Samsung S60D 5.0ch All-in-one Soundbar Review: The Compact Cinema Sound You’ve Been Missing?

There’s a familiar disappointment that settles in during movie night. You’ve got the perfect film queued up, the lights are dimmed, and the popcorn is ready. But as the opening scene unfolds, the sound coming from your sleek, ultra-thin TV is… well, thin. Dialogue gets lost in the background score, explosions sound like a muffled cough, and the sweeping orchestral music lacks any soul. For years, I relied on my TV’s built-in speakers, telling myself they were “good enough.” But I was just compromising. The truth is, modern televisions are designed for stunning visuals, often at the expense of audio. The physics of cramming powerful speakers into a razor-thin frame just don’t add up. This leads to a flat, lifeless audio experience that fails to match the cinematic quality of the picture, turning what should be an immersive escape into a frustrating exercise in constantly adjusting the volume.

What to Consider Before Buying an All-in-One Soundbar

A soundbar is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for reclaiming the audio experience your television was meant to have. It’s a single, elegant unit designed to deliver rich, dynamic, and clear sound without the clutter and complexity of a traditional multi-speaker home theatre system. The main benefit is transformative simplicity. In one purchase, you can elevate dialogue clarity, feel the impact of action scenes, and appreciate the nuanced layers of a film’s soundtrack. It bridges the gap between the stunning 4K visuals on your screen and the underwhelming audio that accompanies them, creating a truly complete and immersive entertainment setup.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the classic “great picture, poor sound” dilemma. This includes movie lovers, series bingers, and gamers who crave immersion but live in a space where a full 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound system is impractical. It’s for the design-conscious individual who wants a powerful audio upgrade that complements their minimalist decor, not dominates it. However, an all-in-one soundbar might not be suitable for dedicated audiophiles who demand the precise speaker separation of a component-based system or for those who want earth-shaking bass without adding an optional subwoofer. For them, a more traditional AV receiver and speaker package, or a soundbar system that includes a dedicated subwoofer and rear speakers from the start, might be a better path.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Measure the space below your TV. An all-in-one soundbar should be shorter than the height of your TV’s base to avoid blocking the screen or the IR sensor. The width should also be considered; a bar that is significantly wider or narrower than your TV can look aesthetically unbalanced. The Samsung S60D 5.0ch All-in-one Soundbar, at just 67cm wide, is designed to fit neatly with a wide range of TV sizes, from smaller bedroom sets to mid-sized living room screens.
• Capacity/Performance: Look beyond just “watts.” Consider the channel configuration. A 5.0 channel system like the S60D includes left, right, and center channels for clear dialogue, plus two side-firing channels to widen the soundstage. Support for audio formats like Dolby Atmos is crucial for creating a three-dimensional, immersive soundscape where effects feel like they’re happening all around you, not just in front of you.
• Materials & Durability: The enclosure of a soundbar affects its acoustic properties. Premium materials like dense plastics, metal grilles, and quality fabric coverings not only look better but also help to reduce unwanted vibrations and resonance. A well-built unit will feel solid and substantial, promising longevity and consistent performance over time.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Connectivity is key. Look for HDMI ARC/eARC for a simple, single-cable connection to your TV that allows you to control the soundbar’s volume with your TV remote. Features like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi add immense value, letting you stream music directly from your phone or tablet. Long-term care is minimal, usually just requiring a gentle dusting of the exterior and grille.

Keeping these factors in mind, the Samsung S60D 5.0ch All-in-one Soundbar stands out in several areas, particularly its blend of compact design and advanced audio technology. You can explore its detailed specifications and features here.

While the Samsung S60D 5.0ch All-in-one Soundbar is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Sleek Design Meets Simple Setup

Upon unboxing the Samsung S60D 5.0ch All-in-one Soundbar, the first thing that struck us was its refined, compact form. In a market often filled with bulky black boxes, the S60D feels intentionally designed. Its dimensions (67 x 6.2 x 10.5 cm) are impressively restrained, making it an ideal companion for TVs from 32 inches up to 55 inches without looking out of place. The build quality is solid, with a premium fabric grille wrapping around the front and top, and a sturdy chassis that feels dense and well-constructed for its 2kg weight. It exudes a sense of minimalist elegance that blends into a room rather than demanding attention.

Inside the box, Samsung provides everything needed to get started: the soundbar itself, a remote control with batteries, a power cable, and an HDMI cable. This inclusion of an HDMI cable is a thoughtful touch that’s often overlooked by other manufacturers, allowing for immediate connection via the preferred ARC (Audio Return Channel) method. The setup process is refreshingly straightforward, living up to the “all-in-one” promise. We simply plugged it into power and connected the HDMI cable to our TV’s ARC port, and it was instantly recognized. The “set it and forget it” experience noted by some users rings true; it integrates seamlessly, powering on and off with the TV and responding to the TV’s remote for volume control.

