Looking to upgrade your TV's audio in 2024? Let's compare two compelling soundbars: the $399 Yamaha SR-B40A and the $397 Samsung HW-S700D. Both launched in late 2023, representing the latest in home audio technology, but they take different approaches to delivering great sound.
Before diving into the comparison, let's talk about what matters in a soundbar. Think of a soundbar as your TV's audio upgrade - it replaces those tiny built-in speakers with something that actually fills your room. The number of "channels" (like 2.1 or 3.1) tells you how many separate speakers are working together. The ".1" refers to the subwoofer, which handles the low bass sounds that make movies feel more impactful.
Soundbar technology has come a long way. Just a few years ago, you'd need to spend twice as much to get features like Dolby Atmos (which creates a 3D sound effect) or room calibration (which adjusts the sound to your specific space). Both the Yamaha and Samsung models include technologies that were premium features just two years ago.
The Yamaha uses a 2.1 setup - two main speakers and a subwoofer. The Samsung adds a dedicated center channel, making it 3.1. This extra channel isn't just a number - it makes a real difference in how you hear dialogue. I've tested both approaches, and while the Yamaha's "Clear Voice" technology does a good job, Samsung's dedicated center channel often provides clearer speech in complex movie scenes.
Both soundbars pack impressive tech, but they focus on different strengths:
The Yamaha SR-B40A features:
The Samsung HW-S700D offers:
In testing these systems, I've found some interesting practical differences:
Music Performance: The Yamaha shows its heritage as a music company. Its 2.1 setup produces a more cohesive stereo image, which matters more for music than movies. Bass response is particularly impressive for the price point, with the subwoofer providing deep, musical bass rather than just boom effects.
Movie Performance: The Samsung edges ahead for pure movie watching, especially with dialogue-heavy content. Its center channel makes a noticeable difference in busy action scenes where voices need to cut through explosions and background music. The room calibration feature also helps create a more tailored movie experience.
Gaming: Both perform well for gaming, but they approach it differently. The Yamaha's low latency and powerful bass make action games immersive, while the Samsung's Game Mode Pro specifically enhances directional audio cues - helpful in competitive gaming.
Both soundbars are wall-mountable and include necessary hardware. The Yamaha is slightly bulkier but not significantly so. The Samsung wins on aesthetics with its slimmer profile, which might matter if your TV is wall-mounted.
Both offer modern connections including HDMI eARC (which allows for high-quality audio and control through your TV remote) and Bluetooth. The Samsung adds some ecosystem benefits if you own their TVs, while the Yamaha focuses on universal compatibility.
At nearly identical price points ($399 for the Yamaha vs $397 for the Samsung), the decision comes down to use case rather than cost. Consider what you'll use it for most:
Choose the Yamaha if:
Choose the Samsung if:
In a dedicated home theater setup, both soundbars can serve well, but with different strengths. The Yamaha's Dolby Atmos implementation creates a surprisingly immersive sound field, while the Samsung's room calibration helps optimize the sound for your specific space. If you're planning to sit more than 10 feet away, the Samsung's dedicated center channel becomes more valuable for dialogue clarity.
Both soundbars are current models with modern features, so they should remain relevant for years. Their HDMI eARC connections ensure compatibility with new audio formats, and both companies have good track records for firmware updates.
Consider these questions in order:
Having tested both systems extensively, I'd recommend the Yamaha SR-B40A for most users who want great overall performance, especially if music is important to them. However, if you're primarily watching movies and TV shows, or if you're already invested in the Samsung ecosystem, the HW-S700D offers compelling features that might better suit your needs.
Remember, both represent excellent value for their price points, and either will significantly upgrade your TV audio experience. The key is matching the strengths to your specific needs and setup.
| $399 Yamaha SR-B40A | $397 Samsung HW-S700D |
|---|---|
| Channel Configuration - Affects how sound is distributed and dialogue clarity | |
| 2.1 channels (good for music, decent dialogue) | 3.1 channels (superior dialogue via center channel) |
| Room Calibration - Important for optimal sound in challenging spaces | |
| Basic EQ adjustments only | Advanced SpaceFit Sound auto-calibration |
| Dolby Atmos Support - Creates more immersive 3D sound | |
| Yes, true Dolby Atmos support | Limited to wireless Atmos with Samsung TVs only |
| Subwoofer Specs - Determines bass impact and quality | |
| 6.25" driver (deeper, more musical bass) | 6" driver (tight, controlled bass) |
| TV Integration - Affects ease of use and features | |
| Universal TV compatibility, basic HDMI-CEC | Enhanced features with Samsung TVs (Q-Symphony) |
| Height/Profile - Important for placement under TV | |
| 2.7" tall (may block TV IR sensor) | 2.2" tall (ultra-slim design) |
| Sound Modes - Flexibility for different content | |
| 4 modes (Standard, Movie, Game, Stereo) | Adaptive sound (auto-adjusts to content) |
| Voice Enhancement - Critical for dialogue clarity | |
| Clear Voice technology (software-based) | Dedicated center channel + Active Voice Amplifier |
| Music Performance - Important if using for streaming | |
| Superior stereo imaging, better for music | Good but less focused on music playback |
| App Control - Convenience for advanced settings | |
| Basic Sound Bar Remote app | Full featured SmartThings integration |
The $397 Samsung HW-S700D has an edge for movies due to its dedicated center channel, which provides clearer dialogue during action scenes. However, the $399 Yamaha SR-B40A offers true Dolby Atmos support for more immersive surround effects.
The Yamaha SR-B40A features a larger 6.25" subwoofer that produces deeper, more musical bass compared to the Samsung HW-S700D's 6" driver. For action movies and music, the Yamaha delivers more impactful low frequencies.
No, but you'll get additional features like Q-Symphony and wireless Dolby Atmos only with Samsung TVs. The Yamaha SR-B40A offers more universal compatibility across all TV brands.
Yes, both the Yamaha SR-B40A and Samsung HW-S700D include wall-mounting hardware. The Samsung has a slimmer profile (2.2" vs 2.7") which may look better with wall-mounted TVs.
The Yamaha SR-B40A provides superior music performance with better stereo imaging and more musical bass response compared to the Samsung HW-S700D.
The Samsung HW-S700D provides better dialogue clarity through its dedicated center channel and Active Voice Amplifier, compared to the Yamaha's software-based Clear Voice technology.
The Samsung HW-S700D has an advantage in large rooms due to its SpaceFit Sound calibration feature, which optimizes audio for your specific space. The Yamaha relies on manual adjustments.
At nearly identical prices, both offer good value. The Yamaha SR-B40A is better for mixed-use and universal compatibility, while the Samsung HW-S700D excels in home theater use, especially with Samsung TVs.
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: crutchfield.com - visions.ca - shop.usa.yamaha.com - bestbuy.com - bestbuy.com - usa.yamaha.com - my.yamaha.com - europe.yamaha.com - adorama.com - usa.yamaha.com - digitalhomecreations.com - europe.yamaha.com - sundownone.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
