Upgrading your TV’s sound used to mean a tangle of wires, mild to serious cursing, and disapproving looks from partners because of bulky devices cluttering up your living room. That scenario still exists today, of course, but for the rest of us, the enticing, effortless solution of a simple soundbar like the Samsung HW-S60B is a godsend. This delightfully compact, tech-packed bar promises to put your TV’s built-in speakers to shame, while offering fancy tricks like integrated Alexa smartphones, AirPlay 2, Google Assistant, and Dolby Atmos. However, with some Samsung-specific tricks in its arsenal, this might be the better choice for Samsung TV owners.
The HW-S60B should fit comfortably under most TVs without drawing attention or dominating the room. If you mount it on the wall, you can be sure that it won’t intrude and you can focus on the TV instead of a giant black beam hugging the living room wall. It’s just a few inches longer and a bit narrower than the Beam Gen 2. To the naked eye, they look virtually the same, and both live up to their role of disappearing into the background. With its rounded edges and flat plastic sides that feature thousands of micro-perforations, the HW-S60B is as sleek and minimalist as it is small. While some users prefer a fabric cover, it’s less durable and harder to clean, which pet owners and parents are sure to appreciate.
[content-egg-block template=offers_logo hide=price]On the top, you’ll find equally minimal controls, with the power/function, volume, and microphone mute buttons neatly placed in the center. Below that are a power port, a USB port for updates, an optical port, and a single HDMI ARC port. Overall, it’s a well-made, solid soundbar that feels heavy and premium in your hands – even if you won’t be holding it often. Despite its compact size, the HW-S60B is loaded with features that can be found on the spec sheet. Highlights include wireless Dolby Atmos and DTS: Virtual:X audio, both of which are meant to expand and enhance the soundscape by simulating virtual surround sound.
A dedicated center channel will also be appreciated, especially in an age where movie and TV dialogue is often drowned out by background music and on-screen activity. Compatibility with wireless subwoofers will also be welcomed by bass fans, while integrated AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi streaming for apps like Spotify, and Google Assistant/Alexa support round out the rest of the equipment list very well. The latter allows you to control your TV and issue the usual smart assistant commands by simply using the power of your beautiful voice.
It’s worth noting that competitors like the Sonos Beam Gen 2 offer most of the features as well, although Samsung’s offering is better in some areas. For example, the Sonos products do not support DTS:X. Since DTS audio is encoded at a higher bitrate, some audiophiles argue that it offers better quality. However, it depends on what content you are watching, because not everything will be encoded in a 3D audio format.