We get the impression that Samsung<\/a>\u2019s audio division might be one of the hardest-working teams in the AV industry. Delivering a new soundbar lineup every year is no mean feat \u2013 especially when they\u2019re this good.<\/p>\n While the likes of Sonos<\/a>, Sony<\/a> and JBL<\/a> tend to refresh their models every few years, Samsung somehow always manages to have a fresh set of soundbars ready every year, though that can lead to some generations having quite subtle differences from their predecessors; case in point, the HW-Q990H.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Last year\u2019s HW-Q990F<\/a> wowed us with an impressive new subwoofer that was built from the ground up to deliver punchy, musical and controlled bass from a surprisingly small package.<\/p>\n The HW-Q990H, which we have before us in our home cinema testing room<\/a>, seems like a much more modest upgrade on paper \u2013 but when we take a listen, it turns out that there are a few more changes under the hood.<\/p>\n Samsung HW-Q990H (Black) at Amazon for $1,997.99<\/a>Price<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)<\/p>\n Samsung has decided to launch the HW-Q990H at roughly the same \u00a31599 \/ $2000 \/ AU$1999 price as its predecessor (that’s actually \u00a3100 cheaper than last year here in the UK).<\/p>\n While that might sound like a lot to pay for a soundbar system now, we need to keep in mind that, traditionally speaking, Samsung’s annual system tends to tumble in price fairly quickly and consistently throughout the year.<\/p>\n Last year\u2019s HW-Q990F, for example, has dropped well below the \u00a3800 mark at various points since its launch \u2013 and especially during the major sales events such as Black Friday<\/a>.<\/p>\n In fact, there is still plenty of Q990F stock around with huge discounts, and that is going to make it hard for the new Q990H to justify its high launch price.<\/p>\n Some more affordable all-in-one soundbar options have scored highly in our test room recently, including the Sonos Arc Ultra<\/a> (\u00a3999 \/ $999 \/ AU$1799) and Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9<\/a> (\u00a31399 \/ $1400 \/ AU$1795), which may appeal to those wanting a neater solution.<\/p>\n However, none of these come with dedicated surround speakers or a subwoofer in the way that the Samsung does. You\u2019ll have to cough up some extra cash to create an HW-Q990H adjacent system with these bars.<\/p>\n Design<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)<\/p>\n If you were to put the soundbar portion of the HW-Q990H system in a lineup next to the Q990F, Q990D<\/a> and Q990C<\/a>, we\u2019d seriously struggle to pick it out as the latest model. Looks-wise, this soundbar is practically identical to its predecessor, which is both good and bad news.<\/p>\n Samsung HW-Q990H tech specs<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)<\/p>\n Connectivity HDMI eARC, 2 x HDMI 2.1 in, optical, wi-fi, Bluetooth 5.3, AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Roon Ready<\/p>\n Format support Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Eclipsa Audio<\/p>\n Streaming Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, Amazon Music, Deezer<\/p>\n Voice control Amazon Alexa, Works With Google<\/p>\n Soundbar dimensions (hwd) 7 x 123 x 14cm<\/p>\n Soundbar weight 7.3kg<\/p>\n Surround speaker dimensions (hwd) 20 x 13 x 14 cm<\/p>\n Surround speaker weight 3.4kg<\/p>\n Subwoofer dimensions (hwd) 25 x 25 x 25cm<\/p>\n This is a very well-built and premium-feeling system. Everything is constructed from aluminium or a sturdy, high-quality plastic.<\/p>\n The main soundbar measures 7 x 123 x 14cm (hwd) and weighs 7.3kg, whereas the surround speakers are 20 x 13 x 14cm and weigh 3.4kg each.<\/p>\n The subwoofer, on the other hand, is a cube measuring 25 x 25 x 25cm and weighing 8.3kg. Those measurements are absolutely identical to the HW-Q990F\u2019s.<\/p>\n This design is starting to look quite tired. The sharp, elongated hexagonal design is a touch brutalist (especially compared to Samsung\u2019s sleek OLED TVs), and while the metallic grey finish is sleek, we think that the edgy soundbar and rounded cuboid subwoofer are at odds with one another aesthetically.<\/p>\n We prefer LG<\/a>\u2019s handsome (but sonically flawed) Sound Suite H7<\/a>, or the smooth curves of the Sonos Arc Ultra<\/a>. That being said, this isn\u2019t a beauty contest, so we\u2019re more interested in its features and sound performance \u2013 though we also need to remember that this bar will constantly be in your eyeline, and the surround speakers will be permanent fixtures in your living room.<\/p>\n Features<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)<\/p>\n As with every Samsung product we test these days, from TVs to mobile phones, the HW-Q990F is feature-packed. There is, of course, a healthy dose of AI inclusions, but we\u2019ll start with the hardware configuration.<\/p>\n This is an 11.1.4 system, with an impressive total of 23 individual drivers on board. This includes 15 drivers in the main soundbar unit, three in each of the wireless surround speakers, and two 8-inch woofers (in a push\/pull configuration) in the wireless subwoofer.<\/p>\n Both the soundbar and surround speakers feature upward-firing drivers, which brings us neatly onto the immersive sound formats that this system supports.