l would like to share my experience after comparing and testing two soundbars – Bose Solo 5 vs Samsung HW-K850. The Bose Solo 5 was rated 4, while the Samsung HW-K850 has a rating 6.
Each of the models under consideration has active amplification type. A noticeable difference is the number of channels that Solo 5 has 2.0 and HW-K850 has 3.1.2. The built-in subwoofer is not implemented in any of these models. Rate 5 out of 10 received the Bose Solo 5 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. The HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) is implemented only in the HW-K850. We rated the connectivity of the Solo 5 at 3 out of 10, while the HW-K850 was rated 7/10.
The manufacturer of the Solo 5 provides a device control application. 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.