Ever wish you could find out what the best sound bar would cost without doing a bunch of research? Join me as I take a look at 9 sound bars all with functionalities and specifications to suit every homeowner’s budget. If you’re looking for an awesome home cinema experience, then it’s important to get the right speakers.
Samsung HW – Q700A has been around for a while now, but not much was known about them until recently. There’s always a ton of competition in the audio market so it can be tough to know where to start. Here are two different models that you might want to take a look at to make your decision.
If you’re a movie lover, having a quality theatre sound system would definitely enhance the experience of watching your favourite TV shows. To decide which of these two sound bars is better, take a look at these two aspects…
The Q700A is good if you like sports, but the SP8YA might be more appropriate if you prefer action movies. Today I’ll be telling you about the best speaker technologies and which one’s you should buy if you want to get a powerful sound!
Different Speaker Technologies
There are different types of speakers for different purposes. You have traditional speakers which are usually found in TVs, home theatres and cars. Woofers are typically the type that produce bass sounds since they can help some people.
And we have tweeters, which produce high-pitched sounds. There are also midrange speakers and woofers. Woofers make lower-pitched sound waves.
Next in line are subs. They’re awesome because they deliver extra low frequencies for a fuller sound, but you definitely don’t want to go cheap! There’s also the matter of where to locate your subwoofer—you’ll need plenty of space.
You may also want to invest in an actual sound system. These are speakers that are used with amplifiers and can be plugged into the volume speaker, so you don’t have to turn the volume all up way for your music.
It just wouldn’t be a home theater setup without five speakers and two subwoofers. Surround sound creates a 360 degree audio environment that immerses you in the content you’re viewing.
So, how much do these speakers cost? Let’s look at each of them:
- Woofer – $50-$100
- Tweeter – $30-$70
- Midrange – $40-$80
- Subwoofer – $200+
- Surround Sound – $300+
- Active Speakers – $500+
- Traditional Speakers – $150-$250
From what you’ve read, you’ll see that the most expensive option is the sound system.
LG SP8YA vs Samsung HW-Q700A: Side-by-Side Comparison
General Information
LG SP8YA
The LG SP8YA is the latest 3.1.2 setup from 2021. It’s the follow-up of the LG SN8YG, and it comes with more EQ presets and a 2021 LG TV AI Processor that’s advertised to sync up the bar with speakers from any compatible TV for a more immersive sound. Also it’s AI Room Calibration can automatically adjust audio reproduction to fit the unique acoustic characteristics of the room you’re listening in… The speaker has a strong and deep sound. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X content can be played back without any issues.
The LG SP8YA is a good speaker for general use. When enabled, the room correction feature grants it an extra bass-heavy sound profile that might complement bass-heavy music and action-packed movies. The sound customization is pretty cool and there are loads of Dolby Atmos channels. It does have to downmix content to stereo if it’s a surround sound, which can make it less immersive.
Pros:
- Bass and treble adjustments.
- Gets loud.
- Lots of wireless playback options.
Cons:
- Downmixes surround into stereo.
Samsung HW-Q700A
The Samsung HW-Q700A is a 3.1.2 soundbar from the manufacturer’s 2021 lineup. It supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X content, and it comes with Acoustic Beam virtual surround technology, which can help immerse you in your audio, though we don’t test virtual surround tech in our labs. It works with a Samsung TV, so you can sync audio from your bar and TV.
For example: If the bar is located on the other side of the room, you might want to improve the sound quality for that part of your viewing area. Unlike the HW-Q800A, it doesn’t have built-in Alexa support, so you’ll need an Amazon Echo. The Soundbar is working hard to compete with some of the other notable players in the soundbar space. The LG GX Soundbar, Klipsch Cinema 600 and Sony HT-SF are all among its main competitors.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is a solid option that’s suitable for a range of purposes. It reproduces vocals and lead instruments pretty well, although the bass response struggles to convey thumpy, punchy bass lines – if that’s what you like then you might want to look elsewhere. The LG sound bar supports Dolby Atmos, which is good for people who are into movies. But it downmixes any surround sound content to stereo as that’s the only thing it can play; so it’s not as high-quality of an experience.
Pros:
- Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Apple AirPlay compatibility.
- Graphic EQ and presets.
- Gets loud.
- Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support.
Cons:
- Doesn’t support Chromecast built-in.
- Lacks low-bass.
The Verdict
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the LG SP8YA or the Samsung HW-Q700 A. The LG sounds better but is bulkier. The Samsung has a smaller soundstage and a less customizable EQ.
Design and Style
LG SP8YA
LG’s SP8YA soundbar looks very similar to their SN8YG one. The design is mostly plastic, with metal grilles protecting the front and up-firing speakers.
