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Dolby Atmos Samsung HW-Q700B
A Samsung HW-Q700B Dolby Atmos soundbar will (literally) enhance movie sound at a reasonable price. The Q-Symphony technology makes it especially attractive if you have a Samsung TV that supports it, but it’s still an excellent buy if you don’t, and it’s highly recommended anyway.
Samsung HW-Q700B Pros
- Performance of audio in a dynamic environment
- ATS and DTS are two types of Dolby Atmos
- A passthrough HDMI interface for 4K HDR
Samsung HW-Q700B Cons
- Samsung only offers certain features
- Drivers do not fire from the side
Here is a quick review of the Samsung HW-Q700B
There are three speakers in the Samsung HW-Q700B Dolby Atmos soundbar: a subwoofer, a soundbar, and a passthrough HDMI port. It features Dolby Atmos and DTS:X codecs. In addition to being well specced, it can also be used with Samsung TVs with Q-Symphony technology for an even larger soundstage by combining the soundbar’s speakers with those on the TV.
This Samsung soundbar is basically a downgrade from last year’s Samsung Q800A, which was a very good soundbar.
Samsung has upgraded its 700-series soundbar from last year to the HW-Q700B in terms of sound quality. In place of Acoustic Beam, Samsung has used high-range up-firing tweeters to deliver Dolby Atmos height channels. A far more cinematic presentation is achieved, competing with some of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars on the market today, at a very affordable price.
It’s designed for movie audio, but it’s also a great Bluetooth speaker as well. High-resolution audio, with a crisp wideband tweeter, the bar sounds great. A soundbar like this is a great choice if you own a Samsung TV between 55 and 75 inches, but it’s a great buy for anyone.
Reviews and release dates for Samsung’s HW-Q700B
As of now, the Samsung HW-Q700B is available in the US, UK, and AU. However, it’s currently available for a lot less than that price – we’re seeing it frequently for around /£500 / AU. That’s an amazing deal.
As the entry model in Samsung’s 2022 soundbar line-up, the HW-Q800B joins the HW-Q800D at the bottom. This model takes on the configuration of 5.1.2 channels thanks to its side speakers – it lacks only width.
Here are the features of the Samsung HW-Q700B
Most soundbars don’t support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X (ahem, the Sony Arc), but Samsung’s HW-Q700B does.
A 4K HDR HDMI passthrough port on your TV keeps a port open, so you don’t lose it. HDMI eARC is the preferred method for connecting this.
Amazon Alexa is also compatible with the Q700B (though it isn’t resident, so you’ll need another Alexa smart speaker since it works with SmartThings). As well as being able to stream music over Wi-Fi, it also has Bluetooth connectivity.
Usually, a soundbar is used to replace the internal speaker system of a television set. If you have a compatible Samsung TV, this support is interesting. When connected, the screen flashes up the message saying ‘external speakers are active’. Samsung TVs with Q-Symphony, however, create a larger, louder soundstage by combining the soundbar with the internal speakers.
Soundbar owners can also take advantage of SpaceFit Sound room calibration, which offers better performance based on reflections and obstructions in the room. Samsung smartphone users can even use Tap Sound to Bluetooth pair their smartphones.
Design and performance of the Samsung HW-Q700B
In terms of design, Samsung’s 2022 soundbars have an angular design that is both stylish yet not overtly fashionable. Though the build quality is excellent, there is no nice acoustic fabric on display.
In addition to its length of 44 inches / 1111mm, the Q700B is also designed for screens from 55 inches and up.
In addition to its limited size and decor friendly design, the wireless subwoofer comes with fabric frontage and rear port.
A 4k HDR10+ pass-through HDMI input is also available, ideal for connecting a gaming console or 4K UHD Blu-ray player, in addition to HDMI eARC/ARC. For legacy TV connections, an optical digital audio input is provided as well.
