l would like to share my experience after comparing and testing two soundbars – VIZIO SB2821-D6 vs Samsung HW-K850. The VIZIO SB2821-D6 was rated 4.8, while the Samsung HW-K850 has a rating 6. The soundbars are equipped with a different number of buttons, power, input, Bluetooth, volume down, volume up for the SB2821-D6 and power, volume down, volume up, source for the HW-K850.
Each of the models under consideration has active amplification type. A noticeable difference is the number of channels that SB2821-D6 has 2.1 and HW-K850 has 3.1.2. 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. Audio features and specs of considered models we rated 6 out of 10 in our ranking.
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. The HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) is implemented only in the HW-K850. Connecting devices via USB is possible in both models. We rated the connectivity of the SB2821-D6 at 4 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 SB2821-D6 was rated 5/10, while the HW-K850 received a mark of 4/10 for multichannel surround.