Let's compare Samsung S60B and Samsung HW-S60A for an overview of all their audio functions. And according to the comparison results, we can see that S60B is superior to HW-S60A in quality and number of functions. According to the results of our comparison, S60B received 8.4 points out of 10 possible, and HW-S60A was rated 4.8 points.
The S60B is rated 6 of 10 against 7 for the HW-S60A according to the audio features rating.
It worth understanding the difference between the two types of amplification: a passive soundbar does not have its own amplifier and receives amplification from the signal source, while an active soundbar has a built-in amplifier. The same active type of amplification is used in the S60B and the HW-S60A.
There are stereo soundbars and multichannel ones. It is with the help of multichannel devices that you can get volumetric sound. The number of channels in the considered devices is the same - 5.0. There is no difference in output power, the soundbars have 200 (overall) W.
S60B | HW-S60A | |
---|---|---|
Built-in channels | 5.0 | 5.0 |
Amplification type | active | active |
Output power, W | 200 (overall) | 200 (overall) |
Separate speaker (in package) | 0 | 0 |
Separate speaker connections | wireless | wireless |
Soundbars can have a built-in or external subwoofer. The first type is inseparable from the soundbar body, but for the second, you can choose a good location for deep bass. Both are not equipped with an external subwoofer. Competitors support wireless connection to a separate external subwoofer.
S60B | HW-S60A | |
---|---|---|
Built-in subwoofer | ✖ | ✖ |
Separate subwoofer (in package) | ✖ | ✖ |
Separate subwoofer connections | wireless | wireless |
Unlike stereo, when reproducing multichannel sound, each specific direction of sound corresponds to its dedicated channel with a separate independent loudspeaker, which creates a three-dimensional sound stage. The S60B received rating 10 out of 10 for multichannel audio processing, but the HW-S60A, in the same category, earned 6 out of 10 points.
The peculiarity of Dolby Atmos is that this format is object-oriented, that is, each object of the audio signal is sounded separately and linked to its spatial location. Dolby Atmos surround sound support is implemented only in Samsung S60B.
DTS:X is an algorithm for processing sound scenes by the processor, linking directly to objects, rather than channels, and calculating the optimal distribution of sound output in a room. The manufacturer has implemented DTS:X technology only in S60B.
S60B | HW-S60A | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✖ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby 5.0ch | Dolby 5.1ch |
DTS:X | ✔ | ✖ |
DTS (other) | DTS Virtual:X, DTS 5.1ch | DTS 5.1ch |
The possibility to listen online to millions of songs from one device has become a reality thanks to streaming services.
The popular Spotify service is available on the S60B.
S60B | HW-S60A | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | ✔ | ✖ |
Amazon Music | ✔ | ✖ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✖ |
Other streaming services | Pandora, SoundCloud | has not |
The existence of a sufficient number of current connectors significantly expands the functionality of the device. For example, only through HDMI is it possible to implement the transfer of object-oriented formats, and the presence of a Bluetooth connection will allow remote control, etc. Connectivity of competitors was rated 7 out of 10.
The presence of Wi-Fi in the soundbar allows you to get rid of wires when connected to a sound source and get minimal audio latency when playing content from streaming services. Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible on the S60B.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for speaker systems, which provides excellent quality and minimal audio latency. The availability of Bluetooth protocol, we can see in both models. The S60B has 1/1 HDMI inputs/outputs, but the HW-S60A got 0/1 HDMI inputs/outputs from the manufacturer.
HDMI ARC is a very usefull technology that creates a two-way communication channel between a TV and another device. This is convenient since there is no need to use optical and other cables in the system. HDMI ARC is basic for both soundbars.
S60B | HW-S60A | |
---|---|---|
WI-FI | ✔ | ✖ |
Bluetooth | ✔ | ✔ |
Ethernet (RJ45) | 0 | 0 |
NFC | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI input/output | 1/1 | 0/1 |
HDMI ARC | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI CEC | ✔ | ✖ |
Optical digital input/output | 1/0 | 1/0 |
USB | 1 (USB 2.0) | 0 |
Coaxial digital input/output | 0/0 | 0/0 |
Analog audio input/output (RCA) | 0/0 | 0/0 |
Headphone output | 0 | 0 |
Subwoofer output | 0 | 0 |
Voice control is designed to make operating the device more convenient. This allows you to control basic soundbar functions from anywhere in the room.
Proprietary applications allow you to control your soundbars remotely. This is possible both via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The S60B has its own remote control application. Only Samsung S60B has a built-in microphone.
Some soundbars can be part of a multi-room system and it is an affordable solution for sounding the whole house. However, it is impossible to create a multiroom system based on each of these soundbars.
S60B | HW-S60A | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | ✔ | ✖ |
App control | ✔ | ✖ |
Microphone | ✔ | ✖ |
Remote control | ✔ | ✔ |
Multi-room | ✖ | ✖ |
S60B | HW-S60A | |
---|---|---|
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in | 67x6.2x10.5/26.3x2.4x4.1 | 76.4x6.8x12.4/30.1x2.7x4.9 |
Weight, kg/pounds | 2.7/6 | 2.9/6.6 |