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Samsung HW B550 Review

Kenn Muguna Avatar
Updated Dec 20, 2023 11:29 AM

True Score

84
82
3

Experts

90
1,631

Consumers

Product Awards

GR Certified

Customer Favorite

Expert Rankings

With a neutral out-of-the-box sound profile, the Samsung HW-B550 is a good option for music, TV shows, and occasional movie-watching. However, it has poor bass and lacks Dolby Atmos and surround sound, so it’s not very immersive for movies.

$144.95

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Table of Contents

Product Snapshot

Overview

The Samsung HW-B550 is an entry-level 2.1-channel soundbar released in 2020, promising immersive sounds for TVs. It’s a great choice for users seeking to upgrade the built-in TV speakers.

Still, you can find higher-end systems on our list of the highest-rated speakers. A dialogue enhancement feature fine-tunes TV audio, although it lacks a dedicated center channel. This model has a graphic EQ and presets for fine-tuning the sound profile.

Despite having a dedicated subwoofer, this system produces subpar low bass. That said, it gets really loud, achieving a top SPL of 92.5 dB. Ports on this system include optical, combined HDMI ARC+Out, full HDMI in, and USB.

Unfortunately, wireless streaming options are limited to Bluetooth, and it has no app or voice assistant. Additionally, it doesn’t support Dolby Atmos and lacks a 3D surround soundstage, so it’s not the best model for movies.

Browse to the end of this Samsung HW-B550 soundbar and check out our list of the most popular soundbars today.

Rankings (recommended in)

Best For

  • Samsung

Consensus

our Verdict

Product testers were pleased by the neutral sound profile and loud output of the Samsung HW-B550, recommending it for music, TV shows, and basic movie watching. Reviewers from What Hifi were impressed by the pleasant sound profile, endorsing it for most music genres and podcasts.

Testers from CNET love the loud sound output of this model, saying that it is good for entertaining. However, it doesn’t reproduce that deep rumbling bass that enlivens action moves, despite having a dedicated subwoofer.

It has a huge selection of audio customization features that include a graphic equalizer, equalizer presets, and bass and treble sliders. However, this system doesn’t support Dolby Atmos, contrary to the manufacturer’s claims, and it also downmixes surround sound to stereo, so it is not very immersive for movies.

Voice assistant and mobile app features are missing on this system, but it has a great build quality that should stay useful in the living room or home theater for a long time.

ReasonS to Buy

  • Incredibly loud output is good for small indoor gatherings
  • Huge collection of sound customization options that include a graphic equalizer, EQ presets, and bass and treble sliders
  • Dialogue enhancement feature is great for TV shows

Reason to Avoid

  • Subpar extended low-bass is not great for movies
  • Lacks Apple Airplay, Wi-Fi, and Chromecast
  • Doesn’t have mobile apps
  • System doesn’t work with voice assistants
  • Lacks a dedicated center channel for dialogue

Samsung HW B550 Specs

Bluetooth EnabledBluetooth EnabledYes
DepthDepth3"
Dialogue Enhancement FeatureDialogue Enhancement FeatureYes
Energy Star CertifiedEnergy Star CertifiedYes
HDMI ARCHDMI ARCYes
HeightHeight2.3"
Number of Audio ChannelsNumber of Audio Channels2.1
SubwooferSubwooferIncluded
Surround Sound SupportedSurround Sound SupportedDTS Virtual:X, Surround Sound
Voice AssistantVoice AssistantNo
Wall MountableWall MountableYes
WeightWeight4.6 lbs
WidthWidth33.9"
Wireless ConnectivityWireless ConnectivityBluetooth
Wireless Subwoofer ConnectivityWireless Subwoofer ConnectivityYes
Works WithWorks WithBluetooth, Remote Control

All Specs

Test Results

Low End Roll Off (Hz)53.394
High End Roll Off (Hz)1,684.1
Max Volume Test (db)92.5
Latency (ms)105
THD @ 80dB0.66

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Product Comparison

Samsung HW B550 Review

True Score

84
82
79
NR

Ranking

#

22

/

149

#

34

/

149

#

81

/

149

#

/

Market Context

The Samsung HW-B550 is an entry-level 2.1-channel soundbar released in 2020, promising immersive sounds for TVs. It’s a great choice for users seeking to upgrade…

The Samsung HW-B550 is an entry-level 2.1-channel soundbar released in 2020, promising immersive sounds for TVs. It’s a great choice for users seeking to upgrade the built-in TV speakers.

