best samsung soundbars hw ms650 vs 6500: flat or curved? (2026)

Two Samsung soundbars from 2017 still draw the same question from owners of older Samsung TVs: which one fits your screen? This guide compares the flat HW-MS650 with the curved HW-MS6500 in best samsung soundbars hw ms650 vs 6500 terms, explains what the two bars share, and points to Samsung models when neither older bar is easy to find.

Quick verdict: best samsung soundbars hw ms650 vs 6500

Choose the HW-MS650 if your TV is flat, and choose the HW-MS6500 if your TV is curved, because the two bars are the same soundbar in two cabinets. Sound, channels, connections and expansion options match, so the curve is the deciding factor. Check availability first, since both models date from 2017.

Best samsung soundbars hw ms650 vs 6500: the direct comparison

Both bars use the same three-channel layout, the same nine drivers and the same connection panel, so there is no sound-quality winner between them. The HW-MS650 is a straight bar that suits any flat TV, while the HW-MS6500 curves to match a curved Samsung TV from the same era.

Neither bar has Dolby Atmos, a subwoofer in the box or an HDMI eARC port, so buyers with a modern Samsung TV should read the alternatives section before deciding.

Quick comparison table

The table below puts the two compared bars next to the four current Samsung alternatives in this guide, so the trade-offs are visible at a glance. Channels, included hardware and connections are the columns that matter most, because they decide what each bar can do without extra purchases.

The two 2017 bars are the only picks here without a subwoofer in the box, and the only ones without Dolby Atmos. That is not a flaw in itself, since both were designed as single-bar upgrades for TV speakers, but it is the reason the current alternatives below matter for buyers who want deeper bass or height effects.

How we selected the soundbars in this guide

Every model in this guide is a real Samsung soundbar with published specifications from Samsung, a retailer listing or an independent review. The two compared bars were chosen because the keyword asks about them directly, and the four alternatives were chosen because they cover the same single-bar or bar-and-subwoofer roles with modern connections.

This guide is based on published specifications and review coverage, and it claims no testing of its own. The 2017 bars are older models, so availability is a live question: check stock and condition before buying, and treat any used or refurbished listing with extra care. No review scores or prices are cited, because scores use different methods and prices change by seller.

The two compared models in detail

The two bars below share almost everything except the cabinet, so the sections repeat some facts on purpose. Read them together: the flat bar first, then the curved bar, then the head-to-head section that weighs the differences that actually change a buying decision.

Samsung HW-MS650: the flat Sound+ bar for flat TVs

The Samsung HW-MS650 is a 2017 Sound+ soundbar built as a single-box upgrade for a flat TV, with no subwoofer in the box. It is a 3.0-channel bar with nine drivers: three wide-range tweeters and six mid and bass drivers, with a dedicated amplifier for each driver and a dedicated centre channel for dialogue.

Samsung built the HW-MS650 around its Distortion Cancelling technology, which is designed to reduce low-frequency distortion before it reaches the drivers, so the bar can produce deeper bass than its slim cabinet suggests. It decodes Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 2.0, and it has no Dolby Atmos support. Connections are one HDMI 2.0a input and one HDMI output with ARC, plus optical and a 3.5mm analogue input, and the HDMI sockets pass 4K and HDR video with HDCP 2.2. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are built in for music streaming and multiroom audio, and the bar is 1060mm wide, which suits TVs of about 50 inches and up.

Buy it if you own a flat Samsung TV from the same era, you want one bar and nothing else, and you can find a unit in good condition. Skip it if you want Dolby Atmos, a subwoofer in the box, or an eARC connection, since this bar offers none of those. Optional extras are the SWA-9000S wireless rear speaker kit and the SWA-W700 wireless subwoofer, both sold separately.

Samsung HW-MS6500: the curved bar for curved TVs

The Samsung HW-MS6500 is the curved version of the HW-MS650, built to match Samsung curved-screen TVs from 2017. Inside the curved cabinet it is the same soundbar: a 3.0-channel layout with nine drivers, three tweeters and six mid and bass drivers, a dedicated centre channel, and the same Distortion Cancelling technology for low-frequency control.

The curved bar measures about 45.7 inches wide, 3.2 inches high and 6.6 inches deep, and it weighs about 14.3 pounds. Its connections match the flat bar exactly: one HDMI 2.0a input, one HDMI output with ARC, optical and a 3.5mm analogue input, with 4K and HDR passthrough and HDCP 2.2. It decodes Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 2.0, supports hi-res audio up to 96kHz and 24-bit, and offers five sound modes, including Standard, Music, Movie, Clear Voice and Sports. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are built in, and the same optional SWA-9000S rear kit and SWA-W700 subwoofer can expand it into a fuller system.

Buy it if you own a curved Samsung TV and want a bar that follows the curve of the screen. Skip it if your TV is flat, because the curve then buys nothing and limits where the bar sits, and skip it if you need Atmos or eARC. As with the flat bar, check availability and condition carefully, since this is a 2017 model that is no longer a current Samsung product.

