Scored using Soundbars Methodology v2.0
Soundbars Methodology v2.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Soundbars Methodology v2.0: technical specifications plus grades from 1,310 independent expert reviews and 1,704 video reviews, with 0% commercial bias.
Explore Soundbars Methodology v2.0

Samsung HW-B450 Soundbar Review | 109 Data compared

Avg. price:~£110N. of audio channels:2.1Audio output power:300 WHDMI ARC type:none

Samsung HW-B450 Soundbar Review: Compare 109 technical specifications and 4 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Soundbars category and whether it is worth buying.

Samsung HW-B450 Soundbar
6.1/10

Overall score

Score
6.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the soundbar's quality, based on technical analyses and grades from independent expert reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best soundbars on the market.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

95%

6.1

Technical score

5%

6.9

Reviews score ( 0 · 4)

Reviews score 5% · 6.9 · based on 4 videos
4 videos count as 1.8 of the 2 needed; the rest counts as 7/10. Every model in this category gets the same split: reviews 5%, technical score 95%. A video or a short review counts less than a full test.
▲Better than 71% of soundbars
7.3

Value for money

Value for money
7.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the soundbar's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a soundbar with a good balance between audio quality, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

70%

6.1

Overall score

30%

9.9

Price

▲Better than 81%
6.1

Technical score

Technical score
6.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the soundbar's technical performance, covering key areas such as audio quality, channel configuration, connectivity, HDMI and wireless features, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare soundbars based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components

25%

7.0

Audio

18%

5.4

Formats

16%

6.0

Connectivity

14%

7.6

Controls

12%

4.6

HDMI & Gaming

10%

4.0

Smart features

5%

7.4

Design

▲Better than 73%
6.9

Reviews score

Reviews score
6.9/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves.
Weighting: Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Share: Reviews are 5% of the overall score for every model in this category; each of the 2 needed reviews that is missing counts as 7/10.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Grades by review (4)
4 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Share in the overall score: 5%, the same for every model in this category.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
▼Worse than 95%
  • samsung-hw-b450-soundbar
  • samsung-hw-b450-soundbar
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.

What owners say about the Samsung HW-B450

Based on 45 owners sharing their experience in online comments

27%positive11%mixed62%negative

The sound and bass can impress, but owners often report failures, missing audio, and weak output.

What owners dislike

  • Some units shut off after hours or days and will not power on until unplugged, and some were declared irreparable by Samsung.8
  • Owners report the bar shows connected over Bluetooth to a TV or computer, yet produces no sound, while a phone connection still plays.4
  • Owners find the subwoofer bass weak even with bass and woofer set to +6 and Bass Boost on, and say volume is quieter than their TV.4
  • The front display goes blank while the speakers still play, so owners cannot see which input or Bluetooth mode is active.3
  • Some owners hear the audio cut out for a few seconds roughly every hour, and it sometimes disconnects or turns off during use.3
  • Owners hear a low hum or static from the subwoofer, sometimes even when the bar is plugged in and switched off.3
  • Owners find the remote stops working or cannot change volume, though mute still works, and the sound mode button sometimes does nothing.3
  • The bar and subwoofer show as connected, yet the subwoofer produces no sound at all, sometimes with static.3

Points mentioned by at least 3 owners, most mentioned first.

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Technical Specifications of soundbar Samsung HW-B450 Soundbar

Technical score
Technical score
6.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the soundbar's technical performance, covering key areas such as audio quality, channel configuration, connectivity, HDMI and wireless features, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare soundbars based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

25%

7.0

Audio

18%

5.4

Formats

16%

6.0

Connectivity

14%

7.6

Controls

12%

4.6

HDMI & Gaming

10%

4.0

Smart features

5%

7.4

Design

6.1
Reviews score
6.9
Value for money
Value for money
7.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the soundbar's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a soundbar with a good balance between audio quality, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
Score components:

