Unpacking the Excellence: Samsung HW-Q990F Soundbar Review

WIRED carefully selects all products, offering a glimpse into their rigorously examined inventory. Purchases via their site may result in affiliate commissions.

Achieving an 8 out of 10 rating, this soundbar shines.

It might take some persuasion to justify spending a considerable sum on a soundbar. Many home theater enthusiasts believe that individual speakers, subwoofers, and receivers are the smarter investment. However, as someone experienced in audio/visual reviews, I find this viewpoint excessively exclusive.

The argument assumes everyone has the space and knowledge for a complex setup. For those facing objections from partners or simply seeking straightforward high-quality sound, systems like the Samsung HW-Q990F offer a wireless, easy-to-use solution without sacrificing audio quality compared to similar home theater setups.

Position the soundbar beneath your TV, the subwoofer next to a power source, and strategically place the surround speakers to utilize the room's acoustics optimally. This setup delivers an 11.1.4 audio experience with impressive sound clarity and minimal complexity.

Although you can't easily upgrade components as standards evolve, this soundbar is future-proof with robust Dolby Atmos support. Samsung seems to recognize this aspect, as both current and previous models are available at the same price.

Setting Up the Samsung HW-Q990F

When you open the box, you'll find the main soundbar, a subwoofer, and two rear speakers. Everything apart from the main bar needs just a power outlet, pairing themselves automatically, while the main unit connects to your TV via HDMI.

This convenience means all you really need to do is power up your TV and ensure it's linked to the soundbar. It connects seamlessly with an optical audio input, two HDMI inputs, and supports HDMI 2.1 pass-through, allowing easy connection of a 4K Blu-Ray player or gaming console directly to the soundbar.

On the top, there are controls for input selection, volume adjustments, and microphone muting for privacy, since Amazon Alexa is included.

The remote is simple, but once set, your TV’s remote manages volume and mute functions through HDMI eARC integration.

Immersive Audio Experience

This soundbar's extensive driver setup excels in creating an enveloping audio environment, even in limited spaces. It remains compact yet powerful, maintaining Samsung's high standard in audio processing.

A feature called Q-Symphony allows the pairing of your TV’s speakers with the soundbar system, though results may vary depending on personal preference for sound.

Compatibility with TVs from manufacturers beyond Samsung is another benefit, delivering top-notch audio performance. While competing with other premium brands like Sonos or Bose, few systems match the Samsung HW-Q990F in channel quality.

The soundbar retains its 8/10 rating, reflecting its enduring appeal and market position.