l would like to share my experience after comparing and testing two soundbars – Yamaha SR-C20A vs Samsung HW-K850. The Yamaha SR-C20A was rated 3.8, 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 SR-C20A 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 SR-C20A has 2.1 and HW-K850 has 3.1.2. These rivals can be compared in terms of power, 100 (overall) versus 350 (overall) according to devices. A built-in subwoofer is available only in the Yamaha SR-C20A. Rate 5 out of 10 received the Yamaha SR-C20A for audio features and specs, but the Samsung HW-K850 received 6 out of 10.
Soundbars do not have AirPlay support. The HW-K850 can play audio from Spotify.
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-C20A versus 2/1 HDMIs in the Samsung HW-K850. As in the SR-C20A, 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 SR-C20A at 4 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.
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-C20A was rated 6/10, while the HW-K850 received a mark of 4/10 for multichannel surround.