If you want a soundbar that offers maximum immersion when watching a movie, Samsung’s high-end is one of the most recommended options. Therefore, we want to compare the new top of 2022 the HW-Q990B series with the HW-Q950A which is the flagship of 2021. We have decided to make this comparison so that you know which one is better for you to buy.
Both soundbars have no less than an 11.1.4 channel system with 22 speakers in total.that will make you get a fully immersive sound in your living room.
Next, let’s start by looking at the differences between the Samsung HW-Q990B and the HW-Q950A.
Design
We start by looking at the exterior appearance of both soundbars. The design has been changed on the new HW-Q990B and now drops the fabric and has a metallic finish. There will be people who like the fabric finish better and others who like the metallic finish better. In our opinion, we prefer the new metallic finish, as cloth always gets more dust and needs to be cleaned more often.
Samsung HW-Q950A Sound Bar with Kvadrat Fabric Finish
Now the design of the HW-Q990B is more imposing, and it gives a glimpse of the integrated speakers.
Metal finish with visible Samsung HW-Q990B speakers.
The rear speakers, are now slightly larger and have curved lines. The subwoofer also has a new design due to the new Acoustic Lens system.
Another aspect that has changed, is that the screen that displays information, has been placed on the front on the HW-Q990B. This makes more sense, since in the HW-Q950A it is placed at the top, which makes the vision worse and in many cases you have to stand up to see it.
Connectivity
When it comes to connections, both models come with the same connectivity. They include three HDMI ports, one eARC port for you to connect to your TV and other ports for you to connect devices such as a console or player and pass the signal to the TV. Through these ports you can send video signal in 4K resolution and HDR to your TV.
It also has an optical audio input and a USB port for music playback. The best way to connect it to the TV is via HDMI, as this is the only way to enjoy Dolby Atmos sound.
HW-Q950A Soundbar Connections
However, if you purchase one of Samsung’s new 2022 TVs, with the new HW-Q990B, you can play Dolby Atmos sound wirelessly via Wi-Fi..
Apart from the physical connections, you have the possibility to connect the bar via Bluetooth. However, we recommend you to do it better by cable because of the possibility of some delay. However, you have the option to adjust the delay to synchronize the image and audio. To listen to music from your phone you can do it via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
If you want to use the Alexa assistant to play you music from your streaming platforms like Spotify or Tidal, you can do it via the built-in microphone.
Sound quality
And now we look at the sound quality offered by these Samsung HW-Q990B and HW-Q950A series. The first thing to note is that in both cases they have an arsenal of integrated speakers that make the sum of a total of 22 speakers.
Samsung HW-Q950A built-in speakers
As we mentioned before, in both cases we are talking about an 11.1.4 channel system. Between the body of the bar and the subwoofer we are talking about a 7.1.2 channel system, to which we must add the rear speakers that form a 4.0.2 channel system.
11.1.4 channel sound bar system Samsung HW-Q990B
In each of the rear speakers, a front, top and side driver have been integrated, which makes the sound from the rear emitted with greater amplitude providing total immersion. The driver located at the top, has a degree of inclination to go better directed towards the listening point and bounce off the ceiling and we can hear sound above our head.
Rear Speakers HW-Q990B
The output power is slightly higher on the new HW-Q990B by reaching 656W for the 616W of the HW-Q950A. They are therefore very powerful soundbars that will be able to fill a large room with sound.
Both support Dolby Atmos sound without compression, through Dolby True HD, which guarantees maximum immersion.. With the top speakers integrated into the bar and the rear speakers the sound is projected towards the ceiling making it bounce and you hear sounds above your head. In addition, with the new HW-Q990B, you will also hear side sounds from the rear by incorporating new drivers on the sides of the rear speakers.
If you have a Samsung QLED TV from 2021 or any 4K model from 2022 in your living room, you can also combine the sound of the TV and the bar using the Q-Symphony function. In this way, you will achieve a more direct sound by creating a new center channel through the speakers of the bar.
In the 1st generation of Q-Symphony, the lower speakers of the TV were combined, but in the 2nd generation, all the speakers of the TV are combined. This 2nd generation is only compatible with 2022 and 2022 TV models. 2022 Q series soundbars..
Samsung Q-Symphony
The feel is spectacular on both bars and they are the best sound bars for Dolby Atmos on the market. These models achieve impressive quality with the help of Harman Kardon engineers at Samsung’s audio lab in California. Samsung bought Harman Kardon a few years ago, so the expertise of their engineers is now being applied to Samsung’s high-end products. We have certainly been noticing this in recent years and the quality has increased dramatically.
With the new Acoustic Lens subwoofer, the HW-Q990B also achieves a more even sound with greater bass clarity.
New Acoustic Lens subwoofer for the Samsung HW-Q990B
You have the self-calibration function so that the bar adapts the sound to the conditions in your room. What they do is analyze the sound bouncing through the microphone and calibrate the bass and overall sound on their own, without the need for you to do anything else.
Comparison of HW-Q990B and Q950A features.
Review Samsung HW-Q990B vs HW-Q950A Which one is better to buy?
We are facing two models that are going to give you an impressive sound quality, so you will not go wrong taking either of the two. The HW-Q990B, includes some improvements such as a new subwoofer design that improves bass clarity, compatibility with Dolby Atmos Virtual and Q-Symphony 2nd generation.
The HW-Q950A, is already becoming hard to find and there are only refurbished units left. The price difference is not too much between the two models and there is also a promotion until July 31 in which Samsung gives you a refund of 200 € in both series.
So, in our opinion, the best option is to buy the new HW-Q990B, if you want to have the latest features and enjoy the most immersive sound.
