Sonos Playbar vs Samsung HW-N850 review
It makes sense comparing Sonos Playbar vs Samsung HW-N850 because they both are able to give some premium features. Based on our rating, Playbar has a total rating of 5.5 out of 10 versus 8.6 for HW-N850. The competitors' control buttons are different: play/pause, volume up, volume down and power, input, volume down, volume up, respectively.
Audio features
Both soundbars have active amplification type. A significant difference between the units in the number of channels, the Sonos Playbar has 3.0 versus 5.1.2 for the Samsung HW-N850. Competitors do not have a built-in subwoofer. Rivals have wireless connection to separate subwoofer. Both models received our 7 rating of 10 for their audio features and specs.
Streaming services
The Sonos Playbar has support AirPlay 2, and its competitor in our comparison has AirPlay. Spotify is available on each of the soundbars.
Connectivity
These models have the ability to connect to the Internet via WI-FI. Only the HW-N850 has Bluetooth support. Only the HW-N850 supports HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). For connectivity, the Playbar received a rating of 3/10 versus 7/10, respectively. App control is available in every soundbar. A built-in microphone is present only on the HW-N850. Multi-room is only available for the Samsung HW-N850.
Multichannel surround
Only the HW-N850 has a Dolby Atmos multichannel audio format support. A surround technology DTS:X is supported only by the HW-N850. For multichannel surround Sonos Playbar got a rating of 4, and Samsung HW-N850 9 out of 10.
Advantages Samsung HW-N850 over Sonos Playbar
- Separate subwoofer in package
- Amazon Music compatible
- Bluetooth enabled
- Audio return channel (HDMI ARC) support
- Microphone
- Multi-room support
- Compatible with Dolby Atmos
- Compatible with DTS:X
Common
Product
Model
Brand
Reviews
General
Placement type
Connection to source
Soundbar buttons
Audio features
Built-in channels
Amplification type
Output power, W
Separate speaker (in package)
Separate speaker connections
Subwoofer
Built-in subwoofer
Separate subwoofer (in package)
Separate subwoofer connections
Streaming services
Apple Music (AirPlay)
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming services
Connectivity
WI-FI
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)
NFC
HDMI input/output
HDMI ARC
HDMI eARC
HDMI CEC
Optical digital input/output
USB
Coaxial digital input/output
Analog audio input/output (RCA)
Headphone output
Subwoofer output
Features
Voice control
App control
Microphone
Remote control
Multi-room
Multichannel surround
Dolby Atmos
Dolby (other)
DTS:X
DTS (other)
Dimensions
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in
Weight, kg/pounds
Other
Release year
Soundbars SoundStrokes Art comparison rating
- 5.5Sonos Playbar
- 8.6Samsung HW-N850
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