Soundbars / Samsung HW-Q800H vs Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100)
Samsung HW-Q800H vs Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100)
Samsung HW-Q800H
The affordable way into Samsung's Q-Symphony — but only 4K/60 pass-through.
Wins overall by 0.3 points
Quick Verdict
Too close to call on score alone: 0.3 points separate them. The affordable way into Samsung's Q-Symphony — but only 4K/60 pass-through. The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) answers with a different set of strengths, so let the categories below decide it.
The Samsung HW-Q800H and Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) are both current-generation soundbar models, and the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) is $229 cheaper than the Samsung HW-Q800H ($869.99 vs $1,099). On Bass, the Samsung HW-Q800H leads (8.5 vs 5.0/10) — low-end weight and extension, with or without a separate subwoofer. On Connectivity, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) leads (9.5 vs 8.0/10) — HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support. On Value, the Samsung HW-Q800H leads (8.0 vs 6.5/10) — performance and features relative to price. Overall, the Samsung HW-Q800H scores 8.2/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 7.9/10 for the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100), though the gap is close enough that your specific use case should decide it. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Samsung HW-Q800H | Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1099.00 | $869.99 |
| Release Year | 2026 | 2026 |
| Channels | 5.1.2 (11 drivers) | 5.0.2 — Sony's own materials describe 9 speaker units with no built-in subwoofer |
| Total Power (W) | Samsung no longer publishes wattage for Q-series bars | Sony publishes power consumption (52W) only, not system output |
| Subwoofer | Included (wireless) | Optional add-on — Theater Sub 7, Sub 8 or Sub 9; dual-subwoofer capable |
| Rear Speakers | Optional add-on — Samsung SWA-9500S wireless rear kit | Optional add-on — Theater Rear 9 or Rear 8 |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
| DTS:X | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI Ports (ports) | 2 | 2 |
| HDMI Passthrough | 4K/60Hz only — Samsung's specification does not list 120Hz, VRR or ALLM | 8K HDR and 4K/120Hz with VRR and ALLM, plus Dolby Vision |
| eARC | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi & Streaming | Yes — AirPlay 2, Google Cast and Spotify Connect all supported | Wi-Fi 6 with AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect; Chromecast is not supported |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 6.0 |
| Voice Assistant | Alexa built in; also works with Google Home. Bixby is not supported | None built in |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black | Black |
Category Scores
Sound Quality
The Samsung HW-Q800H leads clearly here, 8.5 against 8.0 — a 0.5-point margin on overall tonal balance, clarity and detail. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Bass
The Samsung HW-Q800H leads clearly here, 8.5 against 5.0 — a 3.5-point margin on low-end weight and extension, with or without a separate subwoofer. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Dialogue Clarity
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) leads clearly here, 9.0 against 8.0 — a 1.0-point margin on how well speech cuts through a busy soundtrack. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung HW-Q800H does not close the gap elsewhere.
Surround & Height
The Samsung HW-Q800H and Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) are level here, at 8.5/10 each. dolby Atmos height effect and how convincingly it places surround audio is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Connectivity
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) leads clearly here, 9.5 against 8.0 — a 1.5-point margin on HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung HW-Q800H does not close the gap elsewhere.
Features
The Samsung HW-Q800H and Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) are level here, at 8.5/10 each. room calibration, TV-brand integration, app control and expandability is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Design & Build
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) leads clearly here, 8.0 against 7.5 — a 0.5-point margin on finish, size relative to a TV, and how well it fits a living room. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung HW-Q800H does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Samsung HW-Q800H leads clearly here, 8.0 against 6.5 — a 1.5-point margin on performance and features relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Samsung HW-Q800H if…
- • Bass matters most to you — the Samsung HW-Q800H scores 8.5/10 here (low-end weight and extension, with or without a separate subwoofer).
- • Value matters most to you — the Samsung HW-Q800H scores 8.0/10 here (performance and features relative to price).
- • Sound Quality matters most to you — the Samsung HW-Q800H scores 8.5/10 here (overall tonal balance, clarity and detail).
- • Your main use case is tv-upgrade.
Choose the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) if…
- • Connectivity matters most to you — the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) scores 9.5/10 here (HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support).
- • Dialogue Clarity matters most to you — the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) scores 9.0/10 here (how well speech cuts through a busy soundtrack).
- • You want to spend less — it's $229 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is gaming.
Pros & Cons
Samsung HW-Q800H
Pros
- +Q-Symphony is the strongest TV-attach feature in the category if you own a Samsung TV
- +Both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, which the Sonos and Bose lack
- +True up-firing drivers plus a wireless subwoofer included
- +Automatic room calibration and a real HDMI input
Cons
- −Pass-through is 4K/60Hz only — no 120Hz, VRR or ALLM, so console gamers should look at the Q990H or the Sony
- −Samsung no longer publishes power figures
- −Q-Symphony only benefits Samsung TV owners
- −Rear speakers cost extra
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100)
Pros
- +8K and 4K/120Hz VRR pass-through, which almost nothing else at this price offers
- +Voice Zoom 3 with a Sony BRAVIA TV is the best dialogue system in the category
- +Both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, plus IMAX Enhanced
- +A clear modular upgrade path to subs and rears
Cons
- −No subwoofer included, and reviewers describe the bass as poor without one — budget at least $330 more
- −No on-screen setup menus and no alphanumeric front display
- −No EQ, bass or treble controls at all
- −No USB, DLNA or local file playback
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Samsung HW-Q800H or Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Samsung HW-Q800H comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Bass, the Samsung HW-Q800H or the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100)?+
The Samsung HW-Q800H scores higher on Bass (8.5/10 vs 5.0/10) — low-end weight and extension, with or without a separate subwoofer.
Which is better for Connectivity, the Samsung HW-Q800H or the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100)?+
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) scores higher on Connectivity (9.5/10 vs 8.0/10) — HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support.
Which is better for Value, the Samsung HW-Q800H or the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100)?+
The Samsung HW-Q800H scores higher on Value (8.0/10 vs 6.5/10) — performance and features relative to price.
Which is better for Dialogue Clarity, the Samsung HW-Q800H or the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100)?+
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) scores higher on Dialogue Clarity (9.0/10 vs 8.0/10) — how well speech cuts through a busy soundtrack.
Is the Samsung HW-Q800H worth the price difference over the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100)?+
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) is the cheaper option at $869.99 versus $1,099. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Bass.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Samsung HW-Q800H is the better fit if you mainly care about tv-upgrade. The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) is the better fit for gaming.
What's the warranty on the Samsung HW-Q800H vs the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100)?+
The Samsung HW-Q800H ships with a 12-month warranty; the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
Bose Smart Soundbar — $549.00
Premium Option
LG S95AR — $1699.00
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.