Samsung HW-Q990D Review: This Soundbar Beats the Competition on Sound and Price

For years, Samsung’s flagship Q-Series soundbars have topped the charts in terms of value for money, and performance for home theater systems. The HW-Q990D, Samsung’s latest offering, continues this legacy with an impressive 11.1.4 channel setup, wireless subwoofer, and dedicated surround speakers. But what’s actually new, and how does it improve your movie nights, gaming marathons, or even casual music sessions? Let’s dive in.

Samsung HW-Q990D (Q990D) – Specifications

• Design:Soundbar + rear speakers + subwoofer (black color)
• Dimensions (HxWxD): 6.9 x 123.2 x 13.8 cm (soundbar)
  20.1 x 12.9 x 14.0 cm (rear speaker)
  41.3 x 22.0 x 41.0 cm (subwoofer)
• Weight: 7.7 kg (soundbar); 3.4 kg (rear speaker); 11.7 kg (subwoofer)
• Speakers Units: 22; 11.1.4 channels
  Soundbar: Center, right/left, front wide, side, center, right/left
  Rear speaker: Front, side, ceiling
• Audio Formats: Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital, DTS:X, DTS-HD, DTS, LPCM, MPEG-H, Hi-Res Audio
• Inputs: 2x HDMI Input with HDMI ARC / eARC support, 1x HDMI out, 1x optical
• Wireless Connectivity: WiFi, Chromecast, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth 5.2, SmartThings, Q-Symphony, wireless Dolby Atmos for 2022-24 Samsung TV
• In the Box: Power cables, remote control, wall bracket for bar

You can check the price history of Samsung HW-Q990D 656W Wireless Home Theatre below. The current price is ₹90,990. Over the past month, there has been an increase of ₹2,188 in the price.

Samsung HW-Q990D Review: Pros and Cons

Samsung HW-Q990D Review: Design Looks Identical To Its Predecessor

If you’re expecting a radical redesign, you’ll be disappointed. The Q990D looks almost identical to its predecessor. It’s sleek and understated, with a minimalist aesthetic that will blend seamlessly into most home theater setups.

The Samsung HW-Q990D setup consists of four components: a soundbar, a subwoofer, and two rear speakers. Each piece has been thoughtfully designed, balancing aesthetics with functionality.

The soundbar itself is impressive in both size and build. At 1309mm long, it stretches slightly beyond the width of a 55-inch TV (which is roughly 1200mm), so it’s better suited for larger screens. It’s not the tallest at 595mm, but it might still obscure the bottom edge of some TVs, so placement is something to keep in mind.

The subwoofer, on the other hand, is also sizable, hefty, and exudes power, but thanks to its wireless connectivity, you can tuck it away just about anywhere in the room—provided there’s a nearby power outlet. On the flip side, the rear speakers are compact yet stylish, blending easily into most setups without drawing too much attention.

Speaking of build, the soundbar is weighty—definitely not something you’d describe as “lightweight”—but that heft comes with a premium feel. Samsung’s choice of a matte black finish and mesh grille on the soundbar adds to its minimalist charm, but they do come with a slight drawback. The front-panel LED display, which shows input and other key details, can be a little tricky to read through the grille. It’s not a dealbreaker, but something worth noting if you frequently check the display for settings or input changes.

All in all, the HW-Q990D strikes a nice balance between form and function, offering a premium look that complements its impressive capabilities. Just be prepared to dedicate a little extra space to accommodate its larger-than-average footprint.

Samsung HW-Q990D Review: Setup and Room Calibration

Setting up the Q990D is a breeze. Simply connect the soundbar to your TV via HDMI (or optical cable), place the subwoofer and rear speakers in your room, and you’re good to go. The wireless subwoofer and surrounds make placement flexible, and the SmartThings app provides easy control over the system’s settings.  

There’s a SpaceFit Sound Pro option that analyzes your room and tweaks the sound to match it. Samsung’s SpaceFit Sound Pro allows for room calibration, though its effects can sometimes be subtle. This feature aims to adjust the sound to suit your room’s acoustics but might not produce noticeable differences depending on other settings and the room layout.

However, it’s not as elaborate as what Sony’s premium soundbars the Theatre Quad or Bravia Bar 9 offer. Turning SpaceFit Sound Pro on and off doesn’t seem to make any noticeable difference in the sound tuning setup but when I was testing the Sony Theatre Quad’s Sound Feild Optimization feature did make a noticeable difference in the sound stage at that time.

Samsung HW-Q990D Review: Features

What’s new in HW-Q990D features list is the presence of HDMI 2.1 ports which were missing on last year’s model. It brings support for 4K at 120Hz, VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), and smooth, tear-free gaming. Both HDMI inputs also pass through HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, so your movies and games will look just as good as they sound.

The Q990D is a Swiss Army knife for audio formats, handling everything from Dolby Atmos and DTS:X to Dolby TrueHD and 5.1 surround sound. But it’s not just about compatibility; it’s about how the system adapts to your content.

