Customer Ratings & Reviews

Hi CG90909,

Thank you for purchasing the Samsung HW-A40R and for sharing your review. I’m very sorry for the difficulties you’ve experienced with your Soundbar’s setup. We completely understand your frustrations, and we are here to help. The HW-A40R is compatible with TVs that support digital optical audio or Bluetooth wireless audio technology.

With the optical cable provied, you can connect your devices (cable boxes, video game systems, and Blu-ray players) to the TV, and have the sound output from the TV to the soundbar. To connect the soundbar to your TV via optical, follow the steps below:

1. With the TV and soundbar turned on, connect one end of a digital optical cable to the OPTICAL OUT port on the TV.
2. Then, connect the other end to the DIGITAL AUDIO IN (OPTICAL) port on the soundbar.
3. Press Source on the remote or soundbar, and then set the soundbar to the D.IN. setting.
4. Finally, on the TV, you need to set the speaker output to external speakers.
5. On a Samsung TV, navigate to Settings, and then press Up on the navigation arrows to highlight Quick settings.
6. Press the right directional arrow to highlight TV Speaker and press select to change it to Optical (external speakers). The TV's sound will now play from the soundbar.

Should you ever have questions or need help, please call us at 1-800-SAMSUNG (ask for Soundbars), available 8AM - 12AM EST, 7 days a week.

For additional support resources, visit us on the Samsung website and click on the ‘Support’ link in the upper right corner of the homepage for:
1) Chat with Us/Product Help: To begin a chat or find solutions, choose ‘TVs & Home Theater’ and select your model & topic.
2) Manuals & Software
3) Warranty Info
4) Register a Product: For access to easy warranty support, convenient opt-in to special promos and offers, faster troubleshooting and service, and quick notification of system updates
5) Contact Us

~ Samsung Solutions

Hi Marty,

By design, the surround speakers are supposed to simulate sounds happening behind the viewer. Therefore, most of the time the surround channels are only used for ambient sounds, which are naturally lower in volume.

However, there are a few settings you can change to adjust the surround effect to your preference:

1) Make sure that the source (e.g. TV output) is sending surround channels to the Soundbar. If the source is not capable of surround, then set the Surround mode to OFF on the Soundbar by pressing the Surround button on the remote.
2) If the source has surround channels, select the desired Sound Mode from the Soundbar remote.
3) Turn off Dynamic Range Control. This is done by pressing and holding the Sound Mode button while the Soundbar is in standby mode. Depending on your soundbar model, you may or may not have DRC.
4) Increase the volume level of the surround speakers using the Sound Control button on the Soundbar remote control. Press the Sound Control button on the soundbar remote (looks like a gear), then select REAR LEVEL and use the Up/Down buttons to adjust the volume within a -6 to +6 range.

I hope these tips help to enhance your audio enjoyment. Should you need further assistance with this issue or have any questions, please contact Samsung Customer Support.

1-800-SAMSUNG (ask for Soundbars), available 8 AM – 12 AM EST, 7 days a week.

For additional support resources, visit us on the Samsung website and click on the ‘Support’ link in the upper right corner of the homepage for:
1) Chat with Us/Product Help: To begin a chat or find solutions, choose ‘TVs & Home Theater’ and select your model & topic.
2) Manuals & Software
3) Warranty Info
4) Register a Product: For access to easy warranty support, convenient opt-in to special promos and offers, faster troubleshooting and service, and quick notification of system updates
5) Contact Us

~ Samsung Solutions

Hello,

I'm sorry to hear that you have experienced issues with your setup and the rear speakers.

Thank you for purchasing the Samsung HW-A40R and for sharing your review. Your feedback regarding the audio performance of the rear speakers is important to us and will be shared with our product teams.

There are a few settings and adjustments that can be made to increase the volume of the rear speakers to your liking. First, make sure you have the latest firmware version installed. Once installed, with the Soundbar on, press and hold the STANDARD button on the remote control for about 6 seconds. Use the BASS Up/Down buttons to adjust the level of the REAR speakers between -6 to +6.

