Why we like it: If you’re willing to spend the money for the best soundbar system you can get right now, and want something that comes with a subwoofer and surrounds all ready to go, then the Samsung HW-Q990F is the way to go. The system is powerful, immersive, and incredible sounding, and while it’s far from cheap, it pushes the limits of what a soundbar can offer.
Review: Samsung HQ-Q990F
The Samsung HW-Q990F is pretty bulky, and for a reason. It has a 23 drivers built straight into it, with 11.1.4 channels for Dolby Atmos support. The speakers built into the soundbar itself, combined with those built into the satellite surround speakers, create an incredibly immersive experience that will have you fully immersed in your content. The included subwoofer also delivers excellent bass response. Although it is quite compact, it still delivers deep and powerful bass.
What makes it such a great option for audiophiles is the fact that it’s so detailed in the high end. The soundbar offers a relatively neutral tuning out of the box, though it’s worth noting that the EQ in the Samsung SmartThings app isn’t very precise. Still, I appreciated how it sounded, and you can make use of things like the subwoofer level to tweak the bass a little more precisely.
One of the things that I most loved about this soundbar is how its surround sound setup improved stereo tracks. The system delivered an impressively wide soundstage, giving plenty of room for every instrument in a track, even without a virtualized surround algorithm. To be fair, I tested it in a small cube-shaped room, which is pretty much ideal for a system like this, but even larger living rooms should get the ultra-immersive feel. And users can turn up the volume of the surrounds to help improve that immersion.
The HW-Q990F is one of the first systems to support the new Eclipsa Audio spatial audio format, though there’s almost no Eclipsa content out there right now.
Who it’s for: The Samsung HW-Q990F is the system for those willing to spend the cash on something incredibly immersive and ultra-detailed. It’s great for audiophiles who simply want the best audio response. At retail price, the HW-Q990F system is $2,000. Comparably, a fully-kitted flagship Sonos system is about $700 more.
This soundbar is ideal for people who want or need an advanced soundbar, thanks to its host of audio features, 4K @ 120Hz pass-through, and seven audio decoding formats (including FLAC and WAV).
Who should look elsewhere: If you’re on a budget, then the Samsung HW-Q990F probably isn’t the soundbar system for you. If you have a small TV viewing area, you should pass on the HW-Q990F. It’s a hefty soundbar, and it performs best when you can turn up the volume.
Samsung HW-Q990F tech specs: Dimensions: H(2.8 in), W(48.5 in), D(5.4 in) | Channels: 11.1.4 | Inputs: HDMI, HDMI eARC, Optical | Voice assistants: Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Bixby | Wireless streaming: Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Roon, Tidal Connect | Spatial audio: Dolby Atmos, Eclipsa Audio
