The Samsung Music Studio 7 is a powerful speaker system that offers a unique blend of design, functionality, and audio quality. With a price tag of $500, it's an attractive option for those seeking a high-performance speaker system without breaking the bank. This review delves into the features, performance, and potential of the Music Studio 7, exploring its capabilities as both a standalone speaker and a part of a stereo pair.
Design and Features
The Music Studio 7 is a collaboration between Samsung and French artist Erwan Bouroullec, resulting in a minimalist and sculptural design. Its rectangular shape and solid panels with a dot pattern give it a premium look and feel. 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 muting the microphone.
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 allows sound to be beamed in four directions, enhancing the immersive sound experience. The Music Studio 7 also features a full suite of audio enhancements, such as SpaceFit Sound Pro room calibration, content-based Adaptive Sound, AI Dynamic Bass Control, Active Voice Amplifier, Group Play, and high-resolution audio support.
One of the standout features is Group Play, which enables the connection of up to 10 Wi-Fi-enabled Samsung speakers for synchronized sound. This feature, along with wireless Dolby Atmos support, Google Cast, and AirPlay 2, ensures seamless integration with various devices and audio sources.
The Samsung Sound app is the central hub for setting up and customizing the Music Studio 7. It offers automatic speaker recognition, Wi-Fi network connection, and initial room calibration. Users can also build speaker groups, adjust EQ settings, and access sound modes like Standard, Music, and AI Adaptive Sound. The app also includes Ambient Sound, which reduces loud effects and allows speakers to provide background music for parties.
Performance as a Standalone Speaker
As a standalone speaker, the Music Studio 7 delivers impressive performance. Its five-driver setup and immersive sound configuration provide detailed and textured audio, allowing users to hear intricacies that might be missed on other speakers. While the AI Adaptive Sound mode initially lacked bass in certain genres, the built-in EQ in the Sound app proved effective in adjusting the low-end tone to personal preferences.
The speaker's connectivity options are versatile, supporting AirPlay, Bluetooth, and optical input. However, it's worth noting that the lack of support for analog audio connections with turntables might be a disappointment for purists.
Performance as a Stereo Pair
The Music Studio 7 truly shines when used as a stereo pair, offering a formidable soundbar alternative. Its HDMI eARC port enables direct connection to a TV for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio, and the Sound app allows for wireless synchronization of two speakers. This setup provides a robust and immersive audio experience, surpassing the performance of Samsung's best soundbar in certain aspects.
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 or HDMI eARC port necessary for a seamless TV audio experience. The Music Studio 7's direct connection to a TV via HDMI eARC sets it apart in this regard.
Samsung's own Music Studio 5 is another alternative, offering similar features at a lower price point. However, it lacks HDMI eARC and has three fewer drivers, which may impact its immersive sound capabilities.
Conclusion
The Samsung Music Studio 7 is a versatile and impressive speaker system. As a standalone speaker, it provides excellent sound quality and a range of features. When used as a stereo pair, it becomes a powerful soundbar alternative, surpassing the performance of some premium soundbars. With its competitive price, rich feature set, and exceptional audio quality, the Music Studio 7 is a compelling choice for those seeking a high-performance speaker system.
