Name: Samsung HW-Q800F
Brand: Samsung

The HW-Q800F suits a room that can accommodate a subwoofer today but has nowhere sensible to put rear speakers. The center, side and height channels all start at the front of the room. You can add a compatible rear pair later, which changes the buying decision if you expect the living room to change with you. ¹

Speaker Layout & Subwoofer

5.1.2 channels
Separate wireless subwoofer

The bar has real side- and upward-firing speakers, alongside the center that carries most film dialogue. Side effects still originate in front of you. If a scene relies on hearing exactly where something moves behind the seats, putting physical speakers back there is a more direct solution. ¹

The Q800F subwoofer is shorter and shallower than the Q800D’s, but it is slightly wider. Samsung’s dimensions put the new box at about 9.8 inches across and the old one at about 8.3 inches. ² ³ The new shape helps under a low shelf. Measure the gap first if the old sub sits between a cabinet and a wall. RTINGS found the systems broadly similar in performance, so the new shape alone is a weak reason to replace a Q800D you already have room for. ¹

HDMI & Console Connections

HDMI eARC
4K/60 Hz passthrough

A disc player or 4K streaming box can go through the soundbar’s HDMI input. For a console or PC intended to run at 4K and 120 Hz, connect it directly to a suitable TV port and send the sound back over eARC. Check the TV’s audio passthrough settings when using an external player. ¹

Atmos and DTS:X support belong to the soundbar. Whether a particular title arrives in that format also depends on the source and its connection. Q-Symphony needs a compatible Samsung television, so owners of another brand should evaluate the bar on its own speakers.

Sound Quality

Dedicated center
Separate subwoofer
Standard mode tested

In its test of the bar and supplied subwoofer, RTINGS heard clear, centered speech and enough low bass to give film explosions weight. In Standard mode the system also played loudly with little compression. That combination makes the base kit worth considering for an action film even before adding rears. The distinct sound of something passing behind the seat is the separate reason to budget for those. ¹

Setup & Placement

43.7-inch bar
Upward- and side-firing speakers
SpaceFit Sound Pro Plus

The bar is 43.7 inches wide and about 2.4 inches high. Measure the gap below the screen and keep the side and top openings clear, especially if the TV sits inside a cabinet. Both the bar and wireless sub need mains power. Samsung’s SpaceFit Sound Pro Plus adjusts the sound to the room, giving you a starting point after the sub has found a permanent place.

Music & Wireless Playback

AirPlay 2 & Google Cast
Spotify Connect
Bluetooth 5.3

Wi-Fi adds AirPlay 2, Google Cast and Spotify Connect. Those options make the Q800F a music player even when the television is off. Bluetooth 5.3 is also available for a visitor’s phone. SmartThings handles the network features. A USB socket on the back is for service, so plan to use a different source if your collection lives on a flash drive.

Alternatives

A discounted HW-Q800D is worth comparing if you have space for its subwoofer. If you want sound from behind the sofa, the compatible US rear-speaker kit is Samsung’s SWA-9500S/ZA. ⁴ Add its price to the Q800F’s before comparing the total with a system that includes the rear pair.

Verdict

The Q800F is a good fit when dialogue comes first and there is value in adding surrounds later. Its biggest practical advantages over the older model are likely to show up on a floor plan or a price tag rather than in an immediate change in sound.

Samsung HW-Q800F review

Pros

Cons