Samsung A550 Soundbar Review
True Score
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Consumers
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With generous audio profile customization tools and a huge variety of ports, the Samsung HW-A550 soundbar provides versatility and pleasant music performance. However, movie enthusiasts will be concerned that it doesn’t support surround sound and Dolby Atmos.
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What Is Not on the Box
What the brand doesn’t always tell you…
our Verdict
Top product testers were pleased with the graphic EQ equalizer and the natural-sounding profile of the Samsung HW-A550 soundbar, recommending it for music and TV shows and saying that it is just adequate for movies.
Reviewers from Product Review adore its natural sound profile, making it ideal for music and podcasts. Editors at RTINGS are delighted with its seven-band graphic equalizer and presets, which simplify customizing this soundbar.
Reviewers were also pleased that it has Bluetooth tech, although it lacks wireless streaming technologies like Chromecast. However, this system has mediocre audio latency, and sensitive users may notice some delay between the audio and video feeds during TV dialogue.
Although it has a dedicated subwoofer, this device is able to reproduce that extended low bass that most movie enthusiasts love. It also downmixes surround sound to stereo and doesn’t support Dolby Atmos, so it doesn’t provide a wide movie soundstage.
Reviewers were disappointed that it doesn’t have a mobile app and doesn’t support any voice assistants.
Reasons to Buy
- Pleasant out-of-the-box sound profile
- Built-in graphic equalizer and presets
- Gets remarkably loud
- Dialogue enhancement feature is great for TV shows
- Has a huge selection of where the connectivity options
Reasons to Avoid
- Doesn't support surround sound or Dolby Atmos, providing a narrow movie soundstage
- Dedicated subwoofer produces sub-par bass
- Doesn't have a mobile app and doesn't support voice assistance
- Lacks Wi-Fi, Chromecast, or Apple airplay
Specifications
- Bluetooth Enabled–
- Depth–
- Dialogue Enhancement Feature–
- Energy Star CertifiedYes
- HDMI ARC–
- Height–
- Subwoofer–
- Surround Sound Supported–
- Wall Mountable–
- Weight21 pounds
- Width–
- Wireless ConnectivityBluetooth
- Wireless Subwoofer Connectivity–
- Works With–
Overview
The Samsung HW-A550 is an entry-level 2.1 soundbar that made its debut in 2021, touting Dolby 5.1 and DTS virtual X for televisions. This soundbar joins our list of the highest-rated speakers on the market today.
It boasts incredible customization options, including bass and treble adjusters. Music lovers will be pleased with its natural-sounding sound profile, and settings can easily be adjusted through the integrated graphic equalizer and presets.
However, this system doesn’t support surround audio or Dolby Atmos, so it has a very narrow 3D soundstage, which is not ideal for movies. Although it comes with a dedicated subwoofer, it lacks a deep rumbling bass.
With a combined HDMI, ARC+Out port, and a full HDMI port, 3.5m connector, and USB port, this system provides quite a number of connectivity options, although its wireless streaming options are limited to Bluetooth only.
Read on to learn more about the Samsung HW-A550 below and see how it compares with the finest soundbars on the market today.
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Product Comparison
 |  |  |  | |
| True Score | 75 | 73 | 79 | 85 |
| Market Context | – | The Samsung A-550 soundbar connects more easily to modern TVs than the Samsung HW-A450, which doesn’t have HDMI ports, featuring full HDMI IN and HDMI ports. The A-550 also has a virtual surround feature, which is not present on the HW-A450. Check out our Samsung HW-A450 review for more details. | With the discrete center channel, the Samsung HW-A650 provides crisper audio than the Samsung HW-A550, which is a 2.1 surround system. However, both speakers have a graphic EQ and presets, and both lack support for Dolby Atmos. You can learn more about the Samsung HW-A650 in our Samsung HW-A650 review today. | Featuring a 5.0 point two configuration, the Sonos Arc provides a more immersive 3D soundstage than the Samsung HW-A550 soundbar, which has a 2.1 configuration. Additionally, the Sonos speaker supports Dolby Atmos and has a room correction feature and a built-in voice assistant, unlike the Sonos device. However, the Samsung device has a graphic EQ and full HDMI port and supports Bluetooth, unlike the Sonos device. |
| Voice Assistant | ||||
| Surround Sound Supported | ||||
| Wireless Connectivity | ||||
| Bluetooth Enabled | ||||
| Wireless Subwoofer Connectivity | ||||
| Dig Deeper | – | Read Review → | Read Review → | Read Review → |
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Score Card
E
Expert Score
*.75
We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores
C
Customer Score
*.25
We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores
True Score
Any product with a True Score above 70 is a Mixed Reviews
Expert Score Breakdown
Publications with higher Trust Scores are given more weight
ATrust Score
71The Samsung HW-A550 is decent for mixed usage. Out-of-the-box, it has a pretty neutral sound… read more- D
Trust Score
NRThe Samsung HW-A550 soundbar is an affordable model that doesn’t support Dolby Atmos. Does this… read more - F
Trust Score
NRThe Samsung HW-A550/ZA is part of the Soundbars test program at Consumer Reports. In our… read more
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