Still, you can find higher-end systems on our list of the highest-rated speakers. A dialogue enhancement feature fine-tunes TV audio, although it lacks a dedicated center channel. This model has a graphic EQ and presets for fine-tuning the sound profile.

Despite having a dedicated subwoofer, this system produces subpar low bass. That said, it gets really loud, achieving a top SPL of 92.5 dB. Ports on this system include optical, combined HDMI ARC+Out, full HDMI in, and USB.

Unfortunately, wireless streaming options are limited to Bluetooth, and it has no app or voice assistant. Additionally, it doesn’t support Dolby Atmos and lacks a 3D surround soundstage, so it’s not the best model for movies.

Browse to the end of this Samsung HW-B550 soundbar and check out our list of the most popular soundbars today.

Being a 3.1-channel system with a dedicated center channel, the Samsung HW-B650 produces better-sounding dialogue than the Samsung HW-B550, which is a 2.1-channel speaker without…

Being a 3.1-channel system with a dedicated center channel, the Samsung HW-B650 produces better-sounding dialogue than the Samsung HW-B550, which is a 2.1-channel speaker without a dedicated center speaker. However, both systems have an incredible range of wired connectivity options that include a full HDMI input. And both models stream wirelessly via Bluetooth only. You can learn more about the 3.1-channel system in our Samsung HW-B650 review today.

Featuring a graphic EQ, the Samsung HW-B550 is easier to customize than the Samsung HW-B450 which doesn’t have such a customization option. It also has…

Featuring a graphic EQ, the Samsung HW-B550 is easier to customize than the Samsung HW-B450 which doesn’t have such a customization option. It also has HDMI connectors, unlike the Samsung HW-B450. Otherwise, the speakers are a similar 2.1-channel soundbar with a similarly neutral sound profile. Check out our Samsung HW-B450 review for details.

Both the Samsung HW-B550 And the Polk Audio SIGNA S2 are budget 2.1 soundbars that support Bluetooth wireless streaming. However, the Samsung device is better…

Both the Samsung HW-B550 And the Polk Audio SIGNA S2 are budget 2.1 soundbars that support Bluetooth wireless streaming. However, the Samsung device is better thanks to a graphic equalizer that is absent on the Polk Audio device. It also has a more neutral out-of-the-box sound profile than the SIGNA 2.

Bluetooth Enabled

Yes

Yes

Yes

Depth

3"

2.95"

3"

Dialogue Enhancement Feature

Yes

Yes

Yes

Energy Star Certified

Yes

Yes

Yes

HDMI ARC

Yes

Yes

No

Height

2.3"

2.32"

33.8

Number of Audio Channels

2.1

3.1

2.1

Subwoofer

Included

Included

Included

Dig Deeper

Samsung HW-B650 Review →

Samsung HW-B450 Review →

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Score Card

E

Expert Score

82

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

90

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

84

Any product with a True Score above 70 is a Mixed Reviews

Expert Scores

  • Rtings
    101.4

    Category Trust Rating

    72
    The Samsung B550 is decent for mixed usage. As a 2.1 soundbar, it’s ideal for… Read More

    By:

    Jake Thauvette
  • Which?
    59.2

    Category Trust Rating

    NR
    The Samsung HW-B550 soundbar is a basic model that doesn’t support Dolby Atmos, the surround… Read More

    By:

    Unknown
  • Consumer Reports
    19.6

    Category Trust Rating

    NR
    The Samsung HW-B550/ZA is part of the Soundbars test program at Consumer Reports. In our… Read More

    By:

    Unknown