Most of the other features and settings are accessible with the bar’s remote and onboard display, but it’s usually easier to use the SmartThings app. The basic layout lets you choose the sound mode (I generally stick to Standard), adjust the EQ, engage enhancements like Active Voice Amplifier, and set channel levels.
I appreciate Samsung’s inclusion of channel levels for most of the bar’s gazillion audio channels, but getting the levels locked in was the most onerous part of my evaluation. I had the surround speakers directly behind my couch due to space constrictions, which meant I had to turn them all the way down and even raise the other channels to balance things.
This task was much easier with Sonos’ Era 300 speakers (9/10, WIRED Recommends) connected to the Arc Ultra, because Sonos TruePlay calibration adjusts the sound to your room (though stand-alone Wi-Fi speakers…