Head-to-head: sound, design and connections

Sound is a tie, because both bars use the same driver array, the same amplifiers and the same processing. The published frequency range for the curved bar runs from 38Hz to 20kHz, and the flat bar shares the same drivers and cabinet volume in a straight shape, so neither bar has a bass or clarity edge over the other in the published specifications.

Design is where the two bars differ, and it is the only difference that matters. The HW-MS650 is a straight bar that fits any flat TV and any straight stand, while the HW-MS6500 curves to sit neatly under a curved screen. The curved bar is wider and deeper, at about 45.7 inches wide against the flat bar at about 41.7 inches, so measure the stand before choosing. Connections, formats, sound modes and expansion options are identical on both bars, including the single HDMI input, the ARC output, optical, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

The practical rule is simple: match the bar to the TV. A curved bar under a flat TV looks wrong and gains nothing, while a flat bar under a curved TV leaves a visible gap at the ends. If you are buying used, the flat bar is the easier find, because curved TVs sold in smaller numbers, so the curved bar is rarer on the second-hand market.

Current Samsung alternatives if you cannot find them

The four bars below are current Samsung models that cover the same jobs as the two 2017 bars, with modern connections and easier availability. They are not identical replacements: each one changes the channel layout, the included hardware or the sound formats, so the notes below explain what each one gains and what it gives up.

Samsung HW-Q600F: entry-level Atmos with a subwoofer

The Samsung HW-Q600F is the closest current step up from the two 2017 bars, because it adds the two things they lack: Dolby Atmos and a wireless subwoofer in the box. Samsung lists a 3.1.2-channel system with nine speakers, 380 watts of total power, two up-firing channels and a dedicated centre speaker for dialogue.

The HW-Q600F supports Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X, along with Wireless Dolby Atmos and Q-Symphony with a compatible Samsung TV. Its HDMI eARC connection and HDMI input pass 4K at 60Hz with HDR10+, and optional SWA-9250S rear speakers can expand the system further. Adaptive Sound and SpaceFit Sound Pro adjust the sound to the room and the content, which the 2017 bars do not offer.

Buy it if you want Atmos height effects and real bass from a subwoofer without moving to a premium price tier. Skip it if you need DTS:X rather than DTS Virtual:X, or if your TV has no HDMI eARC port, since the highest-quality Atmos formats need that connection. It is a wider, taller system than either 2017 bar once the subwoofer is placed, so plan for the extra box.

Samsung HW-B750F: the affordable 5.1 package

The Samsung HW-B750F is the affordable pick for buyers who want true surround channels and a subwoofer at a lower tier than the HW-Q600F. Samsung lists a 5.1-channel system with six speakers and 400 watts of total power, including a wireless subwoofer and a dedicated centre channel for dialogue.

The HW-B750F plays Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS Virtual:X, and it has no Dolby Atmos and no HDMI eARC port, so it is a 5.1 system rather than a height-effects system. Q-Symphony works with a compatible Samsung TV, and Bass Boost, Adaptive Sound and Voice Enhance cover the everyday listening modes. It connects through HDMI ARC or optical, with Bluetooth for music, and optional SWA-9250S rear speakers can be added later for true surround.

Buy it if you want a complete bar-and-subwoofer package with a centre channel at the lowest tier in this guide. Skip it if you need Dolby Atmos, DTS:X or an eARC connection, or if your TV is small enough that a 40.6-inch bar will overhang the stand. For many living rooms, the subwoofer alone is a bigger upgrade than the Atmos on a more expensive bar.

Samsung HW-S60D: the compact all-in-one bar

The Samsung HW-S60D is a 2024 all-in-one bar for buyers who want a single box and nothing else, in a much smaller cabinet than either 2017 bar. Samsung lists a 5.0-channel layout with built-in woofers, so it produces its own bass without a separate subwoofer, and it measures 26.3 inches wide, 2.4 inches high and 4.1 inches deep.

The HW-S60D supports Dolby Atmos, DTS Virtual:X and DTS 5.1, with Wireless Dolby Atmos and Q-Symphony on a compatible Samsung TV. It connects through an optical digital audio input, with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Chromecast and Spotify Connect for music, and optional SWA-9200S rear speakers can expand it to a fuller surround system. Its small size suits a bedroom, a small living room or a second TV, where a 41-inch bar would dominate the stand.

Buy it if your room is small, you want one tidy bar, and you are happy with built-in bass rather than a separate subwoofer. Skip it if you want deep bass for action movies without adding hardware, or if your TV setup depends on a wired HDMI input, since this bar is built around optical and wireless connections. Check the exact inputs on the unit you buy, because published input lists for this model vary by region.

Samsung HW-B650F: dialogue and bass on a budget

The Samsung HW-B650F is a 3.1-channel bar with a wireless subwoofer, built around a dedicated centre speaker for dialogue. Samsung lists 370 watts of total power for the F suffix model, with Dolby Audio and DTS Virtual:X, Q-Symphony with a compatible Samsung TV, and a 6.5-inch wireless subwoofer for low end.