The Subwoofer is the plastic one here. It’s got coverings on three sides.
This setup doesn’t come with satellites, but you can purchase LG SP8YA rear speakers separately.
Samsung HW-Q700A
Samsung HW-Q700A is a slimmer soundbar with a similar aesthetic to Samsung HW-Q70T. At the front and top, there’s metal grille which is matched by hard plastic on the rest of the bar.
The Samsung HW-Q700A’s front subwoofer is mostly made of wood. There’s a thin fabric that covers the front of the sub.
The Samsung HW-Q700A does not come with any speakers. However, you can buy Dolby Atmos Wireless Rear Speakers separately.
Dimensions Bar and Subwoofer
LG SP8YA
The LG SP8YA soundbar is quite wide, so it might not fit in-between the legs of a 55″ TV. However, it’s not very tall, so it shouldn’t block your TV screen unless your TV sits flush on your table.
- Width: 41.7″ (106.0 cm)
- Height: 2.2″ (5.6 cm)
- Depth: 7″ (12.0 cm)
The sound bar is a prime example of the perfect trade off between size and functionality. It has a small, unobtrusive design but is still able to provide you with serious home theatre sound quality.
- Width: 8.7″ (22.1 cm)
- Height: 4″ (39.0 cm)
- Depth: 12.3″ (31.2 cm)
Samsung HW-Q700A
The Samsung HW-Q700 A soundbar is quite big, so it might not be able to fit between your TV’s legs. But, as long as you don’t put your TV flush with the table, it should work out ok.
- Width: 38.6″ (98.0 cm)
- Height: 2.4″ (6.0 cm)
- Depth: 4.5″ (11.5 cm)
The sub is the size of a desktop computer. It’s wireless, so you can put it anywhere in the room.
- Width: 8.0″ (20.4 cm)
- Height: 13.9″ (35.3 cm)
- Depth: 11.9″ (30.3 cm)
Back Bar and Subwoofer
LG SP8YA
The bar’s back has both an input for the power cables and an opening for inputs. The underside has universal holes that allow you to wall-mount it.
A plastic port is located at the back of sub. An input is also available for the power cable.
Samsung HW-Q700A
There are two holes in the back of the bar for power cables and inputs. There are universal holes on the underside of the bar that can be used to mount it.
The sub’s back is made from wood and has a plastic port. The bottom corner has a pairing button.
Build Quality and in the Box
LG SP8YA
The LG SP8YA soundbar is well-built. This bar is made mostly of plastic and feels sturdy and long-lasting. The drivers are also protected by the metal grilles. Although the sub is made of high-quality plastic, it seems that the fabric covering could easily rip or become dirty.
HDMI Cable Length: N/A
Digital Optical Cable Length 1.5 m (4.9 ft).
- Cable optic
- 2x power cables
- Soundbar adapter
- Mount brackets using screws
- Remote with battery
- Mounting template and manual
Samsung HW-Q700A
The Samsung HWQ700A is a great product. Protecting drivers is made easier by the metal grille that covers the bar’s top and front. The bar’s rest is made from plastic which feels sturdy and long-lasting. Although the sub is made from melamine, the thin fabric at the front could easily rip or become dirty.
HDMI Cable Length: 1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Digital Optical Cable Length – N/A
- Manual
- HDMI cable
- Remote with batteries (2xAA).
- 2x power cables
- Power cable adapter
- Mounting brackets using screws and a template
- 4x rubber foot stickers
Sound
LG SP8YA
The LG SP8YA soundbar offers a wide stereo frequency range. The soundbar also features AI Room Calibration, which automatically optimizes audio reproduction depending on where you are listening. This feature activates a bass-heavy sound profile, which adds extra thump to your audio. It’s perfect for showcasing action-packed movies or listening to bass-heavy music.
The remainder of the range is quite balanced and suitable for dialogue-centric content such as podcasts or TV shows. Our results might be different because room correction depends on the acoustic capabilities of your room. You can also adjust the bass and treble of your room with some EQ presets.
- Tested Present: Standard
- Slope: -0.71
- Err.: 3.30 dB
- Low-Frequency Extension: 29.5 Hz
- High-Frequency Extension: 19.9 kHz
Samsung HW-Q700A
After updating the firmware to version 1008.0, and installing Sub Module S/W Version 56, we tested this soundbar. Comparing to the original tests, the bass at 48Hz has fallen 6dB. The text has been updated accordingly.
The Samsung HW-Q700A’s stereo frequency response is satisfactory. The Samsung HW-Q700A is unable to reproduce the low- to mid-bass thump or punch, which can be frustrating if you love to hear the bass in action-packed movies and music.
