Polk Audio Command Bar vs Samsung HW-K850 review

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l would like to share my experience after comparing and testing two soundbars – Polk Audio Command Bar vs Samsung HW-K850. The Polk Audio Command Bar was rated 6.6, while the Samsung HW-K850 has a rating 6. The soundbars are equipped with a different number of buttons, volume down, volume up, microphone, action for the Command Bar and power, volume down, volume up, source for the HW-K850.

Audio features

Each of the models under consideration has active amplification type. A noticeable difference is the number of channels that Command Bar has 2.1 and HW-K850 has 3.1.2. These rivals can be compared in terms of power, 160 (overall) versus 350 (overall) according to devices. The built-in subwoofer is not implemented in any of these models. An external subwoofer can be connected to any of the units in this comparison. Audio features and specs of considered models we rated 6 out of 10 in our ranking.

Streaming services

Soundbars do not have AirPlay support. Each of the competitors can play content from Spotify.

Connectivity

Wireless Internet connection is realized only in the HW-K850. Soundbars from this comparison have Bluetooth support. There are 1/1 HDMI inputs/outputs in the Polk Audio Command Bar versus 2/1 HDMIs in the Samsung HW-K850. As in the Command Bar, so in the HW-K850 there is the HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). Connecting devices via USB is possible in both models. The connectivity of each of the models was estimated at 7/10. None of these soundbars can be controlled using the app. The Polk Audio Command Bar equipped with a microphone. The Polk Audio Command Bar may become part of a multiroom system.

Multichannel surround

Dolby Atmos audio decoder is onboard the HW-K850. Devices from this comparison cannot process surround sound due to lack of DTS:X. The Command Bar was rated 5/10, while the HW-K850 received a mark of 4/10 for multichannel surround.

Advantages Polk Audio Command Bar over Samsung HW-K850

Advantages Samsung HW-K850 over Polk Audio Command Bar