l would like to share my experience after comparing and testing two soundbars – LG SL5Y vs Samsung HW-K850. The LG SL5Y was rated 5, while the Samsung HW-K850 has a rating 6. The soundbars are equipped with a different number of buttons, power, volume down, volume up, function for the SL5Y 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 SL5Y has 2.1 and HW-K850 has 3.1.2. These rivals can be compared in terms of power, 400 (overall) versus 350 (overall) according to devices. 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. Rate 7 out of 10 received the LG SL5Y for audio features and specs, but the Samsung HW-K850 received 6 out of 10.
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. There are 1/1 HDMI inputs/outputs in the LG SL5Y versus 2/1 HDMIs in the Samsung HW-K850. As in the SL5Y, so in the HW-K850 there is the HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). Connecting devices via USB is possible in both models. The connectivity of each of the models was estimated at 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 SL5Y was rated 6/10, while the HW-K850 received a mark of 4/10 for multichannel surround.