l would like to share my experience after comparing and testing two soundbars – Samsung HW-Q60R vs Samsung HW-K850. The Samsung HW-Q60R was rated 5, while the Samsung HW-K850 has a rating 6. Soundbars have the same set of buttons - power, volume down, volume up, source.
Each of the models under consideration has active amplification type. A noticeable difference is the number of channels that HW-Q60R has 5.1 and HW-K850 has 3.1.2. These rivals can be compared in terms of power, 360 (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 Samsung HW-Q60R 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 1/1 HDMI inputs/outputs in the Samsung HW-Q60R versus 2/1 HDMIs in the Samsung HW-K850. As in the HW-Q60R, 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 HW-Q60R at 6 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 HW-Q60R was rated 6/10, while the HW-K850 received a mark of 4/10 for multichannel surround.