Additionally, turn off the soundbar, then press and hold the source button on the soundbar for 7 seconds to enable Gain Boost. With Gain Boost active, the rear speaker’s volume level will be increased when the soundbar is in Surround mode. This feature can be turned off by following the same process.

There are a few things you may want to check to help solve any Bluetooth issues:

1) The maximum wireless signal transmission distance is about 33 ft.
2) Electronic devices may cause radio interference. Devices that generate electromagnetic waves should be kept away from the Soundbar main unit - e.g., microwaves, wireless LAN devices, etc.
3) Also, please be sure you have the latest firmware update. You can update your firmware by using a USB device. You can find the update on the product page of your HW-A40R on the Samsung website.

Should you ever have questions or need help, please call us at 1-800-SAMSUNG (ask for Soundbars), available 8 AM – 12 AM EST, 7 days a week.

For additional support resources such as downloading a full manual, visit us on the Samsung website and click on the ‘Support’ link in the upper right corner of the homepage.

~Samsung Solutions

Hi Larry,

Thank you for your review of the Samsung HW-A40R Soundbar and for sharing the issues that have caused you to return your unit. Your experience is very important to us and will be shared with our product team.

Should you ever decide to give Samsung Soundbars another try and have questions or need assistance with settings, setup, or features, please know we are always here to help. Call us at 1-800-SAMSUNG (ask for Soundbars), available 8AM - 12AM EST, 7 days a week.

For additional support resources, visit us on the Samsung website and click on the ‘Support’ link in the upper right corner of the homepage for:
1) Contact Us: For additional Chat & Text options, choose ‘TVs & Home Theater’ and select your model & topic.
2) Manuals, Software, & Warranty Info

We hope to regain you as a customer in the future.

~ Samsung Solutions

Hello TravisW,

Thank you for your review of the HW-A40R Soundbar and for your feedback regarding the volume issues you are experiencing with the included rear speakers. By design, the surround speakers are supposed to simulate sounds happening behind the viewer. Therefore, most of the time the surround channels are only used for ambient sounds, which are naturally lower in volume.

However, there are a few settings you can change to adjust the surround effect to your preference:

1) Download and install the latest firmware version
2) Once installed, with the Soundbar on, press and hold the STANDARD button on the remote control for about 6 seconds
3) The LEDs will blink to indicate you are in adjustment mode
4) Use the BASS Up/Down buttons to adjust the level of the REAR speakers between -6 to +6.
5) The adjustment mode will exit if the surround button is pressed, or if no button is pressed for 10 seconds

If the volume levels still seem to low for your preference, please be aware of the following:

1) Make sure that the source (e.g. TV output) is sending surround channels to the Soundbar. If the source is not capable of surround, then set the Surround mode to OFF on the Soundbar by pressing the Surround button on the remote.
2) If the source has surround channels, select the Surround Sound Mode from the Soundbar remote.
3) Turn off Dynamic Range Control. This is done by pressing and holding the SURROUND button for 5 seconds.
4) Turn off the soundbar, then press and hold the source button on the soundbar for 7 seconds to enable Gain Boost. With Gain Boost active, the rear speaker’s volume level will be increased when the soundbar is in Surround mode. This feature can be turned off by following the same process.

I hope these tips help to enhance your audio enjoyment.

If we can help with anything else, please call us at 1-800-SAMSUNG (Ask for Soundbars), 8 AM – 12 AM EST, 7 days a week. LiveChat with an agent as well as manuals, software, and warranty info can be found at the ‘Support’ link on our Samsung website.

~ Samsung Solutions

Hi MisWillWait,

Thank you for purchasing the Samsung HW-A40R and for your review. We appreciate your feedback regarding the performance of your new soundbar.

You can try manually optimizing your settings by pressing the SOUND MODE button on your remote, and then selecting the desired sound effect by choosing STANDARD or SURROUND SOUND. You can further adjust TREBLE via the SOUND CONTROL button (looks like a gear symbol).

