Samsung's First-Ever Dolby Atmos Soundbar: The HW-K950 Review

The Samsung HW-K950 is undoubtedly one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars on the market, offering an exceptional listening experience for fans of object-based audio. While it may not be the absolute best sounding bar ever made, its performance and features make it a top contender in this category.

One of the key reasons why the HW-K950 stands out is its impressive 7.1 point 4-channel configuration, which includes three drivers each for the left center and right channels, as well as dual wireless satellites for the back surrounds. This setup provides an immersive audio experience that seamlessly integrates all the speakers to create a hemispheric sound field. In addition to these drivers, the HW-K950 also features a wireless subwoofer for low-frequency enhancement and up-firing drivers for further enhanced bass response.

What sets the HW-K950 apart from its competitors is the inclusion of dual side firing drivers, which add even more immersion to the overall audio experience. This feature is particularly noticeable during music playback, where it enhances the sense of space and depth in the soundstage. Furthermore, the HW-K950 supports DTS surround sound decoding, which adds DTS X 3D surround as an additional audio format option.

In terms of connectivity, the HW-K950 offers a range of options to accommodate different types of devices. The included HDMI cable allows for easy connection to your TV via ARC (Audio Return Channel) or optical input. For gaming consoles and Blu-ray players, there are two HDMI inputs available for direct connectivity. Additionally, the soundbar features Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless connections for streaming music from your mobile device.

The HW-K950 also boasts a user-friendly remote control with a comfortable design and intuitive layout. The remote allows users to control various settings, such as volume, subwoofer level, and audio modes. One notable feature is the presence of a smart sound mode that automatically adjusts the audio settings based on the type of content being played.

To take full advantage of the HW-K950's capabilities, users will need to perform some manual setup. There is no auto calibration option available, so you'll need to manually adjust the speaker levels and acoustic settings to optimize the sound for your specific room environment. However, the presence of basic EQ controls and a multi-band EQ setting allows for fine-tuning of the sound to suit individual preferences.

In terms of size and weight, the HW-K950 is a substantial soundbar that will require some space on your TV console or shelf. Measuring around four feet tall and four inches deep, it's clear that this soundbar is designed to provide an immersive audio experience without sacrificing portability. However, mounting it will still require a solid support system to ensure stability.

The HW-K950 is undoubtedly an investment-worthy soundbar, especially considering its premium features and performance capabilities. While it may not be the most affordable option on the market, fans of Dolby Atmos and DTS X surround sound formats will find it well worth the cost. With its impressive 7.1 point 4-channel configuration, immersive side firing drivers, and user-friendly remote control, the HW-K950 is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a high-quality home theater solution without breaking the bank.

With its exceptional performance and features, the Samsung HW-K950 is our top recommendation for Dolby Atmos soundbars. If you're looking to upgrade your home theater setup or simply want to experience the best of object-based audio, this soundbar is an excellent choice. Whether you're a music enthusiast, gamer, or movie buff, the HW-K950 has something to offer – so why not check it out and see for yourself?

