Samsung - QS730D

The best option for the Samsung TV specifically would be either the Q600C or the Q730D. They both use Q-Symphony (uses soundbar and tv speakers for fuller sound), and they can both be controlled through one remote/app (Samsung Smart things).

Get a Samsung QS-730D from BB. Or, find the used/Amazon Renewed Q-800 (my personal setup is Q-800D with SWA-9500S rear speakers)

Try to get a QS730D if you can. Theres not much difference between the D and F series. If anything the D series is better.

Yes, but I'd wager that he wants a full body sound stage. Pick up an open box Q-600C/F or QS-730D, then test it out. You'll be very surprised. I personally have a Samsung Q-800D (5.1.2) with Samsung SWA-9500S rear speakers (2.0.2) combined with the TV speakers (Q-Symphony) for a total of a 7/9.2.4 channel surround sound system. Along with the 77" S90D streaming through an Apple TV 4K ethernet model, it's truly an immersive experience! You won't be disappointed if you decide to get one. Even go to Best Buy and listen to a demo model on display!

If you can do without the Dolby Atmos, just get yourself a somewhat entry level Samsung, [Samsung HW-B750](https://www.amazon.com/SAMSUNG-HW-B750D-ZA-Soundbar-Expansion/dp/B0CTKTRYX7?th=1) This really does punch above its weight, I think I have a 730 C? That is more than enough to change how you hear TV content. I did have a 9 series Samsung and that was immersive, huge sound. Samsung do make some of the best soundbars around, 7 series is what I would be looking at and fits your budget.

I picked up a 3 month old Samsung QS730D with rears 9500s which makes it a 5.1.4 for $190 shipped.

Hw-qs730d (used, search internet) + 9500 rears (used) from bestbuy. Definitely will fit under your budget and even allow you to add stands for the rears.

Qs730d (used/renewed) or 800d (used/renewed). I wouldn't pair this level of a TV with 600c even though it's a decent soundbar and even if it were new.

I was in the same exact position. I ordered a Samsung TV and HW-Q600C soundbar "for fun" in the beginning of this month. Liked the concept so much but returned both to get better models.  What I can say based on my countless hours of research: as of now, the best "budget" but decent quality system is hw-q600c especially if you can get some used version on Amazon or eBay.  The next best system for money is a used / renewed HW-QS730D. This is basically an improved version of the q600c with a better subwoofer, Wi-Fi and FLAC/ALAC support, as well as AirPlay 2 and others. I've realized how important wifi is for loseless streaming. You can't just do it on BT, have to use HDMI.  If you want to know what I ended up with: I've found an HW-Q800D for $370 on eBay from a reputable seller. It's used, but turned out to be like new. I guess enthusiasts here would say it's a steal. I am impressed with the quality of this tech.  Good luck! Added: I see you're concerned about design. Look up hw-s800b and related. Used of course if you want to save up a noticeable amount! 

The Q-Anything is nice. I freaking love, e'm. Just snatched up HW-QS730d(3ch atmos) and SWA-9500's(rear ch atmos). I'll say this for sure, it gets LOUD. So, a 5.1.4 gives great ATMOS.

So I just snagged an open box of this from best by over the weekend for $335. I was going between that and the HW-S800D, but it looked to me like the difference was the 800D is super slim and may have one more speaker in it? Couldn't find a whole lot about the 730D online, so I hope I made the right choice. Should be here tomorrow.

Nice...yeah, I have an older 2016 model Samsung curved TV and the speakers suck. Hate turning it up to 35 just to hear things. I know I don't have the latest tech with the TV, but it does have an arc port so that alone should be an improvement over the optical cable in our current soundbar. Using the 730D to replace an old JVC soundbar that has a lot of distortion even at low levels and the bass in the bar just blows things out, especially with music or explosion scenes in action movies. Super excited to have something newer than can improve both regular TV and movies and not ruin the show. Didn't pick up the surround speakers as our current living room setup isn't great for that, but maybe I'll catch a good deal on those sometime! I was thinking the same thing on the reviews with it being newer. I don't know...kinda felt like I was taking a stab in the dark. From what I saw, total watts in the 730D were only 10 or 20w less than the 800D, so I'm hoping they should be pretty comparable.

When debating the two, there was $100 difference on the open box excellent pricing and I was thinking one extra speaker in the soundbar and a super slim design wasn't worth it, as the 730D appeared to have pretty much identical technology and, I presumed more normal sized speakers since the unit wasn't as slimmed down.

So the way you get “5.1” without what’s called discrete speakers, the ones in the back and 3 upfront, is something called “psycho acoustics”. Which is a process of directing sound to bounce of walls to simulate sound coming from that direction. It’s been around for a while however there is a lot and I mean a lot of snake oil peddling in the $100-$300 price range especially without discrete speakers. I’m probably a month into my research of soundbars. It’s a lot to sift through. Samsung makes the best overall soundbar in the Q990 but unless you’re getting the EPP discount they are north of $1000. The budget version in their line would be the QS730D at $300-$450 on Amazon. Does a pretty good job with 3 speakers simulating surround with 2 height speakers to provide Atmos effects. Sonos Beam and Bose 600 are the midrange no subwoofer options around $500. Great clarity and do a good job of simulating surround. Height effects aren’t that great on either model. Budgeting lower than these is Vizio M512-H6 and JBL Bar 5.1/500. Both I think are good units that won’t leave you feeling you’ve been duped.

Well with your budget you can get the q600c ($275), q700c ($439), qs730d ($348), the S800d, s801d (white) for $278 with an Amazon business account which anyone can make. If you don’t got a lot of space the s800d would look better. Not sure about the comparison between the qs730d and s800d. I went with the qs730d and bought an open box rear speakers from Best Buy for $80 to keep me within my $500 budget.

If you can spend a tad more, get the QS730D! 100% worth it. Million times better subwoofer than the B750, & much better quality than the S800D. I had the S800D & it was a really rough experience, especially considering it was Samsung. Voices on the bar sounded distorted a lot of the time & honestly sounded like the bar had a rattle to it in a way, but simply due to poor build quality imo. 110% spend the extra for the QS730D. I wouldn't recommend any of the Samsung bars lower than this one.

If you can spend the extra to get the QS730D, definitely do it. The subwoofer is a lot better and will make a night and day difference!