A Deep Dive into the S60D’s Audio Performance and Features

A soundbar can look beautiful and be easy to set up, but its ultimate test is performance. This is where we spent the bulk of our time with the Samsung S60D 5.0ch All-in-one Soundbar, putting it through its paces with a variety of content, from dialogue-heavy dramas and explosive action films to complex musical scores and competitive online gaming. We were consistently impressed by how much sonic power and nuance Samsung has engineered into such a compact and unassuming package. It’s a device that truly punches above its weight class, delivering an audio experience that fundamentally transforms your relationship with your television.

The 5.0 Channel Dolby Atmos Experience: A Room Full of Sound

Let’s first decode what “5.0 channel” and “Dolby Atmos” mean in this context. The S60D houses seven precisely-tuned speakers. Three fire forward (left, center, right) and two fire from the sides. The dedicated center channel is the unsung hero, ensuring that dialogue remains crisp and anchored to the screen, even when the on-screen action gets chaotic. We tested this with several notoriously difficult scenes, and voices that were once muddled by background noise on our TV speakers came through with pristine clarity. This was a sentiment echoed by one user who praised it for replacing a previous soundbar that could be “boomy with voice at times.”

The magic, however, lies in how the S60D handles Dolby Atmos. Instead of using upward-firing speakers, it employs sophisticated digital signal processing to create a virtual bubble of sound. The side-firing speakers bounce audio off your room’s walls, creating a sense of width that extends far beyond the physical enclosure of the bar. During the opening chase scene of *6 Underground*, the sound of ricocheting bullets and screeching tires felt genuinely immersive, with effects placed accurately in a three-dimensional space around us. While it may not replicate the pinpoint overhead accuracy of a system with physical ceiling speakers, the effect is remarkably convincing and undeniably superior to standard surround sound. The soundstage is wide, tall, and enveloping, pulling you directly into the heart of the action in a way that standard TV speakers simply cannot.

Adaptive Sound and Musicality: Intelligent Audio for Any Content

One of the standout features we tested was Samsung’s “Adaptive Sound” mode. This technology analyzes the audio signal in real-time and optimizes the sound profile for what you’re watching. During a quiet news broadcast, it emphasizes vocal frequencies for maximum clarity. Switch to a blockbuster movie, and it automatically boosts the bass and expands the surround effects for a more cinematic feel. We found this mode to be exceptionally effective, making it our preferred “set it and forget it” setting. As one user aptly noted, “Choosing adaptive output on the Samsung is excellent.” It removes the guesswork and ensures you’re always getting the best possible audio without constantly fiddling with settings.

Beyond movies, we were keen to test its musical prowess. Many soundbars excel at cinematic sound but fall flat when it comes to music. The S60D, however, proved to be a surprisingly capable music player. Connecting via Bluetooth was instantaneous, as lauded by a user who loved the ability to switch from their phone for a quick listening session. We streamed a range of genres, from the intricate layers of a classical symphony to the driving bass of electronic music. The soundbar delivered a balanced and detailed performance with good stereo separation. While it won’t produce the kind of subterranean bass that shakes the floorboards—for that, you’d want the optional SWA-W510 subwoofer another user recommended—the bass it does produce is tight, controlled, and well-integrated. It’s more than powerful enough to fill a small to medium-sized room with rich, enjoyable music. Those looking to experience its full potential should see the detailed audio specifications on its product page.

Smart Features and Usability: A Few Quirks in an Otherwise Smooth Experience

The “smart” aspect of the Samsung S60D 5.0ch All-in-one Soundbar is anchored by its built-in Amazon Alexa integration. Setting this up via the SmartThings app was simple, and once connected, it worked flawlessly. We were able to ask Alexa to play specific playlists, check the weather, and control other smart home devices, all through the soundbar’s far-field microphones. This effectively turns the soundbar into a smart hub for your living room, adding a layer of convenience that goes beyond simple audio playback. Wi-Fi connectivity also enables features like Spotify Connect and AirPlay, offering multiple ways to stream your favourite content.

However, the user experience isn’t without its minor flaws. As multiple users pointed out, the physical documentation is sparse. The quick-start guide gets you connected, but to understand the various sound modes and advanced settings, downloading the full digital manual is a must. The most common critique, which we share, concerns the LED display. It’s a small series of lights located on the top of the soundbar. From a seated position on the sofa, it is completely invisible. You have to stand over the unit to see which input is selected or what the volume level is. One user found this particularly puzzling, mentioning they had only seen the LEDs appear once. While the soundbar provides voice prompts for some actions, a simple front-facing display would have been a significant improvement in day-to-day usability. It’s a curious design choice in an otherwise thoughtfully engineered product.

