Compare Ultimea Nova S50 Soundbar vs Samsung HW-B650 Soundbar

Evidence is contradictory: one review says the bar lacks room correction, while another describes AI Sonic-Adaptation that adjusts output to room acoustics.

One review explicitly says the HW-B650 does not stream via Apple AirPlay.

Reviews disagree on app support: one says the bar lacks a mobile app, while another says phone-based SmartThings control is available.

Reviews agree the Nova S50 handles Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital signals properly for a budget bar, but several reviewers stress that it delivers virtual rather than true Atmos because the 2.1 layout lacks real height drivers.

Multiple reviews say it supports Dolby Digital or Dolby Audio 5.1 alongside DTS Virtual:X, but not Dolby Atmos.

One review specifically lists SBC and AAC codec support.

Bluetooth performance is described as stable for everyday streaming, with no lag or dropouts in one hands-on review.

Build notes mention protective metal grilles on the soundbar and a wooden subwoofer cabinet instead of plastic.

One review explicitly says Chromecast streaming is not supported.

At its best, the Nova S50 stays surprisingly composed for such a tiny soundbar, but the overall presentation can fall apart on more demanding material when bass blooms or treble turns sharp.

The ultra-slim, very compact footprint is one of the product's biggest advantages and makes it easy to place under smaller TVs. Some reviewers still felt the plastics and finish looked cheap up close.

Across reviews, the design is described as simple, elegant, sleek, and easy to blend under a TV.

Reviews consistently describe solid construction, including mesh or metal grilles, sturdy build, and durable materials.

Fine ambient cues and basic definition are acceptable for casual TV use, but treble nuance and low-level texture are limited, especially with music and complex movie mixes.

One review says very small effects like bottle caps, zips, and waves remained audible and clear.

Dialogue is generally clearer than TV speakers and can sound nicely centered, but clarity is inconsistent. Some reviews heard haziness, clipping, or dialogue getting masked by effects and bassier passages.

This is one of the most consistently praised traits; multiple reviews say the center channel keeps dialogue easy to follow, crisp, and clear.

This is mixed across sources. Some reviewers reported clipping, crackle, and pinched treble even around medium levels, while others found the bar unexpectedly clean and controlled near maximum volume.

Evidence is mixed: one review warns of tinny or crackly sound at high volume, while others say it stays clean and distortion-free when pushed.

One review explicitly says Dolby Atmos is not supported, so height-channel playback is absent rather than rendered natively.

Nearly every reviewer was surprised by how much output the Nova S50 can produce for its size. It has enough headroom for small and medium rooms, though hard-hitting content exposes its limits.

One review says it handled loud and quiet passages well enough that volume changes were unnecessary during movies.

One review lists ENERGY STAR certification.

The three sound presets and bass adjustment add useful flexibility, but the tuning is uneven. Most reviewers preferred Movie mode, while Music and sometimes Game mode were described as much less convincing.

Reviews mention tone control, bass and treble adjustment, and a graphic EQ for tuning the sound.

Frequency balance is the core weakness. Bass can sound bloated or crackly, treble can turn thin or pinched, and the bar usually sounds most tolerable only after conservative bass settings and the right preset.

Reviews describe a neutral or balanced tonal character, especially in the mids, though playback mode affects the result.

One review explicitly says the HDMI input does not support 4K passthrough, which limits console passthrough use.

eARC and ARC are consistently praised. They make setup easy, allow TV-linked power and volume control, and are one of the strongest convenience features on this model.

Several reviews confirm HDMI ARC or eARC support for TV hookup and shared volume control.

The Nova S50 fits neatly into cramped living rooms, bedrooms, and apartment setups, and it clearly upgrades TV sound. Buyers building a more serious cinema system will still outgrow it quickly.

Reviews position it as an easy TV-audio upgrade, with speaker expansion options and compatibility across common home-theater setups.

The passive wired subwoofer is simple to connect and avoids wireless syncing headaches, but the cable limits placement freedom and can make the setup feel less tidy.

Reviews describe automatic subwoofer connection and straightforward expansion with extra speakers.

One review specifically highlights auto AV sync to keep sound matched to on-screen action.

Loudness is a standout strength. Reviewers repeatedly said the Nova S50 plays much louder than its tiny size suggests and can fill a small or medium room more easily than expected.

Multiple reviews say it gets loud enough for movies and gatherings, with room-filling output for its class.

