I compared my Sonos Arc Ultra with Samsung’s flagship soundbar, and it’s pretty dang close

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• The Samsung HW-Q990F residence leisure system is accessible for $2,000, together with a soundbar, exterior subwoofer, and two rear audio system.
• The Q990F is filled with software program options, loads of audio modes, and delivers massive, room-filling sound.
• There aren’t many substantial upgrades over final yr’s mannequin, leaving no urgency to improve.

extra shopping for decisions

For a restricted time, Samsung is promoting the HW-Q990F soundbar for $400 (or 20%) off, making it a implausible deal.

Including a soundbar to your TV can significantly enhance your watching expertise, offering fuller, louder, and extra immersive sound to enhance your shiny, new TV. Nonetheless, including rear audio system and a subwoofer can flip your soundbar and TV combo into an immersive residence theater.

Additionally: This Yamaha soundbar delivered me the audio high quality of audio system twice the value

Samsung’s flagship soundbar, the HW-Q990F, comes with two rear audio system and a subwoofer, and features a stellar lineup of residence leisure’s most star-studded options. I gave up my beloved Sonos Arc Extremely system for 2 weeks to spend a while with Samsung’s latest soundbar, and here is what you must know earlier than making a purchase order.

Coming from final yr’s mannequin, the Q990F soundbar’s exterior acquired a slight redesign, because the coloring is a softer black-grey coloration as a substitute of pure black. The Q990F’s exterior subwoofer can be extra compact, with Samsung choosing a cubed design as a substitute of a taller rectangular form.

The Q990F is a big and imposing soundbar; it is really helpful for TVs 60 inches or bigger, and its massive stature does equate to massive, room-filling sound. Regardless of its bigger measurement, the Q990F has a glossy and fashionable design, positive to slot in with your property decor.

I paired the Q990F system with Samsung’s 2025 QN90F Neo QLED 4K TV, and the 2 make a beautiful pair. Though you do not want certainly one of Samsung’s newest TVs to get probably the most out of the Q990F, some options, like Q-Symphony, could be unlocked solely with a suitable Samsung TV.

Additionally: That is the soundbar I like to recommend if you need probably the most immersive sound – regardless that it is a 2024 mannequin

Even with no Samsung TV, the soundbar remains to be a powerhouse. With 23 complete audio system and an 11.1.4-channel setup, the Q990F is as flagship because it will get. So long as your TV has an eARC port, you’ll be able to entry an inventory of high-quality audio codecs, like Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, DTS Digital Encompass, Multichannel PCM, and extra. The Q990F helps HDMI eARC 2.1, Optical, and Bluetooth connectivity.

The Q990F will get exceptionally loud, and my selection of Dolby Atmos content material consisted of “Avengers: Age of Ultron” on Disney+ and “WeCrashed” on Apple TV+. The previous was a mixture of heavy motion scenes and dialogue, whereas the previous consisted of heavy dialogue. 

Throughout combating scenes filled with collisions and explosions, the outside soundbar dealt with the low-frequency rumble and grumbles effectively, however I observed it wasn’t as tight as my Sonos Sub 4. The Q990F’s subwoofer is way smaller, which is a crucial issue.

Additionally: This space-saving soundbar delivers readability and energy in each observe

The Q990F’s rear audio system are a welcomed addition, including extra depth and immersion to your viewing expertise. Though the rear audio system could also be small, they make their presence identified. Whereas watching in Dolby Atmos, you’ll be able to succinctly place objects and sounds within the content material’s setting; they carry out precisely how they’re alleged to. 

Even in content material not combined for Atmos and as a substitute encoded in PCM Multichannel, the rear audio system add a layer of immersion within the absence of top channels.

The Q990F sounds simply as nice enjoying TV reveals and flicks because it does enjoying music. It has deep bass, clear mids, and current highs. The Q990F has barely much less shine and crispiness within the highs in comparison with the Sonos Arc Extremely, however it’s not a deal-breaker.

Additionally: Why I am ditching Bluetooth audio system in favor of this outside wired system – and do not remorse it

You’ll be able to stream music immediately out of your TV, however the Q990F affords connectivity for an array of streaming companies, platforms, system ecosystems, and voice assistants. This soundbar is suitable with Google House, Chromecast, Spotify Join, Roon, AirPlay, Tidal Join, Alexa, and Bixby.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

In comparison with Sonos’ sound programs, the Samsung HW-Q990F affords extra customization options and sound modes. Nonetheless, Sonos affords modular programs you’ll be able to construct over time, whereas Samsung’s flagship residence theater programs are boxed and offered altogether. 

Lastly, the Q990F is less complicated on the pockets than Sonos’ flagship soundbar, exterior subwoofer, and Period 300 rear audio system. It helps that the soundbar is at present discounted by 20% ($400 off) on Samsung’s web site.

Nonetheless, the Q990F is a high-performing soundbar, reproducing full-bodied, energetic sound match for watching your favourite TV reveals and flicks. It is filled with software program options and pairs splendidly with a big TV. However when you have final yr’s HW-Q990D, do not feel rushed to improve; there aren’t sufficient enhancements on this yr’s mannequin to justify it.