The HW-B650F connects through HDMI ARC, with optical and Bluetooth alongside it, and it offers Bass Boost, Adaptive Sound and a game mode for everyday use. The centre channel keeps speech clear without turning the whole system up, and the subwoofer adds the weight that the 2017 bars produce from their driver arrays alone. It is a straightforward bar-and-subwoofer package with no Atmos and no up-firing drivers.

Buy it if dialogue clarity and bass matter more than height effects, and you want a subwoofer in the box at a modest tier. Skip it if you need Dolby Atmos or eARC, or if you want rear speakers included rather than added later. Note the suffix when you shop: the older HW-B650 without a suffix is listed at 430 watts in some listings, while the F and D suffix models are listed at 370 watts, so compare the exact model number on the box.

What to check before you buy

A soundbar is a room purchase as much as an electronics purchase, so the checks below matter more than the channel count on the box. Measure the TV stand, find the ports on the TV, and think about where a subwoofer and any rear speakers will sit before you commit to a model.

How to match the bar to a flat or curved TV

Start with the shape of the screen, because it decides between the two 2017 bars outright. A flat TV suits the straight HW-MS650, and a curved TV suits the curved HW-MS6500, while the current alternatives are all straight bars that fit any flat TV. Size matters too, so measure the stand first.

Measure the stand, not the TV, because a bar that overhangs the stand is a daily annoyance and a knock risk. The compact HW-S60D at 26.3 inches wide is the pick for a small stand or a bedroom TV, while the wider bars in this guide need a stand of at least 40 inches. Wall mounting changes the maths again: a curved bar on a flat wall looks odd, so the curved model only makes sense when the TV itself is curved.

HDMI ARC, eARC and optical: what actually matters

The connection on the back of the TV decides which sound formats the soundbar can receive, so check it before you buy. HDMI eARC carries the highest-quality audio, including Dolby Atmos from Dolby TrueHD, while standard HDMI ARC carries compressed Atmos and Dolby Digital 5.1, and optical carries Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo but no Atmos at all.

The two 2017 bars use standard HDMI ARC, with one HDMI input for a source such as a Blu-ray player, and they pass 4K and HDR video through that input. The HW-Q600F is the only bar here with HDMI eARC, which is what its Atmos support needs, while the HW-B750F and HW-B650F use standard HDMI ARC to match their non-Atmos formats. The HW-S60D in this guide connects through its optical input and wireless links, so confirm the inputs on the exact unit before you buy.

Do you need a subwoofer, rear speakers or Dolby Atmos?

A separate subwoofer is the single most noticeable upgrade for movies, because a slim bar cannot move enough air for deep bass on its own. The two 2017 bars are the exception here, since their nine-driver arrays and Distortion Cancelling were designed to produce bass without a subwoofer.

Rear speakers change the sound more than Atmos does for many viewers, because they put effects behind the sofa instead of relying on virtual processing. The optional SWA-9000S kit expands either 2017 bar, while the current models take SWA-9250S or SWA-9200S rears depending on the model. Dolby Atmos adds height, and it matters most for movie nights in a room with a flat ceiling; for everyday TV and dialogue, a centre channel and a subwoofer matter more.

Frequently asked questions

The questions below cover the doubts that come up most often before a purchase, from whether the two 2017 bars are still worth buying to which current model replaces them. Each answer follows the same rule as the rest of this guide: it states what the specifications support, and it names the case where the answer changes.

Are the HW-MS650 and HW-MS6500 still worth buying?

They can be, if you own a Samsung TV from the same era and you find a unit in good condition at a sensible tier. Both bars were well regarded when new, and their nine-driver arrays still beat most TV speakers. They are not worth buying at a premium tier, because current models add Atmos, eARC and a subwoofer for similar money.

Can I add a subwoofer or rear speakers to either 2017 bar?

Yes, both bars accept the same optional extras: the SWA-W700 wireless subwoofer and the SWA-9000S wireless rear speaker kit, both sold separately. The rear kit uses a wireless dongle that plugs into a USB port on the bar, and it expands either bar toward a fuller surround system.

Which current Samsung soundbar replaces the HW-MS650?

There is no exact replacement, because no current Samsung bar copies the nine-driver single-box design. The HW-Q600F is the closest step up, with Atmos, a subwoofer and eARC, while the HW-B750F is the closest match on value, with a 5.1 package and a subwoofer. Buyers who want a single box and nothing else should look at the compact HW-S60D instead.

Conclusion

Match the bar to the TV: the flat HW-MS650 for a flat screen, the curved HW-MS6500 for a curved screen, and neither one if you want Atmos, eARC or a subwoofer in the box. If either 2017 bar is hard to find in good condition, the HW-Q600F is the strongest current replacement, with the HW-B750F and HW-S60D covering smaller budgets and smaller rooms.