Welcome to our in-depth review of the Samsung S40T soundbar, a popular entry-level soundbar designed to enhance your home entertainment experience. With its stylish design, simple setup, and competitive pricing, the Samsung S40T has garnered attention in the entry-level soundbar market. This review aims to provide detailed information on the soundbar’s features, pros, and cons, allowing you to make an informed purchasing decision.
Design and Build Quality
The Samsung S40T sports a minimalist and compact design. With dimensions measuring 25.6 inches wide, 2.75 inches high, and 4.25 inches deep, this soundbar is suitable for small to medium-sized TVs. Its slim and straightforward design ensures that it can fit in most living room setups without any difficulties.
Featuring Samsung’s trademark Kvadrat fabric, the S40T expresses elegance and sophistication, blending seamlessly into your home décor. The high-quality textile covering ensures that the sound output remains uncompromised, adding to its acoustic performance.
Sound Quality and Performance
Powered by a 2.0 channel configuration, the Samsung S40T boasts a total power output of 100W. The soundbar is designed to produce clear and dynamic audio for its size, ideal for enhancing dialogues and sound effects in movies and TV shows without occupying much space.
For bass enthusiasts, the Samsung S40T does not come with a dedicated subwoofer, but it includes built-in bass drivers that provide a certain level of bass response. While not as powerful as standalone subwoofers, the built-in bass drivers enhance the audio experience for casual listeners.
Features and Technologies
Music Mode
The Samsung S40T features a dedicated Music Mode, specially designed to provide an optimized listening experience when playing your favorite tracks. This mode enhances the overall audio experience by improving clarity in vocals and various instrument tones.
Bluetooth Connectivity
The soundbar incorporates Bluetooth 4.2 technology, allowing wireless audio streaming from smartphones, tablets, or other Bluetooth-enabled devices. The S40T is also capable of wireless connection with compatible Samsung TVs, ensuring a convenient and clutter-free setup.
Surround Sound Expansion
While the S40T is a basic soundbar lacking support for more advanced surround sound technologies, it includes Samsung’s Surround Sound Expansion feature to create a wider soundstage. Though it cannot rival true surround sound systems, this feature helps in delivering a more immersive audio experience for movies and TV shows.
Control Options
The Samsung S40T offers various control options for users, including a simple physical button panel on the soundbar itself. Additionally, it comes with a compact and intuitive remote control to adjust settings such as volume, source, and sound modes. The soundbar also supports the Samsung Audio Remote app, enabling wireless control via your Android smartphone.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Aesthetic Design
The Samsung S40T strikes with a noteworthy design featuring Samsung’s signature Kvadrat fabric. This elegant design makes the soundbar a visually-appealing addition to your living space.
Easy Setup
The S40T offers a simple setup process, requiring only a power cable and a connection to your TV either through an HDMI ARC or optical cable. Its Bluetooth compatibility adds to the convenience, as you can connect it wirelessly to compatible Samsung TVs or other devices.
Compact Size
The Samsung S40T’s compact size makes it an ideal choice for small living spaces or those looking for small soundbars that don’t compromise on sound quality.
Cons
Lack of Dedicated Subwoofer
The absence of a dedicated subwoofer is a drawback for those seeking powerful bass in their audio setup. However, the built-in bass drivers help provide a decent bass response for casual listeners.
Limited Surround Sound Capabilities
The S40T’s limited surround sound capabilities may leave some users wanting more in terms of an immersive audio experience. The soundbar lacks support for advanced audio technologies like Dolby Atmos or DTS:X.
No HDMI Pass-through
The Samsung S40T does not include an HDMI pass-through feature, which might be disappointing for those looking to connect multiple devices to their TV. Users can only connect the S40T through an HDMI ARC or optical cable.
Placement Options
When it comes to placing the Samsung S40T, you get two options: shelf placement or wall mounting. The soundbar is designed to sit flat on your TV shelf, matching the aesthetic of your TV setup. It also comes with wall-mounting brackets, providing flexibility in setup options.
Compare With Similar Products
To further ascertain the value of the S40T, let’s compare it with its competitors in the same price range, such as the Sony HT-S200F and Yamaha YAS-109.
S40T vs. Sony HT-S200F
Like the S40T, the Sony HT-S200F is a 2.1 channel soundbar with in-built subwoofers. However, the HT-S200F slightly edges out the S40T in terms of overall bass thanks to Sony’s Bass Reflex speaker. In terms of design, both soundbars carry distinct aesthetics – the S40T with its Kvadrat fabric appeals more to modern, minimalist décor while the HT-S200F carves out its own industrial sleekness.
S40T vs. Yamaha YAS-109
The Yamaha YAS-109 offers a slightly more advanced package than the S40T. With the inclusion of Alexa Voice Control and DTS Virtual:X, the YAS-109 overshadows the S40T in terms of features. Nonetheless, the S40T does not fail in either design or basic sound performance, making it a worthy competitor.
Final Consideration
To wrap up, the Samsung S40T is a soundbar that beckons with its stylish look, easy setup, and reliable performance. While it may not wow those seeking booming bass or cinematic surround sound, it holds its own as a compact solution perfect for enhancing sounds from your TV and streaming music from your smartphone. It’s a cost-effective solution often preferred by customers who seek simplicity and elegance in their soundbar.
- Is the S40T perfect? Maybe not.
- Is it a quality entry-level soundbar? Definitely yes.
- Is it worth your attention? We certainly think so.
Time spent understanding your specific requirements will ensure that the Samsung S40T, with all its pros and cons, matches your audio expectations and home setup.
FAQs
Can the Samsung S40T be wall-mounted?
Yes, the soundbar includes the necessary brackets and screws for wall-mounting, providing a versatile installation option.
Does the Samsung S40T support voice assistants, like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant?
No, the Samsung S40T does not have built-in voice assistant support. However, you can still use voice assistants through your smartphone or compatible devices to control it via Bluetooth.
Can I use the Samsung S40T with a non-Samsung TV?
Yes, the S40T is compatible with most TVs equipped with an HDMI ARC or optical connection, irrespective of the brand.
Can I pair the Samsung S40T soundbar with additional speakers for a surround sound setup?
Unfortunately, the S40T does not support adding additional speakers to create a surround sound setup. It is a standalone 2.0 channel soundbar designed for a simple and compact audio solution.
How do I connect my smartphone or tablet to the Samsung S40T soundbar?
You can easily connect your smartphone or tablet to the Samsung S40T soundbar via Bluetooth. Simply enable Bluetooth on your device, search for the soundbar, and establish a connection to stream your favorite music.