The balanced mid-range can still clearly reproduce vocals and other instruments. You can adjust the sound of the instrument to your preference using the graphic EQ, presets and bass and treble controls.
- Tested Present: Standard
- Slope: -0.58
- Err.: 3.43 dB
- Low-Frequency Extension: 31.3 Hz
- High-Frequency Extension: 19.9 kHz
Interface, Bar Controls and Remote
LG SP8YA
Behind the metal grille, the LG SP8YA features a small LCD display screen. It displays the input and volume levels. It also shows you how to adjust a setting.
There are several controls located in the middle of the bar. The controls can be used to power on/off the bar, adjust the volume and play/pause audio as well as set up Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
It is simple to use and allows you to control all of the basic functions of the bar. It is not a universal remote so it cannot be used to control your TV.
Samsung HW-Q700A
The small display is located on the right side, behind the metal grille. It displays the volume and input level. It’s only four characters long so scroll down to see the messages.
The top of the bar houses the touch-sensitive controls. These controls can be used to turn the bar on or off, adjust volume and change the input.
You can use the remote to control the functions of the bar. It is similar in design to the Samsung HWQ70T remote. It can’t be used to control your TV from anywhere, so it cannot be used as a universal remote.
Final Verdict
The LG SP8YA certainly offers a lot of extra features and it’s better in my view. I’d be happy to hear your thoughts and experiences with the product. It wasn’t easy, but hopefully this article will help you find a decent solution for you.
Here are some of the key points that we highlighted earlier:
- Prices for a sound bar range from $100-$500, depending on their size, manufacturer, and of course color.
- The best option is to buy these items from an online retailer where you can find good discounts such as Amazon, eBay, or Walmart.
- Whether it’s because you want to save money or because you are environmentally conscious, people do buy refurbished items. They may be cheaper and still work just as well as newer ones.
- Compare hardware specs before buying to see if your new PC has what you need.
Have any questions about the article and want to ask me anything? Feel free to leave a comment in the “Comments” section below. I’ll try my best to answer your questions.
FAQ for LG SP8YA vs Samsung HW-Q700A
What are the differences between LG SP8YA and Samsung HW-Q700A soundbars?
The key difference between LG SP8YA and Samsung HW-Q700A soundbars is that the LG SP8YA has a wireless subwoofer that can be put anywhere, while the Samsung HW-Q700A does not.
The other key difference is the price. The LG SP8YA costs $359, while the Samsung HW-Q700A costs $459.
Which LG SP8YA or Samsung HW-Q700A the best performance?
With both these sound bars’ ability to produce good sound levels, we really can’t say that one is much better than the other.
How much the LG SP8YA and Samsung HW-Q700A speakers cost?
The LG SP8YA sound bar is priced at $359 on Amazon and Best Buy. The average rating is 4.3 of out 5 from 1,892 reviews. Samsung’s HW-Q700A costs more, depending on whether you want it to be black or white and the size of the speaker(s). A smaller cabinet costs $200 less than a larger one and this is reflected in the price on Amazon. At the moment, the standard black option is $459, while the white model available for purchase at $400.
So, the LG SP8YA costs almost twice as much as the Samsung HW-Q700A. That’s pretty steep! You may be wondering why there are so many different prices on speakers. This is because companies charge different amounts depending on the type of speaker they are and how many extras they offer you in that package. The manufacturer of the HW-Q700A is likely to charge less because they want to make a lot of them. However, keep in mind that the number of units that they’re making might not be very large.
Which soundbar should I buy, LG SP8YA or Samsung HW-Q700A?
Which one: the LG SP8YA or the Samsung HW-Q700A? I personally prefer the LG SP8YA because of its lower price and better noise cancelling technology:
- Sound Quality – For one, the LG SP8YA has a greater range of frequency response than the Samsung HW-Q700A.
- Bass – Both speakers have comparable bass but the LG SP8YA has a bit more bass.
- Power Consumption – The LG SP8YA uses less power than the Samsung HW-Q700A.
- Connectivity – The SP8YA has 4 HDMI ports and the HW-Q700A only has 2.
- Price – The LG SP8YA is $100 cheaper than the Samsung HW-Q700A.
- Size – The Samsung Q700A is bigger than the LG SP8YA, so it will take up more room in your living room.
The LG SP8YA seems like the best option overall. It offers more range in frequencies, it consumes less power, and costs less money. The only downside is that it’s cheaper to buy a wider range of other devices. Note, sound bars might not always be the better choice over a TV because of what you need it for. For example, if you need it for watching movies, even though there are other things to consider when choosing one. In this case, picking the best one is easy.