There is no doubt about Samsung’s dominance in the soundbar market. Its top-of-the-line bar, updated annually, has reached the edition that I have to analyze today: it is the Samsung HW-Q990D/ZF, the best soundbar of 2024, especially if you want to enjoy Dolby Atmos in all its splendor.
What makes this bar so recommendable? That’s what I’m going to try to explain to you in this review, where I’ll give you my opinion on this new Samsung soundbar, after having listened to it and reviewed all its features.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Soundbar with subwoofer and rear speakers |
| Channels | 11.1.4 channels |
| Total Power | 656W |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes, with upward-firing speaker technology |
| DTS:X | Yes |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI eARC, Optical |
| HDMI Ports | 2 HDMI 2.1 inputs, 1 HDMI output (eARC) |
| Audio Format | Dolby Digital, Dolby TrueHD, DTS Digital Surround, DTS-HD Master Audio, etc. |
| Rear Speakers | Wireless with upward-firing channels |
| Subwoofer | Wireless |
| Integrated Voice Assistant | Compatible with Alexa |
| Compatibility | Q-Symphony TV, HDR10+, Game Pro Mode |
| Soundbar Dimensions | 123 x 13.8 x 6.9 cm |
| Soundbar Weight | 7.1 kg |
| Subwoofer Dimensions | 22 x 41.3 x 41 cm |
| Subwoofer Weight | 9.8 kg |
| Color | Black |
Design, controls, and connections
Since the already legendary HW-N950 bar, Samsung has opted for clear continuity in design, evolving very little over all these years. Thus, the Samsung HW-Q990D has that metallic finish with a perforated grille and matte gray color, so characteristic of this line of Samsung Q bars. Some may say that this design is becoming too austere and boring, and they might be right.
In any case, the bar measures 123.2 x 69.5 x 13.8 cm, so if you have a 55-inch TV, it might stick out a bit. Additionally, the subwoofer is also somewhat large, although the rear speakers compensate with an appearance similar to the bar, but in a compact size.
The control possibilities are several. You can use the included remote, Samsung’s SmartThings app, or even the TV remote thanks to the HDMI-CEC function. The app is super practical for adjusting things like voice or bass, and if you prefer the classic way, there are control buttons and an LED display on the top of the bar.
Undoubtedly, the most annoying thing is that the mesh grille on the front of the bar makes it difficult to see the information on the LED display. Additionally, it only has space for three characters, and it’s very slow to read all the information it provides. This is a problem that Samsung has not yet solved, as it is inherited from previous models.
As for connections, we have great news for users with next-generation consoles, as the Samsung HW-Q990D finally brings compatibility with 4K at 120Hz on its HDMI 2.1 ports, so we can connect a PS5 or Xbox Series X to the bar using it as a HUB.
The installation seems complicated, but it’s actually very easy. After connecting everything, you just have to pair the rear speakers and the subwoofer by pressing a button on the back of each one. To place the subwoofer, you can follow my recommendations.
Speakers, formats, and functions
The Samsung Q990D is much more than a soundbar; it’s a complete set that comes with 11.1.4 speaker channels distributed across four units: the soundbar, a subwoofer, and two rear speakers. In total, there are 22 speakers distributed in a way that completely immerses you in the action, with truly immersive sound.
To achieve this, the HW-Q990D offers compatibility with the typical Dolby 5.1, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby TrueHD, and with such a channel configuration, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X cannot be missing, as these two formats are the true raison d’être of a soundbar like this.
It doesn’t lack functions. For example, the Adaptive Sound mode analyzes what you’re watching and automatically adjusts the audio levels. If you have a compatible Samsung TV, you can also take advantage of the SpaceFit Pro function, which calibrates the audio according to the dimensions of your room. The Game Mode Pro also adjusts the sound in video games, providing surround sound with those games that don’t provide it natively.
A device like this must also be prepared for streaming music, and in this sense, you can use WiFi to play high-resolution audio formats like ALAC, FLAC, and WAV, and even listen to Dolby Atmos Music tracks on platforms like Apple Music and Tidal. If you’re a Spotify or Tidal user, you also have support for Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect.
Samsung has worked hard over the years to create an ecosystem within its products, so if you combine your soundbar with a Samsung TV, you can take advantage of the Q-Symphony function, which combines the TV speakers with the soundbar speakers to further enhance the sound, although I’ve never been a fan of this function (why would you want to use the poor sound of the TV when you have a bar that sounds as good as this?).
More useful is the wireless Dolby Atmos, which allows a Samsung TV to transmit Dolby Atmos tracks to the bar, although in a compressed manner using the Dolby Digital format, which, on the other hand, is what Netflix and other platforms use to stream Dolby Atmos.
Performance, sound quality
Samsung’s top-of-the-line has been the undisputed queen of soundbars with Dolby Atmos for years, and this hasn’t changed with the Samsung HW-Q990D. With 22 speakers, including four height channels in an 11.1.4 channel configuration, the surround sound is impressive. The sound effects not only flow through all the channels with astonishing fluidity, but the dialogues are clear and crisp, and the power of the subwoofer is overwhelming: you will really have problems with your neighbors if your house walls are thin, because the bass is truly outrageous.
Where Samsung has done a fantastic job is in improving the processing from stereo sources, and now the upmixing from 2.0 to 5.1 sounds even better, something I already noticed in the game mode I mentioned earlier. So if you have old DVDs, you can dust them off, because on the Samsung HW-Q990D they will sound amazing.
The fantastic balance across all frequencies also makes music sound splendid on this bar. Additionally, with music, the subwoofer is more controlled, and any genre and instrument is reproduced with total fidelity on the HW-Q990D. It really is a high-fidelity system.
Conclusions and alternatives
The Samsung HW-Q990D is a beast in the world of soundbars. It offers a top-notch home theater experience with Dolby Atmos and 22 speakers that take surround sound to another level. But of course, it’s not the cheapest option, and I understand that its price may be too much for most budgets.
An option to enjoy a similar experience at a more affordable price is the Samsung HW-Q930D. This soundbar is a lower model than the Q990D, with a 9.1.4 channel configuration and 17 speakers (5 less), but in everything else, it is a bar with identical specifications.
The Sony BRAVIA Theatre Bar 8 is another fantastic alternative with a lower price than this Samsung HW-Q990D, and it also has the advantage of being a bar that, without a subwoofer, sounds luxurious, being equally compatible with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
If we talk about rivals in its same category and price, the JBL Bar 1300 is a clear contender, also with 11.1.4 channels. JBL’s top-of-the-line bar may not be as exuberant in terms of surround sound and sound fidelity, but its “modular” design, with removable and portable side speakers, may convince more than one.
And if what you’re looking for is a high-end soundbar, with Dolby Atmos and without a subwoofer, the Sonos ARC remains, years later, the market reference. Its surround sound, without the need for rear speakers or a subwoofer, is splendid, and its biggest drawback is that even without these two elements, it is still quite expensive.
In short, the HW-Q990D is a soundbar that justifies its price with top-of-the-line features and impressive performance. But if your budget doesn’t allow it, there are viable alternatives that are also worth considering. What do you think, would it be worth making the effort for the Q990D or better choose a more economical option? If you have doubts, leave me a comment and we’ll try to resolve them.
