ZVOX SB380 vs Samsung HW-R450

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

SB380 vs HW-R450 comparison chart

Overall
ZVOX SB380
4
Samsung HW-R450
4
4
4
Multichannel surround
4
4

ZVOX SB380 vs Samsung HW-R450 review

ZVOX SB380
vs
Samsung HW-R450

Against the background of the increasing popularity of soundbars, the comparison of ZVOX SB380 and Samsung HW-R450 takes place. We fairly judged the compared soundbars for their performance and both received a 4 out of 10 points.

Advantages ZVOX SB380 over Samsung HW-R450

  • Has an integrated subwoofer

Advantages Samsung HW-R450 over ZVOX SB380

  • Separate subwoofer provided
  • Wireless connection and control via Bluetooth
  • Supports external media connection via USB

Audio features

Each of the compared models received 6 points for the audio features.

SB380
6
HW-R450
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 SB380 and the HW-R450.

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 SB380 has 3.1 channels, while the HW-R450 has 2.1 channels. Also, the output power of the soundbars under consideration is different, ZVOX SB380 has 45 W, and 200 (overall) W has the competitor.

SB380 HW-R450
Built-in channels3.12.1
Amplification typeactiveactive
Output power, W45200 (overall)
Separate speaker (in package)00
Separate speaker connectionshas notwireless

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 SB380. The HW-R450 comes with an external subwoofer.

SB380 HW-R450
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 multichannel sound reproduction capabilities of the soundbars were rated 4 out of 10.

SB380
4
HW-R450
4

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.

SB380 HW-R450
Dolby Atmos
Dolby (other)Dolby DigitalDolby Digital
DTS:X
DTS (other)has nothas not

Streaming services

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

SB380
0
HW-R450
0

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

SB380 HW-R450
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: ZVOX SB380 was rated 4 out of 10, and Samsung HW-R450 was rated 5 out of 10.

SB380
4
HW-R450
5

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. Modern Bluetooth protocol is the privilege of Samsung HW-R450 only.

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. However, HDMI ARC is not available on any of these soundbars.

SB380 HW-R450
WI-FI
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)00
NFC
HDMI input/output0/00/0
HDMI ARC
HDMI eARC
HDMI CEC
Optical digital input/output2/01/0
USB1 (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. 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.

SB380 HW-R450
Voice control
App control
Microphone
Remote control
Multi-room

Dimensions

SB380 HW-R450
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in88.9 x 12.7 x 7.6/35.5 x 5.7 x 3.389 x 5 x 5/35.7 x 2.1 x 2.7
Weight, kg/pounds4/9.81.3/3.3
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