l would like to share my experience after comparing and testing two soundbars – Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 vs Samsung HW-K850. The Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 was rated 7.8, while the Samsung HW-K850 has a rating 6. The soundbars are equipped with a different number of buttons, power, source, demo, volume down, volume up for the Shockwafe Pro 7.1 and power, volume down, volume up, source for the HW-K850.
Each of the models under consideration has active amplification type. A noticeable difference is the number of channels that Shockwafe Pro 7.1 has 7.1.4 and HW-K850 has 3.1.2. These rivals can be compared in terms of power, 600 (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. Rate 8 out of 10 received the Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 for audio features and specs, but the Samsung HW-K850 received 6 out of 10.
Soundbars do not have AirPlay support. Each of the competitors can play content from Spotify.
Wireless Internet connection is realized only in the HW-K850. Soundbars from this comparison have Bluetooth support. There are 3/1 HDMI inputs/outputs in the Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 versus 2/1 HDMIs in the Samsung HW-K850. As in the Shockwafe Pro 7.1, so in the HW-K850 there is the HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). Connecting devices via USB is possible in both models. We rated the connectivity of the Shockwafe Pro 7.1 at 8 out of 10, while the HW-K850 was rated 7/10.
None of these soundbars can be controlled using the app. Soundbars in this review are not equipped with a microphone. The models under consideration cannot become part of a multiroom system.
Manufacturers equipped both units with Dolby Atmos audio decoder. The Shockwafe Pro 7.1 can work with surround sound due to DTS:X support. The Shockwafe Pro 7.1 was rated 10/10, while the HW-K850 received a mark of 4/10 for multichannel surround.