There are no detailed status displays or on-screen interfaces on the Q700B. Instead, it communicates through a front-facing LED display that can be read through the perforated grille. This is fine when you’re sitting face-on, but less legible when viewed from the side. Also on the body are limited controls for volume, source selection and power.
You get an uncomplicated remote with a circular navigation pad and rockers for volume control (which probably isn’t needed if you are using HDMI ARC).
Quality of sound from the Samsung HW-Q700B
The Samsung HW-700B is a good all-around entertainment system. It can deliver crisp dialogue and bring the heat when the action demands it. It also cuts the rug when it comes to streaming Bluetooth music.
It is impressively cinematic (right out of the box without any Q-Symphony tweaking). There is no excessive drop in the midrange, but explosions and gunfire sound dynamic and sharp. The subwoofer fills out the lower midrange and adds gutty thumps.
It’s enjoyable to listen to the subtle details in the wider soundstage. The spatial placement is excellent, as well as the fast panning.
I’m impressed with the quality of 3D audio immersion. I also like the fact that Atmos height channels are supported by decent drivers. Acoustic Beam showed clear benefits in relating detail and creating presence last year. Also impressive is the upscaling of stereo and 5.1 audio sources.
The soundbar doesn’t give you a sense of motion or side-filling, but this has more to do with the format rather than anything else. For full surround sound, you need actual physical speakers at the rear of a room.
It offers several audio presets and sound modes, such as Standard, Adaptive Sound, Surround, and Game. A variety of sound modes are available, including Standard Sound, Adaptive Sound, Surround Sound, and Game Sound. This mode uses the full speaker array regardless of the source material. The front facing display lets you know you’re listening to native Dolby Atmos. After all, not everything comes mixed for DTS:X or Dolby Atmos.
Voice Enhance and Virtual Surround modes are available along with manual treble and bass tone adjustment.
Netflix’s Gray Man (Dolby Atmos) is a good example of the HW-Q700B’s capabilities. It has great intelligence and the dialogue sounds natural without being overly sharp. The presentation is also impressive.
An industrial beat opens the film’s first nightclub scene followed by a dramatic explosion. The soundstage is very spacious, giving you a sense of high ceilings and the atmospheric space of Ryan Gosling’s nightclub.
The HW-Q700B also features a decent speaker that supports high-resolution audio. We’ve been told to expect Spotify Hi-Fi to be compatible with it when it is released.
A value-oriented look at the Samsung HW-Q700B
If you can find one for less than list price (which isn’t too hard right now), the HW-Q700B performs well and has great functionality. While rival soundbar makers are limiting HDMI connectivity to a single eARC connection, Samsung provides the option to connect a games console or media player directly to the TV, which allows the video to be passed through.
The soundstage is highly dynamic and brawny, and the bar balances nicely with the smaller subwoofer.
In addition to Q-Symphony, SpaceFit Sound, and Tap Sound, Samsung ecosystem bonuses are well worth exploring – provided that you have a Samsung TV.
If you’re interested in it…
Samsung recognizes that sometimes you can’t route all of your sources out of the TV using eARC/ARC, so you want a large sounding audio system with room for system upgrades. For those juggling settop boxes, Blu-ray players, and games consoles, having an HDMI input could be a big help.
It’s a step up from most mid-range soundbars and a significant upgrade on almost any TV.
Q-Symphony may be available on Samsung TVs from 2020 onward, which creates an even greater wall of sound. A better choice would be to own a Samsung TV from those years.
Is Samsung’s HW-Q700B the right device for me?
In order to enjoy a full Dolby Atmos cinematic experience, you’ll have to upgrade your sub TV or soundbar. The Samsung HW-Q750B, which comes with wireless rears, or the Samsung HW-Q990B, which comes with a more advanced audio experience, are ideal if you need wraparound audio.
You have a 50-inch or smaller TV and you need a bar that accommodates larger screens. The Q700B would look out of place with smaller TVs. Please see the Bose option below if you need something smaller.