What Other Users Are Saying

Synthesizing feedback from fellow users often paints a clearer picture, and the consensus on the Samsung S60D 5.0ch All-in-one Soundbar is overwhelmingly positive, albeit with a few consistent caveats. One user, who was clearly experienced with high-end audio, was “very impressive” with the soundbar’s range and power, noting it was good enough to replace their dedicated hi-fi system with Focal speakers for TV viewing. This is high praise and speaks to the quality of the audio processing.

Another user highlighted its value proposition, stating they “didn’t expect that it will be so good for such a price” when using it for a home cinema setup with a projector. They praised its flawless connectivity and effortless operation. The sentiment of it being a great audio upgrade for movies was shared by another reviewer, who said, “Sounds are great especially when watching movies with high quality sounds.”

The constructive criticism consistently revolves around the initial learning curve. “A bit difficult to figure out how it works at first,” one user admitted, pointing to the remote control’s functions. This, combined with the brief instructions and the hard-to-see LED display, suggests that users should be prepared for a short familiarization period to get the most out of the device.

How Does the Samsung S60D Compare to the Competition?

The Samsung S60D 5.0ch All-in-one Soundbar operates in a competitive space. To understand its value, it’s crucial to see how it stacks up against some popular alternatives, each of which caters to a slightly different user need.

1. Bose TV Speaker Bluetooth Soundbar

The Bose TV Speaker is built on a foundation of simplicity and clarity. Its primary mission is to make television dialogue easier to hear. It’s a compact, 2.0 channel soundbar that forgoes advanced features like Dolby Atmos and built-in voice assistants in favour of a plug-and-play experience. Someone might prefer the Bose if their sole complaint about their TV sound is muffled speech and they have no interest in virtual surround sound or smart features. The Samsung S60D, by contrast, is a far more ambitious device, offering a full 5.0 channel immersive experience with Dolby Atmos, Wi-Fi streaming, and Alexa, making it a much more comprehensive home entertainment hub.

2. Bose Solo Soundbar Series II TV Speaker

Similar to the Bose TV Speaker, the Bose Solo Soundbar Series II is laser-focused on enhancing TV audio with minimal fuss. It offers a slightly more robust sound profile than its sibling and maintains that core Bose strength of crisp, clear vocal reproduction. It connects via an optical cable or Bluetooth and is designed for users who want a simple, reliable upgrade from their TV’s speakers. A user would choose the Bose Solo Soundbar II if they prioritize the Bose sound signature for dialogue and music and want an incredibly straightforward setup. However, it lacks the S60D’s expansive Atmos soundstage, dedicated center channel, and smart connectivity features, placing it in a more basic category.

3. Sony HT-S40R 5.1ch Soundbar with Wireless Rear Speakers

The Sony HT-S40R represents a different approach to surround sound. This is a true 5.1 channel system, complete with a dedicated subwoofer for deep bass and two physical rear speakers for authentic surround effects. The rear speakers connect to a wireless amplifier, reducing cable clutter to the front of the room. A user would prefer the Sony system if their top priority is genuine, room-filling surround sound with impactful bass for an explosive home cinema experience. The trade-off is complexity and space; you have more components to place around your room. The Samsung S60D appeals to those who want an immersive experience from a single, elegant bar, sacrificing the floor-shaking bass and true rear effects for a much cleaner, clutter-free setup.

Final Verdict: Is the Samsung S60D 5.0ch All-in-one Soundbar Right for You?

After extensive testing, we can confidently say that the Samsung S60D 5.0ch All-in-one Soundbar is a phenomenal piece of audio engineering. It expertly balances a compact, lifestyle-friendly design with a genuinely immersive and powerful sound performance. Its ability to create a wide, convincing Dolby Atmos soundstage from a single unit is its greatest strength, transforming movie nights and gaming sessions. The dedicated center channel ensures dialogue is never lost, while the Adaptive Sound feature intelligently optimises audio for any content you throw at it. Add in the convenience of built-in Alexa and seamless wireless streaming, and you have a remarkably complete package.

While it has minor usability quirks, like the brief manual and poorly placed LED, these are easily overcome and do not detract from the superb core performance. This soundbar is highly recommended for anyone living in an apartment or seeking a minimalist aesthetic who wants a significant audio upgrade without the clutter of a multi-component system. It’s for the person who wants cinematic sound, smart features, and elegant design in one fell swoop.

If you’ve decided the Samsung S60D 5.0ch All-in-one Soundbar is the right fit for your home entertainment setup, you can check its current price and purchase it here.