Samsung HW-Q990D soundbar review: Slight upgrades for a superb system

Final 12 months, I reviewed Samsung’s standalone HW-Q900C soundbar. I used to be very impressed, so I had excessive hopes for its follow-up, the HW-Q990D. After a number of weeks of testing this method with all the pieces from demise steel to Pixar motion pictures, I can safely say that Samsung has saved the great and added some helpful options as a proverbial cherry on prime. 

Specs

• Included audio system: Soundbar, two rear satellites, subwoofer
• Encompass sound: Dolby ATMOS, Dolby TrueHD, DTS:X, DTS-HD HRA, DTS-HD MA, DTS Specific, DTS 5.1ch
• HDMI Go-through: HDMI 2.1 for 4K at 120Hz
• HDMI ports: 2 inputs, 1 output
• Bluetooth: Model 5.2
• Voice management: Google Assistant, Alexa, and Bixby
• Complete variety of audio system: 22
• Complete energy: 656W

Professionals

• Wonderful general sound high quality for music and video content material
• AI-powered voice emphasis makes dialog clear and crisp
• Highly effective subwoofer offers oomph with out getting boomy
• Private listening mode strikes sound to the rear channels for much less intrusive audio
• Wi-fi reference to Dolby Atmos assist is sweet when you have a more recent Samsung TV
• HDMI 2.1 pass-through will likely be helpful for some players and PC customers
• Understated design offsets the massive dimension
• Works with Google Residence, Alexa, Apple AirPlay, and Chromecast
• Strong on-device controls for when you’ll be able to’t discover or attain the distant

Cons

• Some superior options like wi-fi connectivity and room evaluation require a latest Samsung TV
• Rear channel speaker energy cables can all the time be longer

Verdict

Whereas it’s undoubtedly not low-cost, this method offers true 11.1.4 efficiency with little or no setup and chic {hardware}. In case you have a Samsung TV, you’ll get entry to further options, nevertheless it’s not a dealbreaker if you happen to use another person’s show. General, this highly effective, versatile system deserves consideration if you happen to’re this value level.

How I examined the Samsung HW-Q990D system

I’ve had this soundbar as my most important listening setup for a number of weeks. It has been paired with the implausible Samsung Q95D OLED TV. Throughout our testing time, I subjected the soundbar to simply about each typical viewing and listening scenario, together with streaming from an Apple TV 4K and Samsung TV’s built-in Tizen apps, gaming on a PlayStation 5, watching 4K Blu-rays, and streaming music from my telephone through a number of well-liked apps. I did use some exterior instruments, together with my telephone’s decibel meter to get some relative efficiency readings, however these have been particularly for my private reference and aren’t printed right here. Throughout the check, I had a number of different educated folks pay attention to varied content material on the system and supply their sincere suggestions to enhance my observations. 

The Samsung HW-Q990D soundbar’s setup and design

This {hardware} ought to look very acquainted if you happen to’re acquainted with the earlier Q-Sequence fashions. The primary soundbar is a beefy 48.5 inches extensive, which appears to be like superb underneath a 65-inch TV however may make something smaller look moderately puny. The rear channel audio system—which match the soundbar’s hexagonal angling and steel grills—stand slightly below 8 inches tall and have a roughly 5” x 5” footprint. That’s greater than some rear channels that include cheaper techniques. The wi-fi subwoofer measures 8” thick x 16” deep x 16” tall. Once more, it’s a barely chunky boy. 

Every speaker has a detachable energy twine, however since all the pieces connects wirelessly, you received’t have to fret about different cables aside from the HDMIs (the latest Samsung TVs even can help you skip these by transmitting wi-fi soundtracks to the soundbar). I took all the pieces out of the field, positioned the audio system, and began the setup in lower than 10 minutes. The setup time will range relying in your particular setup. You’ll be able to merely plug the system right into a streamer or your TV, and it really works moderately properly out of the field. You’ll need to guarantee you will have chosen the right audio output in your TV settings to make the most of the soundbar’s built-in Dolby Atmos decoding or different encompass sound options. However you’ll be able to principally set it and overlook it. 

In case you have a latest Samsung TV, you’ll be able to undergo an energetic calibration setup course of, which listens to every speaker’s playback and tunes output to match your area. The method didn’t drastically alter the system’s playback for me, however that’s possible as a result of my lounge is a reasonably customary field. In case you have sophisticated structure taking place in your area, it can possible repay to a higher extent. As well as, the Q-Symphony function permits a recent-generation Samsung TV to synchronize with the soundbar, augmenting the middle and entrance channels and actually anchoring a soundtrack to the on-screen motion.