With Adaptive Sound, the Q990D analyzes what you’re watching and adjusts audio levels in real time. And for gamers, there’s Game Mode Pro, which dials up directional sound for immersive gameplay.

Hi-res audio fans, rejoice! The Q990D supports ALAC, FLAC, and WAV formats, along with Dolby Atmos Music tracks from platforms like Apple Music. On top of that, it plays nicely with Spotify Connect so your playlists are always just a tap away.

If you’re using a Samsung TV, the Q990D unlocks some extra tricks:

1. Q-Symphony: Combines the TV’s built-in speakers with the soundbar for a richer, fuller soundstage.
2. Wireless Dolby Atmos: Lets your Samsung TV stream Dolby Atmos soundtracks wirelessly to the soundbar—though it’s a compressed version.
3. Tap Sound: A fun little feature where you can tap your Samsung phone on the soundbar to instantly start streaming your music.

Samsung HW-Q990D Review: Connectivity, App, and Remote

The Q990D comes with Three HDMI ports all HDMI 2.1 supporting 8K 60Hz and 4K 120Hz passthrough. As for Wireless connectivity, there’s Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and AirPlay 2. This also has Google Assistant and Alexa integrations. As for controls, there’s a bundled traditional remote or the Samsung SmartThings app.

While the remote works fine for day-to-day use, the app is where the magic happens. From EQ adjustments to toggling features like Night Mode (perfect for late-night Netflix binges), the app offers a ton of flexibility. Bonus: it’s not just for the soundbar—you can control any compatible Samsung gadget from here.

Samsung HW-Q990D Review: Performance

The Samsung HW-Q990D soundbar is a standout performer, especially considering its price. If you’ve used the Samsung HW-Q990C before, the new HW-Q990D brings marginal improvement in terms of clarity and sense of immersion. These enhancements were evident during my tests, when I watched RR Rajamuli’s masterpiece ‘RRR‘ on Sony Bravia 8 review unit.

The Q990D produced a clean sound with sharp vocals. For instance, during the opening sequence where Malli sings a melody amidst chirping birds, the total clarity and depth stood out. Ambient sounds like the soft rustling of the wind and the chirping of birds spread seamlessly across all channels, creating a mesmerizing and immersive soundscape

Test scenes from blockbuster movies like Top Gun: Maverick and Dune: Prophecy further showcased the HW-Q990D’s ability to recreate massive cinematic scale and dynamics. The dedicated upward-firing drivers deliver impressive height effects. For example, in Transformers: Dark of the Moon’s climactic battle, the realism of overhead sound was exceptional, adding depth to the cinematic experience.

The wireless subwoofer ensures deep, impactful bass without overwhelming other frequencies. Subtle details, such as energy pulses in sci-fi movies, were rendered with clarity and weight, enhancing the viewing experience.

During my rerun of Avengers: Endgame on Disney+ Hotstar, the final attack scene involving the entire Avengers fleet against Thanos was cinematic perfection. Sound effects like the direction of soaring engines glided across the speakers impeccably. Dialogue remained crisp and clear amidst the densely packed mix of sound effects and music, making it feel like a true cinema hall experience. The subwoofer’s contribution was pivotal, delivering deep and consistent bass that enriched the scene’s intensity, from the thunderous roar of spaceships to the subtle background noises.

The Q990D also holds well as a music-listening device. Playing stereo tracks in the Standard setting, which preserves the original sound, results in distinct instruments and vocals with clear separation. It handles high volume levels without losing sound quality or introducing harshness. I played Lady Gaga and Bradley Copper’s “Shallow” soundtrack from the movie “A Star Is Born” demonstrated these strengths. The vibrant energy of the track was fully captured, with the soundbar effectively conveying the dynamic range. Vocals were crisp and well-positioned within the mix, making for an engaging listening experience.

One of the standout new features of the HW-Q990D is the ability to use the surround speakers as left and right main speakers for a more traditional or spacious stereo image. When placed in “Front Mode,” the system creates a more hi-fi-like phantom center image. Playing Top Gun: Maverick’s album in this setup showcased an improved scale, both horizontally and vertically. Despite this change in configuration, the system’s tonality and coherence remained consistent.

Review Verdict: Should You Buy the Samsung HW-990D SoundBar?

The Samsung HW-Q990D is a fantastic soundbar that delivers a truly cinematic audio experience. It’s packed with features, easy to use, and sounds great with movies, music, and games. While it’s not a huge leap forward from the previous model, the additions of HDMI 2.1 and the “Front Mode” for music make it a worthwhile upgrade for some. If you’re looking for the best all-around soundbar on the market, the Q990D is hard to beat.

Smartprix ⭐ Rating: 8.7/10

• Setup Process: 8/10
• Overall Clarity: 8.5/10
• Bass Performance: 8.5/10
• Dialogue Clarity: 9/10
• Surround Sound and Spatial performance: 9/10
• Aesthetics: 8/10
• Connectivity: 9/10
• Remote & App support: 9/10

First reviewed in January 2025.

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