Low-volume listening is not flawless. One full review specifically noted pinched treble even at low levels, suggesting the bar can sound edgy before volume is pushed.

Night mode is described as making late-night viewing easier by pulling down loud sounds and lifting quieter ones.

Optional rears and the included subwoofer are described as pairing wirelessly and automatically without much hassle.

Multiple reviews mention Bluetooth multi-connection or pairing with two phones for easy device switching.

The bar includes usable side-mounted controls, which help for quick adjustments. Still, most reviewers interacted with it primarily through the remote rather than the buttons on the unit.

One review notes basic onboard controls for power, volume, and source selection.

Optical input is included and meaningfully broadens compatibility with older TVs and sources. Reviews did not report a clear sound-quality advantage over HDMI, but the connection itself is a useful fallback.

One review directly lists optical among the available connections.

Remote usability is better than expected for the price, with tactile or ergonomic buttons and straightforward source switching. The only notable complaint was that one reviewer found the play and pause behavior confusing or nonfunctional.

The remote is generally described as intuitive, comfortable, and more substantial than expected.

Setup simplicity is a clear strength. Multiple reviewers said the system took only a minute or two to connect and start using, especially over HDMI eARC or ARC.

Reviews describe setup as very easy, including quick TV hookup and near-instant installation.

Reviews explicitly say voice assistants are not supported.

Smart functionality is minimal. Beyond Bluetooth, basic EQ modes, and simple status controls, the reviews describe no app ecosystem, no Wi-Fi platform, and no advanced voice or streaming features.

Evidence is mixed: some reviews mention Adaptive Sound Lite and room-aware processing, while others say the bar lacks broader smart features like voice assistants and a mobile app.

Virtual height effects exceed expectations for the price, and some content produces a convincing sense of sound lifting and moving around the room. Even so, reviewers repeatedly note that this is not true height-channel Atmos.

Virtual height is described through DTS Virtual:X and around-and-above effects, but it remains simulated rather than true Atmos height.

The front LEDs clearly show source, volume, and mute status and can be useful in everyday use. They are not perfect, though, because brightness and the auto-mute behavior can be mildly annoying.

Reviews mention a display or LED readout that shows mode, input, or volume information.

Stereo placement is better than expected for a tiny 2.1 system, with some convincing left-right motion and centered vocals or dialogue. It still cannot match the precision of larger multi-speaker soundbars.

Imaging is described as wider than basic 2.1 bars, with some effects and voices appearing placed beyond the bar itself.

The included passive subwoofer adds real punch and helps the Nova S50 sound bigger than it looks. Its tuning is not especially tight, however, and several reviewers said bass can become too heavy, boomy, or crackly.

The subwoofer is a major selling point, with repeated praise for punch, depth, and room-filling low end, though one review says the deepest rumble is still limited.

Virtual surround is one of the Nova S50's most impressive traits for the money. Several reviewers found the effect surprisingly immersive, though it remains a simulation rather than genuine multi-channel surround.

DTS Virtual:X and surround modes are repeatedly described as immersive, though one review says the 360-degree effect can be inconsistent.

One review says the packaging looks eco-friendly and likely recyclable.

Value is the strongest consensus positive. Across reviews, the Nova S50 is repeatedly framed as an unusually cheap, worthwhile upgrade over TV speakers, especially for buyers who prioritize size and price first.

Several reviews frame the HW-B650 as strong budget value, especially for buyers upgrading from TV speakers.

One review explicitly says the HDMI input does not support 4K passthrough.

Reviews say voice assistants are not supported, so assistant responsiveness is effectively absent.

Voices and vocals are serviceable for casual use, but not refined. Higher voices and sibilants can sound thin, harsh, or slightly muffled depending on the content and EQ mode.

Voices and vocals are repeatedly described as crisp, clear, and better separated thanks to the center channel.

Its very small, lightweight build makes it easy to place on tight stands, fit into bedrooms, and move around compact setups. Convenience of size is one of the product's biggest advantages.

Reviews explicitly say the bar does not stream over Wi-Fi.

Wired connectivity is generous for such a cheap soundbar. Reviewers repeatedly highlighted HDMI eARC or ARC, optical, AUX, USB, and the subwoofer connection as practical strengths.

Reviews consistently list a healthy set of wired inputs, including HDMI ARC, optical, USB, and in some cases additional HDMI, RCA, or Ethernet mentions. When reviewers discuss connection quality, they recommend wired hookup, especially HDMI, for the best sound and reliability.