The HW-Q990D is the best Dolby Atmos soundbar on the market.
Filled to the brim with features, the Q990D offers plenty of controls for those who like to experiment.
And for those with a Samsung TV, theres also Q-Symphony and a wireless Dolby Atmos option.
The Samsung HW-Q990D comprises a soundbar, subwoofer and two surrounds, with 11.1.4 channels across 22 speakers.
Initial setup is a breeze, making it simple to get great sound.
Although pricey, it delivers thebest Dolby Atmos soundbarexperience you could get today.
Released at $1,799 / 1,699 / AU$1,995, the Q990D is a premium soundbar package.
The Samsung HW-Q990D (connected to the Samsung S95D TV) now has gaming features including 120Hz and VRR.
One new feature is HDMI 2.1 ports for gaming, with both HDMI inputs supporting 4K120Hz and VRR.
Both HDMI ports also pass through HDR10+ and Dolby VisionHDRformats.
Speaking of streaming, there is alsoSpotifyand Tidal Connect support.
The Samsung HW-Q990D main soundbar
There are some Samsung-exclusive enhancements alongside these features (meaning they only work with compatible Samsung TVs).
Control options include a hardware remote control and the Samsung SmartThings app.
The app also isnt just for the Q990D, but can control any compatible Samsung product.
The Samsung HW-Q990D’s front display isn’t the easiest to read…
Dialogue was crisp and clear, cutting through the densely packed mix of engines, lasers and music.
Although immersive sound is where the Q990D succeeded the most, bass levels from the weighty subwoofer also impressed.
The rumble of the Batmobiles engine inThe Batmanduring the Penguin car chase sounded meaty with plenty of low-end punch.
The Samsung HW-Q990D can be controlled with the above supplied remote, the Samsung SmartThings app or your TV remote via HDMI-CEC.
Other parts of the audio mix are well-balanced on the Q990D.
Although its not as impressive with music as with movies, the Q990D is still a triumph.
Listening to Dolby Atmos music tracks via Tidal, the Q990D again showed its prowess.
The Samsung HW-Q990D is pricey, but you get an entire Atmos experience across four units.
But the Q990D generally continued to shine and even tracks streamed over lower quality Bluetooth sounded good.
The Q990D was connected to aSamsung S95DTV during my testing, with Samsung-centric features such as Q Symphony available.
For those needing4K120Hz, VRR and low input lag for their console, the Q990D can provide.
The rear speakers, meanwhile, have a compact yet sleek design.
The soundbar is also weighty, although that demonstrates its premium quality.
The soundbar and rear speakers sport a gray/navy matte finish that gives them a minimalist, modern appearance.
The Q990D can also be controlled via the TV remote using HDMI-CEC.
Finally, there are control buttons and an LED display on top of the soundbar.
Should I buy the Samsung HW-Q990D?
But, you are missing out on the gaming features and improved processing of the Q990D.
For those who don’t mind this, the Q990C is a real alternative option.
Read our fullSamsung HW-Q990C review
Sony HT-A7000Sonys current flagship soundbar ships as a single-bar solution.
It still provides 7.1.2 channels and 500W, though, making it one of the most cinematic-sounding single-bar solutions.
I then used lower-resolution sources such as DVD to test the Q990D on its handling of non-surround movie audio.
I analyzed the Q990D’s spatial sound but also bass, trebles, mids, and dialogue clarity.
After this, I streamed music through both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to test the Q990D’s music playback quality.
I played hi-res audio and Atmos music tracks from Tidal and lossy quality tracks via Bluetooth from Spotify.
Read more about how we test