For precise audio adjustments, you can use the 7-band frequency equalizer to optimize the sound for your room acoustics.

Additionally, there are two adjustments that can be made for bass and subwoofer:
1) Using the WOOFER button on the remote, you can adjust the volume of the subwoofer between -6 to +6 by toggling the button up or down. To set the subwoofer volume level to 0, press the button down

2) Adjust the bass control by pressing the SOUND CONTROL button (gear icon) on the remote control, then select BASS to increase the level. You can adjust the volume between -6 to +6 by using the Up/Down buttons.

If you need further assistance, please know Samsung Customer Support is here to help. Please call us at 1-800-SAMSUNG (ask for Soundbars), available 8AM - 12AM EST, 7 days a week.

For additional support resources, visit us on the Samsung website and click on the ‘Support’ link in the upper right corner of the homepage for:
1) Chat with Us/Product Help: To begin a chat or find solutions, choose ‘TVs & Home Theater’ and select your model & topic.
2) Manuals & Software
3) Warranty Info
4) Register a Product: For access to easy warranty support, convenient opt-in to special promos and offers, faster troubleshooting and service, and quick notification of system updates
5) Contact Us

~ Samsung Solutions

Hi Stayaway,

Thank you for your review of the HW-A40R Soundbar and for your feedback regarding the volume issues you are experiencing with the included rear speakers. By design, the surround speakers are supposed to simulate sounds happening behind the viewer. Therefore, most of the time the surround channels are only used for ambient sounds, which are naturally lower in volume.

However, there are a few settings you can change to adjust the surround effect to your preference:

1) Download and install the latest firmware version found at the following link (ver. HMS-A4X0WWB-1011): https://www.samsung.com/us/support/downloads/?model=N0021435&modelCode=HW-A40R/ZA
2) Once installed, with the Soundbar on, press and hold the STANDARD button on the remote control for about 6 seconds
3) The LEDs will blink to indicate you are in adjustment mode
4) Use the BASS Up/Down buttons to adjust the level of the REAR speakers between -6 to +6.
5) The adjustment mode will exit if the surround button is pressed, or if no button is pressed for 10 seconds

If the volume levels still seem to low for your preference, please be aware of the following:

1) Make sure that the source (e.g. TV output) is sending surround channels to the Soundbar. If the source is not capable of surround, then set the Surround mode to OFF on the Soundbar by pressing the Surround button on the remote.
2) If the source has surround channels, select the Surround Sound Mode from the Soundbar remote.
3) Turn off Dynamic Range Control. This is done by pressing and holding the SURROUND button for 5 seconds.
4) Turn off the soundbar, then press and hold the source button on the soundbar for 7 seconds to enable Gain Boost. With Gain Boost active, the rear speaker’s volume level will be increased when the soundbar is in Surround mode. This feature can be turned off by following the same process.

I hope these tips help to enhance your audio enjoyment.

Should you ever have questions or need help, please call us at 1-800-SAMSUNG (ask for Soundbars), available 8AM - 12AM EST, 7 days a week.

For additional support resources, visit us on the Samsung website and click on the ‘Support’ link in the upper right corner of the homepage for:
1) Contact Us: For additional Chat & Text options, choose ‘TVs & Home Theater’ and select your model & topic.
2) Manuals & Software
3) Warranty Info
4) Register a Product: For access to easy warranty support, convenient opt-in to special promos and offers, faster troubleshooting and service, and quick notification of system updates

~ Samsung Solutions

Hi JoeC,

Thank you for your reviewing the HW-A40R Soundbar System. We appreciate you sharing your audio experience with us. Your feedback is very important to us and will be shared with our product team.

If there is anything we can do to improve your sound such as helping to optimize settings, please let us know. You can reach Samsung Customer Support at:
If we can help with anything else, please call us at 1-800-SAMSUNG (Ask for Soundbars), 8 AM – 12 AM EST, 7 days a week. LiveChat with an agent as well as manuals, software, and warranty info can be found at the ‘Support’ link on our Samsung website.