The Samsung HW-Q990D’s encompass sound efficiency

One of many largest promoting factors for this method is the truth that it’s a full-fledged encompass sound setup in a single field with out tons of wires or advanced setup. That’s not a singular proposition, however the Q990D does it very effectively. My go-to encompass sound testing contains the UHD Blu-ray of Mad Max: Fury Highway. It has engines revving, rocks flying, struggle boys yelling, wind whipping, and a complete array of different thrilling sounds flying across the soundstage. The Q990D handles it with aplomb. I beforehand examined the Q900C, which lacks rear audio system, and the additional satellites—with their side- and up-firing drivers—make a predictably enormous distinction. Nearly as good because the 7.1.2 soundbar sounds by itself, the additional channels that fill the system out to 11.1.4 are an audible enchancment in immersion.

In Encompass Sound Growth mode, the directional results are extraordinarily pronounced. I really most well-liked the Adaptive Sound mode as a result of it nonetheless maintains multidirectional audio sufficient to make content material really feel immersive, however its emphasis on actors’ voices made them far simpler to grasp. Spoken phrases get further emphasis as in the event that they have been amplified and despatched via a center-channel speaker to assist them lower via background noise. In case you have bother listening to dialog like I do, it’s an enormous win. 

The general sound high quality is great. I usually stream content material via an Apple TV run via the soundbar and didn’t discover myself going past 40 quantity to fill my lounge. And that’s if I wished actual affect. The subwoofer is punchy with out getting muddy, and I didn’t get a touch of distortion till the amount was as much as a really uncomfortable degree. 

New listening modes

You don’t all the time need to rattle the partitions with sound, and the brand new Personal Listening mode is a helpful, if barely bizarre, method to compromise. With this mode enabled, all entrance audio system and the sub flip off, leaving solely the rears—in idea, the audio system closest to every ear—to dish out purely directional audio. You clearly lose the encompass sound impact, and it takes just a little getting used to, nevertheless it does scale back the general quantity of the content material in a approach that your loved ones, roommates, and neighbors will often respect.

Social gathering Play mode balances out the entrance and rear audio system as a way to give each visitor a extra constant expertise regardless of the place they’re within the room. I examined this out on my own as a result of nobody wished in on my “Group Season 3 rewatch (for the eleventh time)” get together or to hearken to slam steel with me. Whereas this mode isn’t one thing I’ll use all that usually, it’s well-executed and may very well be helpful for some. 

The Samsung HW-Q990D’s connectivity

The ports are pretty easy with this soundbar. You might have two HDMI inputs and one HDMI output. The brand new Q990D now affords full HDMI 2.1 passthrough, which implies you’ll be able to plug in a PC or gaming console and get 4K playback at excessive body charges. This can be a fairly particular use case principally for critical players, nevertheless it’s good future-proofing in case this type of factor turns into extra widespread sooner or later. 

There’s a single USB-A port on the underside of the machine, nevertheless it’s not for media playback, simply service and updates. 

In the case of wi-fi connectivity, you get built-in Wi-Fi with AirPlay compatibility, in addition to Bluetooth 5.2. Utilizing a $2,000 soundbar setup like a Bluetooth speaker all the time feels barely awkward to make use of, nevertheless it works as marketed, because it did with the Q900C. 

The Samsung HW-Q990D’s music playback

Wu-Tang Clan’s “C.R.E.A.M.” streamed through Apple Music provided twinkly piano notes and punchy-but-controlled bass. The voices lower via properly. I listened to Eagles’ “Lodge California” as a result of all reviewers are contractually obligated to take action when testing audio gear. Once more, it sounded nice if just a little heavy within the low finish.

As we mentioned in our April first impressions, “Our basic takeaway was that the Q990D extracted much more intent and affect than the already spectacular Q990C. Even when the ambiance was meant to be crushing, there was readability—exact imaging and clear dialogue aided by the Q-Symphony synchronization of sound and on-screen motion. The subwoofer, given a radical exercise, by no means felt overwhelmed. The general expertise was by no means only a case of all the pieces being louder; it was a capability to make all the pieces really feel bigger.”

The Faucet Sound mode is restricted to appropriate Samsung telephones, nevertheless it lets you merely contact the smartphone to the soundbar as a way to pair and begin streaming. I attempted it with a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and it really works as marketed. Once more, if you happen to’re a Samsung die-hard, that is the no-brainer soundbar if you happen to can afford it. 

So, who should purchase the Samsung HW-Q990D system?

This isn’t an inexpensive audio setup. At practically $2,000 (or $1,750 on sale), it’s an funding that might probably price greater than your TV. However you get lots to your cash. This can be a full-fledged encompass sound rig that works proper out of the field. It offers wonderful encompass results and distinctive readability, particularly in the case of dialog in TV and flicks. Some film audio purists could scoff on the concept of utilizing AI to investigate and emphasize dialog, however individuals who like to really perceive what actors are saying will disagree. 

General, the Samsung HW-Q990D is a fantastic-sounding system that’s simple to arrange and affords some very intelligent options unique to Samsung loyalists.