<\/p>\n The Q990H features support for three immersive audio formats: Dolby Atmos<\/a>, DTS:X<\/a> and Samsung\u2019s Eclipsa Audio<\/a>. Having full coverage of the available formats is a bonus, and while Eclipsa hasn\u2019t been adopted by any other services aside from YouTube<\/a> so far, it\u2019s nice to be future-proofed in case that changes at some point.<\/p>\n In order to achieve the best surround sound experience, Samsung recommends placing the rear surround speakers at a 135-150-degree angle behind the listening position. Thankfully, Samsung\u2019s SpaceFit Sound Pro feature, which is essentially this soundbar\u2019s calibration system, can accommodate if your space doesn\u2019t allow for this placement.<\/p>\n Interestingly, unlike most soundbars we test, which tend to take one set of measurements to map your room and adapt the sound, Samsung\u2019s version is a clever, constantly running system that monitors your listening space at all times to make adjustments in real time.<\/p>\n On top of this, Samsung supports four sound modes: Standard, Surround, Game and AI Adaptive.<\/p>\n Standard takes a straightforward approach in which signals are directly reproduced (two-channel recordings are presented in stereo, for example), whereas Surround broadens the soundfield by introducing audio upscaling processing.<\/p>\n The Game setting reduces latency, and the AI Adaptive mode will, as the name suggests, employ artificial intelligence to analyse your content and adjust the sound to suit.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)<\/p>\n Another layer of processing is Samsung\u2019s new Sound Elevation feature, which is new for this model. It\u2019s designed to raise the audio upwards to match the position of your screen.<\/p>\n Samsung hasn\u2019t really given a clear indication of how it determines where to place the audio, and for us, it seems to overshoot slightly and place the sound towards the top edge of our reference TV. This setting may appeal more to those who wall-mount their TV and leave a gap between it and their soundbar.<\/p>\n There is also a new Auto Volume feature that controls sudden loud spikes in volume when switching between different channels, applications or sources.<\/p>\n All of these sound settings can be applied via the included remote, and the dot-matrix display on the front of the soundbar is fairly useful for telling you which setting you’re adjusting.<\/p>\n However, the Samsung SmartThings app is the preferred way of interacting with the settings menus, thanks to its snappy connection and set-up time, easy-to-understand menus, and generally solid stability.<\/p>\n You can also control your source from this app, including music streamed wirelessly to the system. The HW-Q990H supports Spotify Connect<\/a>, Apple AirPlay<\/a>, Google Cast, Tidal Connect<\/a> and Bluetooth, and it\u2019s even Roon Ready<\/a>.<\/p>\n Samsung also allows you to connect the Q990H wirelessly to many of its compatible TVs, and Dolby Atmos<\/a> is even supported here \u2013 though for the sake of getting the best audio quality and reduced latency, we recommend sticking with a wired connection.<\/p>\n While we\u2019re on the topic of the Samsung ecosystem, Q Symphony \u2013 in which your Samsung TV\u2019s speakers work in tandem with the system \u2013 is also supported here. It’s worth trying, but don’t assume that using Q Symphony will produce better sound than using the Q990H’s speakers alone. Many TVs will bring down the overall sound quality rather than improve it.<\/p>\n Wired connectivity is equally impressive, as the soundbar has three HDMI sockets in total. This includes an HDMI eARC<\/a> for connecting to your TV, alongside two full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1<\/a> passthrough sockets, which support up to 4K\/120Hz signals with VRR<\/a> and ALLM<\/a>, as well as HDR10, HDR10+<\/a> and Dolby Vision<\/a> (the last of which is especially nice as Samsung\u2019s own TVs don\u2019t support Dolby Vision<\/a>).<\/p>\n Sound<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)<\/p>\n We\u2019ll be the first to admit that we weren\u2019t expecting much of a change from last year\u2019s Q990F, and yet the HW-Q990H has a few surprises up its sleeve.<\/p>\n We\u2019ve hooked the soundbar package up to our reference TV (the Sony Bravia 8 II) and 4K Blu-ray player (the sadly discontinued Oppo UDP-203<\/a>), and raided our library of reference discs to assess the system\u2019s sound performance.<\/p>\n As with the previous model, the Surround mode proves to be the best for movies and TV shows, as the wider sound field means that all components hang together in a more sonically cohesive way. The Standard preset, meanwhile, is better for music, and those who prefer minimal processing, or perhaps want a more focused sound, may prefer it for movies and TV shows.<\/p>\n Overall, the improvements to this generation from the HW-Q990F (which we have on hand for direct comparisons) can be distilled into this: the Q990H takes everything we love about the last generation, and delivers it with even more nuance, detail and scale.<\/p>\n Starting with Civil War, we watch the section leading up to the climactic final battle, and we find that this soundbar package excels in practically every aspect. As Lee goes to comfort Jessie in a serene woodland area, we\u2019re totally immersed in the environment thanks to the soundbar\u2019s excellent placement of cinematic effects.<\/p>\n Birds chirping in trees overhead and the subtle crackling of twigs and leaves breaking underfoot are realised with superb accuracy, and the river trickling in the background is packed with sonic nuance; it all sounds genuinely alive.