When comparing Samsung HW-K950 vs VIZIO SB3651-E6 (5.1), the Slant community recommends Samsung HW-K950 for most people. In the question“What are the best soundbars?” Samsung HW-K950 is ranked 2nd while VIZIO SB3651-E6 (5.1) is ranked 9th. The most important reason people chose Samsung HW-K950 is:
This soundbar can produce cinema-like surround sound using the latest Dolby Atmos standard. Aside from the rear speakers, it also adds height by producing sound above the listener’s head, through extra speakers that reflect it from the ceiling. The ceiling needs to be flat and relatively shallow for this to work best, though. The sheer number of speakers together creates a more realistic sound bubble around the listener, as opposed to soundbars that can only emulate it with limited speakers. While only Dolby Atmos content takes full advantage of these extra speakers, even standard Stereo or Dolby Digital can benefit from this extra dimension.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Amazing surround capabilities with an extra vertical dimension
This soundbar can produce cinema-like surround sound using the latest Dolby Atmos standard. Aside from the rear speakers, it also adds height by producing sound above the listener’s head, through extra speakers that reflect it from the ceiling. The ceiling needs to be flat and relatively shallow for this to work best, though. The sheer number of speakers together creates a more realistic sound bubble around the listener, as opposed to soundbars that can only emulate it with limited speakers. While only Dolby Atmos content takes full advantage of these extra speakers, even standard Stereo or Dolby Digital can benefit from this extra dimension.
Pro Multi-room audio streaming
Samsung has included an application that you can use to stream music from your phone, online streaming services and even media servers in your home network to the soundbar via Wi-Fi. It’s also possible to set up a multi-room system with other Samsung audio products that are compatible with the app.
Pro Powerful subwoofer
The 8-inch driver of the subwoofer outputs 165W and is powerful enough to make windows shake. Since this can be overkill in some use cases, like music listening, you can easily control the subwoofer levels through the soundbar.
Pro Audio enhancement mode
There are dedicated digital sound processing modes that can be used to enhance audio from movies, sports or music.
Pro OLED conveniently displays status information
The easy-to-read front OLED display gives you all the relevant status information.
Pro Detects Atmos automatically
The soundbar notifies you and switches automatically to Atmos mode when it detects a Dolby Atmos signal.
Pro Can be controlled with an HDMI-CEC device
If you have an HDMI-CEC compatible device, you can use it to control the soundbar.
Pro Good wired connectivity
There are two HDMI 2.0 inputs and an HDMI ARC output with 4K HDR passthrough capabilities, as well as an optical and an analog input.
Pro Supports wireless connectivity
The HW-K950 has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi support, for wireless media streaming from external devices. It also supports connecting wirelessly to Samsung TVs that support it.
Pro Dolby Atmos support
This soundbar supports Dolby Atmos, which has been becoming more popular in streaming services and new Blu-ray releases.
Pro Stylish look
This soundbar has a classic black look with a steel mesh around the unit with brushed aluminum ends. The screen is hidden behind the mesh and illuminates only when there is a change in input or a button is pressed. A blue LED indicates Dolby Atmos signal input.
Pro Conveniently sized rear speakers
The rear speakers are approximately the size of average desktop speakers.
Pro Easy to update
Software updates can be done automatically over Wi-Fi, using a dedicated Samsung app.
Pro Main unit can be wall mounted
The main unit can be wall mounted, using the included bracket, but you need to buy separate wall mounts for the rear speakers if you wish to mount them.
Pro Powerful, high quality speakers for a great audio experience
It has 16 speakers that combine to deliver the best audio experience for watching and listening to music. Combined, they have a power rating of 500W for a system that consists of a center channel, two front channels, two rear channels, four vertical channels and a low frequency channel. The highs and mids sound clean and clear, without being flat. Movie dialogue is clear and distinguishable thanks to the added central channel.
Pro Easy setup
The soundbar comes with everything you need including a set of all available cables (HTMI, optical, RCA, etc..) and a very easy to follow manual. it even guides you through programming your tv remote to control its volume/mute functionality).
Pro Built-in Chromecast
Can cast directly to the soundbar from any device/app that has casting abilities. Can also be controlled by the google home app to change volume or start/pause/stop playing.
Pro Vizio's Smart Cast app
The mobile app can control the soundbar and replace the remote as it has every functionality that the remote has and is user friendly and easy to understand.
Pro Great sound for the price
Better sound than most 5.1 soundbar systems at this price point.
Cons
Con Remote control can be confusing to use
The remote control only has a few large buttons, and using them can be confusing, given that some functions are accessed via long presses of these buttons.
Con No info output to the TV screen via HDMI
There is no information output on the TV screen when using the HDMI output.
Con Issues with 4K HDR passthrough
This soundbar's HDMI inputs support 4K HDR passthrough, but some devices have issues regarding this, like broken HDR or periodic cut offs. As of Spring 2017, Samsung is working on adding additional support for devices, by releasing new software updates.
Con DTS formats are downmixed to stereo
The K950 downmixes DTS formats down to stereo, which may be an issue for people with film collections in these formats. On the other hand, a lot of Blu-ray players can convert DTS to DD.
Con Rear speakers need an external power source
This soundbar's rear speakers need an external power source, so they can’t be placed anywhere without access to power.
Con Large and heavy
The device is rather large and is best suited to pair with large TV sets, that are at least 50 inches. The subwoofer is also large and heavy, demanding a lot of space.
Con Casting doesn't work when soundbar is on echo mode
For some reason the soundbar is unable to be casted to its built-in chromecast when it's on Echo mode. Can be very frustrating until you even figure out why casting doesn't work as it's not mentioned anywhere and requires a thorough google search.
Con Remote is hard to operate
The remote has a small dark screen which is the only way to navigate through the menu's functions. It makes it very hard to control and change the settings. That being said, the vizio app can be used to completely replace the remote but that's only if you're willing to install yet another app on your phone.