When it comes to upgrading your TV's audio, today's soundbars offer impressive features at reasonable prices. Let's compare two popular options: the $279.95 Yamaha SR-B30A and the $397.99 Samsung HW-S700D, breaking down everything you need to know to make the right choice.
Soundbars have come a long way from their basic stereo beginnings. Modern units now pack sophisticated audio processing, smart features, and even virtual surround sound into slim packages that look great under your TV. The key improvements in recent years include better dialogue enhancement, wireless connectivity, and more convincing virtual surround effects.
The Yamaha SR-B30A, released in September 2023, takes an innovative all-in-one approach. Instead of requiring a separate subwoofer, it integrates two built-in subwoofers (the speakers that handle the low, bass frequencies) into the main unit. This makes it incredibly convenient for smaller spaces or situations where you want minimal clutter.
The Samsung HW-S700D follows a more traditional design with a separate wireless subwoofer. While this means finding space for two components, it allows for more powerful bass performance since the subwoofer can use a larger speaker and cabinet.
The Yamaha's integrated subwoofers perform surprisingly well for their size, providing clean, controlled bass that works great for music and most TV content. However, they can't match the room-shaking impact of Samsung's dedicated subwoofer, which makes a noticeable difference during action movies and bass-heavy music.
Both units excel here but in different ways:
In practice, both make dialogue noticeably clearer than TV speakers, but Samsung's dedicated center channel gives it a slight edge for complex movie soundtracks.
The Yamaha keeps things relatively simple with:
The Samsung adds:
I've tested both units in different room sizes, and here's what stands out:
In smaller rooms (under 200 sq ft), the Yamaha's integrated design really shines. The sound feels well-balanced and natural, without overwhelming the space. The built-in subwoofers provide enough bass impact for most content, and the compact design is a huge plus.
In larger rooms, particularly for home theater use, the Samsung's separate subwoofer and more powerful output become more noticeable advantages. The additional features like room calibration also make more of a difference in larger spaces where room acoustics play a bigger role.
At nearly $120 less, the Yamaha SR-B30A represents excellent value, especially considering its recent release and modern feature set. The Samsung's higher price brings additional features and more powerful bass, but whether these justify the cost depends largely on your specific needs.
For dedicated home theater use, a few key points:
Consider these key factors when choosing:
Both soundbars represent the current state of the art in their respective price ranges. The Yamaha's innovative integrated subwoofer design might well represent the future for compact sound solutions, while Samsung's feature-rich approach shows how soundbars can become central to a smart home entertainment system.
The Yamaha SR-B30A is perfect for those wanting great sound in a simple, compact package. It's particularly suited to apartments, smaller rooms, or as a secondary system.
The Samsung HW-S700D makes more sense for larger rooms, dedicated home theaters, or when you want to maximize features and integration with other smart devices.
Both represent significant upgrades over TV speakers and offer good value in their respective price ranges. Your choice ultimately depends on your specific space, budget, and feature preferences rather than one being definitively "better" than the other.
| $279.95 Yamaha SR-B30A | $397.99 Samsung HW-S700D |
|---|---|
| Design Approach - Affects placement flexibility and bass performance | |
| All-in-one with built-in subwoofers | Separate wireless subwoofer |
| Total Power - Impacts maximum volume and room-filling capability | |
| 120W total (2x30W + 60W sub) | 180W total (3x40W + 60W sub) |
| Channel Configuration - Determines sound stage and dialogue clarity | |
| 2.0 virtual | 3.1 with dedicated center |
| Height - Critical for not blocking TV IR sensor or bottom of screen | |
| 2.625 inches (very low profile) | 2.8 inches (still quite slim) |
| Smart Features - Important for integration with modern homes | |
| Basic app control, Bluetooth only | Voice assistants, AirPlay, Chromecast, Q-Symphony |
| Room Size Sweet Spot - Crucial for matching to your space | |
| Small to medium rooms (under 200 sq ft) | Medium to large rooms (200-400 sq ft) |
| Dolby Atmos Support - Affects immersive sound experience | |
| Virtual Atmos only | True Atmos with upward-firing speakers |
| Additional Audio Processing - Helps with specific use cases | |
| Clear Voice for dialogue enhancement | SpaceFit Sound calibration, AVA, Game Mode Pro |
| Setup Complexity - Consider your comfort with tech | |
| Simple plug-and-play | More features but requires more setup |
| Value Proposition - Whether the price difference is worth it | |
| Excellent value for basic needs | Premium features justify higher cost if you'll use them |
For movies, the $397.99 Samsung HW-S700D has an advantage due to its dedicated center channel for dialogue and separate subwoofer for deeper bass during action scenes. While the $279.95 Yamaha SR-B30A performs well, it's better suited for casual viewing.
Yes, both soundbars feature HDMI eARC connections, making them compatible with modern TVs. They both support high-quality audio formats through this connection.
The Yamaha SR-B30A is ideal for apartments due to its all-in-one design and built-in subwoofers, which provide controlled bass less likely to disturb neighbors. The Samsung HW-S700D might be overkill for very small spaces.
While the Yamaha's built-in subwoofers work well for casual viewing, the Samsung's separate subwoofer provides more impactful bass for a true home theater experience. However, this depends on room size and neighbor considerations.
Both excel at dialogue, but the Samsung HW-S700D edges ahead with its dedicated center channel. The Yamaha SR-B30A compensates well with its Clear Voice technology.
Both support Dolby Atmos, but the Samsung provides a more convincing experience with its additional channels and processing power. The Yamaha offers virtual Atmos which is good for casual viewing.
The Yamaha SR-B30A wins for simplicity with its all-in-one design and straightforward setup. The Samsung HW-S700D requires more initial setup but offers more customization options.
No, but you'll get additional features like Q-Symphony only with a Samsung TV. Both soundbars work well with any TV brand with HDMI ARC.
The Samsung offers more streaming options with AirPlay and Chromecast built-in. The Yamaha is limited to Bluetooth but still provides good music quality.
If you're creating a dedicated home theater space, the Samsung HW-S700D justifies its higher price with better bass, more channels, and advanced features. For casual viewing, the Yamaha SR-B30A provides excellent value.
Yes, both soundbars can be wall-mounted and include mounting hardware. Their slim designs work well under wall-mounted TVs.
The Samsung clearly wins with voice assistant support, room calibration, and extensive app controls. The Yamaha offers basic app control but focuses more on core audio performance.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: usa.yamaha.com - worldwidestereo.com - audiolab.com - shop.sg.yamaha.com - consumerreports.org - usa.yamaha.com - vinylsound.ca - bestbuy.com - modernappliancewoodward.com - bluestardist.com - target.com - my.yamaha.com - crutchfield.com - samsung.com - bestbuy.com - avsforum.com - walts.com - samsung.com - samsung.com - videoandaudiocenter.com - samsung.com - samsung.com - samsung.com - pcrichard.com
