Verdict
Samsung ’s belated flagship soundbar does n’t incisively reinvent the steering wheel – but then it does n’t need to . And at least what advance it does make are in all the right billet .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The days of routine increase in channel counts for Samsung ’s yearly flagship soundbar refreshes are emphatically over . Last year’sHW - Q990Bstuck with the 11.1.4 channel reckoning of its harbinger , and the 2023 Q990C retain the same 15 - channel configuration too .
Though hit pause on channel increases might have made it harder for Samsung to occur up with easy marketing messages for itstop - end soundbars , the decisiveness really throw sense . After all , it ’s not as if 11.1.4 transmission channel is n’t a ) more than you get just about anywhere else in the soundbar humans , and b ) easily enough to make a uniquely concluded and immersive Dolby Atmos sound stage .
What ’s more , in not rely on adding more channels seems to have given Samsung ’s phone engineers more bandwidth to focus on improvements in other areas .
Availability
The HW - Q990C is on sale in the UK for £ 1,599 and in the US for $ 1,599.99 .
Samsung ’s tone - down model , the HW - Q930C , loses a distich of canal , five drivers and the Acoustic Lens design for the subwoofer but at sentence of review was priced substantially less at £ 1,149 / $ 999 .
Design
At first coup d’oeil I mean the four - component HW - Q990C was identical to its Q990B predecessor . The independent soundbar bask exactly the same dimensions and angular shape , as well as the same hard grilled cultivation ; the two rear speakers boast the same distinctive mini plinth feet , unusual ceiling - shaped top edge and another metal grilled finish .
The main subwoofer is also the same size , features the same 8 - column inch machine driver , and sports the same protruding Acoustic Lens cover over the driver to riddle bass voice absolute frequency more swimmingly and equally .
localize the Q990B and Q990C side - by - side did in the end reveal one remainder though : the HW - Q990C has a slightly light colouration . Samsung describes the unexampled tone as Titan Black , but in truth it looks more like benighted grey .
Connectivity is the same . You get two HDMI inputs and a individual , eARC HDMIoutput , alongside an optical audio input and the Wi - Fi and Bluetooth options I have a bun in the oven from pretty much any soundbar . The only disappointment is that the HDMI eyelet - through does n’t substantiate 4K/120Hz eat from the latest game console and PC cards – something theLG S95QRdoes support , to an extent .
At least the HDMI can lapse - throughDolby VisionandHDR10 + HDRformats . It stay to be rarefied to find a soundbar that supports both these HDR data format .
The top edge of the main soundbar features a words of restraint button , while the front sharpness carries a pocket-sized but bright and very legible LED display to keep tabs on volume levels , pick out stimulation , sound preset options , source formats and so on . Mercifully , Samsung has not return to its old practice of placing the LED display on the top sharpness , where you could only see it if you were standing up .
The HW - Q990C ship with a slim , nicely finish remote control that features a reasonably logical and antiphonal raiment of buttons . you may also manipulate the Q990C using Samsung ’s SmartThings app if you ’d opt a more optic interface .
Features
With no obvious physical or speaker configuration differences to talk of bar the slight colour variant , it requires a deep dive to find out what the HW - Q990C offers that we have n’t seen from a Samsung soundbar before .
The first thing to enchant my eye is the addition of the SmartThings Hub to the soundbar’sSmartThings appcontrol options , enabling ascendence over other compatible devices web around the home base . While this is an interesting developing in the connected household world that ’s big in the South Korean and Nipponese market , I do n’t guess it ’s a especially big wad for most UK or US soundbar vendee .
More universally utilitarian is the add-on of built - in support for theAmazon Alexa – especially as the Alexa support extends to being able to group corroborate machine in multi - room specify ups . The Q990C also works withApple AirPlayif you have a compatible gimmick .
Also unspoiled to get pass on Samsung ’s previous reticence in this area is a newly enhanced reading of its SpaceFit Sound Pro auto - calibration system . The chief change is that it now sanely brings the subwoofer ’s basso donation into the independent sound auto - optimisation process , rather than basso standardization being controlled by a disjoined system .
Samsung ’s Adaptive Sound style has been upgraded too . This obviously does a better job of identifying and maintaining the clarity of object sound – including voice – at humiliated volume level . If this works as promised it would accost one of the few negatives of Samsung ’s previous flagship soundbars – though hopefully it wo n’t compromise Samsung ’s reputation for its soundbars delivering fabled amounts of power and dynamism .
The HW - Q990C beat the third propagation of Samsung ’s Q Symphony feature , too . This organisation for partake the speakers in the soundbar with those in compatible Samsung telecasting now uses every speaker in both the tv set and soundbar when the two are turn together , as well as start the soundbar to use the audio processor in the latest Samsung TV for superior audio psychoanalysis .
While much of this new material – especially the improved auto - standardisation tools – is welcome , it ’s still the features continue on from the Q990B that give the Q990C principal appeal .
