I had a chance to test and compare two models: Yamaha YAS-109 vs Samsung HW-T550 and this review should help people who are looking for a good soundbar. The Yamaha YAS-109 was rated 6.8, while the Samsung HW-T550 has a rating 4.5. The soundbars are equipped with a different number of buttons, power, volume down, volume up, input, microphone for the YAS-109 and volume down, volume up, power, source for the HW-T550.
Each of the models under consideration has active amplification type. A noticeable difference is the number of channels that YAS-109 has 2.0 and HW-T550 has 2.1. These rivals can be compared in terms of power, 120 versus 320 (overall) according to devices. A built-in subwoofer is available only in the Yamaha YAS-109. An external subwoofer connects to the YAS-109 via wired and wireless, but HW-T550 has wireless connection type. Audio features and specs of considered models we rated 6 out of 10 in our ranking.
Soundbars do not have AirPlay support. The YAS-109 can play audio from Spotify.
Wireless Internet connection is realized only in the YAS-109. Soundbars from this comparison have Bluetooth support. 1/1 HDMI inputs/outputs are in each of soundbars. As in the YAS-109, so in the HW-T550 there is the HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). Connecting devices via USB is possible in both models. We rated the connectivity of the YAS-109 at 8 out of 10, while the HW-T550 was rated 6/10. The manufacturer of the YAS-109 provides a device control application. The Yamaha YAS-109 equipped with a microphone. The models under consideration cannot become part of a multiroom system.
Dolby Atmos audio decoder support is not implemented in either the YAS-109 or HW-T550. Devices from this comparison cannot process surround sound due to lack of DTS:X. The YAS-109 was rated 6/10, while the HW-T550 received a mark of 5/10 for multichannel surround.