~ Samsung Solutions

Hi Jayy,

Thank you for sharing your review of the HW-A40R Soundbar. If there is anything we can do to improve your enjoyment such as helping to optimize settings for your specific sound scenario, please contact Samsung Customer Support.

You can reach us at 1-800-SAMSUNG (ask for Soundbars), available 8AM - 12AM EST, 7 days a week.

For additional support resources, visit us on the Samsung website and click on the ‘Support’ link in the upper right corner of the homepage for:
1) Chat with Us/Product Help: To begin a chat or find solutions, choose ‘TVs & Home Theater’ and select your model & topic.
2) Manuals & Software
3) Warranty Info
4) Register a Product: For access to easy warranty support, convenient opt-in to special promos and offers, faster troubleshooting and service, and quick notification of system updates
5) Contact Us

~ Samsung Solutions

Hi,

Thank you for choosing Samsung’s HW-A40R Soundbar and for your review. We appreciate your feedback regarding the manual included with your soundbar. To assist you in the functions and settings of your new soundbar, you can download the full user manual directly from Samsung’s website by clicking “Support” in the top right corner. Then go to “Manuals & Software” > “TVs & Home Theater” > “Home Theater” > “Sound Bars”. From there, you can select the HW-A40R under A Series.

To troubleshoot your remote issues, you may first want to replace your batteries in the remote. Also, be sure that the distance between the remote and soundbar main unit is not too far.

Should you need any additional assistance with settings or features of your soundbar please contact Samsung Customer Support at 1-800-SAMSUNG (ask for Soundbars), available 8AM - 12AM EST, 7 days a week.

For additional support resources, visit us on the Samsung website and click on the ‘Support’ link in the upper right corner of the homepage for:
1) Chat with Us/Product Help: To begin a chat or find solutions, choose ‘TVs & Home Theater’ and select your model & topic.
2) Manuals & Software
3) Warranty Info
4) Register a Product: For access to easy warranty support, convenient opt-in to special promos and offers, faster troubleshooting and service, and quick notification of system updates
5) Contact Us

~ Samsung Solutions

Hi Fcruz2,

Thank you for your review of the Samsung HW-A40R Soundbar System. We appreciate you sharing your experience with us.

It is our customers’ concerns and opinions that drive our continuous efforts towards delivering world-class service and products. Your feedback is very important to us and will be shared with our product team.

Should you ever decide to give Samsung Soundbars another try and have questions or need assistance with settings, setup, or features, please know we are always here to help. Call us at 1-800-SAMSUNG (ask for Soundbars), available 8AM - 12AM EST, 7 days a week.

For additional support resources, visit us on the Samsung website and click on the ‘Support’ link in the upper right corner of the homepage for:
1) Contact Us: For additional Chat & Text options, choose ‘TVs & Home Theater’ and select your model & topic.
2) Manuals, Software, & Warranty Info

We hope to regain you as a customer in the future.

~ Samsung Solutions

Hi stupid,

We appreciate you sharing your experience with us. It is our customers’ concerns and opinions that drive our continuous efforts towards delivering world-class service and products. Your feedback is very important to us and will be shared with our product team.

Should you ever decide to give Samsung Soundbars another try and have questions or need assistance with settings, setup, or features, please know we are always here to help. Call us at 1-800-SAMSUNG (ask for Soundbars), available 8AM - 12AM EST, 7 days a week.

For additional support resources, visit us on the Samsung website and click on the ‘Support’ link in the upper right corner of the homepage for:
1) Contact Us: For additional Chat & Text options, choose ‘TVs & Home Theater’ and select your model & topic.
2) Manuals, Software, & Warranty Info

We hope to regain you as a customer in the future.