These start with that giant 11.1.4 channel enumeration that comprises of one side - firing TV channel in each rearward speaker , two up - firing channels in the main soundbar , an up - firing number one wood in each rear speaker , front drivers in each rearward speaker , the ‘ .1 ’ subwoofer basso channel , plus centre , front leave behind , front right , side left , side right , front side left and front side right channels tuck into the Q990C ’s surprisingly compact primary soundbar .
Then there ’s the point of all these channels : to create that full cerebral hemisphere of an immersive three - dimensional bubble around the viewer that ’s integral to a convincing Dolby Atmos orDTS : Xexperience . Having gone to such length to make such a smarmy Dolby Atmos / DTS :X soundstage , it is a relief to find the Q990C supports both formats via either its HDMI loop - through , orHDMI 2.1standard ’s audio return epithelial duct ( ARC / eARC ) characteristic .
The HW - Q990C carries an Active Voice Amplifier choice that scan your room for ambient disturbance , such as a vacuum cleansing agent , and increase the clarity of vocal music in the mix when it deems necessary . Plus there ’s a Game Mode that exaggerates the directionality of sound to more clearly observe where enemy might be shoot from .
Sound Quality
Before bugger off into how the HW - Q990C sounds , it ’s deserving remark that it ’s very easy to set up thanks to the way of life all the four speakers detect and unite with each other without pother . The SmartThings app lay down it well-to-do to get the soundbar on your Wi - Fi meshing and perform any firmware updates .
I did have a couple of occasions where the SmartThings app on my iPhone suddenly lost connection , and would n’t re - establish unless I unplugged , rebooted the soundbar and re - fly the coop the Add equipment pick in the app .
With film soundtrack the Q990C sound pretty much indistinguishable to the Q990B. That ’s no bad thing given the Q990B has been the best full - surround Dolby Atmos soundbar I ’ve heard until the Q990C ’s comer .
The baron and heartiness of the HW - Q990C ’s motion picture audio is a particular highlight . No other soundbar delivers action scenes with as much intensity , encroachment and morsel , and its dynamic range is enormous .
The subwoofer continues to surrender some of if not the deepest gang fight in the soundbar earth . Its Acoustic Lens set up ensures bass hardly ever penetrate out ( strait compressed at very downhearted frequencies ) , and systematically go more well - rounded and legato than Samsung ’s non - acoustical Lens soundbar subwoofer .
The subwoofer also sounds imposingly reactive and nimble . In fact , with the SpaceFit Pro auto calibration feature in play , the subwoofer provides the biggest area of advance over the Q990B – peculiarly when responding more effectively to the change gears of a basso - heavy conniption .
The sleep of the Q990C ’s soundstage is unusually cohesive and balanced . Especially , once SpaceFit has been called into action at law . The rears and height channels are fantastically detailed and eager to be involved , contributing to the most full formed Atmos soundstage presently available in the soundbar world . receive a more empathetically integrate subwoofer to support the coherence of all the other TV channel is just the icing on the cake .
The scale of the Q990C ’s sound is immense , occupy a large living room from side - to - side , front to back and floor to cap . There ’s nothing vague about this huge reasoned stage , either . Atmos and DTS :X mixes love an immaculately logical and utterly formed ‘ dome ’ of sound within which I could detect no noticeable gaps .
I ’m mindful of every undivided communication channel in the system , but only in an immersive way ; no TV channel feels under- or over - powered enough to draw specific attention to itself .
Specific location effects in Dolby Atmos and DTS :X admixture are positioned with unique accuracy , and this truth extends to moderately much flawless transitions of sounds around the soundstage – be they overhead , to left and ripe , or from front to back .
The lucidness extends to talks , which always sounds clean , natural and contextualised as well as being slimly lifted so that voices do from the onscreen action than from the verbaliser .
The HW - Q990C handles shrill , peak treble as well as it plow the deepest bass elements , avoiding harshness , boo , over - emphasis or warbling even with the most richly - pitched film sounds I could bump .
As I ’ve come to carry with Samsung ’s high - goal soundbars , the bulk stratum the Q990C can reach without a hint of distortion are Brobdingnagian . There are only a handful of challenger that can get close – and even those ca n’t do so while also extradite the full Atmos soundstage precision that the Q990C give you .
Considering how precise its soundstage sounds , the HW - Q990C is surprisingly exonerative of placement in unlike types of elbow room set up ( for example , the nub of a paries , or in a corner with the rear speaker unit position at an angle behind ) . The sound still manages to sound harmonious , and the Dolby Atmos dome of sound still feels complete and convincing . My presumpton is this sorting of room layout flexibility owes much to the potency of the in style SpaceFit system .
Focusing on another of the Q990C ’s claimed advance , its late Adaptive Sound mode does as promised by retain a better symmetricalness at low-toned volumes than the Q990B. Details retain more comportment , helping to make the low - volume soundstage seem busier and more involving . It actually feel like the speaker are more sensitive – an telling effort to achieve through a processing tweak .
The final ingredient of the Q990C ’s picture show carrying out I tried out ( with a SamsungQN900C 8 K TV ) was its Q - Symphony organization . I was pleasantly surprised to find the TV ’s speakers matching well with the soundbar , at least up to moderate loudness , ensue in some welcome surplus verticality to the front soundstage . Voices and nitty-gritty - line effects have more spacial preciseness as a result , and the front soundstage feels more solid – more like a wall of sound .
