A small but significant update

Samsung’s HW-Q990C was the greatest all round soundbar I tested final year, largely due to its stellar audio and the reality that a subwoofer and rear speakers came with it. The enterprise didn’t modify significantly for the 2024 version, the HW-Q990D, but 1 tweak delivers a function final year’s model should’ve had: HDMI two.1. There are some new audio modes as well, but you can discover these on other Samsung soundbars. The Q990D is as highly effective as ever, but it is nevertheless pricey at $two,000. If you currently purchased a Q990C, the enterprise hasn’t provided you a purpose to upgrade just however.

What’s new on the Samsung Q990D?

The greatest addition on the Q990D is HDMI two.1. With this, Samsung addressed my major criticism of the Q990C, which debuted final year at a time when significantly of the competitors had currently adopted the normal. HDMI two.1 delivers 4K passthrough at 120 frames per second, which will increase the visuals if you connect your PlayStation five or Xbox Series X straight to the soundbar.

The Q990D also arrives with new audio modes. Private Listening turns off all of the front-firing drivers and makes use of only the rear satellite speakers. It is fundamentally an expanded version of the evening mode a lot of providers give on soundbars, aimed at minimizing boomy bass when household or roommates could possibly be asleep. My home has an open floor program and my Television faces towards the hallway to the bedrooms, which suggests any soundbar will beam noise in that path. Private Listening sends the audio the opposite way, and although you have to sacrifice some all round excellent, it is superior sufficient for all the instances you want to be quieter.

There’s also a new Celebration Play mode that offers additional balanced sound amongst the soundbar and rear speakers for a improved encounter when you are hosting a rager. When this is active, you get the complete audio variety rather than just the channels especially programmed for the speakers behind you. I really turned the speakers about and faced them out of the living space to project the re-tuned audio into other communal spaces. This tends to make a larger distinction for films and Television for the reason that music currently plays from the rear speakers with additional balanced levels.

These two modes are not one of a kind to the Q990D the rest of the 2024 Q-series lineup will be capable to use them as well. This is the initial time I’ve tested them although, and it is notable that they really perform effectively on Samsung’s most high priced soundbar.

What’s superior

The mixture of a driver-packed soundbar, substantial subwoofer and additional-robust rear speakers produces immersive sound that envelops my living space. No matter if you are 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 could hear the finer information of Knowhere in the opening scenes of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. three, such as the life-like reverb of Radiohead’s “Creep” playing more than a loudspeaker. The directional sounds of the town, such as the hustle and bustle of persons moving about, make it appear like you are standing proper there.

For music, there’s deep, boomy bass when a track calls for it, and that crisp detail that I heard in films is right here as well. Justice’s Hyperdrama shows off the Q990D’s variety, with driving low-finish tone on songs like “Neverender” accompanied by textured synths. Quieter genres like jazz are a blanket of sound as well, with albums like Miles Davis’ Sort of Blue providing subtleties that make you really feel like you are in the studio.

The point I like most about the Q990D is that all the things you want for a total surround sound setup is incorporated in the box. The subwoofer and rear speakers come with the soundbar and do not call for an more acquire. These satellite speakers also home up-firing and side-firing drivers, which is not constantly the case on comparable accessories from the competitors. And the setup is as uncomplicated as plugging all the things in for the reason that pairing with the rest of the technique occurs automatically.

What’s poor

An all-in-1 setup is fantastic, but that also suggests the Q990D is high priced. At $two,000, this is a considerable investment even if you are acquiring all the things you want in the package. The Q990D is at the moment on sale for $1,750, but we do not know how extended that discount will final. For comparison, Sony’s upcoming Bravia Bar 9 is $1,400. The least expensive subwoofer and rear speakers you can get for it are $400 and $350 respectively, which puts your total price at $two,150. Of course, with Sony you have two alternatives for subs and rears, and you do not have to get all of them. LG provides some respite if you want to go that route, with its S95TR coming in at $1,500 and such as the subwoofer and rear speakers with up-firing drivers.

The all round size of the soundbar is a thing else you will want to take into consideration. The Q990D homes 11 front-facing speakers, two up-firing drivers and a subwoofer. All of these elements want space, and accommodating them suggests this soundbar ends up getting fairly substantial at 48.five inches wide. Though that is not a deal-breaker per se, it does call for some preparing, so just know you will want ample space.

Like soundbars from other providers, the Q990D has some handy characteristics that are reserved for Samsung TVs. For instance, Q-Symphony, which makes use of your Television speakers in addition to the soundbar to expand the audio capabilities, demands a compatible 2020-2024 Samsung Television. The Q990D sounds fantastic devoid of this, but just know you are not acquiring the complete bag of tricks unless you also have a supported Television.

Wrap-up

Unless you care for the newest HDMI requirements, the Q990D does not give a big upgrade more than final year’s model. Their design and style and characteristics lists are practically identical, except for two new sound modes and 4K/120 passthrough. And some of these additions are out there on additional-very affordable Samsung soundbars. So if you currently sprang for final year’s Q990C, there’s likely not sufficient purpose to make a further sizable investment. If you do not currently personal a Samsung flagship soundbar, the Q990D provides boomy, immersive sound in an all-in-1 package that now has all the contemporary conveniences it really should.