Sound quality:
Samsung's HW-S60B/ZA has Good overall sound quality - this model reproduces music and dialog reasonably well despite the obvious shortcomings in its sound. 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, and the deepest bass is lacking. Midrange is fairly even, somewhat grainy, and a bit hazy and plasticky. Treble is fairly extended, but is a bit subdued, smeared and sizzly. Does a decent job of recovering room ambience, but is somewhat 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, optical, WiFi, and Bluetooth inputs.
The system can provide satisfying volume in a medium sized room.
Sound Modes (Stereo)
The various sound modes have a noticeable effect on the sound field and/or tonal balance, and/or volume level.
Multichannel
When 5.1 channel program material is played back in the Standard sound mode the sound field may extend well past the sides and well above the sound bar, but still lacks depth.
Sound Modes
The various sound modes have a noticeable effect on the sound field and/or tonal balance and/or volume level when multichannel material is played back.
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 depending on the program material, but there was no rear surround effect, and sounds that should have been in the rear come from the front.
Sound Modes
Depending on the sound mode, the various sound modes had a minimal to a very noticeable effect on the sound field and/or tonal balance and/or volume level when Dolby Atmos material is played back.
Tech Note: Although this model and the Samsung HW-S61B have the same physical appearance (except for color) and earned the same sound quality score, they do not sound the same.
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 and all were hard to see due to poor contrast. 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, and all were hard to see due to poor contrast. 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.
