Samsung’s 2024 flagship soundbar delivers an immense spatial audio experience
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(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
T3 Verdict
Reasons to buy+Incredibly immersive spatial audio delivery+Powerful and well-integrated subwoofer+Plenty of features for next-gen gamersReasons to avoid-The front display is a bit useless-The Q990C is discounted now
Reasons to buy+Incredibly immersive spatial audio delivery+Powerful and well-integrated subwoofer+Plenty of features for next-gen gamers
Incredibly immersive spatial audio delivery
Powerful and well-integrated subwoofer
Plenty of features for next-gen gamers
Reasons to avoid-The front display is a bit useless-The Q990C is discounted now
The front display is a bit useless
The Q990C is discounted now
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Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
The Samsung HW-Q990D doesn’t differ wildly from itsHW-Q990Cpredecessor. But it would be hard for the brand to cram any more speakers into this flagship soundbar combo with its wireless rear speakers and separate subwoofer. It’s an immense system.
For this new ‘D’ model Samsung has finally addedHDMI 2.1 connectionscapable of passing4K/120HzandVRRfor high-frame-rate gaming, which is great news for next-gen console owners. While this range-topper doesn’t come cheap, it offers a fully immersive experience with the minimum of aggravation.
Samsung Q990D: Price & Availability
Today’s best Samsung HW-Q990D deals629 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆$1,997$1,597.99View$1,797.99View$1,797.99ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Samsung HW-Q990D deals629 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆$1,997$1,597.99View$1,797.99View$1,797.99ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Samsung HW-Q990D deals
629 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆
629 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆
☆☆☆☆☆
$1,997$1,597.99View$1,797.99View$1,797.99View
$1,997$1,597.99View
$1,997$1,597.99View
$1,997$1,597.99View
$1,997$1,597.99
$1,597.99
$1,797.99View
$1,797.99View
$1,797.99View
$1,797.99
$1,797.99
$1,797.99View
$1,797.99View
$1,797.99View
$1,797.99
$1,797.99
Show More Deals
Show More Deals
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
The Samsung HW-Q990D will retail for £1,699 at launch (the on-sale date is to be confirmed), and while slightly more expensive than much of the competition it makes sense.
Consider this soundbar’s build quality, extensive features, and ability to compete with a multichannel separates system in terms of delivering total immersion. The widget above will show you regional pricing for USA and Australia.
Samsung Q990D review: What’s New?
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
The soundbar itself is composed of front left, right and centre channels, plus width drivers, front side-firing speakers, and upfiring drivers that bounce sound beams off the ceiling for the sensation of height.
The rear speakers each manage to house the surround channels, rear side-firing speakers, and up-firing drivers to create the back height sound effects too.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
Adaptive Sound uses AI-enhanced processing to give non-Atmos and DTS:X more dimensionality, along with clearer sound at lower volumes. There’s a total of four sound modes, with the other three being Standard, Surround, and Game.
There’s also a Night mode if you need to flatten the dynamic range so as not to disturb the rest of the household in the wee hours, and a Voice Enhancement mode to boost dialogue if necessary.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
The surround speakers now offer a front mode for greater width (but at the expense of the rears). Conversely, there’s also a private mode that only uses the rears for watching TV at night without disturbing others. There’s also a sound grouping feature where the rears work as independent speakers duplicating the same music as the main unit.
There is a built-in smart assistant thanks to the inclusion of Amazon Alexa, support for multiple music streaming services, the HW-Q990D is Roon Tested with Hi-Res Audio support, Tap Sound for compatible Samsung devices, and the Active Voice Amplifier (AVA) for noisy surroundings.
In addition to the HDMI 2.1 connections, the HW-Q990D offers another gaming feature called Game Mode Pro. When used in conjunction with a Samsung TV this feature optimises the sound settings based on the specific genre selected in the connected TV’s pop-up gaming hub.
Samsung Q990D review: Performance
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
The Samsung HW-Q990D is less hassle compared to a separates system based around one ofthe best AV receiversand speaker package, with fewer components and no cables running around the room. Although it obviously requires a bit more setup in comparison with a single-unit soundbar.
However, once you’ve installed the soundbar, rears and sub, the Q990D proves relatively easy to setup, with everything connecting flawlessly. The SmartThings app adds to the simplicity, while SpaceFit Sound calibrates across the entire frequency range, ensuring properly integrated bass.
The HW-Q990D is a stupendous performer, with large, high-quality drivers that make it better with music than many competitors. There’s some excellent stereo imaging, and the well-integrated sub provides a solid foundation of bass that feels deep but controlled thanks to the room correction.
There are multiple music streaming services supported on the Q990D, along with it being Roon Tested and able to handle Hi-Res Audio, so whatever your poison it has you covered. You can even enjoy music in Atmos, and listening to Pink Floyd’sDark Side of the Moonis a revelation.
There’s excellent width to the front soundstage, while the centre channel ensures that dialogue is clear and focused on the screen. The use of identical drivers ensures 5.1-channel soundtracks are rendered with great tonal balance, while sound effects are placed around the room with precision.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
As good as the Q990D is with stereo and multichannel tracks, it’s with object-based audio that it really sets itself apart from the competition. The system fully utilises its entire 11.1.4-channel soundstage, creating a sense of sonic envelopment that’s superior to any other soundbar.
There’s real scale to the delivery, with effects steered seamlessly around the room and placed within a dome of sound with precision. This is something that a soundbar without rear speakers can’t do, but for the Samsung the front and rear upfiring speakers make a huge difference.
There’s plenty of dynamic range, and all the amplification has more than enough power to fill a decent-sized room. The 8-inch subwoofer provides exceptionally deep and powerful bass, but also weaves itself in amongst the other speakers without swamping them or the overall soundstage.
All these attributes are perfectly demonstrated when watchingTop Gun: Maverick, with the height channels putting you in the cockpit as fighters fly all around you. Explosions hit with depth and power, while the climactic attack enjoys a visceral energy as you barrel down the canyons.
Samsung Q990D review: Design & Usability
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
The Samsung HW-Q990D looks identical to last year, with the same sizeable cabinet, angled corners, and robust metal mesh grille. The design is elegant in its minimalism, with a matte black finish that ensures this soundbar doesn’t draw attention to itself when placed under your TV.
The front display is hard to read and fairly useless, but the build quality is excellent, with dimensions best suited toTVs with screen sizes of 55 inchesor larger. There’s a choice of stand- or wall-mounting, and if you choose the latter Samsung provides dedicated brackets for this purpose.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
The subwoofer and rear speakers are finished to match the soundbar, and automatically connect during setup. The surrounds can also be stand or wall-mounted using provided brackets, and while this system is wireless, don’t forget there are four devices in total needing to be plugged in.
Samsung HW-Q990D review: Verdict
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
Also consider
If you’re looking for alternatives, an obvious choice is last year’s Samsung HW-Q990C. This earlier model is still available and very similar to the Q990D, aside from the lack of HDMI 2.1, meaning you can enjoy a similarly awesome immersive spatial audio experience but at a reduced price.
In terms of other brands, theJBL Bar 1300is worth considering because it’s slightly cheaper but offers a similar level of immersion, and also includes clever ideas like rechargeable rear speakers. It’s not quite as feature-packed as the Samsung, but is an excellent multichannel soundbar.
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