Expert review of the Samsung HW-Q990
Samsung HW-Q990B
- Dolby Atmos sends the sound to your listening position via the ceiling, so you can enjoy surround sound.
- Thanks to the included rear speakers, you can enjoy an even better surround experience.
- Because the included subwoofer has Auto EQ, the bass reproduction is adjusted to the acoustics of the room.
- The display isn't clearly visible from every angle.
First impression of the Samsung HW-Q990B
When I received the soundbar, I was shocked by the large box. This shock soon turns into admiration. In less than a minute, I unpacked the soundbar, subwoofer, and rear speakers. I didn't expect to unpack everything this fast, considering the size. The box also includes a remote, power cords, an HDMI cable, and accessories to mount the soundbar to the wall.
Not for every living room
I place the soundbar on my TV cabinet, where it looks nice below my television. I notice that the soundbar is very large, so I imagine it's not suitable for every living room. If you don't have a lot of space, I'd go for a different and slightly smaller soundbar.
Connect quickly
Despite the large size of the soundbar, I can connect it quickly. I connect the soundbar to my television via the included HDMI cable and can listen to the sound of it right away. I then turn on the subwoofer and speakers. These automatically connect to the soundbar wirelessly, so it's very easy to set everything up.
Cinema in the living room
I turn on a movie that supports Dolby Atmos, as does the soundbar. This technology sends the sound to your listening position via the ceiling, which you definitely notice. I can hear a car passing from the left to the right. And during an explosion, it's like I'm right in the middle of it. Combined with the included rear speakers and subwoofer, this provides an intense sound experience. With this soundbar, watching a movie is like watching one at the movie theater.
Settings fully adjustable
During the movie, I grab the remote and check all of the settings. There are a lot of setting options, so I can completely adjust everything to my liking for a movie night. I can turn on Night Mode when my roommates are asleep, for example. This mode makes the bass less powerful so I don't disturb them. And if I want to go all out, I can set the subwoofer and bass to the maximum setting and the sound mode to Surround. There's an option for every situation.
Conclusion
If you want a movie theater experience at home, the Samsung HW-Q990B is the ideal soundbar for you. Thanks to the 11 front and surround speakers, 4 speakers that point upwards, and 2 rear speakers, you can immerse yourself in the sound. If you add Dolby Atmos support to this, an explosion in a movie sounds lifelike. Do you have a smaller living room? This soundbar is less suitable for you.
