Samsung soundbars tend to have a small screen that displays inputs and volume levels. If there are messages, the text needs to scroll to fully display. While some may prefer this interface over light indicators, others might be annoyed by the scrolling text.

Winner: The Samsung HW-Q60B has better frequency response, the S5Q has better total harmonic distortion. Center Speaker Performance

Based on our experiences, soundbars can support a variety of audio formats. However, the audio source greatly influences which audio format the soundbar will utilize. We've encountered four commonly used surround sound formats: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, DTS, and DTS:X. The soundbar and audio source are the components that require support for these audio formats, so you don’t have to worry about your Samsung 65" Q60B TV supporting them. We've examined the differences between each format below: Their sound performance may be not as good as the higher model like Samsung HW-Q70B on Samsung lineup or LG S75Q on LG’s lineup. But for their price range, their sound performance is fairly good. And overall, both are good soundbar for mixed usage thanks to their very neutral sound profile. In the market, the Samsung HW-Q60B is sold about tends dollars more expensive than the LG S65Q. So, which is superior between them and which soundbar is a better choice? The included remote is the familiar One Remote. The overall design and layout of the buttons have not changed much. The two buttons above the navigation controls are used for source selection and Bluetooth pairing, while the other three below them are for mute, audio mode selection, and Q600B soundbar volume control.

Their difference is also on the front side. Both sides of the front of HW-Q60B are angled while both sides of the front of the S65Q is elbow. Additionally, on the bar of the Q65Y, there are slightly indentations on the top and bottom side of the front while the HW-Q60B looks stiffer. Their dimension is also not much different. The length of the HW-Q60B is a bit longer, which is around 103 cm while the length of the LG S65Q is around 100 cm. While their depth and width is almost similar, only millimeters adrift. Sub-Woofer Design Both of the Samsung HW-Q60B and LG S65Q have a simple design. They are made of the same materials, which is good-quality plastic. The difference is the material that cover it. The HW-Q60B have a solid metal grid that cover the front side of the bar. On the other hand, for the S65Q, the top and fronts of the bar are covered by high quality fabric. Compare among them, the LG S65Q may have more unit speaker and higher total sound output, making it can get louder. But about sound quality, the HW-Q60B is a bit better. Additionally, the HW-Q60B also already supports high-quality audio like Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, etc thanks to its HDMI ARC that also already support eARC. Even though with all the limitations, especially on the soundstage, at least. It still can play high-quality audio content. On the other hand, the LG S65Q doesn’t support eARC, so it cannot support high-quality audio content. Converted to Test Bench 1.2. Updated the results for audio format support via ARC/eARC, HDMI In, and Optical. Added Video Passthrough to TV results as well.Wi-Fi and SmartThings: The soundbar’s Wi-Fi connectivity enables effortless integration with your home network and provides access to online music streaming services. It can also be controlled through the SmartThings app, allowing for convenient management of settings and features. There’s support for Samsung’s Health system, too, which combines workout videos with Samsung’s Health App to let you establish wellness routines and try out premium exercise classes without having to leave your home. The Samsung Q600B’s soundbar controls are pretty much what we’d expect given the soundbar’s price. The soundbar has several buttons that Samsung has placed on top. These are four physical buttons for power, volume control and source selection. They may look cheaper than touchscreens, but are preferred in most cases as they are easier to find in a dimly lit room.

Acoustic Beam Technology: This technology uses beamforming to project sound in specific directions, creating a wider soundstage and enveloping the listener in immersive audio. When used for listening to the music, the Samsung HW-Q60B is also a bit better than the LG S65Q thanks to its slightly better stereo performance. As we have discussed above, default sound produced by the HW-Q60B is more neutral than the LG S65Q that has a bit more bass-heavy sound profile. However, in general, performance of the S65Q is also good enough to listening the music. Their sound at the mids is well balanced, making lead instrument is heard clearly and can present in the mix. Additionally, both are also able to create little boom at high-bass that adds a nice rumble. Both of the LG S65Q and Samsung HW-Q60B have discrete center speaker, which is good for dialogue. The sound profile of their center speaker is also equally well balanced, making them can produce clear and accurate dialogue. Meanwhile. At max volume, the LG S65Q can get louder, which is around 91 dB SPL, while the HW-Q60B geta round 89 dB SPL. This actually is loud enough to fill a large room, even for the HW-60B. While the S65Q can get louder, the center speaker of the HW-Q60B have better distortion performance at both normal listening volume and max volume. However, although not as good as the HW-Q60B, distortion performance of the S65Q is also good. It can still produce clear and accurate dialogue in the mix. The Samsung HW-Q60B and LG S65Q are equipped with the same connectivity. They have 1 Optical Audio IN, 2 HDMI ports, and 1 USB port. Through optical connection, they can play Dolby Digital and DTS audio format. Additionally, you can also play your audio files saved on your USB drive since their USB port can also be used to play audio file.

Lineup

Overall, stereo performance of the Samsung HW-Q60B is better than the LG S65Q. The HW-Q60B has a bit wider range of frequency extension, which is between 40 Hz to 20 kHz while the range of frequency extension of the S65Q is between 50 Hz to 18.2 KHz. Additionally, with standard setting, the sound profile of the HW-Q60B is also more neutral than the S65Q that has a bit more heavy-bass sound profile. However, at the mids, they are equally quite balance, allowing them to reproduce clear and accurate vocal and lead instrument. Both also can produce a little extra boom on high-bass that will add some rumble to the sound. And to customize sound depending on your taste, both have some customization tools like EQ, Bass Adjustment, Treble Adjustment, etc.