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Research · 5.0-channel soundbar

Samsung HW-S60D: what the testing says

The HW-S60D is the under-$300 bar for streaming and talk. RTINGS calls it great for dialogue, it has Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Chromecast, and Alexa built in, and Amazon.com had it at $277.99 on October 26. It decodes Dolby Atmos but has no up-firing drivers or sub, so movies are only okay.

By The WhichTVShouldIBuy editorsUpdated Released 2024
Samsung HW-S60D soundbar, three-quarter view
Image: Samsung (official product page, opens in a new tab)

Our take

The short version

Samsung's compact 2024 S60D is a 26-inch, 5.0-channel bar with a center channel and side-firing speakers. RTINGS calls it 'great for dialogue and TV shows', crediting 'its discrete center channel' and a balanced response, and good for music.

It's the best-connected bar under $300 here: HDMI eARC, optical, Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa built in, and Samsung's SpaceFit room calibration. It decodes Dolby Atmos, but with no up-firing drivers there's little height, and RTINGS rates it only okay for movies and notes it 'lacks low-bass'.

Samsung sells an SWA-W510 sub and SWA-9200S rears for it. Its Q-Symphony footnote names 2020–2024 Samsung TVs, so a 2026 set like the S90H isn't on that list. It fits under any TV we cover from 42 inches.

Pros and cons

What we like

  • RTINGS: great for dialogue, good for music
  • Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Alexa built in
  • HDMI eARC and SpaceFit room calibration
  • Small: fits under a 42-inch screen

Trade-offs

  • No up-firing drivers; RTINGS rates it okay for movies
  • Lacks low bass without the optional sub
  • Q-Symphony listed for 2020–2024 Samsung TVs only

Who it's for

Buy it if…

  • Anyone under $300 who mainly wants clearer TV and Wi-Fi music
  • Smaller rooms and 42- to 55-inch TVs
  • Apartment dwellers who don't want a sub

Skip it if…

  • Anyone who wants bass: the Samsung HW-B750F includes a sub for $20 more
  • Movie fans: the Hisense AX5140Q adds a sub and rears for $122 more
  • 2026 Samsung TV owners counting on Q-Symphony

Your TV

TVs it fits and syncs with

At 26.3 in (668 mm) wide, the HW-S60D fits under a 42-inch screen, whose picture is 36.6 inches wide, and every size we cover. Our rule: a bar fits when it's no wider than the picture, since every TV is a little wider than its picture and the bar then won't overhang it. Check the gap under the screen too: the bar is 2.4 inches (61 mm) tall.

Samsung names these features for Samsung TVs. Any other TV still works with it over HDMI eARC.

  • Samsung TVs: Q-Symphony

    Q-Symphony plays the TV's speakers along with the bar. Samsung's footnote says it needs a compatible 2020–2024 Samsung TV, and its Wireless Dolby Atmos footnote names select 2022 and 2023 sets. Samsung names 2020–2024 Samsung TVs. Samsung's page (opens in a new tab)

TVs we cover that it fits under

Sizes are the ones each TV is sold in. A sync feature is listed where Samsung names one for that TV's brand and model year.

Spec sheet

HW-S60D specs

Samsung HW-S60D specifications
Channels5.0
Drivers7 speakers, including a center and side-firing
Audio formatsDolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Atmos Music, DTS 5.1; no DTS:X
HDMIHDMI eARC to the TV; no HDMI input
HDMI passthroughNone
Optical1 optical input
WirelessWi-Fi (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.2, AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect
Voice / micsAlexa built in; Bixby
SubwooferNone in the box; optional Samsung SWA-W510
Rear speakersNone in the box; optional Samsung SWA-9200S
Bar dimensions26.3 x 2.4 x 4.1 in (Samsung gives inches only; about 668 x 61 mm)
Bar weight6 lb
Room calibrationSpaceFit Sound Pro
Dialogue / night modesActive Voice Amplifier
Also notableTap Sound; Wireless Dolby Atmos with select 2022 and 2023 Samsung TVs

From the manufacturer sources listed below. “Not specified” means those sources don't state it. Model number: HW-S60D/ZA.