~ Samsung Solutions

Hi speakers,

Thank you for purchasing the Samsung HW-A40R and for sharing your review. Your feedback regarding the performance of the included rear speakers is important to us and will be shared with our product teams. Please know, there are a few settings you can change to adjust the surround effect to your preference:

1) Download and install the latest firmware version found at the following link (ver. HMS-A4X0WWB-1011):  https://www.samsung.com/us/support/downloads/?model=N0021435&modelCode=HW-A40R/ZA
2) Once installed, with the Soundbar on, press and hold the STANDARD button on the remote control for about 6 seconds
3) The LEDs will blink to indicate you are in adjustment mode
4) Use the BASS Up/Down buttons to adjust the level of the REAR speakers between -6 to +6.
5) The adjustment mode will exit if the surround button is pressed, or if no button is pressed for 10 seconds

If the volume levels still seem to low for your preference, please be aware of the following:

1) Make sure that the source (e.g. TV output) is sending surround channels to the Soundbar. If the source is not capable of surround, then set the Surround mode to OFF on the Soundbar by pressing the Surround button on the remote.
2) If the source has surround channels, select the Surround Sound Mode from the Soundbar remote.
3) Turn off Dynamic Range Control. This is done by pressing and holding the SURROUND button for 5 seconds.
4) Turn off the soundbar, then press and hold the source button on the soundbar for 7 seconds to enable Gain Boost. With Gain Boost active, the rear speaker’s volume level will be increased when the soundbar is in Surround mode. This feature can be turned off by following the same process.

I hope these tips help to enhance your audio enjoyment.

Should you ever have questions or need help, please call us at 1-800-SAMSUNG (ask for Soundbars), available 8AM - 12AM EST, 7 days a week.

For additional support resources, visit us on the Samsung website and click on the ‘Support’ link in the upper right corner of the homepage for:
1) Chat with Us/Product Help: To begin a chat or find solutions, choose ‘TVs & Home Theater’ and select your model & topic.
2) Manuals & Software
3) Warranty Info
4) Register a Product: For access to easy warranty support, convenient opt-in to special promos and offers, faster troubleshooting and service, and quick notification of system updates
5) Contact Us

~ Samsung Ambassador

Hello Chad,

Thank you for your review of the Samsung HW-A40R Soundbar and for sharing your experiences with the issues that have caused you to consider returning your soundbar. Your experience is very important to us and will be shared with our product team.

If you have not yet returned your unit, please give us the opportunity to troubleshoot your issue.

You can reach Samsung Support at 1-800-SAMSUNG (ask for Soundbars) 8 AM – 12 AM EST, 7 days a week.

We hope to hear from you and work with you to find a solution.

~Samsung Solutions

Hi Gigi,

Thank you for purchasing the Samsung HW-A40R and for sharing your review. Your feedback regarding the audio performance of the rear speakers is important to us and will be shared with our product teams.

There are a few settings and adjustments that can be made to increase the volume of the rear speakers to your liking. First, make sure you have the latest firmware version installed (HMS-A4X0WWB-1011). Once installed, with the Soundbar on, press and hold the STANDARD button on the remote control for about 6 seconds. Use the BASS Up/Down buttons to adjust the level of the REAR speakers between -6 to +6.

I hope this helps you further enjoy the audio experience. Should you ever have questions or need help, please call us at 1-800-SAMSUNG (ask for Soundbars), available 8AM - 12AM EST, 7 days a week.

For additional support resources, visit us on the Samsung website and click on the ‘Support’ link in the upper right corner of the homepage for:
1) Chat with Us/Product Help: To begin a chat or find solutions, choose ‘TVs & Home Theater’ and select your model & topic.
2) Manuals & Software
3) Warranty Info
4) Register a Product: For access to easy warranty support, convenient opt-in to special promos and offers, faster troubleshooting and service, and quick notification of system updates
5) Contact Us

~ Samsung Solutions

Hi There,

Thank you for your review of the Samsung HW-A40R Soundbar and for sharing the issues that have caused you to return your unit. Your experience is very important to us and will be shared with our product team.

It is possible that your unit needed minor troubleshooting, a firmware update, or adjustments in settings.

Should you ever decide to give Samsung Soundbars another try and have questions or need assistance with settings, setup, or features, please know we are always here to help.

