Whether you have a Samsung TV or another brand, it’s worth taking a look at the soundbars that the brand has in its catalog as it includes some very interesting models. Two examples are the Samsung HW-Q800B and HW-Q600B, two series that offer powerful sound with support for Dolby Atmos as well as Q-Symphony.
With either of these models you’re going to get surround sound capable of filling large rooms with great clarity and multiple options. However, between these two soundbars there are important differences. However, there are some important differences between these two soundbars that we would like to show you in this comparison.
Next, we are going to tell you what the differences are between Samsung’s HW-Q800B and HW-Q600B, and which one is the most worthwhile.
Design
Samsung has renewed this year the design of all its soundbars and now have a polygonal design with straight shapes with metallic finish and that leaves glimpses of some of the speakers. The Q600B series has a black finish called ‘Metal Black’, while the color of the Q800B is lighter with a more gray tone called ‘Titan’.
Samsung HW-Q800B
The HW-Q800B is larger at 1110 x 60 x 120mm, compared to 1030 x 57 x 105mm for the HW-Q600B. The Q800B’s subwoofer is also significantly larger with an 8-inch woofer instead of a 6.5-inch woofer.
Samsung HW-Q600B Sound Bar
The remote control is the same and its appearance is similar to that of current Samsung TVs. It is a very thin control and from which you will be able to make more advanced settings to equalize the sound. Then, once you have it adjusted to your liking, if you connect the sound bars to your TV via HDMI ARC, from the remote control of your TV you can turn it on and off and raise and lower the volume.
Remote control soundbars HW-Q800B and HW-Q600B
Connectivity
In terms of connectivity, both models include two HDMI ports one of which is eARC so you can connect it to your TV. It also includes an optical input and a USB port.
The HDMI cable is included in the box with both bars and is the best way to connect it to your TV. By connecting it via HDMI, it can play Dolby Atmos without compression so you have a greater immersion.
It is also the way to enjoy the Q-Symphony feature, if you have a compatible Samsung TV or intend to buy one. With this feature, the sound will be played on the speakers of the TV and the bar at the same time. This year, version 2.0 has been released that allows you to activate all TV speakers, but you must have a Samsung TV of this year’s BU8000 series or higher.
Samsung Q-Symphony
The HW-Q800B series also has Bluetooth, Wi-Fi connection so you can send music from your phone with higher quality and without cuts when you call or receive a message. You can easily send music from your favorite music platforms such as Spotify, Qobuz or Deezer among others.
Sound
This year, the HW-Q800B receives a number of important improvements over last year’s HW-Q800A model. Firstly, instead of using the Acoustic Beam system, two wide-range tweeters have been added on top, thus covering more frequencies, offering a
superior audio coverage.
Apart from this, two speakers have also been added to the sides to create a more immersive sound and form a 5.1.2 channel system instead of 3.1.2 as the 2021 Q800A model had.
Samsung HW-Q990B vs HW-Q950A: Dolby Atmos soundbars comparison
Finally, the SpaceFit Sound function has been upgraded to a 2nd generation that analyzes the sound bouncing around the room via its built-in microphone. It calibrates the sound according to the characteristics of the room taking into account its size, whether there are curtains, shelves or cabinets, etc.
The subwoofer has a significant size being 8 inches, but in return it offers a punchy bass. The low frequencies have a lot of presence, but without masking the dialogue frequencies. From the remote control, you can increase or decrease the bass intensity, so you can adjust it to your needs.
Samsung HW-Q800B 8-inch wireless subwoofer
This subwoofer being wireless, you can place it anywhere in the room, it doesn’t have to be next to the bar. As it deals with handling the lower frequencies, the human ear is not able to position from where the sound is projected, so you will not see big changes if you move it from one position to another in your room.
The Q600B series, keeps the same features of its predecessor the Q600B, but adding some additional features such as night mode and dialogue enhancer. The Q600B does not have the wide range tweeters of the Q800B but uses the Acoustic Beam system. This is a system in which they add tubes with 28 holes designed to spread the sound upwards to achieve an effect with Dolby Atmos similar to having physical speakers.
Acoustic Beam on Samsung HW-Q600B
While the feel with Dolby Atmos is good, you don’t get the same feel as with the Q800B. It also doesn’t have the side speakers, so you don’t get as wide a sound. It does have a center channel to reproduce the dialogues so that they can be heard more clearly.
The Q600B system is 3.1.2 channel and has a total of 9 speakers, each with its own amplifier. The Q800B series on the other hand has a 5.1.2 channel system with 11 speakers in total. The power is the same in both models, 360W and they offer a high volume capable of filling a large room with sound.
If you want to set up a true home theater system, you can purchase wireless rear speaker kits separately. For the Samsung HW-Q800B the compatible speaker kit is the SWA-9500S, while for the HW-Q600B it is the SWA-9200S.
Features comparison table
Final opinion
Of course, we are facing two very complete models and we love the way they sound. The Q800B series is capable of delivering more immersive sound by featuring wide-range top speakers and side speakers.
Also the bass is more punchy by having an 8-inch subwoofer and allows you to adapt the sound to the room conditions thanks to the 2nd generation SpaceFit Sound function.
Another feature that makes the HW-Q800B more interesting is that it has Wi-Fi so you can share music from your phone without interruptions and with better quality and so you can use the Google voice assistant to control bar functions.
Anyway, the Samsung HW-Q600B also offers excellent performance at a slightly lower price, so if your room isn’t very big, you’re going to have a good experience as well. It doesn’t get as immersive sound, but for the price difference you can also add the SWA-9200S surround back speakers.
See Samsung HW-Q800B price
Q Symphony II, SpaceFit Sound, Built In Voice Assistant
See Samsung HW-Q600B price
