Verdict
It may lack sure refinement , like a decorous onscreen display and 4k 120Hz support , but this upmarket soundbar , sub and rearward speaker system of rules certainly delivers when it comes to exciting , immersive cinema audio .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The HW - Q930D soundbar is the standby to Samsung’sHW - Q990D flagship . Shipped with wireless subwoofer and a twosome of wireless rearward speakers , it looks much the same as its stablemate , but propose 9.1.4 Dolby Atmos strait , compared to the footfall - up model ’s 11.1.4 channel deployment . Connectivity also dissent .
That order , overall king and sonic performance are much the same , making this a tempting proposition for those that seek echt sonic immersion without the complexity and cost of an Ab telephone receiver and verbalizer software program … .
Availability
In stores now , the HW-930D is price at £ 1,149 in the UK , and $ 1499 in the US . This places it at the upper last of the soundbar market , a position it justify with the inclusion of those wireless rears as well as some novel smart functionality .
Design
measure 1110 x 604 x 120 mm , the independent measure is substantial , making it a good match for screens 55 - inch and larger . If you plan on placing it in front of your screen , you ’re go to need suitably wide AV article of furniture . There ’s a paries - mount supplied if required .
The look is reasonably industrial , with its perforated grille and sharply fish corners . While the main speaker unit array fires forward , there are drivers pointing sideway , edgeways and upwards . This design do a function , but I ’d hesitate to call it reasonably .
The wireless subwoofer look to be an MDF inclosure . Finished in dim , it sports an 8 - inch fabric - cover number one wood and is rear port .
The wireless rears are a cosmetic catch for the main bar , and house both forward and up - fire drivers . All the part pair automatically . While the tush are wireless , you ’ll still involve to supply them with a wall socket ( there ’s no built - in battery ) . In total , I ’m secernate there are 17 driver employed across the system , in inspection and repair of its 9.1.4 line configuration .
Features
If the HW - Q930D does n’t quite sate your want for tremendous auditory sensation straight out of the box , Q - Symphony lets you impart a compatible Samsung TV ’s own utterer complement to the mix – soundbar and telly speakers working at the same time . This is , of course , overkill , but the option is there .
Also strung-out on a compatible Samsung TV is wireless Dolby Atmos transmission . This function will likely only be of interest only if you need to avoid an eARC connection to your blind , perhaps because of wall mounting complication .
motorcar calibration is useable via SpaceFit Sound Pro , a dynamic monitoring and EQ system fed by a built - in mike .
Smart credentials are skilful . The HW - Q930D hasAlexa built - in , works with Google Home and is compatible with AirPlay 2 . It ’s also SmartThings enable , which intend you may integrate it as part of a great SmartThings home system , and control it via the SmartThings app .
In improver to a stock compact remote mastery , there are canonical on - trunk controls for bulk and Bluetooth mate .
extra niceties include AVA ( Active Voice Amplifier ) technology . This supervise ambient noise in your hearing way , be it intermittent scope hubbub or just noisy roommates , boosting dialogue so that it ’s more easily take after .
There ’s also a manual audio sync slider available on the app , which is varying between 0ms and +300ms , should a stream go rudderless for some reason .
While the HW - Q930D proffer a number of canny Samsung - centric features , it miss an onscreen display , to improve the user experience . The shortened Zen matrix display which scrolls on the fascia is meagre compensation .
Connectivity comprise one HDMI input signal , plus anHDMI eARCfor TV connection . This HDMI input signal does not support 4K/20Hz , so you might not want to get in touch a PS5 or Xbox Series X / S if you value High Frame Rate gambling . There ’s no Dolby Vision passthrough either .
There ’s also an optical digital audio frequency stimulus . Wireless funding breed Wi - Fi and Bluetooth .
Sound Quality
This big Samsung bar gets core environment sonics right . The system sound grand , and is more able of filling the average hearing way .
The brand may be soaked - lipped about the power on strike , but I found there ’s plenitude of dynamic piece of cake to its execution , although thing do tend to get a bit raggedy at high-pitched volume .
Netflix Sci - fi action motion-picture show Atlas may not go down as one of the year ’s more care for streaming original , but it does have an extremely well - engineered Atmos soundtrack , which during the space battle scenes get a thorough physical exertion . The timbre matching between the advancing facing verbaliser array and the wireless rears is excellent , allowing sound objects to seamlessly locomote to and fro .
There ’s a definite sense of cinematic submergence , something that ’s all but unimaginable to realise on soundbars which do n’t come with consecrate rear speakers .
The side angle front drivers also go a prospicient way to enlarging the soundstage ; all too often a bar is restrain by its physical width . Here audio is spread out .
There ’s also a tangible sense of overhead presence . I found that the height channel effect was improved by manually raising the channel level a tad , so experiment is recommend .
The wireless subwoofer proves to be an energetic performing artist , and is actually essential to the quality of the front soundstage . I measured sub activity from 31.5Hz , which can be considered in force for this calibre of bass box seat . The subwoofer finds full interpreter at around 50Hz .
The soundbar crossover voter is set high at 100Hz , so the sub is required to do a lot of overweight lifting . Without the sub in play , the mechs in Atlas fall behind a lot of their weight . Reinstate it , and they stomp with a good pot more conviction .
Because the crossing over is gamey , you should keep the subwoofer skinny to the soundbar , to keep the soundstage coherent .
The system is also o.k. at subtle ambience , able-bodied to direct crowd noise from sports in the one shot , without the rear speakers drawing unwarranted attending to themselves .
While the soundbar is primarily a home theatre machine , it ’s perfectly o.k. for audio - only hear . I would n’t class it as particularly melodious , but it ’ll have you tap your toe , is Roon Tested and figure out well withDolby Atmos Musicstreams .
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Should you buy it?
The provision of wireless rearward speakers ensures an above average sense of submergence , and the subwoofer brings admirable dig .
The provision of a undivided 4 yard 60HZ stimulation could bound your system build up aspiration
Final Thoughts
The HW - Q930D is an impressive soundbar that does a capital caper simplify the joys of home dramaturgy . The supplying of wireless rears produce a monumental difference to the signified of immersion . The addition of a powerful subwoofer ensures a superior sounding TV sound system .
While there are plenty of clever purification build in , I ’m not so sure they ’ll factor intemperately into many buying decisions , especially given some rely on a partnering Samsung TV , but the important affair is that this 9.1.4 package receive the basics right . While it does n’t quite rival a component AV system , for many it ’ll come close enough .
Trusted Score
How we test
We test every soundbar we review thoroughly over an extended period of time . We practice industry stock psychometric test to compare feature the right way . We ’ll always order you what we see . We never , ever , accept money to review a product .
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FAQs
With compatible Samsung TVs , the HW - Q930D can stream Atmos audio wirelessly .
