Samsung HW-QS700F soundbar assessment: Subtle design, automated changes
It’s good to see Samsung provide one thing new for 2025. For the previous couple of years, the corporate has been updating present designs for , particularly its most premium soundbar, . I used to be pleasantly shocked to see one thing totally new when the corporate () at CES. This mannequin doesn’t have the immersive sound that its costlier sibling presents, however there are a number of helpful options, together with the power to adapt to whichever manner you place it.
For all of its would possibly, the QS700F solely beams Dolby Atmos in a 3.1.2-channel speaker configuration. Eight whole drivers present the sound right here, considerably lower than what blasts the 11.1.4-channel sound on the all-in-one Q990F. However the QS700F prices half as a lot, and for individuals who dwell in smaller areas or have smaller dwelling rooms, this extra reasonably priced, adaptable mannequin will serve you simply fantastic.
Samsung
The QS700F is an all-new mannequin in a sea of modest annual refreshes for Samsung soundbars. It isn’t excellent, however the mixture of design and options provide a compelling various to pricier choices.
- Computerized orientation adjustment
- Crisp and balanced sound
- Refined design
- Simple setup
- 3.1.2-channel audio constrains film sound
- Room calibration and different main options solely work with Samsung TVs
Design
With the QS700F, Samsung nixed the additional angles from the Q990F since there are not any side-firing drivers right here. This provides the soundbar a simplified, brick-like rectangular form that’s much less of a distraction in entrance of your TV. The QS700F can be shorter when laid horizontally on a desk or mantle, which suggests it doesn’t block your TV.
Across the sides and again, Samsung opted to make use of a inflexible, circularly perforated speaker grille that wraps all the floor. Up high, there’s a extra refined, horizontal cowl that offers the soundbar a extra subtle look. It additionally implies that you’ll be getting the speaker’s best-looking aspect once you flip and rotate it to mount it on a wall. Whereas the included wi-fi subwoofer received’t win any design awards, it’s a compact unit at slightly below 10 inches sq..
To maintain the look clear, Samsung put its brand on the aspect quite than on the entrance. It additionally saved the onboard controls easy, which is essential since they’re prominently displayed if the soundbar is wall mounted. The buttons are fundamental icons for supply, quantity and energy, coloured so that they mix in properly even once they’re in plain sight. Round again, you’ll discover the wired connections: an HDMI enter (eARC), one HDMI output and an optical port.
Like most soundbars, the QS700F options some LEDs on the entrance as a visible cue once you’re adjusting quantity or making different tweaks. Nevertheless, once you increase or decrease the amount, there’s a mini mild present that’s obnoxious. A single blinking LED for every time you press a button would suffice. There’s additionally an LED that blinks when the soundbar is muted, which I additionally suppose is a step an excessive amount of. You would possibly suppose you may keep away from seeing these when you use the soundbar in its different orientation, however I remorse to tell you that there’s one other set of LEDs on the highest that seem if the QS700F is wall-mounted.
Software program and options
There are a variety of options to debate on the QS700F, however crucial one known as Convertible Match. The soundbar has an accelerometer inside that detects whether or not you’ve positioned the speaker flat or when you’ve mounted it on a wall. It can then robotically modify which drivers the front- and up-firing channels are coming from. The positioning of the drivers inside ensures that up-firing items are angled appropriately and beaming sound out into the room in each positions. Convertible Match works rather well, and I couldn’t inform an enormous distinction in audio high quality between the 2 orientations. It gave the impression of the middle channel (vocals and dialog) was barely louder within the wall-mount place, however it wasn’t an excessive amount of of a distraction.
Different notable instruments embody wi-fi Dolby Atmos with appropriate TVs and Wi-Fi connectivity powers AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Join, Roon Service and Tidal Join. Curiously, the QS700F doesn’t work with Samsung’s digital assistant Bixby for voice controls. As an alternative, you’ll make use of Google Assistant via Google Dwelling for that objective.
Then there are the helpful options that require a Samsung TV, which you’ll want to contemplate since they’re main capabilities of the soundbar. First up is Samsung’s Q-Symphony tech, which lets you use TV audio system in unison with the soundbar. The corporate says this produces “extra sturdy and nuanced sound,” and that it will probably additionally improve readability with sure fashions of its AI-equipped TVs. As I don’t have a Samsung TV, I wasn’t in a position to check this, however I don’t see how extra audio system may ever be a foul factor.
You may solely use Samsung’s SpaceFit Sound Professional room calibration you probably have one in all its TVs with a built-in microphone. The QS700F doesn’t have a mic for this objective, so that you’ll must accept the inventory tuning when you don’t personal one of many required shows. You’ll additionally miss out on Energetic Voice Amplifier Professional as this mannequin doesn’t help the extra sturdy dialog adjustment. There’s a Voice Improve Mode on the QS700F, however it’s not as highly effective. Hoping to make use of wi-fi Dolby Atmos? It’ll solely work with 2022-2025 Samsung TVs — making it one more company-exclusive function.
