Sound quality:
Samsung's HW-S801B/ZA has very good overall sound quality - although it has some noticeable sonic quirks, this model reproduces music and dialog very well. In the Standard sound mode with the tone controls set to provide the most even tonal balance the bass has good impact and goes fairly deep, but is a bit prominent and boomy. Midrange is a bit grainy and hazy, and the lower midrange is a bit subdued. Treble is fairly extended, but is a touch subdued, and a bit smeared. Does a decent job of recovering room ambience, but is a bit congested. The two channel sound field extends somewhat above and a bit to the sides of the speaker enclosure and lacks front to back depth. There was no significant difference in sound quality between the HDMI, WiFi, and Bluetooth inputs. The system can provide satisfying volume in a medium sized room.
Sound Modes (Stereo Content)
The various sound modes, voice enhancement, and night mode have a noticeable effect on the sound field and/or tonal balance.
Multichannel
When 5.1 channel program material is played back in the Standard sound mode the sound field may extend somewhat past the sides and well above the soundbar, but still lacks depth. The various sound modes, voice enhancement, and night mode have a noticeable effect on the sound field and/or tonal balance.
Dolby Atmos
When playing Dolby Atmos material the width and height of the sound stage expands and depending on the program material can fill the front end of the room; audio imaging can extend up and above from the front of the room to almost directly overhead, but there was no rear surround effect, and sounds that should have been in the rear come from the front.
Sound Modes
The various sound modes had minimal, if any, effect when Dolby Atmos material is played back, however night mode did have an effect.
TV ease of use: Very good overall. This model can work seamlessly with most TVs - the soundbar's volume and mute functions can be controlled by a HDMI CEC compatible TV's remote when connected via an HDMI cable. If an HDMI connection is not used the soundbar's volume and mute functions can be directly controlled by the IR remotes (the typical remote that comes with a TV) of Samsung and other major brand TVs. The soundbar's own physical remote is easy to use - although the area around the volume and mute buttons is a bit cluttered, all of the major controls are clearly labeled. The soundbar console was not particularly user friendly - the console display consisted of voice announcements and unlabeled patterns of lights that were generally momentary for the input sources and sound modes. The volume display shows if it is being increased or decreased, but does not show the level. Only the mute display was clear and persistent. Although all controls were easy to access one was an unlabeled multi-function button. Use with a Bluetooth connected TV is a bit convoluted - if you turn the soundbar off and on, or switch from the Bluetooth connection to another source and then back again you have to manually re-connect the TV to the Bluetooth input.
Features ease of use: Acceptable overall. The soundbar's physical remote is easy to use - although the area around the volume and mute buttons is a bit cluttered, all of the major controls are clearly labeled. The soundbar console was not particularly user friendly - the console display consisted of voice announcements and unlabeled patterns of lights that were generally momentary for the input sources and sound modes. The volume display shows if it is being increased or decreased, but does not show the level. Only the mute display was clear and persistent. Although all controls were easy to access one was an unlabeled multi-function button. Use with Bluetooth sources is a bit convoluted - if you turn the soundbar off and on, or switch from the Bluetooth source to another source and then back again you have to manually re-connect the Bluetooth source device.
