I Tested Samsung's Flagship Soundbar, And It Easily Competes With My Sonos Arc Ultra

6 days ago

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

The Samsung HW-Q990F location intermezo strategy is connected waste connected Amazon for $1,347, including a soundbar, outer subwoofer, and 2 rear speakers.
The Q990F is packed pinch package features, plentifulness of audio modes, and delivers big, room-filling sound.
However, location aren't galore important upgrades complete past year's model, leaving nary urgency to upgrade.

For a constricted time, nan HW-Q990F soundbar is connected waste for $1,350 connected Amazon, a whopping $650 disconnected nan regular price.

You don't request maine to show you that a soundbar can greatly amended nan location intermezo acquisition pinch fuller, louder, and higher value sound for your shiny caller TV. But if you want to spell further, adding rear speakers and a subwoofer tin move your soundbar and TV combo into an immersive location theater.

Also: This Yamaha soundbar delivered maine nan audio value of speakers doubly nan price

Samsung's flagship soundbar, nan HW-Q990F, comes pinch 2 rear speakers and a subwoofer, and includes a stellar lineup of location entertainment's astir star-studded features. I gave up my beloved Sonos Arc Ultra strategy for 2 weeks to walk immoderate clip pinch Samsung's newest soundbar, and here's what you should cognize earlier making a purchase.

Coming from past year's model, nan Q990F soundbar's exterior received a flimsy redesign, arsenic nan coloring is simply a softer black-grey colour alternatively of axenic black. The Q990F's outer subwoofer is besides much compact, pinch Samsung opting for a cubed creation alternatively of a taller rectangular shape.

The Q990F is simply a ample and imposing soundbar; it's recommended for TVs 60 inches aliases larger, and its ample stature does equate to big, room-filling sound. Despite its larger size, nan Q990F has a sleek and modern design, judge to fresh successful pinch your location decor.

I paired nan Q990F strategy pinch Samsung's 2025 QN90F Neo QLED 4K TV, and nan 2 make a awesome pair. Although you don't request 1 of Samsung's latest TVs to get nan astir retired of nan Q990F, immoderate features, for illustration Q-Symphony, tin beryllium unlocked only pinch a compatible Samsung TV.

Also: This is nan soundbar I urge if you want nan astir immersive sound - moreover though it's a 2024 model

Even without a Samsung TV, nan soundbar is still a powerhouse. With 23 full speakers and an 11.1.4-channel setup, nan Q990F is arsenic flagship arsenic it gets. As agelong arsenic your TV has an eARC port, you tin entree a database of high-quality audio formats, for illustration Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, DTS Digital Surround, Multichannel PCM, and more. The Q990F supports HDMI eARC 2.1, Optical, and Bluetooth connectivity.

The Q990F gets exceptionally loud, and my prime of Dolby Atmos contented consisted of "Avengers: Age of Ultron" connected Disney+ and "WeCrashed" connected Apple TV+. The erstwhile was a operation of dense action scenes and dialogue, while nan erstwhile consisted of dense dialogue.

During fighting scenes packed pinch collisions and explosions, nan exterior soundbar handled nan low-frequency rumble and grumbles well, but I noticed it wasn't arsenic tight arsenic my Sonos Sub 4. The Q990F's subwoofer is overmuch smaller, which is an important factor.

Also: This space-saving soundbar delivers clarity and powerfulness successful each note

The Q990F's rear speakers are a welcomed addition, adding much extent and immersion to your viewing experience. Although nan rear speakers whitethorn beryllium small, they make their beingness known. While watching successful Dolby Atmos, you tin succinctly spot objects and sounds successful nan content's setting; they execute precisely really they're expected to.

Even successful contented not mixed for Atmos and alternatively encoded successful PCM Multichannel, nan rear speakers adhd a furniture of immersion successful nan absence of tallness channels.

The Q990F sounds conscionable arsenic awesome playing TV shows and movies arsenic it does playing music. It has heavy bass, clear mids, and coming highs. The Q990F has somewhat little radiance and crispiness successful nan highs compared to nan Sonos Arc Ultra, but it's not a deal-breaker.

Also: Why I'm ditching Bluetooth speakers successful favour of this outdoor wired strategy - and don't regret it

You tin watercourse euphony straight from your TV, but nan Q990F offers connectivity for an array of streaming services, platforms, instrumentality ecosystems, and sound assistants. This soundbar is compatible pinch Google Home, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Roon, AirPlay, Tidal Connect, Alexa, and Bixby.

ZDNET's buying advice

Compared to Sonos' sound systems, nan Samsung HW-Q990F offers much customization features and sound modes. However, Sonos offers modular systems you tin build complete time, while Samsung's flagship location theatre systems are boxed and sold altogether.

Finally, nan Q990F is easier connected nan wallet than Sonos' flagship soundbar, outer subwoofer, and Era 300 rear speakers. It helps that nan soundbar is presently discounted by 20% ($400 off) connected Samsung's website.

Still, nan Q990F is simply a high-performing soundbar, reproducing full-bodied, energetic sound fresh for watching your favourite TV shows and movies. It's packed pinch package features and pairs wonderfully pinch a ample TV. But if you person past year's HW-Q990D, don't consciousness rushed to upgrade; location aren't capable improvements successful this year's exemplary to warrant it.