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Creative Sound Blaster GS5 vs Samsung HW-S800D

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

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CreativeSound Blaster GS5SamsungHW-S800D
Overview
Released20242024
Sound
TypeSoundbarSoundbar
Channels–3.1.2
Dolby AtmosNoYes
DriversFull-range racetrack drivers with a rear port tube; maker specifies two 15 W RMS soundbar channels.Maker lists ten speakers across the system, with a dedicated centre channel, upward-firing speakers and wireless subwoofer; no side-firing or wide-firing speakers. Expert Reviews describes nine drivers in the bar plus a 6.5-inch subwoofer driver and 8-inch passive radiator
Audio formats–Dolby Atmos, Atmos Music, Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and multichannel LPCM; DTS Virtual:X processing. Expert Reviews reports no DTS:X decoding, despite generic DTS:X wording in the UK eARC feature text; the exact manual licenses DTS Digital Surround and Virtual:X. MP3, AAC, OGG, FLAC, WAV, ALAC and AIFF files
AmplifiersUp to 30 W RMS total system power, with a 60 W peak output claim; supplied 30 W mains adapter.–
Frequency response65–20,000 Hz; maker quotes 85 dB signal-to-noise ratio without additional measurement conditions.–
Room tuningSuperWide soundstage processing with Near Field mode for desktop listening and Far Field mode for larger spaces.SpaceFit Sound Pro automatic calibration using the built-in microphone; Adaptive Sound, Standard, Surround, Game Pro and DTS Virtual:X modes, voice enhancement, Active Voice Amplifier and Night mode; Q-Symphony with compatible Samsung TVs; wireless Dolby Atmos with selected 2022–2024 Samsung TVs. Optional SWA-9500S 2.0.2 rear-speaker kit adds surround and rear-height channels
Connections
Wi-FiNoYes
BluetoothYesYes
AirPlayNoYes
HDMI eARCNoYes
Voice assistantsNoneAlexa
BluetoothBluetooth 5.3 receiver, SBC codec and A2DP; up to 10 m open-space range, affected by walls and structures.Bluetooth 5.2; Tap Sound with supported Galaxy devices running Android 8.1 or later and SmartThings
PortsOptical TOSLINK input, USB-C audio, 3.5 mm AUX input, headphone output and DC power. Supplied USB-A to USB-C cable is 1.5 m.One Micro HDMI eARC connection to the TV, DC power input and Micro USB service port; included HDMI-to-Micro-HDMI cable. No HDMI source input, video passthrough, optical input or USB music playback
StreamingBluetooth audio; no Wi-Fi, AirPlay or network multi-room system.AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect and Roon Tested; compatible services, network access and subscriptions may be required
Multi-room–AirPlay 2 or Chromecast speaker groups
AppCreative app offers EQ, audio processing and RGB lighting customisation; available functions depend on the host platform.SmartThings for setup, sound adjustment and software updates; Samsung account required
Design
Weight1.5 kg1.4 kg
ControlsOn-bar volume knob and buttons, two-character display, selectable RGB lighting and included IR remote; remote AAA batteries not included.Top-panel controls, included USB-C rechargeable remote, HDMI CEC, SmartThings and built-in Alexa; Google Assistant works through an external compatible device. LED status dots and audio feedback rather than a text display
Microphones–Built-in microphone for room tuning and Alexa, with microphone on/off control
Mounting–Included wall-mount brackets; optional decorative soundbar skins sold separately
SizeMaker lists 510 × 102.7 × 82.6 mm; soundbar weight 1.5 kg.Bar 1160 × 38 × 39.9 mm and 1.4 kg; subwoofer 238 × 240.8 × 238 mm and 6.4 kg (width × height × depth). Maker's 11 kg set weight includes packaging
ColoursBlackTitan Black; white HW-S801D is the colour variant of this family
In the boxSoundbar, 1.5 m USB-A to USB-C cable, IR remote, 30 W power adapter with US/JP, EU and UK plugs, and quick start leaflet.Soundbar, wireless subwoofer, remote, wall-mount brackets and HDMI-to-Micro-HDMI cable

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