70%

6.1

Overall score

30%

9.9

Price

7.3
Brand name
Samsung
N. of audio channels
2.1
This soundbar offers 2.1 audio channels, more than 56.9% of soundbars and equal to 19.2% of soundbars.
Audio output power
300 W
This soundbar delivers 300 W of audio output power, more than 90.8% of soundbars and equal to 0.6% of soundbars.
Max SPL
93.1 dB SPL
This soundbar has a max SPL of 93.1 dB SPL, higher than 46% of soundbars and equal to 5.4% of soundbars.
Min frequency
40.6 Hz
This soundbar reaches a minimum frequency of 40.6 Hz, lower than 73.8% of soundbars.
Show more
Dolby Atmos
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby Atmos. 20.7% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS:X
no
This soundbar does not support DTS:X. 10.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby TrueHD
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby TrueHD. 17.6% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS-HD Master Audio
no
This soundbar does not support DTS-HD Master Audio. 10.1% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby Digital Plus
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby Digital Plus. 25% of soundbars include this feature.
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N. of HDMI inputs
0
This soundbar has 0 HDMI inputs, fewer than 32.5% of soundbars and equal to 67.6% of soundbars.
Wi-Fi connectivity
no
This soundbar does not support Wi-Fi connectivity. 31.9% of soundbars include this feature.
Wi-Fi version
N/A
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This soundbar supports Bluetooth connectivity. 3.7% of soundbars include this feature.
Bluetooth version
4.2
This soundbar uses Bluetooth 4.2, which is older than that of 61.6% of soundbars and the same as that of 24.9% of soundbars.
Show more
Smartphone app
no
This soundbar does not have smartphone app. 35.1% of soundbars offer this feature.
Remote control
yes
This soundbar has remote control. 26.6% of soundbars offer this feature.
Control panel
yes
This soundbar has control panel. 9.6% of soundbars offer this feature.
Voice assistant compatibility
yes
This soundbar supports voice assistant compatibility. 69.2% of soundbars include this feature.
Far-field microphones
no
This soundbar does not have far-field microphones. 12.2% of soundbars offer this feature.
Show more
HDMI version
N/A
HDMI ARC type
none
This soundbar has none as its HDMI TV-audio return type, which is less advanced than what 68.6% of soundbars and the same as what 31.4% offers.
HDMI-CEC support
yes
This soundbar supports HDMI-CEC. 37.4% support HDMI-CEC.
HDMI pass-through resolution
none
This soundbar supports HDMI pass-through up to none, which is lower than that of 21.5% of soundbars and the same as that of 78.5% of soundbars.
HDMI pass-through frame rate
none fps
This soundbar supports HDMI pass-through up to none fps, lower than 18.2% of soundbars and equal to 81.8% of soundbars.
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AirPlay
no
This soundbar does not support AirPlay. 20.2% of soundbars include this feature.
Chromecast built-in
no
This soundbar does not support Chromecast built-in. 12.3% of soundbars include this feature.
Spotify Connect
no
This soundbar does not support Spotify Connect. 23.4% of soundbars include this feature.
TIDAL Connect
no
This soundbar does not support TIDAL Connect. 9.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Amazon Music native support
no
This soundbar does not support native Amazon Music. 21.3% support native Amazon Music.
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Width
859 mm
This soundbar is 859 mm wide, wider than 62.2% of soundbars.
Height
59 mm
This soundbar is 59 mm high, shorter than 80.8% of soundbars and equal to 1.1% of soundbars.
Thickness
75 mm
This soundbar is 75 mm thick, thinner than 63.6% of soundbars and equal to 2.1% of soundbars.
Weight
1,400 g
This soundbar weighs 1,400 g, less than 70.7% of soundbars and equal to 1.6% of soundbars.
Build material
plastic
This soundbar uses plastic for the build material, which is different from that of 4.8% of soundbars and the same as that of 89.4% of soundbars.
Fabric grille or wrap.
Show more

