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Samsung HW-Q990F overview: Two minute overview
The Samsung HW-Q990F is the successor to the Samsung HW-Q990D, a five-star Dolby Atmos soundbar that earned a high spot in our best soundbars guide. The Q990F doesn’t change a lot of Samsung’s components, with the primary change being a redesign of the subwoofer to a smaller compact dimension, nevertheless it continues Samsung’s legacy of fantastic Dolby Atmos soundbars.
The Samsung HW-Q990F options 11.1.4 channels throughout 4 separate items, together with a soundbar, a subwoofer and two rear audio system. It helps Dolby Atmos and DTS:X passthrough, together with 4K 120Hz on a number of HDMI 2.1 ports.
The Q990F’s sound-enhancing options embody SpaceFit Sound Professional to tune the system to your particular viewing area. Plus, homeowners of a number of the best Samsung TVs could make use of its Q-Symphony for even greater and higher sound.
Efficiency is nothing wanting sensible on the Q990F. Its smaller subwoofer doesn’t sacrifice any energy or element and is arguably extra nuanced than its predecessors. Elsewhere, the system delivers immersive and interesting encompass sound, an impressively extensive soundstage, and a dynamic presentation of Dolby Atmos top results up there with the best Dolby Atmos soundbars.
The Q990F is very nice for Atmos music, and whereas it received’t beat the likes of the Marshall Heston 120 or Sonos Arc Ultra, it’s nonetheless a strong choice for music playback.
The Q990F’s new, extra compact subwoofer is a dream for these trying to save on area. The system’s dimension is similar to its predecessor, however its general end and supplies don’t fairly really feel as premium because the Q990D’s. Nonetheless, the Q990F feels well-built, sturdy, and premium sufficient for the cash.
Organising the Q990F is a breeze. As soon as related to the TV by way of HDMI eARC, the 4 items sync wirelessly, and also you’re in your method. The SmartThings app is critical for setup, and it permits you to fine-tune the Q990F and entry a few of its greatest options. Should you don’t wish to use the app, Samsung’s equipped distant is greater than sufficient for management.
The Q990F is undoubtedly a premium-priced soundbar. There are cheaper encompass soundbar packages obtainable, together with highly effective all-in-one options, however the Q990F justifies its worth with its efficiency. It’s not an enormous step up over its predecessor, which is the higher worth alternative whereas it’s nonetheless obtainable, however as soon as that inventory runs out, the Q990F is able to fill the hole. Anticipate some large offers on the Q990F all through the approaching yr as effectively, as costs are already dropping.
Samsung HW-Q990F overview: Value & launch date
- Launch date: Could 2025
- Value: $1,999 / £1,699 / AU$2,099
The Samsung HW-Q990F is Samsung’s 2025 flagship soundbar. It sits above the HW-Q930F, HW-Q900F, HW-Q800F, HW-Q700F, and the Samsung QS700F, a redesign of the mid-range Q700 sequence.
Since its launch in Could 2025, costs for the HW-Q900F have dropped, and it’s now usually obtainable for $1,599 / £1,499 / AU$1,599, a wholesome low cost.
Samsung HW-Q990F overview: Specs
|
Dimensions (W x H x D) |
Soundbar: 1232 x 70.8 x 138 mm (48.5 x 2.8 x 5.4 inch); Subwoofer: 249 x 251.8 x 249 mm (9.8 x 10.0 x 9.8 inch); Rear speaker: 129.5 x 201.3 x140.4 mm (5.1 x 8.0 x 5.5 inch) |
|
Speaker channels |
11.1.4 |
|
Connections: |
1x HDMI out (with eARC), 2x HDMI 2.1 in, optical digital audio, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
|
Dolby Atmos/DTS:X |
Sure/Sure |
|
Sub included |
Sure |
|
Rear audio system included |
Sure |
|
Options |
Q Symphony, SpaceFit Sound Professional, Adaptive Sound, Recreation Mode Professional, Faucet Sound, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, HDMI 2.1 120Hz pass-through, HDR10+ and Dolby Imaginative and prescient pass-through, wi-fi Dolby Atmos |
Samsung HW-Q990F overview: Options
- 11.1.4 channels
- Dolby Atmos & DTS:X passthrough, together with wi-fi Dolby Atmos
- HDMI 2.1 with 4K 120Hz assist
The Samsung HW-Q990F has a lot the identical spectacular function set as its predecessor, the Samsung HW-Q990D. It has 11.1.4 channels however will increase the entire variety of audio system by one to 23, and it incorporates a new, sleeker, dual-driver subwoofer (extra on that beneath).
