OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Soundbars Methodology v3.0
Soundbars Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Soundbars Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Soundbars Methodology v3.0

Samsung HW-S50A review: 108 specs compared

Avg. price:~£70N. of audio channels:3.0Audio output power:140 WHDMI ARC type:ARC

Samsung HW-S50A Review: Compare 108 technical specifications and 1 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Soundbars category and whether it is worth buying.

Samsung HW-S50A
6.6/10

Overall score

Score
6.6/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, best-of lists, expert reviews and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 35%, List score 30%, Reviews score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 64% of models
Score components

35%

6.0

Technical score

30%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

25%

6.0

Reviews score

10%

?

Sentiment scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 6.8, the mark of a weaker model in this category

▼Worse than 64% of soundbars
7.6

Value for money

Value for money
7.6/ 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
▼ Worse than 55% of models
Score components

70%

6.6

Overall score

30%

10

Price

▼Worse than 55%
6.0

Technical score

Technical score
6.0/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 58% of models
Score components

25%

5.7

Audio

18%

5.2

Formats

16%

7.7

Connectivity

14%

7.2

Controls

12%

5.8

HDMI

10%

4.5

Streaming

5%

6.1

Design

▲Better than 58%
6.0

Reviews score

Reviews score
6.0/ 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. Every review counts the same: written or video, short or full test.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.6 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 71% of models

6.0

Mark 7.4 is below the typical mark 8.0 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

80%

8.0

Average grade

20%

5.0

Popularity

Grades by review (1)
1 video: 7.0/10. We use 3 reviews; the 2 missing count as the category's typical 8.2: (7.0 × 1 + 8.2 × 2) ÷ 3 = 7.8. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
▼Worse than 71%
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
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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.
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Technical Specifications of soundbar Samsung HW-S50A

Technical score
Technical score
6.0/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 58% of models
Score components:

25%

5.7

Audio

18%

5.2

Formats

16%

7.7

Connectivity

14%

7.2

Controls

12%

5.8

HDMI

10%

4.5

Streaming

5%

6.1

Design

6.0
Reviews score
6.0
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
7.6/ 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
▼ Worse than 55% of models
Score components:

70%

6.6

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.6
N. of audio channels
3
This soundbar offers 3 audio channels, more than 70.1% of soundbars and equal to 2.3% of soundbars.
Audio output power
140 W
Market range: <16 W – >260 W
This soundbar delivers 140 W of audio output power, more than 78.3% of soundbars and equal to 0.6% of soundbars.
Max SPL
?
Min frequency
?
Max frequency
20,000 Hz
Market range: <19k Hz – >20k Hz
This soundbar reaches a maximum frequency of 20,000 Hz, higher than 17.5% of soundbars and equal to 76.8% of soundbars.
Show more
Dolby Atmos
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby Atmos. 30.3% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS:X
no
This soundbar does not support DTS:X. 16.7% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby TrueHD
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby TrueHD. 16.5% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS-HD Master Audio
no
This soundbar does not support DTS-HD Master Audio. 7.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby Digital Plus
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby Digital Plus. 25.3% of soundbars include this feature.
Show more
N. of HDMI inputs
1
Market range: <0 – >1
This soundbar has 1 HDMI inputs, more than 58.8% of soundbars and equal to 37.4% of soundbars.
Wi-Fi connectivity
no
This soundbar does not support Wi-Fi connectivity. 28.8% of soundbars include this feature.
Wi-Fi version
N/A
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This soundbar supports Bluetooth connectivity. 4.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Bluetooth version
4.2
This soundbar uses Bluetooth 4.2, which is less up to date than 61.8% of soundbars and equal to 24.7% of soundbars.
Show more
Smartphone app
yes
This soundbar has smartphone app. 57.7% of soundbars offer this feature.
Remote control
yes
This soundbar has remote control. 17.5% of soundbars offer this feature.
Control panel
yes
This soundbar has control panel. 5.5% of soundbars offer this feature.
Voice assistant compatibility
no
This soundbar does not support voice assistant compatibility. 36.8% of soundbars include this feature.
Far-field microphones
no
This soundbar does not have far-field microphones. 7.1% of soundbars offer this feature.
Show more
HDMI version
eARC
This soundbar has HDMI eARC, which is more capable than 71.6% of soundbars and equal to 16.3% of soundbars.
HDMI ARC type
ARC
This soundbar has ARC as its HDMI TV-audio return type, which is more advanced than what 24.7% of soundbars and the same as what 46.5% offers.
HDMI-CEC support
yes
This soundbar supports HDMI-CEC. 29.2% support HDMI-CEC.
HDMI pass-through resolution
none
This soundbar passes through none, which is lower resolution than 27.2% of soundbars and equal to 72.8% of soundbars.
HDMI pass-through frame rate
none fps
This soundbar supports HDMI pass-through up to none fps, lower than 21.4% of soundbars and equal to 78.6% of soundbars.
Show more
AirPlay
no
This soundbar does not support AirPlay. 19.9% of soundbars include this feature.
Chromecast built-in
no
This soundbar does not support Chromecast built-in. 11.4% of soundbars include this feature.
Spotify Connect
no
This soundbar does not support Spotify Connect. 20.8% of soundbars include this feature.
TIDAL Connect
no
This soundbar does not support TIDAL Connect. 9.2% of soundbars include this feature.
Amazon Music native support
no
This soundbar does not support native Amazon Music. 13% support native Amazon Music.
Show more
Width
764 mm
Market range: <384 mm – >1.1k mm
This soundbar is 764 mm wide, wider than 50.3% of soundbars and equal to 1.1% of soundbars.
Height
68 mm
Market range: <56 mm – >89 mm
This soundbar is 68 mm high, taller than 50.5% of soundbars and equal to 4.3% of soundbars.
Thickness
125 mm
Market range: <60 mm – >131 mm
This soundbar is 125 mm thick, thicker than 86.2% of soundbars and equal to 2.1% of soundbars.
Weight
2,700 g
Market range: <729 g – >5.5k g
This soundbar weighs 2,700 g, more than 67.7% of soundbars and equal to 0.5% of soundbars.
Build material
plastic
This soundbar is built from plastic, which is more premium than 3% of soundbars and equal to 92.6% of soundbars.
Fabric grille or wrap.
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Samsung HW-S50A vs the average soundbar

