The Samsung HW-Q990B is the latest version of Smasung’s high-end soundbar. For 2022 we see a refined design, support for wireless Dolby Atmos and an additional HDMI connection.
These features are in addition to real 11.1.4 channels of audio that combine to deliver an out-of-the-box setup capable of bringing incredibly immersive surround sound to any room with just four components.
While we were watching the NBA Finals, we finally caught up with the second season of Virtuous Gemstones and binged action movies, the HW-Q990B brought us into what was happening on screen in a way few soundbar arrangements can.
If you pair it with a recent Samsung TV, you can sync it to the TV speakers using Q-Symphony and automatically tune the soundbar in your room with SpaceFit Sound+.
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Sound quality and performance
Josh Smith
The HW-Q990B supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround sound, with a combination of top-firing and side-firing speakers. This new model uses the same number of real channels as last year’s HW-Q950A, and performance is comparable to its predecessor.
Samsung uses 22 speakers to achieve the 11.1.4 setup in this soundbar. The speakers bounce sound off your ceiling to simulate overhead speakers, and they do a great job of replicating the Atmos experience without needing to place speakers on your ceiling.
We try a wide range of soundbars and audio setups, and one of the biggest challenges is finding a way to place the speakers in an actual living space. Although the speakers are closer to the size of bookshelf speakers, the fact that they only need power to operate makes it easier to use the HW-Q990B in an open plan living room.
Josh Smith
With many systems you have to run a wire to the subwoofer for the rear speakers to receive sound, but these connect wirelessly to the soundbar, allowing for easier room placement and, therefore, better performance. If you are unable to place the rear speakers at the back of the room, you can place them at the front of the room and activate a special mode that accommodates this placement.
When paired with a Samsung TV, users can integrate the TV speakers using the Q-Symphony feature. This integration stood out when testing previous models, but it only works with Samsung TVs. Another Samsung TV-specific feature is the SpaceFit Sound+, which tunes the speakers to your room. However, if you don’t have a Samsung TV connected, you can use the Samsung SmartThings app to use a room adjustment feature that can provide similar results. Once we set up the room setting, the soundbar’s design really shined.
This setup really caused a stir when we watched John Wick and John Wick: Chapter 3 Parabellum. Throughout the fight scene in the club during John Wick, the HW-Q990B brought us right into the middle of the action with the believable placement of gunshots, ricochets and break-up sets. In the opening sequence of the third film, we experienced similar results that immersed us in the scene. I can’t wait to discover the new Top Gun: Maverick in Dolby Atmos on this system.
Outside of movies, the setup works well with sports and TV. The NBA Finals filled our room with shoe-squealing and crowd noise, and it did an impressive job of bringing the action and emotion of the game to our room. All in bulimia Virtuous Gemstones on HBO Max, surround mixing and excellent vocal performance sealed the deal as an epic high-end soundbar for streamers. The only problem we have now is finding a new series to start with.
Gaming performance is good, helping you get into the environment of a first-person shooter on the Xbox Series X without the need for headphones. It also does a great job in games like NBA 2k22 and Forza Horizon 5balancing the action and the environment around you.
While I don’t primarily rely on it for music, the soundbar hits home with our favorite playlists on Spotify, filling the entire first floor of our home with music and deep bass we couldn’t. not get bored.
Design and features
Josh Smith
The new Samsung HW-Q990B design fixes two of my biggest frustrations with the previous model. The new design ditches fabric for metal on the main soundbar. This new exterior looks great, shows less dust and dog hair, and is easier to clean.
The screen that shows input and other information is no longer on top of the soundbar but is now on the front, hidden behind a metal grille. This change makes it easy to see if it’s looking for input or identify other status information while sitting on the couch.
Josh Smith
Samsung’s subwoofer is the same size as last year’s model, which is larger for a soundbar setup but still easy enough to hide in a corner. It no longer features fabric, so the design is also more modern. As we mentioned, the surround speakers are large in size, which made placing one on a crowded side table a challenge, but we found a way.
Samsung has added another HDMI input, bringing the number to two. This addition is handy if you route your devices through the soundbar, but since there’s no support for advanced features like 4K at 120Hz or variable refresh rate passthrough, most users will ignore and connect most devices directly to the TV. There is also an optical digital input.
Josh Smith
eARC support lets me connect directly to the TV’s eARC port to bring the highest quality audio and most advanced formats to the soundbar. If you have a newer Samsung TV you can take advantage of Dolby Atmos wireless support and avoid running any wires from the TV to the soundbar for a super clean setup, but it’s not something we tested.
Using the Samsung SmartThings app, you can connect the speaker to Spotify or Alexa. You can also use Bluetooth or AirPlay 2 to stream from a phone or tablet to the soundbar.
Josh Smith
The remote is consistent with the new Samsung TV remotes and intuitive to use. You can easily switch sound modes and control the subwoofer level and other functions. Once you’ve set up SmartThings app support, you can control the soundbar with an app on your phone.
Is the Samsung HW-Q990B worth buying?
Josh Smith
The Samsung HW-Q990B is the company’s high-end soundbar and lives up to its place in the lineup. This year, Samsung has corrected the placement of the screen and this new design is striking.
There’s simply no other soundbar that currently offers what this 11.1.4 design does at the price. Yes, Samsung charges a premium, but the performance is outstanding. It offers the flexibility and ability to integrate Dolby Atmos and DTS:X into your main TV experience without complicated setup.
When paired with a newer Samsung TV you can up the value with Q-Symphony and SpaceFit+, but this is an outstanding soundbar in any configuration.
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