigitalDolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II
DTS:X
DTS (other)DTS Virtual:X, DTS Digital Surroundhas not

Streaming services

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

MusicCast BAR 400
10
HW-S40T
0

The popular Spotify service is available on the MusicCast BAR 400.

MusicCast BAR 400 HW-S40T
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay 2
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesPandora, Deezer, TIDAL, Napster, SiriusXM, Qobuzhas 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: Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 was rated 8 out of 10, and Samsung HW-S40T was rated 6 out of 10.

MusicCast BAR 400
8
HW-S40T
6

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 MusicCast BAR 400.

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 MusicCast BAR 400 has 1/1 HDMI inputs/outputs, but the HW-S40T got 1/0 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 a feature unique to Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400. Connecting external devices via USB can be done on both models.

MusicCast BAR 400 HW-S40T
WI-FI
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)10
NFC
HDMI input/output1/11/0
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)1/00/0
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-S40T has its own remote control application. Only Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 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. The MusicCast BAR 400 has the ability to use a multiroom system.

MusicCast BAR 400 HW-S40T
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant
App control
Microphone
Remote control
Multi-room

Dimensions

MusicCast BAR 400 HW-S40T
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in94.2 x 8.3 x 11/38.6 x 3.3 x 4.366 x 5 x 11.4/26.8 x 2.7 x 4.5
Weight, kg/pounds2.7/61.8/4.2
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