The mismatch between the capabilities of the TV and soundbar utterer can embark on to become a thin issue at high volumes , but overall the new edition of Q Symphony is impressively advanced .
Samsung soundbars have traditionally struggle to moderate their heroic quality with movies to deliver a similarly prima medicine performance . The focus on muscle has tended to be too strong . Things started to meliorate with the Q990B , at least in the way of life its Adaptive mode remixed canonical stereo caterpillar tread to take advantage of all the system ’s speakers . And now the musicality of Samsung soundbars has improved again – provided you ’re careful where you localize the subwoofer .
With the subwoofer placed off to the side of my couch as usual and playing euphony in its default stereo format , it felt as if the Q990C ’s carrying into action with music was broadly speaking in pedigree with the Q990B. It betray call passably well and deliver them with levels of magnate and dynamic compass far beyond most regular hi - fi systems .
Detail stage are eminent without sounding forced too , and vocals are exceptionally clear . Vocals often , peculiarly with distaff singers , enjoy a pleasingly soaring feel .
On the downside , dense , multi - track medicine can sound a piffling sloughy and excessively dense – albeit somewhat less so than with the Q990B thanks to the improved bass management .
As with the Q990B , with the U-boat in my default option place , the HW - Q990C makes music pretty interesting with its Adaptive modal value , thanks to the way it reduces that sense of excessive density I mention to begin with and proves very canny about the way it pushes different elements of a stereo commixture to different channels . In fact , the results sometimes really sound like original Dolby Atmos studio apartment mixes ( thoroughgoing with amazingly good overhead vocal steering on occasion ) .
The Q990C ’s tweaked Adaptive mode also ensures that music remains more racy and elaborated at comparatively low volume than it has tend to on old Samsung soundbar flagship .
The Adaptive manner does n’t always fathom totally right . Its separation result can come on a trivial too strong , making the mix suddenly fathom a morsel forced and artificial . Also , occasionally the Adaptive mode ’s faith in the Q990C ’s rearward speaker can be too affirmative , feeding them element of a mix that are too much for their drivers to deal .
Overall , though , I often found myself preferring to take heed to music in the Q990C ’s adaptative mode than Standard stereophony . Or at least that was the pillow slip until I strike the subwoofer so it was put nearer the main soundbar , in front of my seating position , and have the SpaceFit Pro do its work again .
In this contour , bass part sounds more reactive and well balanced with the rest of a stereo mix than it did with the subwoofer placed in its more distant position , immediately form it easier to become immersed in a stereo running .
It almost feels as if place the subwoofer in this unlike spot causes an adjustment to the soundbar ’s crossover pointedness . Whether or not that ’s the sheath , there’sno question the remainder with the subwoofer lay in a forward position is palpable , and piss the HW - Q990C easily the most melodic Samsung flagship soundbar I ’ve ever get a line with two-channel music . The Q990C can be considered a genuine all - rounder – even if its art over its rivals remains at its most pronounce with film soundtracks .
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Should you buy it?
- : The HW - Q990C provide not only physical rearward speakers , but rearward speaker with side- and up - firing channels that satisfy up with exchangeable speakers build up into the principal soundbar to deliver a incredibly immersive and full dome of Dolby Atmos strait .
Sadly the HDMI exit through organisation on the HW - Q990C ca n’t manage with the 4K/120Hz art feed you could now get from Xbox Series X , PS5s and high - ending microcomputer graphics cards .
Final Thoughts
Despite the Samsung HW - Q990C not boasting any significant hardware changes over its 2022 predecessor ( unless a tenuous colour change be adrift your boat ) , it still make do to introduce small-scale but pregnant improvements .
The unexampled auto calibration system improve bass part treatment with both medicine and picture show author , new music tuning enhances stereo playback ( if you put the subwoofer in the correct blank space ) , and the latest version of Samsung ’s unexampled Q - Symphony organization join forces more efficaciously with the verbaliser in Samsung tv than it has before .
While the Q990C ’s improvement over its herald may be relatively venial compared with previous giant steps , they are are being made to a soundbar that was already quite comfortably the most powerful , immersive and consummate - go Dolby Atmos soundbar in town . So in essence , the HW - Q990C is simply the best made better .
Trusted Score
How we test
We quiz every soundbar system we look back good over an extended period of time . We employ diligence stock mental test to compare feature of speech properly . We ’ll always tell you what we find . We never , ever , accept money to brush up a ware .
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FAQs
16 , bear in an 11.1.4 configuration ( the .1 being the bass part groove , and the .4 referring to four up - inflammation distribution channel to deliver pinnacle issue .
Yes , both can be enjoyed via the HDMI loop through or via your TV using eARC provided your telecasting has the necessary eARC and profound format reinforcement .
This is a characteristic that enable Samsung soundbars to join forces with Samsung TVs , drag on the audio processing power of the TVs and getting the speaker system in the TV to mold alongside those in the soundbar for a orotund sound stage .
