Samsung Q-Series Dolby Atmos Soundbar Sells for $600
Did you know that you can customize Google to filter out unwanted results? Follow these steps to improve your search results, including adding Lifehacker as your preferred source for tech news .
The Samsung HW-Q800F soundbar is currently on sale for $597.99 on Woot, which is significantly less than its $797.99 price on Amazon and even lower than its all-time low of $697.99, according to price tracker . That deal runs for the next two weeks or until it sells out, with free shipping for Prime members and a $6 fee for everyone else. It’s also backed by Woot’s 90-day limited warranty , but the real draw is the performance: It’s a 5.1.2-channel system with Dolby Atmos support , meaning you’ll get immersive sound even without additional satellite speakers.
When it comes to performance, the Q800F is at its best with TV and movies. The subwoofer has enough rumble for action-packed scenes, while the dedicated center channel keeps dialogue clear even when everything else gets loud. That’s something many cheaper soundbars lack, and it’s a big deal if you don’t want to hit the volume button during every show. Plus, it works well with just about any device you hook up to it — there’s HDMI pass-through for 4K at 60Hz with HDR and Dolby Vision , as well as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, AirPlay, and Spotify Connect. If you have a new Samsung TV, you can even ditch the HDMI cable altogether and stream Atmos wirelessly. Voice control is built in via Alexa; however, connecting it to Google Assistant reportedly takes a little extra effort via the Samsung app.
There are some compromises, however. The Q800F doesn’t support HDMI 2.1 or VRR, which limits its appeal for those looking for cutting-edge gaming specs. Atmos quality, while present, isn’t up to the level of the pricier Q990F with dedicated satellites (the surround effect is wider than a regular stereo system, but not always convincing). Plus, the bass can be a bit boomy, and there’s a dip in the midrange that can blur some dialogue. Still, when it comes to pure audio with punchy sound and support for a variety of formats, the Q800F offers plenty of premium features at a midrange price.