Compare Sony HT-S100F 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 HT-S100F handles basic TV audio well but has limited format ambition, with explicit mention of missing DTS and no Atmos-grade presentation.

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

Its HDMI ARC and optical options make it easy to pair with a wide range of TVs, including older sets that lack ARC.

One review specifically lists SBC and AAC codec support.

Bluetooth was repeatedly described as stable and trouble-free for phone streaming, with no notable dropouts in normal use.

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

One review found Bluetooth playback still audible from roughly 20 to 30 feet away and even from upstairs, indicating solid range for casual home use. Range impressions were positive, with music remaining usable from farther across the home rather than only at close distance.

The cabinet is described as mostly plastic with mesh grille elements, but reviewers still found it sturdy, solid enough, and nicely finished for the price.

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.

The overall presentation is usually described as clean, balanced, and more layered than TV speakers, even if it is not especially cinematic.

The top touch controls work, but one detailed review found them inconsistent enough that the remote became the preferred way to operate the bar.

The slim black design is widely liked for blending into TV setups, looking neat under screens, and offering flexible placement or wall mounting.

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

Build quality is considered good for the class: mainly plastic, yet generally sturdy, well-finished, and more premium-feeling than the price suggests.

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

Reviewers noted clear small details such as metallic effects, instrument separation, and cleaner sound cues than built-in TV speakers provide.

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

Dialogue is one of this bar's strongest traits, with voice-focused modes and naturally crisp speech making TV and dialogue-heavy content easier to follow.

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

It stays composed better than expected at higher volume, though some tinniness can appear and it never sounds as refined as pricier setups.

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.

Multiple reviews explicitly note the lack of Dolby Atmos or true height presentation, so this is not a bar for overhead effects.

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

For a compact 2.0 bar, it has respectable punch and can fill a small to average room without falling apart.

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

One review lists ENERGY STAR certification.

There are useful preset modes like Auto, Voice, Music, Cinema, Standard, and Night, but no deep manual EQ or separate bass/treble adjustment.

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

The sound signature is generally balanced and clear, with strong upper-mid intelligibility, but bass depth is limited and occasional tinniness shows through.

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

Because it has no HDMI input passthrough, it is not suited to gaming passthrough use cases.

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

There is no evidence of HDMI 2.1 gaming support, and reviews specifically frame connectivity as basic ARC-only TV hookup rather than advanced passthrough.

HDMI ARC is the preferred connection path in the reviews because it is simple, supports TV remote control, and usually works reliably after setup.

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

It works well as a basic TV-speaker upgrade, but reviewers consistently say it is not a serious home-theater centerpiece for cinephiles.

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

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.

This small soundbar gets louder than many expected and can fill smaller rooms, but it is not a party bar or a powerhouse for huge spaces.

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

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.

Sound remains front-focused rather than room-enveloping, so it does not create a truly all-around presentation.

The soundbar includes on-device touch controls, but usability is only fair because the on-bar inputs are less convenient than the remote.

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

Optical input support is a practical backup for TVs without ARC, though reviewers generally prefer HDMI ARC for better convenience and control.

One review directly lists optical among the available connections.

The included remote is consistently praised for being simple, well laid out, and easy to use, with solid buttons and helpful direct mode access.

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

Setup is one of the clearest strengths: most reviewers describe installation as quick, beginner-friendly, and little more than plugging in power plus one cable. Across reviews, setup is repeatedly described as fast and uncomplicated, especially when using HDMI ARC.

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

Smart assistant support is effectively absent here, with reviews explicitly noting no smart-home integration or assistant ecosystem features.

Reviews explicitly say voice assistants are not supported.

Feature set is intentionally basic: useful sound modes and Bluetooth are present, but there are few advanced or smart-platform extras.

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.

Height is the weakest dimension of the stage, with reviewers describing the sound as limited compared with Atmos-capable or multi-channel bars.

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

Basic indicator feedback exists through LEDs and status lights, but the interface is simple rather than especially informative.

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

Stereo separation is decent for a compact 2.0 bar, especially with music and effects, but the image narrows off-axis and cannot match wider multi-speaker systems.

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

Bass is the main compromise: there is no dedicated subwoofer and no external sub connection, so low-end impact is limited even if bass reflex tuning adds some punch.

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.

Sony's virtual surround processing adds some width and immersion, but reviews consistently stop short of calling it a real surround replacement.

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 a standout strength, with repeated praise for how much clearer and more enjoyable it is than TV speakers at around the entry-level price tier.

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

There is no real video passthrough story here because the bar is treated as a basic ARC/optical audio endpoint rather than an HDMI switching hub.

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 come through cleanly and crisply, which makes speech-heavy viewing more enjoyable and easier to understand.

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

Its slim, compact footprint is frequently praised for fitting easily under TVs or in small rooms without taking over the setup.

Wi-Fi streaming features are effectively missing, with reviewers explicitly noting no Wi-Fi music or multi-room capability.

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

Connectivity is basic but useful, with recurring mention of HDMI ARC, optical, USB, and Bluetooth as the main ways to use the bar. Input quality is best over HDMI ARC, while optical remains serviceable but is treated as the lesser connection path when both are available.

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.