Samsung HW-B450 Soundbar vs the average soundbar

246810TotalAudioFormatsConnectivityHDMI & GamingSmart featuresControlsDesign
  • Subwoofer included
    This soundbar has subwoofer included, the average soundbar does not.
  • 2.5 inch larger subwoofer driver size
    This soundbar has a higher subwoofer driver size than the average soundbar (6.5 inch vs 4 inch). The average soundbar uses a subwoofer driver size of 4 inch.
    6.5 inch vs 4 inch
  • Supports DTS Virtual:X
    This soundbar supports DTS Virtual:X, the average soundbar does not.
  • Auto volume leveling
    This soundbar supports auto volume leveling, the average soundbar does not.
  • More audio channels
    This soundbar has more audio channels than the average soundbar (2.1 vs 2). The average soundbar has 2.0 audio channels.
    2.1 vs 2.0
  • Supports voice assistants
    This soundbar supports voice assistant compatibility, the average soundbar does not.
  • Manual audio delay adjustment
    This soundbar supports manual audio delay adjustment, the average soundbar does not.
  • 4.29x more audio output power
    This soundbar has a higher audio output power than the average soundbar (300 W vs 70 W). The average soundbar delivers 70 W of audio output power.
    300 W vs 70 W
  • 2.11x more popular
    Samsung HW-B450 Soundbar is more popular than the average soundbar (9.06 vs 4.3).
    9.06 vs 4.29
  • 7.8% better value for money
    Samsung HW-B450 Soundbar has better value for money than the average soundbar (7.27 vs 6.7).
    7.27 vs 6.75
  • Subwoofer included
    This soundbar has subwoofer included, the average soundbar does not.
  • 2.5 inch larger subwoofer driver size
    This soundbar has a higher subwoofer driver size than the average soundbar (6.5 inch vs 4 inch). The average soundbar uses a subwoofer driver size of 4 inch.
    6.5 inch vs 4 inch
  • More audio channels
    This soundbar has more audio channels than the average soundbar (2.1 vs 2). The average soundbar has 2.0 audio channels.
    2.1 vs 2.0
  • 4.29x more audio output power
    This soundbar has a higher audio output power than the average soundbar (300 W vs 70 W). The average soundbar delivers 70 W of audio output power.
    300 W vs 70 W
  • Supports wireless rear speakers
    This soundbar is compatible with wireless rear speakers, the average soundbar is not.
  • Bass boost
    This soundbar supports bass boost, the average soundbar does not.
  • 1 more sound modes
    This soundbar offers more sound modes than the average soundbar (5 vs 4). The average soundbar offers 4 sound modes.
    5 vs 4
  • 11.4 Hz lower min frequency
    This soundbar has a lower minimum frequency than the average soundbar (40.6 Hz vs 52 Hz). The average soundbar has a minimum frequency of 52 Hz.
    40.6 Hz vs 52 Hz
  • Supports DTS Virtual:X
    This soundbar supports DTS Virtual:X, the average soundbar does not.
  • Broader music format support
    This soundbar supports more music formats than the average soundbar (AAC, AIFF, ALAC, FLAC, MP3, OGG, WAV vs MP3).
    AAC, AIFF, ALAC, FLAC, MP3, OGG, WAV vs MP3
  • 5 more supported audio formats
    This soundbar supports more audio formats than the average soundbar (7 vs 2). The average soundbar supports 2 audio formats.
    7 vs 2
  • AAC support
    This soundbar supports AAC, the average soundbar does not.
  • Auto volume leveling
    This soundbar supports auto volume leveling, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports voice assistants
    This soundbar supports voice assistant compatibility, the average soundbar does not.
  • Manual audio delay adjustment
    This soundbar supports manual audio delay adjustment, the average soundbar does not.
  • Night mode
    This soundbar supports night mode, the average soundbar does not.
  • 8 mm lower height
    This soundbar is shorter than the average soundbar (59 mm vs 67 mm). The average soundbar is 67 mm tall.
    59 mm vs 67 mm
  • 600 g lighter weight
    This soundbar is lighter than the average soundbar (1,400 g vs 2000 g). The average soundbar weighs 2000 g.
    1,400 g vs 2,000 g
  • Less advanced HDMI ARC type
    This soundbar has none as its HDMI TV-audio return type, while the average soundbar has eARC.
    none vs eARC
  • No AUX input
    This soundbar does not have AUX input, the average soundbar does.
  • Older Bluetooth version
    This soundbar uses 4.2 for Bluetooth version, while the average soundbar uses 5.0.
    4.2 vs 5.0
  • 1 fewer drivers
    This soundbar has fewer drivers than the average soundbar (3 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    3 vs 4
  • Narrower bass adjustment range
    This soundbar has a lower bass adjustment range than the average soundbar (-6 to 6 dB vs -100 to 100 dB). The average soundbar offers a bass adjustment range of -100 to 100 dB.
    -6 to 6 dB vs -100 to 100 dB
  • 700 Hz lower max frequency
    This soundbar has a lower maximum frequency than the average soundbar (19,300 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average soundbar has a maximum frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    19,300 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • Harder firmware updates
    This soundbar uses USB for firmware update method, while the average soundbar uses app-based, USB.
    USB vs app-based, USB
  • 97 mm wider width
    This soundbar is wider than the average soundbar (859 mm vs 762 mm). The average soundbar is 762 mm wide.
    859 mm vs 762 mm
  • 1 fewer drivers
    This soundbar has fewer drivers than the average soundbar (3 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    3 vs 4
  • Narrower bass adjustment range
    This soundbar has a lower bass adjustment range than the average soundbar (-6 to 6 dB vs -100 to 100 dB). The average soundbar offers a bass adjustment range of -100 to 100 dB.
    -6 to 6 dB vs -100 to 100 dB
  • 700 Hz lower max frequency
    This soundbar has a lower maximum frequency than the average soundbar (19,300 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average soundbar has a maximum frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    19,300 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • No AUX input
    This soundbar does not have AUX input, the average soundbar does.
  • Older Bluetooth version
    This soundbar uses 4.2 for Bluetooth version, while the average soundbar uses 5.0.
    4.2 vs 5.0
  • Less advanced HDMI ARC type
    This soundbar has none as its HDMI TV-audio return type, while the average soundbar has eARC.
    none vs eARC
  • Harder firmware updates
    This soundbar uses USB for firmware update method, while the average soundbar uses app-based, USB.
    USB vs app-based, USB
  • 97 mm wider width
    This soundbar is wider than the average soundbar (859 mm vs 762 mm). The average soundbar is 762 mm wide.
    859 mm vs 762 mm

