I had a chance to test and compare two models: Samsung HW-R450 vs Vizio V21-H8 and this review should help people who are looking for a good soundbar. The Samsung HW-R450 was rated 4, while the Vizio V21-H8 has a rating 5.5. The soundbars are equipped with a different number of buttons, volume down, volume up, power, source for the HW-R450 and power, volume down, volume up, source, Bluetooth for the V21-H8.
Each of the models under consideration has active amplification type. By the number of channels, the devices do not differ. The built-in subwoofer is not implemented in any of these models. An external subwoofer connects to the HW-R450 via wireless, but V21-H8 has wired and wireless connection type. Audio features and specs of considered models we rated 6 out of 10 in our ranking.
Soundbars do not have AirPlay support. The units in this comparison do not support Spotify.
Both models do not have a wireless Wi-Fi interface. Soundbars from this comparison have Bluetooth support. The HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) is implemented only in the V21-H8. Connecting devices via USB is possible in both models. We rated the connectivity of the HW-R450 at 5 out of 10, while the V21-H8 was rated 6/10. The manufacturer of the V21-H8 provides a device control application. The Vizio V21-H8 equipped with a microphone. The models under consideration cannot become part of a multiroom system.
Dolby Atmos audio decoder support is not implemented in either the HW-R450 or V21-H8. Devices from this comparison cannot process surround sound due to lack of DTS:X. The HW-R450 was rated 4/10, while the V21-H8 received a mark of 5/10 for multichannel surround.