The Samsung HW-Q70R Soundbar comes from Samsung’s HW range. Retailing at close to $700 since last year, it is a bit pricey, but it does deliver premium sound quality for when you’re gaming, listening to music, or watching movies. If you prefer an audio system that looks more like a speaker, take a look at our Sony RDP-X500IP iPad speaker dock review. It comes ready with Harman Kardon-designed audio, and Samsung’s Acoustic Beam technology that channels Sound waves through openings at the top of the soundbar to deliver directional sound and add to the dramatic experience of the content on screen. If you’re looking for the best soundbar from Samsung, your search might have come to an end. Stick with this soundbar review to find out how well the HW-Q70R is poised to deliver an immersive audio experience. And, to take it one step further, also check out our best speakers review.
Why We Like It – Samsung HW-Q70R
The Samsung HW-Q70R delivers panoramic, 3-Dimensional sound thanks to its support for both Dolby Atmos and DTS X technology, and its sophisticated style and design make it the perfect addition to your entertainment hub. It’s actually rated higher than the Bluesound Pulse 2i Soundbar.
- Rich detailed sound
- Easy Setup
- Wireless Subwoofer
- One HDMI Output
- No Auto-volume/Night-mode
Performance
Samsung has been known for products that produce great sound, and the HW-Q70R is no exception. Its upward-firing speakers allow sound to bounce off the ceiling to relay the impression of height, and its dedicated center speaker allows for the center channel to deliver clear dialogue and more accurate audio reproduction. Its playback of surround sound formats like DTS X and Dolby Atmos is decent, pushing its ability to deliver top-notch digital audio quality. It also comes with a subwoofer, unlike the Vizio SB3820-C6 and the Edifier Prisma E3550BT 2.1 audio system.
Related: If you like this device, you might be interested in our Philips Fidelio SoundAvia AD7000W37 review.
Design
Samsung has a very elegant design language for its products, and this is also evident in the HW-Q70R. Whether it looks better than the Sony HT-ST5000 is still up for debate, but it does sit very well in your living room. The soundbar has good build quality since it features a metal grill that covers both its top and front end, with plastic covering its sides and back. Its wireless subwoofer though is made of wood, and can be placed anywhere in your room since it connects wirelessly to the soundbar. Upon purchasing, you’ll also find one HDMI cable in the box that allows you to connect your TV or PC through the soundbar’s HDMI input. Aside from its TosLink optical digital audio input, the soundbar only has one HDMI output, and it allows your TV to send sound to the soundbar via an HDMI Arc.
Related: Also check out our Sceptre SB301524W Smart Speaker Sound Bar 2 1 With Built-In Subwoofer And Android Platform review.
Value
If you happen to own a QLED Samsung TV, you’ll get to enjoy plug & play connectivity with the Soundbar, allowing for a very seamless setup procedure. This is much easier than the setup for the Korus V600 wireless speaker system. The Samsung HW-Q70R Soundbar also comes with an adaptive sound mode that helps normalize sound levels to make dialogue clear, and a game mode that optimizes audio to provide an immersive experience (only works via HDMI). Its remote control allows you to control most of the audio settings (like which sound mode to use), but if it ever gets lost, you’ll also be able to do the same with your Samsung TV’s on-screen menu, as long as it was released in 2013 or later. If the HW-Q70R seems too expensive for your taste, then the Yamaha YAS-108 may be a worthwhile alternative.
Samsung HW-Q70R Wrap Up
If you’re going to be buying the HW-Q70R for mixed-use, it probably has a surround mode that will fit your use case. Its only downsides are that it has one HDMI input, and that it may be more expensive than what most are willing to dish out for a soundbar. Otherwise, perks such as Dolby digital sound make it possible for the Soundbar to provide an amazing audio experience, and even without a set of external surround speakers, the soundbar delivers exceptional sound quality.
