Samsung HT-X810R

Want to hear explosions, screams, babies crying all around you? Then move to Lewisham. Alternatively you could get Samsung’s HT-X810R soundbar. This 2.1 system provides 5.1 virtual surround sound, has a wireless subwoofer and a built-in upscaling DVD player, all for your audio-visual pleasure. But will it really sate your AV cravings? There’s only one way to find out…


Pros
As with the Philips HTS8140, this is a soundbar with a DVD player built-in and bass that comes courtesy of a separate subwoofer. However, here the subwoofer links up to the bar wirelessly, allowing you to place it almost anywhere without the fear of a wire cluster the size of Saturn’s rings getting in your way. DVD playback is solid, and the affordable price tag is a nice bonus.

Cons
On both the surround sound and DVD picture quality fronts the Samsung can’t match the Philips’ strong showing. While it does feature 1080p upscaling, it never quite wows us like Hi-Def pictures should. It’s also a bit disappointing in the build-quality department, feeling and looking very plasticky up close. A bit like Mickey Rourke’s visage. But then, we’d never tell him that to his face, of course.

Verdict
The HT-X810R doesn’t blow us away with either its design or its performance. From a distance God is watching us, and equally from a distance these look pretty stylish. Get up close and personal and well, let’s just say these have more plastic than Bill Gate’s wallet. That said, considering the low price, this still remains a decent purchase. The subwoofer’s wireless connectivity is a big plus from an ease-of-use perspective, and while surround sound isn’t simulated particularly well, we still got a sense of an all-enveloping effect at times. It’s not going to win any sonic awards, but as long as you don’t expect any miracles this is a decent offering.

Picture quality

Sound

Style

Features

Value

Overall

Sounds like a spiffing Soundbar? Get chatting about the Samsung HT-X810R on the PriceRunner forums.

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