Samsung HW-Q990 Soundbar
Pros
- Wireless Dolby Atmos: Provides an immersive audio experience without the need for optical cables.
- Up-firing Rear Speakers: Enhances the home theater experience with theater-like sound.
- SpaceFit Sound+: Automatically calibrates audio for your specific room.
Cons
- Price: May be more expensive than standard soundbars.
- Space requirements: Multiple components require more space and careful placement.
In the ever-evolving world of home entertainment, soundbars have become an integral part of many living rooms, allowing for an enhanced audio experience without the need for complex and space-consuming surround sound systems. Samsung, a well-known name in the electronics industry, has been working hard to create top-notch soundbars that cater to a wide range of preferences. One such offering from the tech giant is the Samsung HW-Q990B Atmos Soundbar, which aims to provide a fully immersive and rich audio experience. In this review, we’ll dive into the pros and cons of this soundbar, exploring its various features and how it performs with different movies and music genres.
Samsung 990B Features
First off, let’s talk about the HW-Q990B’s main selling point: its wireless Dolby Atmos capability. This means that you can enjoy the immersive experience of Dolby Atmos sound without the need for pesky optical cables. With sound coming from above and behind, the audio experience is nothing short of spectacular. However, it’s worth mentioning that while this wireless feature is undoubtedly convenient, it might not be as reliable as a wired connection, and you may occasionally experience audio lag or dropped connections.
The Samsung HW-Q990B boasts a true 11.1.4 channel sound system, which includes 11 channels, 1 subwoofer, and 4 up-firing channels. This setup ensures that your room is filled with surround sound from all angles, allowing you to experience everything from car chases to airplanes taking flight in all their glory. However, the downside to this many channels is that it may be overkill for smaller spaces or for those who don’t prioritize an immersive audio experience.
Another notable feature of the HW-Q990B is its Q-Symphony technology, which synchronizes audio from compatible Samsung TVs and soundbars for a fully immersive experience. This ensures that you’ll be enveloped in sound from all directions, making for an incredibly enjoyable home theater experience. On the other hand, it’s worth noting that this feature is only compatible with specific Samsung TVs, so if you have a different brand or an older model, you won’t be able to take advantage of this synchronization.
The SpaceFit Sound+ feature of the Samsung HW-Q990B is a neat addition, as it analyzes your room and automatically calibrates the audio, including the bass, for a tailored audio experience. This is particularly useful for those with oddly shaped or acoustically challenging rooms, ensuring that the sound is optimized for your space. However, some users might find this automatic calibration feature to be a bit hit or miss, especially if they have specific preferences for their audio settings.
The inclusion of up-firing rear speakers in the HW-Q990B package is a huge plus, as they help create a theater-like sound experience by projecting audio above and around you. This adds an extra layer of immersion to your movie-watching or gaming sessions, but keep in mind that the placement of these rear speakers is crucial for optimal performance.
With AirPlay 2 and Alexa built-in, the Samsung HW-Q990B offers convenient voice controls and seamless integration with iOS devices. This makes it easy to play music or control the soundbar using just your voice or a compatible iPhone. However, it’s essential to remember that these features may not appeal to everyone, especially if you’re not a fan of voice assistants or don’t own an iOS device.
Lastly, the Adaptive Sound feature dynamically optimizes audio and enhances voice clarity, making it easier to follow along with action-packed games and movies. While this is a helpful feature for some, it might not be necessary for those who already have a good grasp of audio settings and prefer to make manual adjustments.
In conclusion, the Samsung HW-Q990B offers a wide range of features that cater to different users and preferences, making it a versatile option for those looking to upgrade their home audio setup. Its wireless Dolby Atmos capability, true 11.1.4 channel sound, and up-firing rear speakers create an immersive audio experience that rivals that of a dedicated home theater system. The Q-Symphony, SpaceFit Sound+, and Adaptive Sound features further enhance the listening experience by synchronizing audio with compatible Samsung TVs, optimizing audio for your space, and dynamically adjusting settings for improved clarity.
Samsung HW-Q990B Sound Quality
The Samsung HW-Q990B Atmos Soundbar truly shines when it comes to delivering an immersive audio experience, particularly with movies that take full advantage of its Dolby Atmos and DTS:X capabilities. Take, for example, the iconic opening scene of “Mad Max: Fury Road.” As the engines rev and the chase begins, the HW-Q990B’s True 11.1.4 channel sound places you right in the heart of the action. The roar of the engines, the swirling dust, and the frenetic score are all expertly delivered through the soundbar’s multiple channels, subwoofer, and up-firing speakers, creating an audio environment that makes you feel as if you’re part of the high-octane chase.
When it comes to music, the Samsung HW-Q990B continues to impress with its well-rounded audio performance. Listening to a classic like “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen showcases the soundbar’s ability to handle complex arrangements and harmonies with precision and depth. The powerful vocals, layered harmonies, and intricate instrumentals are clearly separated, allowing you to fully appreciate each element of the song. Similarly, the pulsating beat and rich bass of Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” are effortlessly reproduced by the HW-Q990B’s subwoofer, while the smooth vocals and funky guitar riffs maintain clarity and warmth. With the Samsung HW-Q990B Atmos Soundbar, you can expect a premium listening experience for both movies and music alike.
However, it’s essential to keep in mind that the HW-Q990B may not be the best fit for everyone. Some users might find certain features to be unnecessary or even cumbersome, like the automatic calibration or voice assistant capabilities. Additionally, those with smaller spaces or a preference for a more straightforward audio setup might find the 11.1.4 channel system to be overkill.
Conclusion
In the end, the Samsung HW-Q990B Atmos Soundbar is an excellent option for those seeking a feature-packed soundbar that provides an immersive and customizable audio experience. Its various features and compatibility with different movies and music make it a versatile choice for audiophiles and casual listeners alike. Just be prepared to spend some time getting to know all its features and finding the optimal settings for your space to truly enjoy what this soundbar has to offer.
