Yamaha SR-B20A vs Samsung HW-K850 review

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l would like to share my experience after comparing and testing two soundbars – Yamaha SR-B20A vs Samsung HW-K850. The Yamaha SR-B20A was rated 5.4, while the Samsung HW-K850 has a rating 6. The soundbars are equipped with a different number of buttons, volume down, volume up, power, source for the SR-B20A and power, volume down, volume up, source for the HW-K850.

Audio features

Each of the models under consideration has active amplification type. These rivals can be compared in terms of power, 120 (overall) versus 350 (overall) according to devices. A built-in subwoofer is available only in the Yamaha SR-B20A. An external subwoofer connects to the SR-B20A via wired, but HW-K850 has wireless connection type. Audio features and specs of considered models we rated 6 out of 10 in our ranking.

Streaming services

Soundbars do not have AirPlay support. The HW-K850 can play audio from Spotify.

Connectivity

Wireless Internet connection is realized only in the HW-K850. Soundbars from this comparison have Bluetooth support. There are 0/1 HDMI inputs/outputs in the Yamaha SR-B20A versus 2/1 HDMIs in the Samsung HW-K850. As in the SR-B20A, 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.

Features

The manufacturer of the SR-B20A provides a device control application. Soundbars in this review are not equipped with a microphone. The models under consideration cannot 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 SR-B20A was rated 6/10, while the HW-K850 received a mark of 4/10 for multichannel surround.

Advantages Yamaha SR-B20A over Samsung HW-K850

Advantages Samsung HW-K850 over Yamaha SR-B20A