The Q990F helps each Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, together with Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby 5.1 and DTS: HD-Grasp Audio.
For connections, there’s an HDMI eARC port for connection to shows, in addition to two HDMI 2.1 in ports that assist 4K 120Hz for gaming. There may be additionally Wi-Fi and Bluetooth streaming for music playback, together with Dolby Atmos music assist.
The Q990F’s audio-enhancing options embody SpaceFit Sound Professional, which may optimize the sound to your dwelling area; Non-public Audio, which makes use of the rear audio system for late-night listening; Adaptive Sound, the place the sound is tweaked in actual time; Lively Voice Amplifier Professional, which makes use of AI to spice up the extent of voices in soundtracks; and Q-Symphony, a function that mixes the built-in audio system of suitable Samsung TVs with the Q990F’s sound for boosted audio.
Wi-fi Dolby Atmos assist enables you to stream Dolby Atmos soundtracks from suitable Samsung TVs to the Q990F soundbar, albeit in a compressed format. Additionally, there’s Faucet Sound, which lets the Q990F immediately stream the music you’ve been listening to once you faucet your smartphone on it.
The Q990F may be managed utilizing the equipped distant management or with the Samsung SmartThings app, the place extra in-depth sound and EQ changes may be made. The app can be the place options equivalent to Lively Voice Amplifier Professional, SpaceFit Sound Professional and Adaptive sound may be accessed.
Samsung HW-Q990F overview: Efficiency
- Expansive, highly effective sound
- Weighty, tightly managed bass
- Glorious gaming efficiency
Regardless of having solely minimal modifications on paper from its predecessor, the Q990F has mighty sneakers to fill, and Samsung’s change to subwoofer was a dangerous transfer. Fortunately, the transfer paid off.
Samsung’s new subwoofer could also be smaller, nevertheless it’s simply as highly effective as its predecessors. It delivers impactful, meaty bass and has room-shaking energy. Watching the Batmobile chase from The Batman, the roar of the Batmobile’s engine produced loads of wonderful rumble, with every rev of the engine reminding me simply how partaking this small however mighty subwoofer is.
The subwoofer sound can be tightly managed and nuanced. Musical numbers equivalent to Defying Gravity from Depraved nonetheless had loads of detailed low-end, giving devices and vocals room to breathe within the combine.
Placement of sound results is one other space the place the Q990F excels. Throughout the identical Batmobile chase in The Batman, the path of sound as Batman and Penguin weaved out and in of site visitors was tracked throughout the entrance soundbar with gorgeous accuracy and precision. The identical was true in Star Wars: A New Hope on Disney Plus as X-Wings and TIE Fighters flew round and overhead, making full use of the rear audio system.
The Q990F’s sound stability additionally impressed me. In Depraved, the higher-pitched vocals had been entrance and middle, and reproduced with actual readability, whereas the strings sat completely with the decrease bass tones, making a splendidly balanced combine. And the system’s fantastically extensive soundstage simply crammed our testing lab.
Testing out the Q990F’s options, I discovered that SpaceFit Sound Professional not solely added quantity however tightened the sound up with out affecting the expansive soundstage. The outcomes could range relying in your room (our testing lab is effectively laid out for soundbars), nevertheless it’s value giving it a strive.
I examined the Q990F with the Samsung S95F, one of many best OLED TVs of 2025. This allowed me to check out Q-Symphony, and it added further quantity and energy and widened the soundstage much more, one thing that was notably noticeable with refined results equivalent to gear modifications or engine revs from the Batmobile in The Batman.
