l would like to share my experience after comparing and testing two soundbars – Samsung HW-Q80R vs Samsung HW-K850. The Samsung HW-Q80R was rated 8, 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-Q80R has 5.1.2 and HW-K850 has 3.1.2. These rivals can be compared in terms of power, 372 (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-Q80R 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.
Both models have a wireless Wi-Fi interface. Soundbars from this comparison have Bluetooth support. 2/1 HDMI inputs/outputs are in each of soundbars. As in the HW-Q80R, 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. The manufacturer of the HW-Q80R provides a device control application. The Samsung HW-Q80R equipped with a microphone. The Samsung HW-Q80R may become part of a multiroom system.
Manufacturers equipped both units with Dolby Atmos audio decoder. The HW-Q80R can work with surround sound due to DTS:X support. The HW-Q80R was rated 10/10, while the HW-K850 received a mark of 4/10 for multichannel surround.