246810TotalAudioFormatsConnectivityHDMIStreamingControlsDesign
  • 1 more HDMI inputs
    This soundbar has more HDMI inputs than the average soundbar (1 vs 0). The average soundbar has 0 HDMI inputs.
    1 vs 0
  • Dedicated center channel
    This soundbar has center channel driver, the average soundbar does not.
  • Companion smartphone app
    This soundbar supports smartphone app, the average soundbar does not.
  • Bluetooth multipoint
    This soundbar supports Bluetooth multipoint, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports DTS Virtual:X
    This soundbar supports DTS Virtual:X, the average soundbar does not.
  • More music formats supported
    This soundbar supports more music formats than the average soundbar (AAC, AIFF, ALAC, FLAC, MP3, OGG, WAV, WMA vs MP3).
    AAC, AIFF, ALAC, FLAC, MP3, OGG, WAV, WMA vs MP3
  • Supports Q-Symphony
    This soundbar supports Q-Symphony support, the average soundbar does not.
    Requires a compatible Samsung TV.
  • Manual audio delay adjustment
    This soundbar supports manual audio delay adjustment, the average soundbar does not.
  • Dedicated center channel
    This soundbar has center channel driver, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports wireless rear speakers
    This soundbar is compatible with wireless rear speakers, the average soundbar is not.
  • 2x more audio output power
    This soundbar has a higher audio output power than the average soundbar (140 W vs 70 W). The average soundbar delivers 70 W of audio output power.
    140 W vs 70 W
  • 4 more equalizer bands
    This soundbar offers more equalizer bands than the average soundbar (6 vs 2). The average soundbar offers 2 equalizer bands.
    6 vs 2
  • More audio channels
    This soundbar has more audio channels than the average soundbar (3 vs 2.1). The average soundbar has 2.1 audio channels.
    3 vs 2.1
  • 1 more drivers
    This soundbar has more drivers than the average soundbar (5 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    5 vs 4
  • Supports DTS Virtual:X
    This soundbar supports DTS Virtual:X, the average soundbar does not.
  • More music formats supported
    This soundbar supports more music formats than the average soundbar (AAC, AIFF, ALAC, FLAC, MP3, OGG, WAV, WMA vs MP3).
    AAC, AIFF, ALAC, FLAC, MP3, OGG, WAV, WMA vs MP3
  • 6 more supported audio formats
    This soundbar supports more audio formats than the average soundbar (8 vs 2). The average soundbar supports 2 audio formats.
    8 vs 2
  • 1 more supported Bluetooth codecs
    This soundbar supports more Bluetooth codecs than the average soundbar (2 vs 1). The average soundbar supports 1 Bluetooth codecs.
    sbc, aac
    2 vs 1
  • 1 more HDMI inputs
    This soundbar has more HDMI inputs than the average soundbar (1 vs 0). The average soundbar has 0 HDMI inputs.
    1 vs 0
  • Bluetooth multipoint
    This soundbar supports Bluetooth multipoint, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports Q-Symphony
    This soundbar supports Q-Symphony support, the average soundbar does not.
    Requires a compatible Samsung TV.
  • Companion smartphone app
    This soundbar supports smartphone app, the average soundbar does not.
  • Manual audio delay adjustment
    This soundbar supports manual audio delay adjustment, the average soundbar does not.
  • Less advanced HDMI ARC type
    This soundbar has ARC as its HDMI TV-audio return type, while the average soundbar has eARC.
    ARC vs eARC
  • No night mode
    This soundbar does not support night mode, the average soundbar does.
  • No AUX input
    This soundbar does not have AUX input, the average soundbar does.
  • No PCM / LPCM
    This soundbar does not support PCM / LPCM support, the average soundbar does.
  • No bass boost
    This soundbar does not support bass boost, the average soundbar does.
  • 15.5% lower review score
    Reviews score
    6.0/ 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. Every review counts the same: written or video, short or full test.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.6 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    ▼ Worse than 71% of models

