Compare Samsung HW-B650 Soundbar vs Zvox AccuVoice AV855

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

The AV855 cannot pair with additional speakers, limiting expansion into a larger multi-speaker system.

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.

Support for immersive formats is limited because the bar lacks Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.

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

It works for everyday TV viewing, but its limited bass, music performance, and spatial impact keep it from delivering a true home-theater experience.

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

The upward-firing drivers add only a modest sense of height, falling short of the reviewer’s expectations.

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

Tonal balance is the clearest sound-quality weakness: several listeners call it boxy or tinny, especially at stronger voice-enhancement settings. A few owners found the midrange clear and adjustable enough to tame harsh voices.

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

It does not support Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, so height effects are much less convincing than on a true Atmos soundbar.

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

The controls are easy to learn through the remote, but there are no physical controls on the soundbar itself.

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.

The surround modes add some width and fullness, but they are not a substitute for a true theater system. Higher surround settings can also reduce the voice clarity that makes this soundbar special.

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

HDMI ARC usually makes power and volume control simple through the TV remote. Compatibility is inconsistent, however, with some owners reporting failed control, port requirements, or needing HDMI instead of optical.

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

Low-volume speech is excellent: many owners lowered their usual TV volume substantially while understanding more dialogue.

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

One experienced owner described the presentation as surprisingly big, wide, and deep for such a compact bar.

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

The built-in subwoofers impressed two owners with how much sound they produce from a small enclosure.

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

The hidden front display is a welcome touch because it clearly shows volume and setting changes.

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

Its many AccuVoice, surround, bass, and treble adjustments let listeners tailor speech to their hearing needs. Finding the ideal combination can take experimentation, and one critic found the many boost levels ineffective.

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

Build quality is a standout, with a durable metal enclosure and a premium, solid feel.

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

One Samsung owner found the optical connection unexpectedly useful because it still allowed TV-remote control after HDMI control failed.

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.

The included remote is generally praised for its readable layout, solid feel, and centralized controls. TV-remote pairing is usually easy, but a few owners needed help or could only make it work through HDMI.

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

TV connection experiences vary widely: many owners report seamless power, remote, and ARC behavior, while others encountered error codes, app dropouts, sound cutting out, or incompatibility with specific TVs and services.

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

Most buyers found setup quick and straightforward, often with a single cable. A smaller group encountered missing instructions, ambiguous guidance, error codes, or lengthy TV and streaming troubleshooting.

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.

It can play loudly enough for across-room listening, but its biggest strength is making voices clear without pushing the volume. One dissatisfied owner found that extra loudness did not translate into better clarity.

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

Most owners consider it worth the price when clearer speech is the priority. Buyers focused on general sound quality may find cheaper or better-rounded alternatives more appealing.

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

Voices are consistently pulled forward and made more distinct, with many hearing-impaired owners reporting a major improvement. A small minority found voice enhancement ineffective or still struggled with certain speakers.

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

Dialogue clarity is the AV855’s defining strength, often reducing or eliminating the need for captions. Most owners hear speech far more easily, though a few report only modest gains, dropouts, or louder voices without added clarity.

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

The bar offers a useful assortment of wired connections, including HDMI, optical, analog, and USB options.

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

The design is clean, streamlined, and low-profile, though the expert assessment calls it more utilitarian than stylish.

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

Output leveling is highly effective at controlling loud commercials, music bursts, explosions, and large volume swings.

The soundbar excels at separating voices from music, effects, and other background clutter, helping speech stay intelligible without overpowering volume.

Bass feedback is mixed: some owners are amazed by the built-in low end, while one expert hears useful rumble and another finds it thin and lacking impact.

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

Bluetooth is not available, which limits wireless playback from phones and other devices.

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.

Support experiences are inconsistent, ranging from fast, helpful replies to slow email-only service and curt or unhelpful assistance.

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

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

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

One owner says the included HDMI cable is below the recommended standard for maximum performance and should be replaced.

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

Music performance divides opinion. One longtime ZVOX user praises it, another calls it adequate, while an expert found songs thin, hollow, and lacking weight.

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

Most buyers are highly satisfied because the product solves a specific, frustrating problem: understanding TV dialogue. Negative experiences cluster around compatibility failures, dropouts, and buyers who expected broader cinematic sound.

Overall sound is often described as clear, strong, and much better than TV speakers, especially for speech. The main tradeoff is a boxy or tinny character and limited fullness for music and movies.

Packaging reports are split: one unit arrived very well packed, while another costly unit arrived in a mostly open, gaping outer box.

One owner could not keep the soundbar shut off when switching to other audio outputs, indicating unreliable power behavior with that TV.

Reliability is the most serious recurring concern. Several owners report intermittent connections, sound cutouts, streaming failures, unexpected power behavior, or a defective first unit.

Its low height and compact footprint make it easy to place under a TV or use where space is limited.

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.

The upward-firing speakers are a welcome addition, but the resulting elevation effect remains limited without full immersive-format support.

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

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

The soundbar lacks a dedicated way to hang it from a wall-mounted television, forcing one owner to improvise.

One owner reported severe dropouts across streaming platforms and said the system could not maintain a stable streaming-audio connection.