Compare Samsung HW-B650 Soundbar vs Sonos Beam (Gen 1)

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

Trueplay and room correction are a recurring strength, with reviewers describing automatic or room-tailored tuning that improves or adapts performance, though some note iOS dependence.

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

AirPlay 2 support is repeatedly highlighted and helps the Beam fit Apple households for direct casting and Siri-linked playback.

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

App experience is mixed: some reviewers found the app great for control, while others ran into pairing retries or unclear setup flows.

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

Review coverage consistently points to Dolby Digital or Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo PCM support, with clear limitations around DTS and Atmos on Gen 1.

The included optical adapter helps the Beam work with TVs that lack HDMI ARC, giving it useful compatibility with older sets.

One review specifically lists SBC and AAC codec support.

Multiple reviews note that the Beam does not support Bluetooth, so Bluetooth codec support is effectively absent.

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

Because Bluetooth is not supported, there is no Bluetooth connection path to evaluate, which is a clear limitation versus some rivals.

Reviews consistently note that Bluetooth is unavailable, so there is no Bluetooth range advantage here.

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.

Where reviewers discuss musicality and balance, they describe the Beam as sculpted, balanced, and cohesive rather than disjointed.

Touch controls receive positive feedback and are described as pleasant and responsive to use.

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

The Beam is widely praised for its compact, sleek, stylish appearance and its ability to blend into modern rooms.

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

Reviewers describe the Beam as robust, well-built, and premium-feeling for a compact soundbar.

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

Reviews mention detailed special effects and precise presentation, indicating solid fine-detail retrieval for a bar this small.

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

Dialogue clarity is one of the Beam’s most consistent strengths, with multiple reviews calling speech crisp, clear, or well separated from effects.

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.

High-volume behavior is mostly positive but not perfect: several reviews found little distortion, while one noted distortion at maximum volume.

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

Gen 1 reviews consistently frame Dolby Atmos as absent, so overhead height effects are not a strength here.

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

Reviewers mention scale, dynamics, punch, and convincing impact that exceed expectations for the Beam’s compact size.

One review lists ENERGY STAR certification.

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

The Sonos app offers meaningful tuning options, including bass and treble adjustment plus extra listening modes in multiple reviews.

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

Across TV and music use, reviewers repeatedly describe the Beam as balanced, clear, and tonally well judged, though not especially deep in the lowest bass.

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

Google Assistant support is repeatedly mentioned, giving the Beam flexibility for users who prefer Google’s ecosystem.

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

HDMI ARC is central to the Beam’s design and ease of use, enabling simple TV hookup, synced control behavior, and voice-linked TV commands on compatible sets.

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

A recurring advantage is how easily the Beam can serve as the center of a Sonos TV setup with optional surrounds or a Sub.

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

Reviewers highlight smooth connection to other Sonos speakers for multi-room audio or rear-channel expansion.

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

Reviews describe HDMI ARC as helping sync audio and picture, and app adjustments are available if dialog timing needs correction.

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

The Beam gets impressively loud for its size and is commonly described as enough for small to medium rooms.

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

Low-volume results are mixed but useful: speech and night modes help late-night listening, though some reviewers still think the Beam comes alive more at higher volumes.

The built-in microphone array is a well-covered feature, with several reviews noting far-field pickup and smart-assistant readiness.

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

Where reviewed directly, pairing extra Sonos speakers is described as simple and app-friendly.

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

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

The top-panel touch controls are a consistent convenience for basic playback, volume, and mic mute functions.

One review directly lists optical among the available connections.

The included optical adapter is frequently mentioned as a useful fallback for TVs without HDMI ARC.

Privacy handling centers on the ability to mute or disable the microphones when desired.

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

Remote integration is generally strong, with existing TV remotes working automatically over ARC or being easy to configure in the app.

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

Setup is generally easy on compatible ARC TVs, but several reviews say it becomes more finicky when ARC or first-time pairing goes wrong.

Reviews explicitly say voice assistants are not supported.

Alexa support is a core Beam feature, and reviews treat it as a major differentiator for TV and music control.

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.

Beyond sound, the Beam is repeatedly praised for smart-home and assistant features that make it more than a basic soundbar.

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

One of the stronger audio compliments is a sense of tall presentation despite the compact cabinet.

Spotify support is useful overall, but at least one review reported playlist-finding issues, so the experience is not uniformly flawless.

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

LED indicators clearly communicate operating or microphone status without adding much visual clutter.

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

Reviewers often praise the Beam’s wide image, spatial spread, and left-right steering for a single compact bar.

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.

On its own the Beam delivers some bass, but many reviews note that buyers wanting deeper or more physical low end may want an added Sub.

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

The Beam can sound spacious or surround-like from the front, but reviewers are clear that standalone performance is not the same as true surround.

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

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

For the feature set, size, and sound quality, value sentiment is strongly positive across the review set.

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

Reviews make clear that the single HDMI connection is for TV audio return, not source switching or video passthrough.

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

Assistant response is generally strong, with reviewers noting that the Beam hears and reacts well across a room.

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

Vocal reproduction is described positively both for enhanced speech modes and for music vocals.

Voice pickup is usually good, but one review notes it does not catch every command, so recognition is strong rather than perfect.

The Beam’s smaller, lighter form is repeatedly treated as a practical advantage for placement and everyday living.

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

Wi-Fi-based streaming is portrayed as stable in use, with one review explicitly calling out no dropouts or repeated pairing hassles.

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.

Physical connections are intentionally minimal but useful, typically centered on HDMI, optical via adapter, and sometimes Ethernet.