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

6.0
AK TECH
≈ estimated
12/09/2023
Hands-on review · bass, audio and distortion tests
Verdict
Samsung HW-B450 has strong bass that suits bass lovers with an optical connection, but weak clarity makes it a poor pick for music.
9.0
Juan Camacho
≈ estimated
30/10/2022
Long-term test · one month of daily use
Verdict
Samsung HW-B450 is a clear upgrade for TV sound and a firm recommendation, despite occasional disconnects from the TV.
9.0
Juan Camacho
≈ estimated
23/09/2022
Long-term test · one month of daily use
Verdict
Samsung HW-B450 is worth buying for clear dialogue and strong bass; occasional TV disconnects are its only issue.
Overview video
Shop video
Not graded
Hands-on video, no verdict
Not graded
Shop video

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Samsung HW-B450 Soundbar

  • Excellent value for money and highly affordable for an entry-level system
  • Crystal clear dialogue enhancement and balanced midrange for clear vocals
  • Powerful, deep bass performance from the included wireless subwoofer
  • Simple and quick setup process, especially when pairing with Samsung TVs
  • Compact and sleek design that fits easily under most TV stands
  • Multiple sound modes including Game Mode, Night Mode, and Adaptive Sound Lite

What customers don't like about Samsung HW-B450 Soundbar

  • Lacks HDMI connectivity, requiring an optical cable or Bluetooth for TV connection
  • No support for Dolby Atmos, limiting immersion for high-end movie content
  • Remote control can be confusing, specifically with volume rocking buttons and occasional muting issues
  • Occasional Bluetooth connectivity drops reported by some users
  • Limited surround sound performance as a 2.1 system without discrete rear speakers
  • Audio can become distorted at extremely high volume levels

Verdict

The Samsung HW-B450 is a 2.1-channel soundbar system delivering 300W of total power through three speakers and an included wireless subwoofer. Key technical characteristics include support for Dolby Digital 2ch and DTS Virtual:X to simulate 3D surround sound, along with Adaptive Sound Lite, which uses AI to optimize audio in real-time. Main pros include its powerful 'Bass Boost' mode, clear dialogue via 'Voice Enhance,' and versatile connectivity through Bluetooth, Optical, and USB for high-res formats like FLAC and WAV. However, notable cons include a lack of HDMI connectivity, no support for Dolby Atmos, and the absence of a discrete center channel, which can impact dialogue localization compared to higher-end models.

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