Call us at 1-800-SAMSUNG (ask for Soundbars), available 8 AM – 12 AM EST, 7 days a week.

For additional support resources, visit us on the Samsung website and click on the ‘Support’ link in the upper right corner of the homepage for:
1) Chat with Us/Product Help: To begin a chat or find solutions, choose ‘TVs & Home Theater’ and select your model & topic.
2) Manuals & Software
3) Warranty Info
4) Register a Product: For access to easy warranty support, convenient opt-in to special promos and offers, faster troubleshooting and service, and quick notification of system updates
5) Contact Us

~ Samsung Solutions

Hello AngelinaT,

Thank you for your review of the Samsung HW-A40R Soundbar and for sharing your experiences with the issues that have caused you to consider returning your soundbar. Your experience is very important to us and will be shared with our product team.

If you have not yet returned your unit, please give us the opportunity to troubleshoot your issue and work towards a solution.

You can reach Samsung Support at 1-800-SAMSUNG (ask for Soundbars) 8 AM – 12 AM EST, 7 days a week.

~Samsung Solutions

Hi Kayla,

By design, the surround speakers are supposed to simulate sounds happening behind the viewer. Therefore, most of the time the surround channels are only used for ambient sounds, which are naturally lower in volume.

However, there are a few settings you can change to adjust the surround effect to your preference:

1) Make sure that the source (e.g. TV output) is sending surround channels to the Soundbar. If the source is not capable of surround, then set the Surround mode to OFF on the Soundbar by pressing the Surround button on the remote.
2) If the source has surround channels, select the desired Sound Mode from the Soundbar remote.
3) Turn off Dynamic Range Control. This is done by pressing and holding the Sound Mode button while the Soundbar is in standby mode. Depending on your soundbar model, you may or may not have DRC.
4) Increase the volume level of the surround speakers using the Sound Control button on the Soundbar remote control. Press the Sound Control button on the soundbar remote (looks like a gear), then select REAR LEVEL and use the Up/Down buttons to adjust the volume within a -6 to +6 range.

I hope these tips help to enhance your audio enjoyment. Should you need further assistance with this issue or have any questions, please contact Samsung Customer Support.

1-800-SAMSUNG (ask for Soundbars), available 8 AM – 12 AM EST, 7 days a week.

For additional support resources, visit us on the Samsung website and click on the ‘Support’ link in the upper right corner of the homepage for:
1) Chat with Us/Product Help: To begin a chat or find solutions, choose ‘TVs & Home Theater’ and select your model & topic.
2) Manuals & Software
3) Warranty Info
4) Register a Product: For access to easy warranty support, convenient opt-in to special promos and offers, faster troubleshooting and service, and quick notification of system updates
5) Contact Us

~ Samsung Solutions

Hello Kwilson,

Thank you for sharing your feedback regarding the HW-A40R Soundbar. I am sorry that you are not enjoying your new soundbar.

Your experiences will be shared with our internal teams as your feedback is very important to us in our pursuit in bringing you the best in audio products.

Please give us the opportunity to assist you by contacting Samsung Customer Support.

Call us at 1-800-SAMSUNG (ask for Soundbars), available 8 AM – 12 AM EST, 7 days a week.

LiveChat with an agent by clicking the ‘Support’ link on the Samsung website.

~Samsung Solutions

Hello AnthonyH,

Thank you for sharing your experiences with your open box HW-A40R.

Please check with your local Best Buy and inquire about their exchange policy regarding your soundbar.

Know that Samsung is here and happy to help you with any step-by-step troubleshooting or warranty assistance. Samsung is committed to providing the best possible product experience, quality, and value, and we back this soundbar with a 1-year limited manufacturer's warranty.

1) 1-800-SAMSUNG, 8 AM - 12 AM EST, 7 days a week. Ask for "Soundbars."
2) LiveChat with an agent by clicking the ‘Support’ link on the Samsung website homepage.
~Samsung Solutions