Samsung’s HW-Q990C was the perfect general soundbar I examined final 12 months, principally because of its stellar audio and the truth that a subwoofer and rear audio system got here with it. The corporate didn’t change a lot for the 2024 model, the HW-Q990D, however one tweak delivers a function final 12 months’s mannequin ought to’ve had: HDMI 2.1. There are some new audio modes too, however you could find these on different Samsung soundbars. The Q990D is as highly effective as ever, but it surely’s nonetheless expensive at $2,000. For those who already purchased a Q990C, the corporate hasn’t given you a purpose to improve simply but.
Samsung
The most important addition to the Q990D is a function Samsung’s flagship soundbar ought to’ve already had.
- HDMI 2.1
- All-in-one encompass setup
- Glorious, immersive audio
- Helpful options
- Dear
- Not an enormous replace over final 12 months’s mannequin
$2,000 at Amazon
What’s new on the Samsung Q990D?
The most important addition on the Q990D is HDMI 2.1. With this, Samsung addressed my important criticism of the Q990C, which debuted final 12 months at a time when a lot of the competitors had already adopted the usual. HDMI 2.1 delivers 4K passthrough at 120 frames per second, which can enhance the visuals for those who join your PlayStation 5 or Xbox Sequence X on to the soundbar.
The Q990D additionally arrives with new audio modes. Personal Listening turns off the entire front-firing drivers and makes use of solely the rear satellite tv for pc audio system. It’s mainly an expanded model of the evening mode loads of firms supply on soundbars, aimed toward lowering boomy bass when household or roommates is perhaps asleep. My home has an open ground plan and my TV faces in direction of the hallway to the bedrooms, which suggests any soundbar will beam noise in that route. Personal Listening sends the audio the alternative method, and whereas it’s important to sacrifice some general high quality, it’s ok for all of the occasions it is advisable be quieter.
There’s additionally a brand new Occasion Play mode that gives extra balanced sound between the soundbar and rear audio system for a greater expertise if you’re internet hosting a rager. When that is lively, you get the complete audio vary reasonably than simply the channels particularly programmed for the audio system behind you. I really turned the audio system round and confronted them out of the lounge to undertaking the re-tuned audio into different communal areas. This makes a much bigger distinction for motion pictures and TV as a result of music already performs from the rear audio system with extra balanced ranges.
These two modes aren’t distinctive to the Q990D; the remainder of the 2024 Q-series lineup will be capable to use them too. That is the primary time I’ve examined them although, and it’s notable that they really work properly on Samsung’s most costly soundbar.
What’s good
The mixture of a driver-packed soundbar, giant subwoofer and more-robust rear audio system produces immersive sound that envelops my lounge. Whether or not you’re listening to music or the soundscape of Dune, the Q990D retains the sonic prowess of its predecessor. Dolby Atmos content material from Disney+ is as immersive as ever. I may hear the finer particulars of Knowhere within the opening scenes of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, together with the life-like reverb of Radiohead’s “Creep” enjoying over a loudspeaker. The directional sounds of the city, together with the hustle and bustle of individuals shifting round, make it look like you’re standing proper there.
For music, there’s deep, boomy bass when a observe requires it, and that crisp element that I heard in motion pictures is right here too. Justice’s Hyperdrama exhibits off the Q990D’s vary, with driving low-end tone on songs like “Neverender” accompanied by textured synths. Quieter genres like jazz are a blanket of sound too, with albums like Miles Davis’ Type of Blue providing subtleties that make you are feeling such as you’re within the studio.
The factor I like most concerning the Q990D is that the whole lot you want for a whole encompass sound setup is included within the field. The subwoofer and rear audio system include the soundbar and don’t require a further buy. These satellite tv for pc audio system additionally home up-firing and side-firing drivers, which isn’t all the time the case on comparable equipment from the competitors. And the setup is as simple as plugging the whole lot in as a result of pairing with the remainder of the system occurs mechanically.
What’s dangerous
An all-in-one setup is nice, however that additionally means the Q990D is pricey. At $2,000, this can be a appreciable funding even for those who’re getting the whole lot you want within the package deal. The Q990D is at present on sale for $1,750, however we don’t understand how lengthy that low cost will final. For comparability, Sony’s upcoming Bravia Bar 9 is $1,400. The most cost effective subwoofer and rear audio system you will get for it are $400 and $350 respectively, which places your whole value at $2,150. In fact, with Sony you’ve got two choices for subs and rears, and also you don’t have to purchase all of them. LG presents some respite if you wish to go that route, with its S95TR coming in at $1,500 and together with the subwoofer and rear audio system with up-firing drivers.
The general dimension of the soundbar is one thing else you’ll want to contemplate. The Q990D homes 11 front-facing audio system, two up-firing drivers and a subwoofer. All of these elements want house, and accommodating them means this soundbar finally ends up being fairly giant at 48.5 inches broad. Whereas that’s not a deal-breaker per se, it does require some planning, so simply know you’ll want ample room.
Like soundbars from different firms, the Q990D has some useful options which can be reserved for Samsung TVs. For instance, Q-Symphony, which makes use of your TV audio system along with the soundbar to develop the audio capabilities, requires a suitable 2020-2024 Samsung TV. The Q990D sounds nice with out this, however simply know you’re not getting the complete bag of tips except you even have a supported TV.
Wrap-up
Until you take care of the most recent HDMI requirements, the Q990D doesn’t supply an enormous improve over final 12 months’s mannequin. Their design and options lists are practically equivalent, besides for 2 new sound modes and 4K/120 passthrough. And a few of these additions can be found on more-affordable Samsung soundbars. So for those who already sprang for final 12 months’s Q990C, there’s in all probability not sufficient purpose to make one other sizable funding. For those who don’t already personal a Samsung flagship soundbar, the Q990D presents boomy, immersive sound in an all-in-one package deal that now has all the fashionable conveniences it ought to.
