Samsung’s HW-A650 is a stylish soundbar and subwoofer combo with 3D surround sound capability, but can it live up to your expectations?
Our team has put together a comprehensive Samsung HW-A650 analysis to help you make your choice.
Buy Samsung HW-A650 Soundbar from Amazon.com here
List of Specifications
Table Of Content
| Channel Configuration | 3.1 |
| Product Dimension | 2.3×38.6×4.1 inches (Soundbar) |
| 8.1×4.1×2.3 inches (Subwoofer) | |
| Weight | 19.5 lbs (Soundbar) |
| 6.8 lbs (Subwoofer) | |
| Wireless Audio Protocol | Bluetooth |
| Audio | Surround Sound Supported- DTS Virtual: X |
| Connectivity | 1x HDMI Input |
| 1x HDMI Output | |
| Other Features | Wall Mountable |
| Remote Control |
What’s good?
- Sleek, simple and attractive design
- Wireless Bluetooth connection
- Adaptive SoundLite
- 3D surround sound
What’s not so good?
- Doesn’t support Apple AirPlay or Chromecast built-in
- Lack of Dolby Atmos support
What’s in the box?
- Samsung HW-A650 Soundbar
- Subwoofer
- Remote Controller
- Optical Cable
- Wall Mount Kit
- Battery for Remote Controller
- Power Adapter
Design and Build
Samsung’s HW-A650 3.1 soundbar is part of the company’s 2021 collection. This soundbar has a rather neutral sound profile that’s perfect for listening to a wide range of audio material right out of the box. However, it fails to replicate a thumpy low-bass.
It has a visual EQ and many plugins for sound enhancement, including ‘Adaptive Sound Lite,’ which can improve dialogue, and ‘Bass Boost,’ which can give the audio more punch.
It also supports surround content, although it must downmix it to stereo in order to play it. The slim Samsung HW-A650 soundbar with a subwoofer can be wall-mounted or set flat on a tabletop. With the wall mount, you don’t have to worry about getting extra furniture just to set up the soundbar.
One downside to this soundbar is that everything on it from the soundbar to the buttons is all in one colour. This makes it hard to distinguish, making it less user friendly.
The Samsung HW-A650 soundbar stretches 2.3×38.6×4.1 inches and weighs around 19.5 pounds. It has a high-quality build, much like the rest of Samsung’s soundbars.
Similar to the Samsung HW-T650, the top and front of this model are covered with a metal grille while the rest of the soundbar is plastic. The subwoofer is mainly made up of wood. The port is in the back, and the front is covered with plastic.
There are two holes on the back of the bar for the control cable and inputs. You may also use the universal holes on the underside to wall-mount it. A plastic port can be found on the back of the subwoofer. There’s even a power cable link as well as a pairing button.
Controls
There are four physical buttons on the top of the bar that allow you to turn the soundbar on/off, alter the speed, and change the input source.
The remote is straightforward and can monitor any of the soundbar’s functions. However, since it isn’t a universal controller, you won’t be able to use it on your television.
On the other hand, the Samsung HW-A650 has an auto-off feature that turns the soundbar off after a certain amount of time has passed.
It also supports HDMI CEC, allowing you to monitor some of the soundbar’s basic features with your TV remote.
Connectivity
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There are multiple physical inputs on the Samsung HW-A650. There’s a full HDMI In port, allowing you to use the soundbar as a hub for several gadgets.
However, since it lacks an AUX port, you won’t be able to connect older devices to the soundbar to play music.
The Samsung HW-A650 uses ARC to support Dolby Digital and DTS content, which is standard on Blu-ray discs and streaming platforms. However, object-based surround formats such as Dolby Atmos are not supported.
The Samsung HW-A650 can connect wirelessly to a phone or tablet through Bluetooth, allowing you to play audio from these devices without the need for a wired link. However, you can’t use Wi-Fi, Chromecast built-in, or Apple AirPlay to play music wirelessly, which can be a drawback for many.
Performance
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The stereo frequency response of the Samsung HW-A650 is excellent. It has a fairly neutral, balanced sound profile out of the box, making it ideal for listening to a wide range of audio material.
However, because it has trouble reproducing a deep low-bass, you won’t hear the deep thump and rumble of bass-heavy songs like EDM or action-packed movie scenes.
Fortunately, sound customization options such as a graphic EQ, plugins, and bass and treble changes are accessible.
The middle channel efficiency of the Samsung HW-A650 is outstanding. This 3.1 setup, unlike the Samsung HW-A450, has a dedicated middle channel, which means the conversation is replicated more clearly and reliably.
If the frequency response is a little bass-heavy, it shouldn’t be too noticeable since the middle channel doesn’t reproduce any bass.
The stereo dynamics performance of this soundbar is excellent. It is best for use at crowded events and in big spaces because it is very loud.
There aren’t many compression or pumping artifacts when played at maximum speed, which is awesome.
The mid-range is also well-balanced, resulting in vocals that are consistent and precise. The middle channel, on the other hand, does not get very loud, which could disappoint listeners who like to listen to audio in big spaces.
On the other hand, the surround performance of the Samsung HW-A650 is quite bad. It uses the left and right speakers to downmix surround material into stereo, so things such as voices and footsteps aren’t as distinctly or correctly portrayed in the soundstage as they would be with distinct localisation.
As a result, audio can appear to be emanating from directly in front of you rather than from speakers scattered across the room.
Competition
Samsung HW-T650
SAMSUNG HW-T650 3.1Ch Soundbar with 3D Surround Sound (2020) is available at Amazon.com
Since the Samsung HW-T650 has equivalent overall performance, you can choose one over the other based on your listening habits.
The HW-A650 is better developed and performs well in surround sound. The HW-T650, on the other hand, has a great soundstage and will go a little louder.
Samsung HW-Q600A
Another competition for this model is the Samsung HW-Q600A. This soundbar is superior to the Samsung HW-A650 in terms of sound quality.
Get your Samsung |HW-Q600A from Amazon.com now!
Unlike the 3.1 HW-A650 edition, the Samsung HW-Q600A is a 3.1.2 configuration that supports Dolby Atmos. It also has a few sound amplification capabilities which can travel through the maximum bandwidth signals.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a decent soundbar with good quality sound and are willing to sacrifice the Dolby Atmos feature, then this soundbar is probably the best choice for you.
As explained earlier, this soundbar is great for its price range, offering its users a neutral, balanced sound profile out of the box.
Check out the SAMSUNG 3.1ch A650 A Series Soundbar – Dolby 5.1/ DTS Virtual: X (HW-A650, 2021 Model) on Amazon.com now!
