Soundbars / Samsung HW-Q800H vs Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500)
Samsung HW-Q800H vs Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500)
Samsung HW-Q800H
The affordable way into Samsung's Q-Symphony — but only 4K/60 pass-through.
Wins overall by 1.9 points
Quick Verdict
The Samsung HW-Q800H is the stronger all-round pick, ahead by 1.9 points. The affordable way into Samsung's Q-Symphony — but only 4K/60 pass-through.
The Samsung HW-Q800H and Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) are both current-generation soundbar models, and the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) is $749 cheaper than the Samsung HW-Q800H ($349.99 vs $1,099). On Connectivity, the Samsung HW-Q800H leads (8.0 vs 4.5/10) — HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support. On Features, the Samsung HW-Q800H leads (8.5 vs 5.0/10) — room calibration, TV-brand integration, app control and expandability. On Surround & Height, the Samsung HW-Q800H leads (8.5 vs 5.5/10) — dolby Atmos height effect and how convincingly it places surround audio. Overall, the Samsung HW-Q800H scores 8.2/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 6.3/10 for the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500). 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 5 (HT-B500) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1099.00 | $349.99 |
| Release Year | 2026 | 2026 |
| Channels | 5.1.2 (11 drivers) | 3.1 |
| Total Power (W) | Samsung no longer publishes wattage for Q-series bars | Sony publishes power consumption only (bar 30W, subwoofer 20W), not system output |
| Subwoofer | Included (wireless) | Included (wireless), model SA-WB500 |
| Rear Speakers | Optional add-on — Samsung SWA-9500S wireless rear kit | None — Sony has published no compatible wireless rear kit for this model |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
| DTS:X | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI Ports (ports) | 2✓ | 1 |
| HDMI Passthrough | 4K/60Hz only — Samsung's specification does not list 120Hz, VRR or ALLM | None — there is no HDMI input, only eARC out |
| eARC | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi & Streaming | Yes — AirPlay 2, Google Cast and Spotify Connect all supported | None — no AirPlay, Chromecast or Spotify Connect |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Voice Assistant | Alexa built in; also works with Google Home. Bixby is not supported | None |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black | Black |
Category Scores
Sound Quality
The Samsung HW-Q800H leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.0 — a 1.5-point margin on overall tonal balance, clarity and detail. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Bass
The Samsung HW-Q800H leads clearly here, 8.5 against 6.5 — a 2.0-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 5 (HT-B500) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Dialogue Clarity
The Samsung HW-Q800H leads clearly here, 8.0 against 7.5 — a 0.5-point margin on how well speech cuts through a busy soundtrack. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Surround & Height
The Samsung HW-Q800H leads clearly here, 8.5 against 5.5 — a 3.0-point margin on dolby Atmos height effect and how convincingly it places surround audio. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Connectivity
The Samsung HW-Q800H leads clearly here, 8.0 against 4.5 — a 3.5-point margin on HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Features
The Samsung HW-Q800H leads clearly here, 8.5 against 5.0 — a 3.5-point margin on room calibration, TV-brand integration, app control and expandability. If that is what you are buying for, the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Design & Build
The Samsung HW-Q800H and Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) are level here, at 7.5/10 each. finish, size relative to a TV, and how well it fits a living room is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
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 5 (HT-B500) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Samsung HW-Q800H if…
- • Connectivity matters most to you — the Samsung HW-Q800H scores 8.0/10 here (HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support).
- • Features matters most to you — the Samsung HW-Q800H scores 8.5/10 here (room calibration, TV-brand integration, app control and expandability).
- • Surround & Height matters most to you — the Samsung HW-Q800H scores 8.5/10 here (dolby Atmos height effect and how convincingly it places surround audio).
- • 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).
- • Sound Quality matters most to you — the Samsung HW-Q800H scores 8.5/10 here (overall tonal balance, clarity and detail).
Choose the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) if…
- • You want to spend less — it's $749 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is compact.
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 5 (HT-B500)
Pros
- +A genuine 2026 model rather than old stock
- +Dedicated centre channel makes dialogue noticeably clearer than a 2.1 bar
- +Slim profile designed to fit under a BRAVIA without blocking the screen
- +Both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
Cons
- −Reviewers report almost no sense of overhead height despite the Atmos badge
- −No room calibration
- −No Wi-Fi streaming of any kind
- −No HDMI input
- −Only a power button on the unit itself, so you depend entirely on the remote
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Samsung HW-Q800H or Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) 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 Connectivity, the Samsung HW-Q800H or the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500)?+
The Samsung HW-Q800H scores higher on Connectivity (8.0/10 vs 4.5/10) — HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support.
Which is better for Features, the Samsung HW-Q800H or the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500)?+
The Samsung HW-Q800H scores higher on Features (8.5/10 vs 5.0/10) — room calibration, TV-brand integration, app control and expandability.
Which is better for Surround & Height, the Samsung HW-Q800H or the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500)?+
The Samsung HW-Q800H scores higher on Surround & Height (8.5/10 vs 5.5/10) — dolby Atmos height effect and how convincingly it places surround audio.
Which is better for Bass, the Samsung HW-Q800H or the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500)?+
The Samsung HW-Q800H scores higher on Bass (8.5/10 vs 6.5/10) — low-end weight and extension, with or without a separate subwoofer.
Is the Samsung HW-Q800H worth the price difference over the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500)?+
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) is the cheaper option at $349.99 versus $1,099. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Connectivity.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Samsung HW-Q800H is the better fit if you mainly care about home-theater. The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) is the better fit for compact.
What's the warranty on the Samsung HW-Q800H vs the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500)?+
The Samsung HW-Q800H ships with a 12-month warranty; the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) 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
TCL S55H — $139.00
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.