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The Samsung HW-B650 combines a dedicated center channel with a neutral profile, providing crisp sounds fit for music, TV shows, and casual movie playback. However, it is not the most immersive option for movies because of the narrow surround soundstage.
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Table of Contents
Product Snapshot
Overview
The Samsung HW-B650 is a mid-range 3.1-channel soundbar that was first released by Samsung in 2020, touting realistic 3D sound for movies. With a dedicated center channel, it delivers crisp dialogue.
However, this speaker doesn’t have advanced features like Dolby Atmos and has a narrow surround soundstage, so it is not as good for movies as higher-end 5.1 speakers on our list of the best-ranked speakers.
Out of the box, the HW-B650 has a neutral sound profile, so it’s quite pleasant for music playback. However, despite having a dedicated subwoofer, it doesn’t reproduce deep rumbling low-bass. It has a graphic equalizer, allowing users to fine-tune settings easily, and gets really loud.
Like most Samsung devices in this range, it only streams via Bluetooth but boasts a full range of wired connectivity options, including optical, a shared HDMI ARC+Out, and full HDMI. Read on to learn more about the Samsung HW-B650, and be sure to check out our list of the top-rated soundbars on the market.
Consensus
our Verdict
Product testers love the neutral sound profile and the dedicated center speaker on the Samsung HW-B650, endorsing it for TV dialogue, music, and casual movie watching.
Experts from RTINGS love its dedicated center channel that delivers very clear dialogue, appealing to TV show lovers. Editors from Crutchfield love the remarkably loud output of this system, which makes it a good choice for parties.
However, the speaker doesn’t have doesn’t accurately reproduce low-rumbling bass, although it has a dedicated subwoofer. Users who love movies will also be disappointed that it lacks Dolby Atmos and downmixes surround sound to stereo, so it’s not very immersive during movies.
It also lacks voice assistants and a mobile app. However, music lovers will be delighted by its graphic equalizer, which makes fine-tuning the sound profile a snap. It has an incredible selection of wired connectivity options, allowing users to use it as a bridge between other home theater devices.
However, if you desire a more portable 2.1 soundbar, see our Samsung HW-N450 review today.
ReasonS to Buy
Dedicated center speaker enhances the quality of dialogue in movies and TV shows.
Remarkably neutral sound profile is great for music and TV shows
Graphic equalizer for fine-tuning audio settings
Gets loud enough to entertain small gatherings
Dialogue enhancement tool is good for TV shows
Reason to Avoid
Mediocre extended low bass will disappoint movie and music lovers
Doesn’t stream via Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay, or Chromecast
Doesn’t support voice assistants and lacks a mobile app
Doesn’t support Dolby Atmos
Has a poor surround soundstage
Samsung HW-B650 Specs
Bluetooth Enabled
Yes
Depth
2.95"
Dialogue Enhancement Feature
Yes
Energy Star Certified
Yes
HDMI ARC
Yes
Height
2.32"
Number of Audio Channels
3.1
Subwoofer
Included
Surround Sound Supported
Dolby, DTS, DTS Virtual:X, Surround Sound
Voice Assistant
No
Wall Mountable
Yes
Weight
18.0 lbs
Width
33.78"
Wireless Connectivity
Bluetooth
Wireless Subwoofer Connectivity
Yes
Works With
Bluetooth, Remote Control
All Specs
Test Results
These are the most important criteria to test for Soundbars based on our comprehensive Testing Methodology.
Low End Roll Off (Hz)
54.17
High End Roll Off (Hz)
3,780.675
Max Volume Test (db)
93.5
Latency (ms)
93
THD @ 80dB
0.71
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The Samsung HW-B650 is a mid-range 3.1-channel soundbar that was first released by Samsung in 2020, touting realistic 3D sound for movies. With a dedicated…
The Samsung HW-B650 is a mid-range 3.1-channel soundbar that was first released by Samsung in 2020, touting realistic 3D sound for movies. With a dedicated center channel, it delivers crisp dialogue.
However, this speaker doesn’t have advanced features like Dolby Atmos and has a narrow surround soundstage, so it is not as good for movies as higher-end 5.1 speakers on our list of the best-ranked speakers.
Out of the box, the HW-B650 has a neutral sound profile, so it’s quite pleasant for music playback. However, despite having a dedicated subwoofer, it doesn’t reproduce deep rumbling low-bass. It has a graphic equalizer, allowing users to fine-tune settings easily, and gets really loud.
Like most Samsung devices in this range, it only streams via Bluetooth but boasts a full range of wired connectivity options, including optical, a shared HDMI ARC+Out, and full HDMI. Read on to learn more about the Samsung HW-B650, and be sure to check out our list of the top-rated soundbars on the market.
While the Samsung HW-B550 is a 2.1-channel speaker, the Samsung HW-B650 is a 3.1-channel model with a dedicated center channel, producing clearer dialogue than the…
While the Samsung HW-B550 is a 2.1-channel speaker, the Samsung HW-B650 is a 3.1-channel model with a dedicated center channel, producing clearer dialogue than the Samsung HW-B550. Otherwise, the two speakers have similar ports and a near-identical neutral sound profile. Learn more about the 2.1-channel speaker in our Samsung HW-B550 review.
Supporting Dolby Atmos content, the Sony HT-G700 is more immersive for movies than the Samsung HW-B650, which isn’t compatible with this format. However, the Samsung…
Supporting Dolby Atmos content, the Sony HT-G700 is more immersive for movies than the Samsung HW-B650, which isn’t compatible with this format. However, the Samsung device has a better out-of-the-box sound profile than the Sony system.
Producing deeper extended low bass, the Klipsch Cinema 800 is better for music and music than the Samsung HW-B650. Unlike the Samsung device, it supports…
Producing deeper extended low bass, the Klipsch Cinema 800 is better for music and music than the Samsung HW-B650. Unlike the Samsung device, it supports Dolby Atmos and has a wider surround soundstage.