Yet another place the QS700F falls behind Samsung’s flagship Q990F soundbar is video passthrough. The latter presents 4K at 120Hz whereas the QS700F solely manages 4K at 60Hz. I understand this received’t matter for lots of people, however for avid gamers and film buffs, this can be disappointing.
Like different current Samsung soundbars, the QS700F might be managed by way of the SmartThings app. It comprises every kind of presets, settings and different choices, together with the power to regulate channel output, fine-tune audio sync and swap inputs. Since most of what you’ll do right here pertains to audio efficiency, I’ll focus on the app extra later.
Sound high quality
The QS700F presents 3.1.2-channel audio with help for Dolby Atmos and DTS Digital:X. Because of the up-firing drivers, that is true Atmos sound, in contrast to on some soundbars that solely provide a virtualized model of the immersive audio. Throughout eight audio system within the soundbar, the QS700F has three important channels and two up-firing channels. And, in fact, the “1” within the center is the wi-fi subwoofer.
General, sound from the QS700F is crisp and clear, offering ample element for films and music alike. Regardless of the smaller package deal, the compact sub nonetheless produces loads of booming bass, so there’s plenty of thunder for motion scenes in High Gun: Maverick. The soundbar additionally capably dealt with the entire directional audio in Components 1: Drive to Survive. I did discover that the general sense of immersion wasn’t as excessive because the Sonos Arc Extremely I simply moved out to put in the QS700F. That’s probably not shocking, however it did spotlight the boundaries of three.1.2-channel soundbars. They’re adequate for smaller areas with 4 proper angles, however taller ceilings and irregular rooms actually need extra channels and rear audio system.
In music, vocals are distinguished via the middle channels, and for some listeners, they could be overly so. You may modify this within the app, however I didn’t thoughts it. Highs, mids and lows are all appropriately current, with the subwoofer bumping alongside when a track requires it. For those who’re hoping the QS700F can function your music setup along with boosting TV audio, you’ll be nicely served by the soundbar. And as I already talked about, it helps a wide range of strategies for beaming tunes out of your cellphone with out having to get off the sofa.
There are a variety of sound modes that will help you discover the best tuning to your content material. These embody Encompass, Recreation Professional, Adaptive, DTS Digital:X and Normal. I discovered Adaptive to be finest suited to all-around use because it robotically adjusts the audio based mostly on the content material being performed. And until you actually wish to fiddle with the settings frequently, Adaptive permits you to “set it and neglect it” whereas nonetheless letting the QS700F’s sonic prowess shine.
Within the “Superior Sound Settings,” there are alternatives for voice and bass enhancement in addition to the helpful Night time Mode that makes low frequencies much less boomy when somebody in your house is sleeping. There are additionally settings for Average Bass, which delivers “deep, wealthy bass sound,” and Digital that simulates a wider soundstage within the absence of rear audio system. You may clearly hear that the presets and modes all change the audio to some extent when enabled, so their utility will seemingly depend upon when and the place you’re utilizing the QS700F.
The competitors
Samsung and Sony each have new 3.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos soundbars for 2025. After all, doesn’t do the neat orientation trick that the QS700F does, however there’s nonetheless plenty of direct similarities between the 2. They each include a subwoofer within the field and provide varied sound modes. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio on the Bar 6 is tremendously aided by up-firing audio system and Sony’s digital encompass sound tech. And like Samsung, there are specific options that require one of many firm’s TVs — just like the AI-powered Voice Zoom 3 dialog enhance. At $650, Sony’s soundbar received’t prevent a lot over the QS700F at full value.
Let’s not neglect about Sonos. The is the closest factor to the QS700F within the firm’s lineup, however there are some caveats. The Beam doesn’t have up-firing audio system, so the Atmos sound is totally virtualized, and you may inform the distinction. You do get the advantage of TV Audio Swap with the Ace headphones, however it’s a must to cope with the continuing battle that’s . The newer Beam is cheaper at $499, however including a subwoofer that you simply’ll most definitely need prices one other $429 (Sub Mini) or $700 (Sub 4). That add-on makes this feature a lot pricier than the QS700F.
Wrap-up
is a breath of recent air in Samsung’s residence theater lineup, providing one thing new when it’s flagship Q990 mannequin solely bought a modest refresh. Positive, a few of the handiest options require one of many firm’s TVs, however that’s how Samsung and a few of the competitors have operated for years now. The largest merchandise you’ll miss out on there’s room calibration, particularly when you plan to make use of the QS700F in an area with excessive ceilings or plenty of angles.
Caveats apart, the most effective factor concerning the soundbar is its automated orientation adjustment. This provides you a second choice for set up down the highway in case your TV and/or its location change earlier than you’re able to improve your audio setup. The QS700F is simple on the eyes too, which isn’t all the time the case with these units. So, ultimately, the mix of options, design and audio efficiency make this soundbar a worthy contender on the high finish of the midrange, when you’re prepared to dwell with the constraints of Dolby Atmos in 3.1.2.