<\/p>\n As the two characters have a heart-to-heart conversation, we find that the tonality and emotions of their voices are captured thanks to the Q990H’s rich sonic characteristics and deft handling of low-level dynamics. Vocal clarity is also excellent, as the system has no problem delivering crisp and detailed, yet full-bodied, dialogue, and we find little in the way of sharpness or sibilance in any of the characters\u2019 voices.<\/p>\n As the Western Forces prepare to deploy, the thunderous rumble of helicopter blades is delivered with a crisp leading edge to each swoop, and is rounded out with a thickness, weight and richness that gives a genuine impression of heavy-duty metal blades chopping through the air.<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)<\/p>\n It should come as no surprise that bass is handled very well, considering how much of a step up the HW-Q990F was with its redesigned subwoofer. The HW-Q990H seems to carry across the same, or at least a very similar, subwoofer, which brings an equally impressive dose of low-end weight.<\/p>\n We switch to Blade Runner 2049\u2019s infamously tricky chapter two, and find that the bass builds nicely, peppering tension throughout. It refuses to distort or warble, and yet it reaches plenty deep, and there is a sense of tonal variation within the bass, which makes it sound tuneful and dynamic.<\/p>\n We find that the system\u2019s previously established strengths are also on show. The way it projects height effects and places them \u2013 especially the announcements of the holographic advertisements near Officer K\u2019s apartment \u2013 is impressive indeed. While this was a strength of the HW-Q990F, the Q990H takes this even further, with a greater sense of accuracy and spaciousness.<\/p>\n This system captures the bustle of the dystopian street and the buzz of K\u2019s crowded apartment complex with a level of finesse and detail that seriously sells the atmosphere of each scene. It cleverly picks up background sounds and weaves them into the soundfield without making them sound forced or intentionally singled out.<\/p>\n Rounding out our film testing with Thunderbolts, we start the scene in which the team of anti-heroes makes a daring escape from a compound surrounded by military personnel. The tapping percussion featured throughout this sequence feels agile and snappy, conveying excitement and energy while easily keeping pace.<\/p>\n Dialogue is once again a highlight here; Yelena Belova\u2019s dry wit is captured differently from John Walker\u2019s stoic inflexion, thanks to the system\u2019s ability to capture finer details. It\u2019s not a night-and-day difference compared with its predecessor, but once we notice it, it becomes clear that the Q990H is the better of the two at unearthing subtler sonic nuances.<\/p>\n Moving on to music, we try a range of tracks, including Harry Styles\u2019 Carla\u2019s Song, Heavy by The Marias, and tracks from Hans Zimmer\u2019s Interstellar OST in the system\u2019s Standard mode. This sound mode removes the rear speakers from the equation and lets the main soundbar unit and subwoofer shine for stereo music reproduction.<\/p>\n The good news is that most, if not all, of the positive attributes from our movie testing are present and correct for music, too. Vocals are warm and detailed, bass is taut, deep and keeps pace, and there is a general sense of naturalism and balance to the sound.<\/p>\n While the Sonos Arc Ultra is our preferred soundbar for music, thanks to its richer, more rounded and smoother sound, the HW-Q990H is still a seriously talented performer.<\/p>\n Verdict<\/p>\n \n (Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)<\/p>\n While it may look like a subtle upgrade on paper, and it even looks borderline identical to its predecessor when we unbox it, Samsung has made some worthwhile under-the-hood refinements with this soundbar package.<\/p>\n Its ability to capture a touch more detail and nuance, and place spatial sound effects with even greater precision, makes this system another step up in a lineage of soundbars that have improved year-on-year.<\/p>\n SCORES<\/p>\n MORE:<\/p>\n Read our review of the Samsung HW-Q990F<\/a><\/p>\n Also consider the Sonos Arc Ultra<\/a><\/p>\n Read our Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9<\/a> review<\/p>\n Best soundbars: options for every need, recommended by our experts<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Samsung](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/h9JCk23KQqh8Emhyk4izsh.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"Samsung](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/yaZbmxXoMqdfcTRMtWTyvh.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n\n<\/p>\n![\"Samsung](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/PAXpwyHHWBpmAPGKJzwbxh.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"Samsung](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/VwKNi8YyEN3MWC6ZJmUXJi.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"Samsung](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/9vWe38xp4yQ7XJvcv3SgAi.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"Samsung](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/xnqHWRBNzhN6y8f4Qibajh.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n![\"Samsung](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GRshDYmZnMCiDbE7ZitGNi.jpg\")
\n<\/p>\n