Anyone have a Samsung HW-MS650 Soundbar?

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Anyone have a Samsung HW-MS650 Soundbar?

golfpunk111

94 posts

Master Geek

#229043 5-Feb-2018 09:09

https://www.jbhifi.co.nz/tv-home-entertainment/soundbars/samsung/samsung-sound-hw-ms650-3ch-soundbar-with-built-in-subwoofer/333248/

I am looking at getting the above soundbar from JB, assume they will price match Noel Leeming for 599 and then I get the cash back of $288 as I'm buying a new TV also, so seems like a steal, but on the other hand don't want a huge paper weight if there isn't going to be a decent improvement in the sound.

Online reviews for soundbars have rated it highly, but have also seen a couple of less than stellar individual ones. Has anyone got this and are you happy with its performance?

It will be primarily be used for TV/movie, a little gaming and streaming music for parties.

Many thanks

scuwp

3885 posts

Uber Geek

#1951806 5-Feb-2018 09:39

Don't have one but it would have to be far superior sound than just a TV alone. Can't see it has a separate sub (which I would recommend) so you won't get the deep rich sounds as much.

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cadman

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#1951812 5-Feb-2018 09:47

Wow. That animation in the middle of the page has to be the most budget one I've seen in a long time. I think I'd boycott it on that alone.

michaelmurfy

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#1951813 5-Feb-2018 09:48

I've got a Samsung Soundbar (an older model) connected to my PC. It works incredibly well and sound is great.

Just do it - it is a marked improvement over the sound of your TV.

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rp1790

738 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#1951822 5-Feb-2018 10:03

I've got that soundbar and it is well worth the money. I paid $590'ish or so and would have been happy to pay standard retail knowing what I do now.

rp1790

738 posts

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#1951829 5-Feb-2018 10:13

Forgot to say, I have a 2017 65-in Samsung TV and having the soundbar work off the TV remote (seamlessly) is O for Orsome.

Wheelbarrow01

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Chorus

#1951830 5-Feb-2018 10:14

Hey mate,

Yes I am pretty sure I have this one - mine is visually identical and I only bought it a few months ago, and the price is similar and the remote control looks identical, so I am pretty sure (I'm not home to check right now).

It appealed to me as I just wanted a simple solution for improving the sound on my tv (I have a separate home theatre room for movies) but was happy to pay for quality and to have it match my tv. The sound is actually pretty decent. If you want massive bass you should probably steer clear of it and go for one with a separate bass module, but you do get a richer sound than you get direct from the tv speakers for sure, and that was all I was after.

It has several sound modes selectable via the remote control. I do like the 'clear voice' mode as I sometimes can't make out speech when there's a lot of background noise in the scene, and the movie and music modes are good too. It has heaps of connectivity options - WiFi, bluetooth, HDMI, optical etc.

I have a Samsung tv and I connect the soundbar to it via HDMI with ARC and this seems to work pretty well. I can use the tv remote to adjust the sound as normal, and the soundbar turns on and off automatically when I turn the tv on and off. This simplicity is what I love most about it - I only need the soundbar remote if I want to change the sound mode, although it has an app I could use to do that if I want.

Streaming Spotify from my phone or music from my ipod is super easy too.

The only negative I have is that sometimes when watching tv, the sound will drop for a split second. I suspect it is the HDMI ARC causing it, but am unsure if the issue lies with the soundbar or the tv itself. My tv is a few years old now and doesn't have WiFi so I can't connect that way. It hasn't bothered me enough to try solving the issue - not yet anyway.

I'll double check the model number when I get home to ensure we're talking about the same model.

rp1790

738 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#1951831 5-Feb-2018 10:17

Interesting, when I first set mine up I did it via Optical cable and did notice an odd very brief dropout in sound. I'm now running via Bluetooth or WiFi and don't remember the last time I had one of those.

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golfpunk111

94 posts

Master Geek

#1951978 5-Feb-2018 13:12

Thanks guys, much appreciated! Will pick this up with my TV tomorrow!

DeepBlueSky

547 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1952318 6-Feb-2018 11:02

Hi I'm a bit late to the recommendations I have had the HW-MS650 sound bar since Julyish. I also picked up the rear surround speakers swa-9000s they connect wirelessly though a USB type C dongle.

Sounds been great I have received a few firmware updates since I have owned the soundbar. Spotify works directly just cast, I have Google Music through a Chromecast audio connecting through the toslink optical port.

Only bad comments I would love to connect the matching Samsung Sub but NZ is not deemed worthy to have this imported by Samsung. Windows software to grab locally stored music crashes in Windows 10, you can use Plex as an alternative, and lastly over aggressive power saving, stop playback for a few minutes and it turns off, unfortunately no way to override this otherwise for the price it's the best Soundbar out there the sound is great you won't be sorry. I have a KS8000 TV integration is really good including onscreen control for the soundbar.

Smithy47

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#1953157 7-Feb-2018 17:46

The HW-MS650 is a great sound bar. I have the SWA-9000 rear speakers which make it even better and am about to get the SWA-W700 Sub Woofer from Aust (Not sold here for some reason) got for $400 NZ.

One thing is to use the App and update the Firmware that came out on Monday (1145.1) which greatly improves the sound.

Hooked up to a KS9000 TV by ARC.

Hope this helps.

Smithy