Compare Samsung HW-B650 Soundbar vs Ultimea Nova S50 Soundbar

Room calibration evidence was mixed: one review called out the lack of room correction, while another praised AI Sonic-Adaptation.

One reviewer liked that the passive subwoofer did not need its own power supply, calling the setup neat.

Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS Virtual:X support helped create cinematic sound, but the lack of Atmos and surround downmixing limited the format story.

Audio format support is limited in practice: the S50 can decode Atmos, but a reviewer said it cannot really output it with only two front speakers and a subwoofer.

One review found Bluetooth streaming fast, stable, and free of dropouts for common apps.

Bluetooth was described as quick through Bluetooth 5.3, with no reviewer reporting instability.

The subwoofer cabinet construction received positive evidence because the wooden cabinet was linked to warmer, deeper bass tone.

The system was described as balanced and cohesive, with components complementing each other well.

Presentation is mixed: one review found some TV scenes balanced, while another warned that excessive bass can overtake the sound and reduce clarity.

The remote/control buttons drew praise for being tactile, even though broader control behavior was not uniformly perfect.

Design feedback was favorable, emphasizing a compact, sleek, premium-looking bar that fits neatly under TVs.

Design opinions are mixed: reviewers liked the tiny, slim, setup-friendly form, but one review said the bar itself looked cheap.

Build quality was praised for sturdy construction, metal grilles, and a finish that felt premium for the price.

Build quality receives a low mark from the most detailed written review, which describes the soundbar as visibly cheap.

One detailed movie test praised the soundbar for keeping tiny effects audible and clear.

Detail retrieval is uneven, with one review saying treble nuance was lost while another heard very good definition in Atmos test material.

Dialogue clarity was the strongest point across reviews, with the dedicated center channel repeatedly making speech crisp, clear, and easy to follow.

Dialogue clarity varies by content: some reviewers heard clear centered speech, while the written review found some dialogue hazy or clipped.

High-volume performance was mixed: one review heard tinny or crackly treble, while others said it stayed clean without distortion.

Distortion performance is split: Tom's Guide heard bass peak at medium volumes, while video reviewers found it stayed clean at high volume.

Reviews agreed that true Dolby Atmos is missing; DTS Virtual:X can help, but it does not fully replace real height-channel performance.

Atmos height performance is the biggest caveat: reviewers found the effect virtual or misleading rather than true height-channel Atmos.

Dynamic handling was positive, with reviews noting less need to adjust volume between quiet and loud moments.

High-volume headroom impressed one reviewer, who said the bar still delivered its best at high volumes.

EQ and sound-mode customization helped improve playback, but several reviews said manual control was limited.

EQ customization is useful but inconsistent: reviewers liked having modes and bass adjustment, yet Music mode and bass-heavy presets drew criticism.

Most reviews described balanced mids, neutral sound, or good music playback, though some modes could sound tinny and low bass was not always deep.

Frequency balance is a recurring weakness, with pinched treble and excess bass or midbass depending on mode and bass setting.

HDMI ARC/eARC was praised for letting the TV remote control volume and for clean, synced daily use.

HDMI ARC/eARC works well in use, with reviewers praising auto power behavior and TV remote volume control.

Reviewers framed it as a strong home-theater upgrade over TV speakers, with useful connectivity and rear-speaker expansion potential.

As a TV-speaker upgrade, it performs well for casual viewing, but reviewers do not treat it as a serious movie-lover soundbar.

Optional rear speaker compatibility was viewed as useful upgrade potential, including a path toward a fuller surround setup.

Inter-speaker connectivity is a compromise: the wired subwoofer works, but reviewers disliked the non-wireless setup and tangly cable.

Reviewers generally found the soundbar loud and powerful for small or medium spaces, but one review warned it may lack power and depth in larger rooms.

Loudness is a consistent strength, with reviewers repeatedly surprised by how powerful and loud the small system can get.

Low-volume and night listening received positive evidence through audible quiet effects and a night mode that keeps movies usable.

Low-volume performance is weak in the written review, where high frequencies still pinched even at low levels.

Bluetooth multi-connection was valued for easier switching between devices and phones.

One review specifically praised DTS Virtual:X for a 360-degree-like sound effect.

On-device controls were considered basic but useful and cleanly implemented.

On-device controls were described positively as discreetly placed on the side of the soundbar.

One owner recommended the wired optical connection as the best connectivity option for their setup.

Optical input sounded similar to HDMI ARC to one reviewer, though ARC kept the advantage for TV remote volume control.

Remote feedback was mostly positive for comfort, responsiveness, and ease of use, with some caveats about limitations or the slim remote being easy to lose.

Remote usability is mixed-positive: one reviewer loved the remote, while another noted the play/pause button did not work for TV playback.

Setup was consistently described as quick, easy, and straightforward across HDMI, optical, and Bluetooth use.

Setup simplicity is one of the clearest strengths, with reviewers describing setup as easy, fast, and nearly plug-and-play.

Smart assistant integration was a weakness because reviewers noted the lack of voice assistant support.

Smart features were limited overall, but adaptive sound and phone/app control were useful where available.

Virtual height effects were present and sometimes convincing, but they remained simulated rather than true Atmos height.

Soundstage height is limited because the soundbar lacks true height-channel capability, even if virtual effects can be spacious.

The front display/status indicator was considered simple but handy for seeing the selected input or mode.

Status indicators are useful because the front LEDs can be turned off to avoid distraction.

One review praised the separation of vocals and instruments during music playback.

The subwoofer was widely praised for punch, rumble, and movie impact, while a few reviews noted limited deep low-bass or large-room power.

Subwoofer performance is mixed: it can deliver surprising bass and depth, but it can also become too much, peak, or hurt clarity.

DTS Virtual:X and surround modes often created an immersive effect, but reviewers also noted that it is simulated and less reliable than true surround systems.

Surround simulation is stronger than expected for a tiny 2.1 system, with reviewers hearing immersive movement and voices around them.

Sustainability evidence was limited to one unboxing impression that the packaging looked eco-friendly.

One month-long user review reported intermittent TV disconnection, even though the soundbar otherwise worked well.

Value was a major strength, with reviewers repeatedly calling it impressive, affordable, or worth the money for the performance.

Value for money is the strongest point, with reviewers repeatedly calling the S50 cheap, hard to beat, or astounding value.

Video passthrough was a weakness because one review noted the HDMI input does not support 4K passthrough.

Vocal clarity was repeatedly praised, especially with the center channel making voices more focused and easy to hear.

Voice clarity is a weakness in tougher scenes, with reports of clipped speech and muffled voices when bass dominates.

Weight and footprint are advantages, with reviewers praising the tiny, lightweight form and easy placement.

Wired connectivity was a strength, with reviews praising the broad and versatile port selection.