Switching from films to music, the Q990F sounded nice with Dolby Atmos tracks. Listening to an Atmos mixture of Riders on the Storm by the Doorways by way of Tidal, the rain was completely positioned overhead whereas Jim Morrison’s low vocals, the guitars, and the excessive notes of the keyboard had been clear, exact, and well-balanced. And once I listened to Barry White’s I’ve Received So A lot To Give, the guitars, bass and drums felt like they had been coming from completely different areas across the room.
Stereo music efficiency wasn’t as show-stopping as Dolby Atmos music, nevertheless it was good nonetheless. Thelonious Monk’s Japanese Tune displayed spectacular width, with the piano sounding vibrant and clear and the sleek, punchy tones of the saxophone precisely positioned. It’s not going to beat the likes of the Marshall Heston 120 for musicality, nevertheless it does a superb job.
Enjoying Battlefield V at 4K 120Hz, with an Xbox Collection X operating by means of the Q990F to the S95F TV, the motion felt easy and responsive throughout chaotic gunfights and sequences. It even had a 9.5ms enter lag time once I measured it, proving that there was no added latency when the Xbox’s sign handed by means of the Q990F.
Samsung HW-Q990F overview: Design
- New, extra compact subwoofer
- Soundbar as extensive as a 55-inch TV
- Not as visually interesting as predecessors
The Q990F includes 4 items: the primary soundbar, the subwoofer, and the 2 encompass audio system. Every unit has undergone a redesign, and whereas the brand new subwoofer is way more visually interesting, the opposite items in some way appear and feel cheaper than those in final yr’s Q990D system.
The steel grille-type design of the soundbar stays the identical on the entrance, however on high, it has been changed by a cheaper-looking, lined, grated design, and the identical is true of the rear audio system.
The subwoofer is the most important change when it comes to scale. Samsung has scrapped the cumbersome, weighty upright subwoofer design of previous methods in favor of a extra compact, cubed construct. The brand new subwoofer measures 249 x 251.8 x 249 mm (9.8 x 9.9 x 9.8 in), in comparison with the Q990D’s subwoofer, which measured 220 x 413 x 410 mm (8.6 x 16.2 x 16.1 in). It’s virtually half the scale of the Q990D’s sub, permitting way more freedom for placement. The primary soundbar and rear audio system are the identical dimension because the Q990D’s.
The soundbar has the identical alphanumeric show present in earlier generations, and whereas nonetheless difficult to learn, it’s a welcome function.
Samsung HW-Q990F overview: Setup & usability
- Straightforward setup
- Helpful SmartThings app for management and options
- Wi-fi connection between items
The Q990F is a superb choice for those who’re searching for a encompass sound system with out the cable hassles you’d discover in a conventional wired residence theater setup.
The setup of the Q990F was straightforward, regardless of it having a number of items. After plugging the primary soundbar into the S95F TV’s HDMI eARC port, I subsequent plugged in all of the items, and so they wirelessly synced up.
The Q990F may be managed both utilizing the equipped distant or the SmartThings app. The distant is greater than sufficient, however utilizing the SmartThings app provides entry to all of the sound and setup options described above and extra. It’s value giving the app a go, although the Q990F’s sound can be good out of the field.
- Setup & usability rating: 4.5 / 5
Samsung HW-Q990F overview: Worth
- Full soundbar system
- Premium worth
- A minor improve over its predecessor
At $1,599 / £1,599 / AU$1,599 on the time of writing, a number of weeks after its launch, the Q990F is on the premium finish of the soundbar market. All-in-one options that present an outstanding cinematic expertise, such because the Marshall Heston 120 and Sonos Arc Extremely, are priced at $999 / £999. And there are even finances encompass sound choices, such because the Hisense AX5125H ($299 / £299), that offer you encompass sound at a fraction of the price.
