Samsung HW-Q900C soundbar review: A standout standalone sound system

Samsung’s screens get a whole lot of consideration, however what’s a vivid picture with out equally detailed sound? The HW-Q900C is the best soundbar possibility on the excessive finish of Samsung’s lineup. This 7.1.2 system gives efficient encompass sound, punchy bass, and a number of the clearest dialog we’ve heard with only one soundbar and a wi-fi subwoofer. It units up merely and performs admirably, particularly for those who’re connecting it to a Samsung TV. However, with so many choices on the market, is it value your treasured media console actual property?

Overview

• That is Samsung’s flagship soundbar that ships with a distant and a subwoofer, no satellite tv for pc audio system.
• The subwoofer connects wirelessly, so it solely requires an influence wire.
• Q900C attaches to a TV utilizing HDMI (two inputs and one output) or infrared.
• Wi-fi connectivity contains Apple AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth 5.

Execs

• Glorious total sound high quality
• A few of the greatest dialog efficiency we’ve heard
• Very straightforward setup
• Spectacular encompass sound efficiency
• Fills a giant room
• Supplies loads of quantity
• Rumbly bass

Cons

• Some area of interest options solely work with a Samsung TV
• Huge
• Expensive

Verdict

This high-end element gives a number of the greatest sound we’ve heard out of a soundbar, particularly contemplating that it doesn’t require any satellites (although you may add rear satellites if you would like after the actual fact). This can be a worthy improve, particularly you probably have a contemporary Samsung TV that may make the most of the additional options.

Samsung HW-Q900C soundbar construct

Samsung presents two higher-end soundbar setups: the HW-Q910C, which options the identical soundbar and subwoofer because the HW-900C however packaged with wi-fi Left/Proper rear audio system, and the HW-Q990C, that very same soundbar and subwoofer however with a pair of wi-fi satellites with peak channels to make it an 11.1.4 configuration. That makes the HW-Q900C a simplified flagship, which is right for customers who could have a barely smaller room or don’t want most encompass sound results.

The bar itself, 17 kilos of principally sturdy steel with hexagonal angles, homes 9 audio system in a 7.1.2-channel association powered by 246 watts of built-in amplification. The bar is 48 inches lengthy, which makes it nearly as extensive as my 65-inch TV, so it’s not a small system (although there are even heftier all-in-one soundbars on the market). The 25-pound subwoofer can also be considerably chunky, however it accommodates an 8-inch woofer powered by a 200-watt amp.

The field features a mounting equipment and the mandatory {hardware} to place the soundbar up on a wall. I didn’t set up it on my wall (I swap out soundbars too usually to mount them), however it makes use of very normal and easy {hardware} that ought to be easy to put in.

Samsung HW-Q900C soundbar setup and design

Establishing the Samsung HW-Q900C is refreshingly easy. The bar sports activities two HDMI inputs (plus one HDMI out) and an infrared enter. The ports don’t help HDMI 2.1 and, subsequently, can’t passthrough 4K @ 120Hz. Nonetheless, they will deal with 4K with HDR10 and HDR10+ and are eARC appropriate, so for those who’ve obtained a flagship gaming TV (like Samsung’s personal OLED 4K S95C or NEO QLED 8K QN900C), you may simply join your console and soundbar on to the display and the setup is very simple proper out of the field.

I’m testing an LG TV in the mean time, and the HW-Q900C instantly labored effectively with the LG distant with out finagling. If you wish to cease there, you may with the setup, however extra superior customers can dig into tuning and calibrating with the Samsung SmartThings app, and Samsung TV house owners can use the automated SpaceFit Sound Professional possibility.

Establishing the subwoofer requires little greater than plugging it into the wall. It connects wirelessly and immediately. From opening the field to watching a film (with primary setup), it took me lower than 10 minutes. Should you plan to tweak and undergo the auto calibration, plan for roughly an hour.

