Samsung HW-F550 Bluetooth SoundBar Speaker System Review – Delivering A Euphoric 2.1 Channel Experience

Let us just start off by saying that the Samsung HW-F550 Bluetooth SoundBar speaker system is more than we, and for that matter most consumers, would ever need for their entertainment center. For such a compact 2.1 channel SoundBar system, which weighs less than 20lbs, the HW-F550 surely impresses most individuals by the intensity of SoundBar (and bass) which it creates seemingly unnoticed to the average eyes - not to mention the plethora of features and accessories included with the SoundBar that specifically complements those Samsung Smart TV and 3D capable units. PACKAGING AND EXTERIOR Do not let the plain two-tone (white and blue) Samsung HW-F550 SoundBar box fool you. Although it may look very plain on the exterior, the product housed is anything but ordinary. The 2.1 channel SoundBar system contains two components: a subwoofer box and a front-facing speaker bar. The front-facing speaker bar is composed of a series of micro speakers that provide the big sound while providing a slim design that allows the sound bar to be mounted directly below the television which makes the sound bar go unnoticed in most cases. The subwoofer box contains one subwoofer which provides the room-filling bass, and like the sound bar, the subwoofer box is compact and can be placed in any corner of the room. Other packaging that is also sent along with the SoundBar are the mini stereo jack wires to connect the SoundBar to the television, USB extenders to connect an alternate sound source, power adapter to power both the SoundBar (as well as the subwoofer box), a bracket to mount the SoundBar to the bottom of the television, a remote, as well as an assortment of screws, bushings, and toroidal ferrite core (to prevent RF interference): DESIGN The SoundBar as well as the subwoofer box are also aesthetically pleasing to the eyes, as all components contain black high gloss coating which a common Samsung trademark. The SoundBar contains a brushed matte aluminum grill facing the viewers, which does not provide any glare whatsoever, providing an enjoyable television viewing experience. The subwoofer box adds further aesthetic appeal as the front and sides of the cube contain the high gloss black design while the rear of the subwoofer contains the subwoofer air portal as well as black matte mesh for room-filling sound diffusion. The subwoofer box sits only two inches off the floor and sitting only 15 inches in height. This design allows for the subwoofer to be placed anywhere in a room to be hidden or showcased depending on the consumers preference. MODEL SPECIFICATIONS AND HIGHLIGHTED FEATURES The HW-F550 contains 2 way front speakers in the SoundBar that can produce 80 watts per channel and the subwoofer can produce a further 150 watts. Therefore the entire HW-F550 2.1 channel system can produce 310 watts of total power which is quite impressive for a 2.1 channel system. What is most impressive about the HW-F550 is that both the SoundBar and subwoofer can be wirelessly connected to various Samsung 3D televisions through the ‘SoundShare’ feature. There is no need to utilize wire connections, minimizing the clutter and constant havoc associated with placing wires discreetly throughout the room. Without the use of wires it is also possible to place the subwoofer in any spot of the room while seamlessly providing powerful bass to enhance the SoundBar’s output. The HW-F550 can be further connected to mobile devices via Bluetooth, which provides the streaming of music from mobile or tablet devices with Bluetooth capabilities. By selecting the Bluetooth option on the SoundBar, any device with Bluetooth capabilities can connect to the SoundBar allowing for music selections literally at users’ fingertips. The SoundBar accepts .wav, .mp3, .wma, .aac, .Flac, and .Ogg AV decoding formats, allowing for nearly all types of music files to be played on the SoundBar system. CLOSER LOOK The HW-F550 contains ‘High Definition Sound’ (HD Sound) which provides a full spectrum of sound which provides a greater audio quality compared to standard definition sound. ‘3D Sound Plus’ (used with Samsung 3D televisions) matches the sound of the images on the television to match the 3D depth of the image, providing a true 3D experience in your own home. ‘Anynet+’ allows the one-touch control of all Samsung HDMI connected devices (that are Anynet+ compatible), providing the quick control of all devices connected to your television at your fingertips. ‘Smart On’ and ‘Smart Volume’ are new features (found on only 2013 Samsung televisions) which allow the user to turn on the SoundBar and to control the volume of the SoundBar once initiated from the Samsung television remote. These ultimately minimizing the need for two remotes, allowing ease of functionality of the SoundBar system. The SoundBar contains a fair assortment of inputs and outputs for a wide-range of video and audio uses of which include: - 1 audio input (mini stereo) - 1 optical input - 1 HDMI input - 1 HDMI output - 2.1 Bluetooth Capability (SoundShare) - Wireless Capability - 1 USB Host FINAL WORDS AND CONCLUSION We found the HW-F550 to be more than enough for the average consumer that requires a home audio/theatre system to complement their Samsung television. The 310 watts of total power in a 2.1 channel system is really impressive as most 5.1 channel systems are between 500-1000 watts and the systems are much bulkier than the 2.1 channel systems which essentially disappear in the presence of the television. We found the HW-F550 with HD sound capabilities truly enhances movie experience, providing deep sound through action segments without the distortion as standard definition audio would. We also enjoyed the Bluetooth feature that allowed for the connection of an iPhone and Samsung Galaxy Note 2 to the audio bar, allowing for an ease of streaming music which did not require the connection of a cable. With the Bluetooth feature we was able to move around in the room while having full control over the playlist, a feature which we believe truly sets the HW-F550 apart from the competitors. We should also mention how simple it was to mount the SoundBar below the television and the placement of the subwoofer in the room. It actually took longer to read the user manual (about ten minutes) than to install and setup the SoundBar system. We would expect the HW-F550 2.1 channel system to be a necessity to those individuals who are buying any current model Samsung television. We also thought we would mention for those audiophiles that Samsung has a 2.1 channel system (HW-F750) that comes equipped with a vacuum tube amp, although it will cost you around $799.99. With that said we have to mention one area where we believe the SoundBar system could be improved, specifically in regards to connectivity options - we would have liked to see at least two, if not three HDMI inputs, specifically due to fact that most individuals own at least one personal gaming system as well a Blu-Ray player. Rather than connecting the systems through the television, it would be nice to connect all systems through the audio bar and having the HDMI out connect to the television; we understand it may not be a big deal to most individuals, although we personally like a few HDMI inputs. Other than that little tirade, we have to admit that for the mere price of approximately $359.99, the Samsung HW-F550 Bluetooth SoundBar speaker system is a great buy and will truly enhance your television (movies, music, gaming, functionality, and cable routing) experience, as well as provide you with a mini audio system which is Bluetooth compatible. Overall, for the excellent set of features and low price, the Samsung HW-F550 gets out 'Top Value' award! Check Out Samsung HW-F550 Pricing at Amazon! DISCUSSION FORUM

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Samsung HW-F550 Bluetooth SoundBar Speaker System Review – Delivering A Euphoric 2.1 Channel Experience

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