However the Q990F delivers superior efficiency, with critical energy and interesting and immersive sound, because of its 11.1.4 channels and 23 audio system.
There may be the small matter of the Q990F’s predecessor, the Q990D, nonetheless being obtainable for $1,199 / £799 because it nears the tip of its life cycle, and out of doors of the Q990F’s sub, there usually are not an excessive amount of upgrades. Proper now, the Q990D is best bang to your buck, however as inventory depletes, the Q990F is a greater than worthy successor to the Q990D.
Ought to I purchase the Samsung HW-Q990F?
|
Part |
Notes |
Rating |
|
Options |
An in depth listing of sound enhancing options, plus 4K, 120Hz assist for consoles |
5 / 5 |
|
Efficiency |
Immersive, dynamic, expansive and highly effective sound |
5 / 5 |
|
Design |
A extra compact and visually interesting subwoofer, however the remainder of the design looks like a step again |
4 / 5 |
|
Setup & usability |
Easy setup and loads of management by way of distant or SmarThings app |
4.5 / 5 |
|
Worth |
Delivers on its worth, however undoubtedly nonetheless a premium soundbar |
4 / 5 |
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Samsung HW-Q990D overview: Additionally take into account
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
Samsung HW-Q990F |
Samsung HW-Q990D |
LG S95TR |
JBL Bar 1300X |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dimensions |
Soundbar: 1232 x 70.8 x 138 mm (48.5 x 2.8 x 5.4 inch); Subwoofer: 249 x 251.8 x 249 mm (9.8 x 10.0 x 9.8 inch); Rear speaker: 129.5 x 201.3 x140.4 mm (5.1 x 8.0 x 5.5 inch) |
Soundbar: 1309.0 x 595.0 x 277.0 mm, Subwoofer: 220.0 x 413.0 x 410.0 mm , Rear speaker: 129.5 x 201.3 x140.4 mm |
Soundbar: 1249.68 x 63.5 x 134.6 mm (49.2 x 2.5 x 5.3 inches) Subwoofer: 200.6 x 406.4 x 403.8 mm (7.9 x 16 x 15.9 inches), Rear audio system: 160 x 223.5 x 142.2 mm(6.3 x 8.8 x 5.6 inches) |
Soundbar: 1000 x 60.9 x 139.7mm (39.4 x 2.4 x 5.5 inches), Encompass audio system: 203.2 x 60.9 x 139.7mm(8 x 2.4 x 5.5 inches), Subwoofer: 365.7 x 480 x 365.7mm (14.4 x 18.9 x 14.4 inches |
|
Speaker channels |
11.1.4 |
11.1.4 |
11.1.4 |
16 |
|
Connections |
Two HDMI 2.1 enter, One HDMI output, optical output, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Two HDMI 2.1 enter, One HDMI output, optical output, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
1x HDMI out (with eARC), HDMI 2.1 in, optical digital audio, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
4 HDMI inputs (1 with eARC), optical digital audio, USB type-A |
|
Dolby Atmos/DTS:X |
Sure/Sure |
Sure/Sure |
Sure/Sure |
Sure/Sure |
How I examined the Samsung HW-Q990F
- Related to the Samsung S95F
- Examined with completely different sources
- Dolby Atmos, 5.1 encompass and stereo sound examined
To check the Samsung HW-Q990F, I related it to the Samsung S95F, Samsung’s flagship OLED TV for 2025. This allowed me to make use of Q-Symphony and different Samsung-related options.
I examined the Q990F utilizing the identical reference scene I take advantage of when testing the very best TVs, notably 4K Blu-rays of The Batman and Depraved. I additionally used 4K streaming, which has compressed sound mixes, to see the way it fared, notably the Star Wars area battle sequences. I additionally analyzed the system’s sound stability, in addition to speech and sound results placement.
I examined the Q990F’s music streaming capabilities with each Dolby Atmos and stereo mixes by means of Tidal and Spotify, over each Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. I additionally examined the Q990F’s gaming efficiency utilizing an Xbox Collection X and Battlefield V.