Samsung HW-Q900C soundbar efficiency

Merely put, the Samsung HW-Q900C is likely one of the total best-sounding soundbars I’ve heard. It’s strong for streaming music, though it’s eclipsed in tunefulness by extra purpose-built bars just like the Sonos Arc, so for those who’re able to take a deep dive into spatial audio, take into account that with the Sonos Period 300 audio system. The HW-Q900C, nonetheless, is great for watching motion pictures and TV reveals, largely due to its skill to render dialog. Throughout testing, I fired up a MAX stream of the woefully terrible however sonically dramatic Jason Statham film Meg 2: The Trench. Regardless of its nonsensical plot, the film has a persistent bass rumble that ebbs and flows all through the film because the characters putter round below the ocean. That lets me hear how granularly a system can modulate that low finish whereas monitoring how effectively the actor’s voices lower by. The Samsung, aided by adaptive room correction and Lively Voice Amplifier (AVA) processing, did excellent in each circumstances.

The subwoofer, with its “acoustic lens” design for deeper extension in a slimmer enclosure, gives true boominess when required for explosions and punchy impacts whereas deftly producing subtler ripples that add important temper and ambiance to a film.

The HW-Q900C helps each Dolby Atmos and DTS:X encompass sound applied sciences, and it presents an impressively immersive sound contemplating its lack of stand-alone satellites. Up-firing audio system and the soundbar’s 48-inch width give it bodily benefits in comparison with smaller models. I fired up a Blu-ray participant to look at my previous standby testing film, Alien on 4K disc, and located that the encompass sound efficiency was glorious total. Alarms blared behind my head, and that weirdly moist alien noise sounded prefer it may have been coming from anyplace within the room.

I used to be equally impressed with the sonic presence in much less action-oriented motion pictures. The Wolf of Wall Avenue, streamed in 4K with Dolby Atmos on Netflix, made the dialog sound as clear and crisp because it ever has. The high-end efficiency allowed me to maintain the amount comparatively low whereas conserving the dialog completely intelligible. That’s a giant win.

Q900C sound modes

Switching between modes is comparatively easy with the included distant, however the show on the entrance of the bar itself may be very low-res and scrolls just like the Lotto signal within the window of a bodega. It provides you an thought of what mode you’re in, however digging into the SmartThings app makes it easier. Should you undergo the method of calibrating the system to your room, you doubtless received’t flip by the modes fairly often anyway.

The gaming mode is one exception, because it emphasizes the directionality of the sounds to maintain you conscious of what’s occurring round you as you recreation. Utilizing it with a PlayStation 5, I may recognize the distinction.

Music efficiency

I’m not an enormous fan of soundbars for music playback generally, however the HW-Q900C is completely succesful. I listened to every little thing from the unhappy, twinkly Fiona Apple cowl of the Beatles’ “Throughout the Universe” to the ruthlessly bombastic metalcore “Overthrone” by Judiciary. The bass comes throughout a bit sturdy, however the clear highs forestall issues from falling into “muddy” territory.

The true draw for taking part in music on the HW-Q900C is its easy connectivity. It simply connects through Bluetooth (the SBC codec) or Apple AirPlay 2 through WiFi (the far-preferable methodology). The soundbar additionally contains Alexa voice management, so for those who use a appropriate service, you may simply ask the digital assistant to play your music for you.

Particular options for Samsung customers

Samsung would love so that you can purchase a 2022/2023 Samsung TV to go along with your fancy new soundbar, and the corporate has added some unique options to make them extra attractive. The Q-Symphony characteristic permits the HW-Q900C to work in live performance with the TV’s built-in audio system to middle and sync audio much more tightly to the on-screen motion. Present Samsung TVs may ship a Dolby Atmos sign over Bluetooth to the soundbar for a wi-fi connection (although Q-Symphony requires a wire). That’s very useful, but in addition most likely not value basing your complete TV alternative on.

So, who can buy the Samsung HW-Q900C soundbar?

The Samsung HW-Q900C at the moment retails round $1,000, which places it within the high-end class. However, with glorious encompass sound efficiency, clear bass, and a number of the greatest dialog copy I’ve ever heard, it’s a Dolby Atmos soundbar well worth the funding for those who can swing it. Some extra superior customers could choose the upgraded Q990C with its extra immersive wi-fi encompass sound system. Nonetheless, Samsung’s bar and subwoofer combo had completely no downside filling my very average-sized suburban lounge by itself. Should you’re already utilizing a more moderen Samsung TV and may entry the additional options of the pairing, it’s a good higher worth.

Finally, it is a nice decide for anybody in search of a high-performance setup that doesn’t take up a lot area or require a whole lot of setup. Simply plug it in, fireplace up Meg 2: The Trenchand let the good sound drown out the plot holes.