l would like to share my experience after comparing and testing two soundbars – ZVOX SB380 vs Samsung HW-K850. The ZVOX SB380 was rated 4, while the Samsung HW-K850 has a rating 6. The soundbars are equipped with a different number of buttons, power, volume down, volume up, input for the SB380 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 SB380 has 3.1 and HW-K850 has 3.1.2. These rivals can be compared in terms of power, 45 versus 350 (overall) according to devices. A built-in subwoofer is available only in the ZVOX SB380. 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. Bluetooth support integrated in the HW-K850. The HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) is implemented only in the HW-K850. We rated the connectivity of the SB380 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 same score of 4/10 was put to the soundbars for multichannel surround support.