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Samsung HW-B650 Review

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

True Score

81
82
2

Experts

89
5,890

Consumers

Product Awards

GR Certified

Customer Favorite

Expert Rankings

The Samsung HW-B650 combines a dedicated center channel with a neutral profile, providing crisp sounds fit for music, TV shows, and casual movie playback. However, it is not the most immersive option for movies because of the narrow surround soundstage.

$184.95

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Table of Contents

Product Snapshot

Overview

The Samsung HW-B650 is a mid-range 3.1-channel soundbar that was first released by Samsung in 2020, touting realistic 3D sound for movies. With a dedicated center channel, it delivers crisp dialogue.

However, this speaker doesn’t have advanced features like Dolby Atmos and has a narrow surround soundstage, so it is not as good for movies as higher-end 5.1 speakers on our list of the best-ranked speakers.

Out of the box, the HW-B650 has a neutral sound profile, so it’s quite pleasant for music playback. However, despite having a dedicated subwoofer, it doesn’t reproduce deep rumbling low-bass. It has a graphic equalizer, allowing users to fine-tune settings easily, and gets really loud.

Like most Samsung devices in this range, it only streams via Bluetooth but boasts a full range of wired connectivity options, including optical, a shared HDMI ARC+Out, and full HDMI. Read on to learn more about the Samsung HW-B650, and be sure to check out our list of the top-rated soundbars on the market.

Consensus

our Verdict

Product testers love the neutral sound profile and the dedicated center speaker on the Samsung HW-B650, endorsing it for TV dialogue, music, and casual movie watching.

Experts from RTINGS love its dedicated center channel that delivers very clear dialogue, appealing to TV show lovers. Editors from Crutchfield love the remarkably loud output of this system, which makes it a good choice for parties.

However, the speaker doesn’t have doesn’t accurately reproduce low-rumbling bass, although it has a dedicated subwoofer. Users who love movies will also be disappointed that it lacks Dolby Atmos and downmixes surround sound to stereo, so it’s not very immersive during movies.

It also lacks voice assistants and a mobile app. However, music lovers will be delighted by its graphic equalizer, which makes fine-tuning the sound profile a snap. It has an incredible selection of wired connectivity options, allowing users to use it as a bridge between other home theater devices.

However, if you desire a more portable 2.1 soundbar, see our Samsung HW-N450 review today.

ReasonS to Buy

  • Dedicated center speaker enhances the quality of dialogue in movies and TV shows.
  • Remarkably neutral sound profile is great for music and TV shows
  • Graphic equalizer for fine-tuning audio settings
  • Gets loud enough to entertain small gatherings
  • Dialogue enhancement tool is good for TV shows

Reason to Avoid

  • Mediocre extended low bass will disappoint movie and music lovers
  • Doesn’t stream via Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay, or Chromecast
  • Doesn’t support voice assistants and lacks a mobile app
  • Doesn’t support Dolby Atmos
  • Has a poor surround soundstage

Samsung HW-B650 Specs

Bluetooth EnabledBluetooth EnabledYes
DepthDepth2.95"
Dialogue Enhancement FeatureDialogue Enhancement FeatureYes
Energy Star CertifiedEnergy Star CertifiedYes
HDMI ARCHDMI ARCYes
HeightHeight2.32"
Number of Audio ChannelsNumber of Audio Channels3.1
SubwooferSubwooferIncluded
Surround Sound SupportedSurround Sound SupportedDolby, DTS, DTS Virtual:X, Surround Sound
Voice AssistantVoice AssistantNo
Wall MountableWall MountableYes
WeightWeight18.0 lbs
WidthWidth33.78"
Wireless ConnectivityWireless ConnectivityBluetooth
Wireless Subwoofer ConnectivityWireless Subwoofer ConnectivityYes
Works WithWorks WithBluetooth, Remote Control

All Specs

Test Results

Low End Roll Off (Hz)54.17
High End Roll Off (Hz)3,780.675
Max Volume Test (db)93.5
Latency (ms)93
THD @ 80dB0.71

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Product Comparison

Samsung HW-B650 Review

True Score

81
82
NR
NR

Ranking

#

23

/

151

#

20

/

151

#

/

#

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Market Context

The Samsung HW-B650 is a mid-range 3.1-channel soundbar that was first released by Samsung in 2020, touting realistic 3D sound for movies. With a dedicated…

The Samsung HW-B650 is a mid-range 3.1-channel soundbar that was first released by Samsung in 2020, touting realistic 3D sound for movies. With a dedicated center channel, it delivers crisp dialogue.

However, this speaker doesn’t have advanced features like Dolby Atmos and has a narrow surround soundstage, so it is not as good for movies as higher-end 5.1 speakers on our list of the best-ranked speakers.

Out of the box, the HW-B650 has a neutral sound profile, so it’s quite pleasant for music playback. However, despite having a dedicated subwoofer, it doesn’t reproduce deep rumbling low-bass. It has a graphic equalizer, allowing users to fine-tune settings easily, and gets really loud.

Like most Samsung devices in this range, it only streams via Bluetooth but boasts a full range of wired connectivity options, including optical, a shared HDMI ARC+Out, and full HDMI. Read on to learn more about the Samsung HW-B650, and be sure to check out our list of the top-rated soundbars on the market.

While the Samsung HW-B550 is a 2.1-channel speaker, the Samsung HW-B650 is a 3.1-channel model with a dedicated center channel, producing clearer dialogue than the…

While the Samsung HW-B550 is a 2.1-channel speaker, the Samsung HW-B650 is a 3.1-channel model with a dedicated center channel, producing clearer dialogue than the Samsung HW-B550. Otherwise, the two speakers have similar ports and a near-identical neutral sound profile. Learn more about the 2.1-channel speaker in our Samsung HW-B550 review.

Supporting Dolby Atmos content, the Sony HT-G700 is more immersive for movies than the Samsung HW-B650, which isn’t compatible with this format. However, the Samsung…

Supporting Dolby Atmos content, the Sony HT-G700 is more immersive for movies than the Samsung HW-B650, which isn’t compatible with this format. However, the Samsung device has a better out-of-the-box sound profile than the Sony system.

Producing deeper extended low bass, the Klipsch Cinema 800 is better for music and music than the Samsung HW-B650. Unlike the Samsung device, it supports…

Producing deeper extended low bass, the Klipsch Cinema 800 is better for music and music than the Samsung HW-B650. Unlike the Samsung device, it supports Dolby Atmos and has a wider surround soundstage.

Bluetooth Enabled

Yes

Yes

Depth

2.95"

3"

Dialogue Enhancement Feature

Yes

Yes

Energy Star Certified

Yes

Yes

HDMI ARC

Yes

Yes

Height

2.32"

2.3"

Number of Audio Channels

3.1

2.1

Subwoofer

Included

Included

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Score Card

E

Expert Score

82

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

89

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

81

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

Expert Scores

  • Rtings
    101.4

    Category Trust Rating

    73
    The Samsung B650 is decent for mixed usage. It’s a 3.1 bar suitable for many… Read More

    By:

    Jake Thauvette
  • Which?
    59.2

    Category Trust Rating

    NR
    The Samsung HW-B650 soundbar is a more basic model that lacks support for Dolby Atmos…. Read More

    By:

    Unknown