I had a chance to test and compare two models: Samsung HW-Q80R vs Vizio V21-H8 and this review should help people who are looking for a good soundbar. The Samsung HW-Q80R was rated 8, while the Vizio V21-H8 has a rating 5.5. The soundbars are equipped with a different number of buttons, power, volume down, volume up, source for the HW-Q80R and power, volume down, volume up, source, Bluetooth for the V21-H8.
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 V21-H8 has 2.1. The built-in subwoofer is not implemented in any of these models. An external subwoofer connects to the HW-Q80R via wireless, but V21-H8 has wired and wireless connection type. Rate 8 out of 10 received the Samsung HW-Q80R for audio features and specs, but the Vizio V21-H8 received 6 out of 10.
Soundbars do not have AirPlay support. The HW-Q80R can play audio from Spotify.
Wireless Internet connection is realized only in the HW-Q80R. Soundbars from this comparison have Bluetooth support. There are 2/1 HDMI inputs/outputs in the Samsung HW-Q80R versus 0/1 HDMIs in the Vizio V21-H8. As in the HW-Q80R, so in the V21-H8 there is the HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). Connecting devices via USB is possible in both models. We rated the connectivity of the HW-Q80R at 7 out of 10, while the V21-H8 was rated 6/10.
Each of the soundbars can be controlled using the application. The soundbars in this review are equipped with a microphone. The Samsung HW-Q80R may become part of a multiroom system.
Dolby Atmos audio decoder is onboard the HW-Q80R. The HW-Q80R can work with surround sound due to DTS:X support. The HW-Q80R was rated 10/10, while the V21-H8 received a mark of 5/10 for multichannel surround.