HW-K650 and Two R1 Wirelss Speakers in 5.1 With KS7000 TV

[podavies]

When using the K650 sound bar and two R1 Wireless speakers in surround sound mode over wifi with the latest firmware, The quailty of the sound K650 drops, sounds very muddy. As soon as you use the sound bar on it own, the sound bar improves. this is happening for a quite a few users.

can you help.

[podavies]

Thanks for the response Lees,  i know we are all frustrated with this issues. but dont take it personally its thanksless job being the first line of support.

Paul

[Bryantay]

Yes Lees, Please allow this to be escalated. Let someone speak to Rob directly. Sounds like you are close in proximity to him. At the very least allow him to show someone exactly what we are all experiencing.

[leelazer]

Hi All

I have exactly the same problem. When I use the soundbar on its own the sound is amazing. As soon as I set up the surround sound R1 speakers the sound quality of the sounbar goes to pot and sounds muffled with hardly any mid range or high end and the subwoofer is too loud even when adjusted to -6. There is a -12 setting but this pretty much turns the sub off. I would like to direct a question to you Lees as in your first reply you said that in surround mode its not actually 5.1. The product says that to get 5.1 surround sound you just need to add a pair of wireless rears. Is it actually the case that we wont get real 5.1 sound from this set up? 

Lee

[Robbienobs]

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@leelazer wrote:

Hi All

I have exactly the same problem. When I use the soundbar on its own the sound is amazing. As soon as I set up the surround sound R1 speakers the sound quality of the sounbar goes to pot and sounds muffled with hardly any mid range or high end and the subwoofer is too loud even when adjusted to -6. There is a -12 setting but this pretty much turns the sub off. I would like to direct a question to you Lees as in your first reply you said that in surround mode its not actually 5.1. The product says that to get 5.1 surround sound you just need to add a pair of wireless rears. Is it actually the case that we wont get real 5.1 sound from this set up? 

Lee

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Thanks Lee, 

Can you confirm your soundbar firmware version please; from the problems you have you are probably also on 3108 like the rest of us. 

I would also like some clarification on the 5.1 issue; Samsung's own web site confirms the K650 Audio Processing is Dolby 5.1 (Audio format with theater-quality 5.1 channel sound playable through speakers surrounding a viewer.)??

See attached from K650 product specification sheet; I am very confused with how your technical experts previous report states there is no true Dolby processing! 

I am disappointed though if this is just a virtual system that doesn't really give you Dolby processed surround channels, as this is completely misleading information when I bought this kit. Yet another issue and would rather just have my money back right now. 

[leelazer]

Hi Robbie

I will check my firmware version tonight and let you know.

Lee

[abob36]

I am just reporting in from across the pond. I have been experiencing this exact issue as well. As there actually seems to be some sort of official response here, I will keep posting over here as well.

Are we all using R1's? Does anyone have R3's, 5's, or 7's to test? I am just trying to narrow the cause down. I believe it is just the firmware on the soundbar, but you never know.

As for the 5.1, I have experienced true, discreet channels, so I feel like Dolby Digital is working. I will configure my setup again and do take some video to record everything. In the mean time, I just removed the R1's from the multi-room setup on the TV and the 3.1 of the soundbar is great.

[Bryantay]

I'm using the R3's and I have the same issues.

[Tater]

I'm using two R1's

[leelazer]

Hi All

Firstly I can confirm that I am on the 3108 firmaware. Secondly I now have a work around for any one who has a TV that can pass 5.1 through to its optical output or any other device that can output 5.1 via optical. It would seem that the muffled sound only occurs via HDMI and over WIFI from the tv. Hopefully a further firmware update will fix that problem. In the meantime do not configure the surround sound through the TV. The only thing to do on the TV is make sure that sound is set to optical out and that its set to bitstream. Then open the multiroom app on your smart device and configure the surround via the app. Choose optical in on the sound bar. BOOM, 5.1 amazing quality sound. ( dont use any tests from you tube as 5.1 is not supported)

A few notes to add. I had to set up all my devices correctly. For example I have a media player that uses Kodi. In the Kodi sound setting I had to set audio to pass through. I use my PS4 to play blueray. In the sound setting you have to set audio to bitstream and when playing a blueray for the first time you have to press options and change the output to bitstream direct. I imagine this will be the same with any device though. I hope this is helpful. 

If any of this is unclear I would be glad to answer any questions any one has on how I got this all working.

Lee

[Robbienobs]

Thanks Lee

I will try this tonight and let you know. I remember trying using leads before but Samsung confirmed it only inputs sound through wifi in surround mode, but from what you said this appears to be in accurate. I don't think I have an option to select input/output when in surround mode from TV but will try again. 

Hope they still come up with a fix as this is just dragging now.