soundbars · Head-to-head
Samsung HW-S60D vs Sony HT-S100F
The short answer
Samsung HW-S60D comes out ahead overall with 7.5/10 against 7.0/10 for the Sony HT-S100F. Samsung HW-S60D is stronger on dialogue clarity, dialogue boost range & controls, overall sound quality and safety, energy & repairability. Sony HT-S100F is stronger on ease of setup & use for seniors and value. At current verified prices, the Sony HT-S100F costs about $179.99 less.
- Choose the Samsung HW-S60D if: Buyers who want clear dialogue, full movie sound and one-cable HDMI-CEC setup from a single compact bar, especially Samsung TV owners.
- Choose the Sony HT-S100F if: Shoppers who want the cheapest no-fuss, no-app upgrade over TV speakers, with a Voice mode.
Scores by criterion
| Criterion | Samsung HW-S60D | Sony HT-S100F |
|---|---|---|
| Dialogue clarity | 8.2Discrete center channel; RTINGS 'great for dialogue' snippet, offset by Tom's Guide's muffled-dialogue note. | 6.8Beats TV speakers, but there's no center channel (RTINGS). |
| Dialogue boost range & controls | 5.5Voice Enhance is on/off only; Active Voice Amplifier needs a compatible Samsung TV (Tom's Guide). | 4.5Single Voice toggle. |
| Ease of setup & use for seniors | 8.0One HDMI ARC cable, TV-remote control via CEC, optional app, 26-inch bar with no subwoofer. | 8.8HDMI ARC/CEC, simple remote, no app. |
| Overall sound quality | 8.0Balanced 5.0 Atmos all-in-one; lacks low bass (RTINGS). | 6.0Decent 2.0 with modest bass. |
| Value | 7.5$277.99 sold by Amazon against a $399.99 list price, with a thin margin under the cap. | 8.8$98 with three testers behind it. |
| Safety, energy & repairability | 6.0No recalls found; standard warranty; no verified standby figure. | 5.0Neutral: no parts or idle-power evidence found. |
Specifications
| Spec | Samsung HW-S60D | Sony HT-S100F |
|---|---|---|
| Exact evaluated bar, subwoofer and surround configuration | HW-S60D bar only | HT-S100F bar only |
| Workflow type | All-in-one smart bar | Standalone budget bar |
| Dialogue feature | Active Voice Amplifier + Voice Enhance; discrete center channel | Voice mode |
| Exact US model and regional suffix | HW-S60D/ZA | HT-S100F |
| Dialogue enhancement levels | — | 1 levels |
| Soundbar width | 668 mm | 902 mm |
| Dedicated center channel / speech driver | Yes | No |
| Soundbar height | 61 mm | 64 mm |
| Soundbar depth | 104 mm | 89 mm |
| Channel configuration | 5.0 | 2.0 |
| Meets editorial 800-mm width and 80-mm height filter | Yes | No |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | No |
| Separate subwoofer included | No | No |
| Verified decoding and transport support | — | Dolby Digital, LPCM 2ch (retailer spec) |
| HDMI ARC/eARC | Yes | Yes |
| Full HDMI source inputs excluding ARC/eARC return port | 0 ports | 0 ports |
| Optical input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| ARC/eARC, optical, TV-specific and adapter requirements | — | HDMI ARC or optical |
| Width | 26.3 in | 35.5 in |
| Included calibration, device requirements and paid upgrades | SpaceFit Sound Pro room calibration built in | — |
| Physical remote, TV remote, account and app requirements | — | Included remote; TV remote via HDMI-CEC; no app |
| Compatible named optional subwoofer and surround configuration | Samsung SWA-W510 subwoofer | — |
| Current verified retailer price for evaluated configuration | 279.99 USD | — |
| Verified manufacturer list price, not assumed from a crossed-out reference | 399.99 USD | — |
| Listing, indexed listing, cart, delivery or conflicting-render status | Best Buy snapshots $279.99-$319; Walmart $297.99 (search snippets) | Amazon new offer $98 from third-party seller Electronic Express (search snippet) |
Samsung HW-S60D
Pros
- Discrete center channel for speech
- Dolby Atmos in a 26-inch single bar
- One-cable HDMI ARC setup with CEC
- Room calibration built in
- No subwoofer needed
Cons
- Priced near the $300 cap, and the list price is higher
- Active Voice Amplifier needs a compatible Samsung TV
- Limited dialogue controls
- Bass is light without the optional subwoofer
The best overall pick because it combines a center channel, easy setup and the best general sound here. Buy the HW-S60D/ZA listing, not a bundle, and it is at its best with a Samsung TV.
Full Samsung HW-S60D review →Sony HT-S100F
Pros
- Very low price
- HDMI ARC/CEC for TV-remote control
- One-touch Voice mode
- Bluetooth and optical inputs
- Backed by several independent testers
Cons
- No center channel
- Single voice toggle, no levels
- Older 2018 design
- An owner reports Bluetooth lag with video
A fair budget upgrade. For stronger hearing needs, spend more on one of the ZVOX bars.
Full Sony HT-S100F review →Both products are part of our guide The Best Soundbars Under $300 of 2026, where you can see every pick, how we score and current prices from each retailer.