Samsung is a great brand no matter the device, and the Samsung HW-J355 is one of the popular models in their soundbar lineup. Still, the question remains: is it worth it? We’ll take a look at all its features, advantages, and drawbacks in this Samsung HW J355 review.
What We Like
- 120 watts of power
- 37-inches with 2.1 channels
- Bluetooth supported
- Flexible placement
- Multiple inputs
- Wireless remote included
- Has a compatible app
- Wireless subwoofer
- Very affordable price
- Comes with optical cable
What We Don't Like
- Might not be super loud
Design
The soundbar is relatively large in size, which means it would need a larger TV (think 50 inches or so) and a larger space. The subwoofer would take up additional area too, but the sound quality justifies the bulk in design.
The Samsung HW-J355 is mainly black in color like most soundbars today. The subwoofer is consistent with the look as well, although the soundbar itself has silver sides.
Even for a larger soundbar, the weight is just around 4-5 pounds, which is exceptionally light. We didn’t have a hard time moving the soundbar around the room, so placement and installation weren’t much of a hassle.
What does D mean on a soundbar? Here is an informative guide about what D means on a Samsung soundbar.
Samsung HW J355 Features
3D Sound Plus
If you have read through other Samsung HW J355 reviews, you would notice that it’s commonly mentioned that this soundbar doesn’t have surround sound features. Although that is the case, it does simulate it with DTS and Dolby Digital – but more on this later. So even at an affordable price, you too can enjoy surround sound right at home.
Aside from providing high-quality sound, the 3D Sound Plus also provides clear voice tech, which enhances the speech of the content played. So if you are someone who struggles to make out certain words when watching a movie, this is a very helpful feature you can use.
Bluetooth Connection
Most soundbars today, including the HW-J355, are equipped with Bluetooth connection. This helps declutter your setup since there are no unsightly wires running from the wall to your TV. For some of us, we want to go the wireless route because messy setups just don’t cut it.
The Bluetooth supported connection also gives you the freedom to stream your content from your phone. As such, you don’t have to cope with the minimal volume and quality that your mobile device provides.
Input Connections
The more connections a device has, the more chances there are of your new sound device being compatible with your TV and other attachments. The inputs include Bluetooth, USB, TV, and optical cables.
So aside from your TV, you can also connect a game console, a Blu-ray player, and similar devices.
Remote Control
Similar to Samsung HW-A650 soundbar, the Samsung HW-J355 reviewed here comes with its own remote control for any sort of customization you need for the sound. If you want something more modern, there’s a mobile app you can download to control the soundbar as well. The app helps just in case you misplace the remote.
High Power
The Samsung HW-J355 soundbar packs a powerful punch in terms of power. You are looking at a strong 120 watts [1] split down the middle at 60 and 60 – one going to the soundbar and one going to the wireless subwoofer. In our tests, the soundbar delivers a great performance combined with rich and expansive sound.
2.1 Channels
The numbers here reflect the number of channels and subwoofers in your new soundbar. The first number is the number of channels (or how many points of sound emission your soundbar has) and the latter number is the number of subwoofers.
So with a 2.1 channel soundbar, you are getting two channels (left and right), and one subwoofer. This is actually a common configuration with soundbars today, but it still belongs to the basic bracket.
Others dare to take it higher to fully achieve surround sound. The Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 is but one proof of this.
Rich Bass
The external sub produces rich bass, and at 60 dB, you can expect the sound to be loud, deep, and rumbling. If it’s your first time having a subwoofer, you’ll immediately notice the difference in the bass tones because it’s something your TV speakers can’t provide.
Aside from the wireless sub, there are also built-in subwoofers within the soundbar itself that provide unmatchable bass to go with the external sub. With this, the bass is taken to a higher level with both the soundbar and the sub working to deliver those low frequencies.
To get a more surround sound experience, you read our comparison of JBL 9.1 vs JBL 5.1 here.
DTS and Dolby Digital Decoder
DTS and Dolby Digital are industry-leading technologies when it comes to sound quality. Many Samsung devices are equipped with these technologies, so you can expect superior sound from them, which includes the Samsung HW-J355.
Furthermore, the DTS and Dolby Digital decoder also contribute to the surround sound effect. So while this soundbar doesn’t have Atmos, the sound experience is close enough.
Sound Quality
With the above-mentioned decoders and the external subwoofer, you already know you are getting excellent sound. But with only less than 1% harmonic distortion from the subwoofer even at higher volumes, the Samsung HW-J355 soundbar is one of the top soundbar choices.
Our tests prove this as well. When we turned up the volume to its highest setting, we can still hear the finer details of the audio instead of everything just being plainly loud.
Sound Effects/Sound Modes
The sound effects or sound modes are what tunes the audio settings to suit the content. On this Samsung HW-J355 soundbar, you get more than just a few of them. It comes with Standard, Voice, Music, Cinema (movie), and Night Modes for a sound that suits your needs.
We found Night Mode to be especially useful, mainly because it automatically tones down the volumes when you’re watching movies at night. Less noise, less complaints from neighbors.
USB Support
The Samsung HW-J355 soundbar supports USB devices that could have your favorite tracks and podcasts saved. These external storage devices can work easily with your new soundbar, which is great if you want continuous playback.
Easy Setup
The setup of the Samsung soundbar is easy enough as it supports you in the process. You have all you need right out of the box and the user manual is a great reference if you encounter any problems.
The wall mount hardware and kit comes with your purchase as well in case you decide to mount your soundbar on the wall instead of placing it on a shelf or entertainment unit.
Price
The amount you need to shell out for this particular soundbar is quite reasonable for all the features it provides. It’s durable and it won’t give out easily, so it’s a worthy long-term investment.
For soundbars at a reasonable price range, you can also check high-performing curved soundbars here.
Warranty
The product also comes with a limited 1-year warranty, which says a lot about the company’s confidence on the soundbar. If there are issues with your new soundbar, the manufacturer will do their part to solve the problem as long as the warranty covers it.
Energy Star Certified
The Samsung HW-J355 soundbar is Energy Star certified. This means that the product itself is built to adhere to standards set by the EPA. Having this assurance can inform you whether or not your soundbar is built to be better than the rest.
A product with this certification further puts the consumer’s mind at ease about the quality and longevity of their purchase. It’s also a good sign of legitimacy, so you know you’re really buying the real thing.
Read more about other competing soundbars — we also wrote about the Sonos Beam VS Bose TV Speaker here.
Samsung HW-J355 Reviews Conclusion
The Samsung HW-J355 provides enhanced sound and deep bass with customizable sound modes to give you the best home theater experience. While the Samsung HW-J355 soundbar doesn’t provide true surround sound, you won’t notice the difference with the 3D sound plus technology that does the same job.
The affordable price of this soundbar gives you all the luxuries of a more high-end and expensive one, just like other models in this series.
Enjoyed the Samsung HW J355 Review? Read more possible options for your home soundbar. Check out our review of the Vizio SB3651-E6, next!