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: ensamsung's first-ever dolby atmos sambar the hwk 950 isn't necessarily the best sounding bar it's ever made but it is one of the best dolby atmos sound bars on the market the new hwn 950 is both in fact as far as we're concerned this is the new dolby atmos and DTS x sound bar to beat the m9 50 is a seven point one point four Channel bar and that includes three drivers each for the left center and right channels dual Wireless satellites for the back surrounds a wireless subwoofer for that point one and then for up firing drivers for that point four of the equation unlike the five point one point four channels of the K 950 the N 950 also adds dual side firing drivers for even more immersion another new addition here is support for DTS surround sound decoding which adds DTS X 3d surround as mentioned before along with Dolby Atmos and that's something the K 950 didn't have connecting the bar to your TV is as simple as taking the included HDMI cable plugging it in here to the TV arc HDMI out and then plugging the other end into the arc HDMI port of your TV now if your TV doesn't have arc you should probably get a new TV but if you don't want to do that you can plug in to the optical input here from the TV and that gets you TVs sound there's also two HDMI inputs here and that's for connecting your blu-ray player your streaming box your consoles straight to the bar so you get the best sound that will also pass 4k HDR video at up to 60 frames per second back to your TV other connections include bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless connection for streaming from your mobile device Samsung's a little cradle stick remote here is once again the way to control the system and it's pretty easy to control things like volume or subwoofer level on the fly there's also a smart sound mode that basically automatically adjusts the bar to whatever source you're playing which is really nice tapping the SETI's key allows you to control all the individual channels which is important because there's no auto calibration here so you'll need to control all the channels separately before you get it all tuned in there's also basic EQ here for treble and bass so you can adjust that but if you want to go even deeper there's a multi band EQ which is accessed by holding down the settings key for about five seconds before we get to the performance it's important to know if you couldn't tell already that this is a pretty massive sound bar at around four feet tall and about four inches deep it's gonna take up a lot of space on your TV console and if you're going to mount the bar you're gonna need a pretty solid mount for all twenty pounds of it so something to keep in mind as mentioned the end 950 is the best sounding Samsung soundbar we've heard yet and it's also our new favorite sound bar for Dolby Atmos and DTS x object based sound formats send a full resolution Atmos or surround sound mix of this bar and watch it sing power clarity detail and brilliantly fluid hemispheric sound has passed seamlessly between all the drivers though you may not get the full effect you would from a traditional 7.1 point four speaker setup the addition of those new side firing drivers definitely adds more immersion for an even more engaging sound as the badges on the exterior suggest Samsung appears to have had some help from newly acquired Audio brand Harman Kardon here and music is also pretty impressive especially for a system designed around cinema at 1600 or even $1700 the HW and 950 is definitely an investment and it's far from a budget bar but if you're looking for thrilling Dolby Atmos and DTS X surround sound without having to rearrange the furniture this bar should be at the top of your list if you like what you've seen here please comment in the comment section or give us a thumbs up and you can also check out more videos like this one right here or go to digital Transcom for all kinds of in-depth reviews just like this onesamsung's first-ever dolby atmos sambar the hwk 950 isn't necessarily the best sounding bar it's ever made but it is one of the best dolby atmos sound bars on the market the new hwn 950 is both in fact as far as we're concerned this is the new dolby atmos and DTS x sound bar to beat the m9 50 is a seven point one point four Channel bar and that includes three drivers each for the left center and right channels dual Wireless satellites for the back surrounds a wireless subwoofer for that point one and then for up firing drivers for that point four of the equation unlike the five point one point four channels of the K 950 the N 950 also adds dual side firing drivers for even more immersion another new addition here is support for DTS surround sound decoding which adds DTS X 3d surround as mentioned before along with Dolby Atmos and that's something the K 950 didn't have connecting the bar to your TV is as simple as taking the included HDMI cable plugging it in here to the TV arc HDMI out and then plugging the other end into the arc HDMI port of your TV now if your TV doesn't have arc you should probably get a new TV but if you don't want to do that you can plug in to the optical input here from the TV and that gets you TVs sound there's also two HDMI inputs here and that's for connecting your blu-ray player your streaming box your consoles straight to the bar so you get the best sound that will also pass 4k HDR video at up to 60 frames per second back to your TV other connections include bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless connection for streaming from your mobile device Samsung's a little cradle stick remote here is once again the way to control the system and it's pretty easy to control things like volume or subwoofer level on the fly there's also a smart sound mode that basically automatically adjusts the bar to whatever source you're playing which is really nice tapping the SETI's key allows you to control all the individual channels which is important because there's no auto calibration here so you'll need to control all the channels separately before you get it all tuned in there's also basic EQ here for treble and bass so you can adjust that but if you want to go even deeper there's a multi band EQ which is accessed by holding down the settings key for about five seconds before we get to the performance it's important to know if you couldn't tell already that this is a pretty massive sound bar at around four feet tall and about four inches deep it's gonna take up a lot of space on your TV console and if you're going to mount the bar you're gonna need a pretty solid mount for all twenty pounds of it so something to keep in mind as mentioned the end 950 is the best sounding Samsung soundbar we've heard yet and it's also our new favorite sound bar for Dolby Atmos and DTS x object based sound formats send a full resolution Atmos or surround sound mix of this bar and watch it sing power clarity detail and brilliantly fluid hemispheric sound has passed seamlessly between all the drivers though you may not get the full effect you would from a traditional 7.1 point four speaker setup the addition of those new side firing drivers definitely adds more immersion for an even more engaging sound as the badges on the exterior suggest Samsung appears to have had some help from newly acquired Audio brand Harman Kardon here and music is also pretty impressive especially for a system designed around cinema at 1600 or even $1700 the HW and 950 is definitely an investment and it's far from a budget bar but if you're looking for thrilling Dolby Atmos and DTS X surround sound without having to rearrange the furniture this bar should be at the top of your list if you like what you've seen here please comment in the comment section or give us a thumbs up and you can also check out more videos like this one right here or go to digital Transcom for all kinds of in-depth reviews just like this one\n"