Published testing

What the testing says

Other outlets tested the HW-S60D; we didn't. Each finding is theirs, with the page and its date.

Cross-shop

Alternatives to consider

  • Samsung HW-B750F soundbar with its wireless subwoofer, three-quarter view
    Image: Samsung (official product page, opens in a new tab)

    Samsung HW-B750F

    Channels
    5.1
    Approx. price
    ~$297.99
    In the box
    Bar and sub
    Fits under
    48" and up
    TV sync
    Samsung
    Width
    40.6 in

    A 5.1 bar and sub under $300 that RTINGS rates very good for dialogue and music, but with no Atmos.

    Pros

    • Pro: RTINGS: very good for dialogue and for music
    • Pro: Wireless sub in the box with punchy bass
    • Pro: Center channel and side-firing speakers

    Trade-offs

    • Trade-off: No Dolby Atmos
    • Trade-off: HDMI ARC, not eARC; no Wi-Fi

    Top fit scores

    Value
    5 out of 5
    Dialogue
    4 out of 5
    Music
    4 out of 5

    Editorial fit scores, 1–5, from published testing and specs, not our own measurements.

    Check price

    Affiliate link to Amazon. Price approx., seen Oct 2026.

    Read the breakdown: Samsung HW-B750F
  • Sonos Ray soundbar in black, three-quarter view
    Image: Sonos (official product page, opens in a new tab)

    Sonos Ray

    Channels
    2.0
    Approx. price
    ~$219
    In the box
    Bar only
    Fits under
    42" and up
    TV sync
    None stated
    Width
    21.9 in

    A small stereo bar for clearer TV voices and Sonos streaming; optical only, with no HDMI or Atmos.

    Pros

    • Pro: Clear voices: 4 of 5 from What Hi-Fi?, TechRadar, and Tom's Guide
    • Pro: Wi-Fi streaming with AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect
    • Pro: Small enough for any TV we cover

    Trade-offs

    • Trade-off: Optical only: no HDMI, so no one-cable CEC control
    • Trade-off: No Dolby Atmos; RTINGS calls it disappointing for movies

    Top fit scores

    Value
    4 out of 5
    Dialogue
    2 out of 5
    Movies
    1 out of 5

    Editorial fit scores, 1–5, from published testing and specs, not our own measurements.

    Check price

    Affiliate link to Amazon. Price approx., seen Oct 2026.

    Read the breakdown: Sonos Ray
  • Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 soundbar with its wireless subwoofer, three-quarter view
    Image: Sony (official product page, opens in a new tab)

    Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5

    Channels
    3.1 Atmos
    Approx. price
    ~$348
    In the box
    Bar and sub
    Fits under
    42" and up
    TV sync
    Sony
    Width
    35.5 in

    Sony's cheapest bar and sub, which RTINGS rates great for dialogue; Atmos and music are its weak spots.

    Pros

    • Pro: RTINGS: great for dialogue and TV
    • Pro: Wireless sub in the box
    • Pro: Fits under a 42-inch screen

    Trade-offs

    • Trade-off: No up-firing drivers: Atmos height is simulated
    • Trade-off: Bass is boomy and imprecise, per RTINGS

    Top fit scores

    Dialogue
    4 out of 5
    Bass
    3 out of 5
    Value
    3 out of 5

    Editorial fit scores, 1–5, from published testing and specs, not our own measurements.

    Check price

    Affiliate link to Amazon. Price approx., seen Oct 2026.

    Read the breakdown: Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5

Sources

Manufacturer specs

Published testing

Manufacturer specs and published testing, researched October 26, 2026. The Amazon price is the buy-box price for a new unit that day ($277.99, sold by Amazon.com). We didn't test this soundbar ourselves; findings credited to an outlet are that outlet's.