HW-S800D

Released 2024

Samsung's slim 3.1.2-channel soundbar pairs upward-firing speakers with a compact wireless subwoofer. It supports Dolby Atmos, automatic room tuning, HDMI eARC and Wi-Fi streaming; optional rear speakers add surround and rear-height channels.

Type: Soundbar
Atmos: Yes
Connects by: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and HDMI
Battery: –
Weight: 1.4 kg

Dolby Atmos

What reviewers say

Both reviewers find clear dialogue, deep integrated bass and a surprisingly large soundstage from the slim cabinet. Expert Reviews praises composed music and precise Atmos effects but finds sound confined to the front of the room. AVForums also enjoys music and height effects, while noting occasional bass crackles and bright treble. Both see rear speakers as necessary for full surround.

From expertreviews.co.uk and avforums.com

Specifications

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Sound

Type: Soundbar
Channels: 3.1.2
Dolby Atmos: Yes
Drivers: 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
Room tuning: 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-Fi: Yes
Bluetooth: Yes
AirPlay: Yes
HDMI eARC: Yes
Voice assistants: Alexa
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.2; Tap Sound with supported Galaxy devices running Android 8.1 or later and SmartThings
Ports: 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
Streaming: 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
App: SmartThings for setup, sound adjustment and software updates; Samsung account required

Design

Weight: 1.4 kg
Controls: 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
Size: 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
Colours: Titan Black; white HW-S801D is the colour variant of this family
In the box: Soundbar, wireless subwoofer, remote, wall-mount brackets and HDMI-to-Micro-HDMI cable

Pros and cons

Pros

Slim 38 mm-high bar with upward-firing speakers
Wireless subwoofer and automatic room tuning
HDMI eARC, AirPlay 2 and Chromecast

Cons

No HDMI input or optical connection
Rear speakers cost extra
No text display on the bar

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Atmos	Connects by	Battery	Weight	Released
BoseSmart Soundbar	Soundbar	Yes	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and HDMI	–	3.13 kg	Sept 2024
Polk AudioMagniFi Mini AX	Soundbar	Yes	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and HDMI	–	–	Mar 2022
SonyBRAVIA Theatre System 6 (HT-S60)	Soundbar	Yes	Bluetooth and HDMI	–	2.6 kg	2025

Sources

Photo: Samsung

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