    6.0

    Mark 7.4 is below the typical mark 8.0 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    8.0

    Average grade

    20%

    5.0

    Popularity

    Grades by review (1)
    1 video: 7.0/10. We use 3 reviews; the 2 missing count as the category's typical 8.2: (7.0 × 1 + 8.2 × 2) ÷ 3 = 7.8. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    6.0 vs 7.1
  • Less up-to-date Bluetooth version
    This soundbar has a less up-to-date Bluetooth version than the average soundbar (4.2 vs 5).
    4.2 vs 5
  • 39 mm thicker design
    This soundbar is thicker than the average soundbar (125 mm vs 86 mm). The average soundbar is 86 mm thick.
    125 mm vs 86 mm
  • 15.5% lower review score
    Reviews score
    6.0/ 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. Every review counts the same: written or video, short or full test.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.6 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    ▼ Worse than 71% of models

    6.0

    Mark 7.4 is below the typical mark 8.0 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    8.0

    Average grade

    20%

    5.0

    Popularity

    Grades by review (1)
    1 video: 7.0/10. We use 3 reviews; the 2 missing count as the category's typical 8.2: (7.0 × 1 + 8.2 × 2) ÷ 3 = 7.8. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    6.0 vs 7.1
  • No bass boost
    This soundbar does not support bass boost, the average soundbar does.
  • No PCM / LPCM
    This soundbar does not support PCM / LPCM support, the average soundbar does.
  • No AUX input
    This soundbar does not have AUX input, the average soundbar does.
  • Less up-to-date Bluetooth version
    This soundbar has a less up-to-date Bluetooth version than the average soundbar (4.2 vs 5).
    4.2 vs 5
  • Less advanced HDMI ARC type
    This soundbar has ARC as its HDMI TV-audio return type, while the average soundbar has eARC.
    ARC vs eARC
  • No night mode
    This soundbar does not support night mode, the average soundbar does.
  • Less premium display type
    This soundbar has a less premium display type than the average soundbar (none vs LED).
    No built-in display.
    none vs LED
  • 39 mm thicker design
    This soundbar is thicker than the average soundbar (125 mm vs 86 mm). The average soundbar is 86 mm thick.
    125 mm vs 86 mm
  • 700 g heavier weight
    This soundbar is heavier than the average soundbar (2,700 g vs 2000 g). The average soundbar weighs 2000 g.
    2,700 g vs 2,000 g

Video reviews

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

7.0
The TV Dan
≈ estimated
03/10/2021
Unboxing, setup and test · TV sound and music checks
Verdict
Samsung HW-S50A is inexpensive for what it offers and a worthwhile way to add depth and bass to a TV.
Overview video
Shop video

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Samsung HW-S50A

  • Dedicated center channel significantly improves dialogue clarity compared to standard TV speakers.
  • Aesthetically pleasing design featuring a premium grey fabric finish that blends well with home décor.
  • Compact all-in-one form factor saves space and reduces cable clutter by eliminating the need for a separate subwoofer.
  • Excellent value for money, often cited as one of the best budget options in its class.
  • Easy setup process, particularly for users with Samsung TVs due to seamless integration and single-remote control.
  • Features like DTS Virtual:X provide a more immersive and spacious sound field for movies.

What customers don't like about Samsung HW-S50A

  • Internal woofers lack the deep, room-shaking bass found in systems with dedicated external subwoofers.
  • Some users report occasional connectivity issues where the soundbar disconnects from the TV and requires a manual reboot.
  • The fabric exterior can be difficult to clean and acts as a magnet for dust and pet hair.
  • The physical interface uses light indicators rather than a display screen, making it hard to see settings from a distance.
  • Lack of compatibility with Samsung’s mobile apps, forcing users to rely on the basic physical remote for adjustments.
  • Bluetooth connection may exhibit noticeable audio-sync latency during video playback.

Verdict

The Samsung HW-S50A is a compact 3.0-channel all-in-one soundbar featuring five integrated speakers, including a dedicated center channel for dialogue clarity and two built-in woofers for balanced bass. It delivers an immersive 3D audio experience through DTS Virtual:X and Dolby Digital 5.1 support, complemented by AI-driven Adaptive Sound Lite that optimizes audio in real-time based on content. Wrapped in a premium gray textile finish, it offers versatile connectivity via HDMI ARC, optical input, and Bluetooth multi-connection for up to two devices. Main pros include its space-saving design, excellent vocal reproduction, and easy wireless setup; however, it lacks a dedicated external subwoofer for deep low-end punch and does not support Wi-Fi or advanced Dolby Atmos height channels.

Compare Samsung HW-S50A with other soundbars

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