Review: Samsung HW-N660

HW-N660 supports 4K-video from Blu-ray through the HDMI input, and it also extends the sound in height in order to give an additional dimension. Unlike Sony there is no decoding of 360 audio formats such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Instead, Samsung scales the volume in height from regular two-dimensional audio formats. The usability is good, but the display is narrow and can accommodate few characters. This means that the text must scroll sideways in order for us to read it.

Sound quality

The sound is more well-balanced than the rest in its class. The dialogue in Alien: Covenant sounds open and natural, without any humps or colouring anywhere. The subwoofer integrates well and the bass is rendered very good tonally. This adds a good foundation to the soundscape, and explosions also work quite well within certain limits.
The soundscape is large and open and even when we play Forza Horizon 3 on Xbox One S, we do so with a surprisingly large amount of immersion. There is room, and there is dynamics. Samsung cannot work wonders in terms of power, and we feel it perhaps gives up a little early.
Music in stereo never sounds harsh or problematic. The voice of David Gilmour on Pink Floyd’s Hey You is clear as day, and it sounds natural and well balanced in the timbre. Samsung sounds more resolved in overtones than the others in the test and is the best for music if you do not have to play loudly.

Conclusion

Samsung has gradually become very good at making well-sounding soundbars, and the HW-N660 is no exception. It is very well balanced in the timbre and sounds resolved and natural for movies, games and music. It could, admittedly, be a little more powerful, but the total package is so good that it deserves our full recommendation.
The display could have had more room for text, otherwise it’s usability is also very good.