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Bose Smart Soundbar Ultra — $999
Bose

Bose Smart Soundbar Ultra

$999

89
/ 100
From $999
VS
Bose Smart Soundbar Ultra wins by 7
Samsung HW-S801D — $399
Samsung

Samsung HW-S801D

$399

82
/ 100
From $399
Specdex verdict

Bose Smart Soundbar Ultra takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Bose Smart Soundbar Ultra lands at 89 and Samsung HW-S801D at 82. That puts Bose Smart Soundbar Ultra ahead by 7 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Bose Smart Soundbar Ultra if…

  • ✓Dolby Atmos on most
  • ✓One-box simplicity
  • ✓eARC passthrough

Pick Samsung HW-S801D if…

  • ✓Dolby Atmos on most
  • ✓One-box simplicity
  • ✓eARC passthrough
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Ease of use

Tie

Compared on the ease of use sub-score

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Sound

Bose Smart Soundbar Ultra

Compared on the sound sub-score

Bose Smart Soundbar Ultra leads on sound (89 vs 82).

Design

Tie

Compared on the design sub-score

Effectively tied — neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead.

Value for money

Samsung HW-S801D

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Samsung HW-S801D more score per dollar ($399 vs $999).

Bose Smart Soundbar Ultra 89
vs
82 Samsung HW-S801D

Score breakdown

Bose Smart Soundbar Ultra
89
sound 89
features 87
design 84
ease 86
Samsung HW-S801D
82
sound 82
features 80
design 84
ease 86

Specs side-by-side

Bose Smart Soundbar Ultra versus Samsung HW-S801D — full spec comparison
Spec Bose Smart Soundbar Ultra Samsung HW-S801D

Bose Smart Soundbar Ultra

Pros
  • +Dolby Atmos on most
  • +One-box simplicity
  • +eARC passthrough
Cons
  • −Rear surrounds sold separately on some
  • −App quality varies
  • −Cabinet depth needs space

Samsung HW-S801D

Pros
  • +Dolby Atmos on most
  • +One-box simplicity
  • +eARC passthrough
Cons
  • −Rear surrounds sold separately on some
  • −App quality varies
  • −Cabinet depth needs space

FAQ: Bose Smart Soundbar Ultra vs Samsung HW-S801D

Which is better, Bose Smart Soundbar Ultra or Samsung HW-S801D? +

Bose Smart Soundbar Ultra scores 89 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 7. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Bose Smart Soundbar Ultra worth the price? +

At $999, Bose Smart Soundbar Ultra delivers a Specdex score of 89 — strongest in sound.

Is Samsung HW-S801D worth the price? +

At $399, Samsung HW-S801D delivers a Specdex score of 82 — strongest in ease.

Does Bose Smart Soundbar Ultra or Samsung HW-S801D last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for sound, Bose Smart Soundbar Ultra or Samsung HW-S801D? +

Bose Smart Soundbar Ultra — leads on sound (89 vs 82). Compared on the sound sub-score.

Which is the better value, Bose Smart Soundbar Ultra or Samsung HW-S801D? +

Samsung HW-S801D — more score per dollar ($399 vs $999). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.