The Samsung Music Studio 7 is a powerful and versatile speaker system that offers a unique blend of design, sound quality, and functionality. This review delves into its features, performance, and potential as both a standalone speaker and a TV soundbar alternative.
Design and Features
The Music Studio 7 is a collaboration between Samsung and French artist Erwan Bouroullec, resulting in a minimalist and sculptural design. It features solid panels adorned with a dot pattern, allowing sound to pass through. The front-facing driver is centered in a concave circle, with an LED indicator for various modes and statuses. The top row of buttons provides easy access to audio inputs, volume, playback controls, and microphone muting.
The speaker boasts a 3.1.1-channel setup with five drivers, including a built-in woofer and an up-firing channel for real Dolby Atmos audio. This arrangement enables sound to be beamed in four directions, enhancing the overall listening experience.
The Samsung Sound app is the central hub for setting up and customizing the Studio 7. It offers automatic speaker recognition, Wi-Fi network connection, and initial room calibration. Users can also build speaker groups, sync with other Samsung speakers and soundbars, and access various sound modes and equalization settings.
Standalone Speaker Performance
As a standalone speaker, the Music Studio 7 excels in delivering immersive sound. During testing, it was placed on a bookcase shelf, providing ample room for sound projection in all directions. While the AI Adaptive Sound mode initially lacked bass in certain genres, the built-in EQ in the Sound app allowed for adjustments to suit individual preferences.
The speaker's five-driver setup and immersive soundstage create a detailed and textured audio experience. It successfully captures intricacies and nuances that might be missed on other speakers, making it an excellent choice for music enthusiasts.
TV Soundbar Alternative
The Studio 7 truly shines when paired as a stereo pair, offering a formidable soundbar alternative for living rooms. Its HDMI eARC port enables direct connection to a TV for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio. When used in conjunction with another Studio 7, the speakers wirelessly sync and provide robust sound for home theater use.
The audio performance of two Studio 7s surpasses that of Samsung's best soundbar, and it even rivals premium Atmos soundbars from competitors like Sonos. The side-firing drivers create the illusion of audio coming from the TV, and the immersive soundstage enhances the viewing experience, especially for live sports and movies.
Comparison with Competition
In the market for standalone and living room Wi-Fi speakers, Sonos' Era 300 is a notable competitor. While it offers features like Trueplay room calibration and multiroom compatibility, it lacks the optical and HDMI eARC ports necessary for seamless TV integration. Connecting a turntable to the Era 300 requires a line-in adapter, which may not be ideal for all users.
Samsung's own Music Studio 5 is another alternative, offering similar features at a lower price point. However, it lacks the HDMI eARC port and has three fewer drivers, potentially impacting its immersive sound capabilities.
Conclusion
The Samsung Music Studio 7 is a versatile and impressive speaker system. As a standalone speaker, it delivers excellent sound quality and features. When paired as a stereo pair, it becomes a formidable soundbar alternative, surpassing the performance of Samsung's own soundbars and rivaling premium offerings from competitors.
With its minimalist design, immersive sound, and seamless TV integration, the Studio 7 is a compelling choice for those seeking a high-quality audio experience in their home.
