Samsung has previously explored the smart speaker category, yet its latest Music Studio 5 and Music Studio 7 Wi-Fi models emerge as formidable rivals to brands such as Amazon, Apple, Bose, and Sonos, particularly in the premium segment of the market.
Revealed during this week's CES event with a scheduled launch in March, these speakers showcase a contemporary 'dot-faced' aesthetic crafted by acclaimed French designer Erwan Bouroullec, complemented by innovative functionalities designed to distinguish them from competitors. (Note that the various hues displayed in the accompanying image are merely prototypes; early units will be available exclusively in black or white.)
Although voice assistant compatibility may not arrive immediately upon release—and Samsung's announcement briefly references them—the Music Studio 5 (LS50H) and Music Studio 7 (LS70H) are expected to incorporate Alexa+, Amazon's enhanced AI-driven assistant that offers superior performance and more natural dialogue compared to standard Alexa.
Alexa Plus extends sophisticated smart home management features and novel functions, including the ability to place food orders from Uber Eats based on user preferences or to hold a virtual spot in line for Ticketmaster concert tickets, freeing up time for other activities.
Users preferring alternatives can issue commands via Google Assistant or Samsung's Bixby, the latter tailored for seamless operation with the company's ecosystem of devices.
The Music Studio lineup integrates Spotify Tap, utilizing Spotify Connect through Wi-Fi connections, enabling users to initiate a preferred playlist simply by touching the speaker's surface without retrieving their smartphone. The advanced Music Studio 7 excels in reproducing lossless Spotify Premium tracks, handling FLAC files at resolutions up to 24-bit/44.1 kHz and additional formats up to 24-bit/96 kHz.
According to insights from CES staff, purchasers opting for Alexa will have Amazon Music set as the primary streaming service, while Google Assistant users will default to YouTube Music. For alternatives like Tidal or Qobuz, access is available through dedicated apps, Apple's AirPlay protocol, or Bluetooth pairing.
For wired connectivity preferences, the Music Studio 5 includes a Toslink optical audio input, whereas the larger Music Studio 7 adds an HDMI port—likely ARC-compatible, though booth representatives could not confirm.
Confirmed capabilities include linking up to five Music Studio units with compatible recent Samsung televisions over Bluetooth, powered by the Q Symphony technology for immersive surround sound that blends the speakers' audio with the TV's internal drivers. This system also supports combining select Music Studio models with Samsung soundbars and Music Frame wall-mounted speakers, ensuring tonal harmony across the setup.
Audio enthusiasts seeking multi-room solutions can distribute identical or varied music streams to as many as 10 Music Studio speakers simultaneously, encompassing grouped configurations, all controlled through the SmartThings application. However, forming a traditional stereo pair between two units is not feasible, given that both the Music Studio 5 and 7 independently deliver stereo output.
Featuring a curved dome shape and angled rear panel, the compact Music Studio 5, priced at $249, provides a more unique appearance than rivals like the $219 Sonos One Gen 2 or the $199 Bose Home Speaker 300. It houses dual high-quality front-firing tweeters paired with a 4.2-inch woofer—referred to by Samsung as a subwoofer—enhanced by an integrated waveguide and adaptive bass adjustment, which yielded impressive, robust sound quality amid the noisy CES demonstration area, though comprehensive evaluation awaits a controlled environment test.
Priced at $499, the Music Studio 7 functions as a comprehensive 3.1.1-channel spatial audio system employing Samsung's proprietary signal direction technology, distinct from Dolby Atmos. Its tweeters project dedicated channels from the front, left, right, and upward directions within the perforated metal enclosure, supported by a 5-inch front-facing, rear-ported subwoofer handling omnidirectional bass elements.
Samsung bolsters the multi-directional audio dispersion and precision using its Pattern Control Technology alongside AI-driven dynamic bass enhancement. The design targets consumers with space for a single unit who are evaluating other immersive smart speakers, including the $479 Sonos Era 300, the $299 Apple HomePod, and the $220 Amazon Echo Studio.
Anticipation builds for experiencing these devices in everyday settings.
This report forms part of TechHive's comprehensive analysis of leading smart speakers.