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Samsung HW-Q990F vs Samsung HW-Q990H
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Samsung HW-Q990F ranks higher (#1 vs #3 of 11) and scores better on bass.
The biggest complaint about the Samsung HW-Q990F is pricey, and a small step over older models; for the Samsung HW-Q990H it's pricey, wide, and a modest subwoofer. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Good for: Full surround and Atmos in one box
Its catch: pricey, and a small step over older models
Check price on AmazonGood for: A near home-theater setup without an AV receiver
Its catch: pricey, wide, and a modest subwoofer
Check price on AmazonPaid links. We don't list prices — they change daily. Neither one feels right?
Side by side
| Samsung HW-Q990F | Samsung HW-Q990H | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in soundbars | #1 | #3 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$$ |
| Type | Dolby Atmos | Dolby Atmos |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 11% | 24% |
| Overall score | 4.2 | 4.3 |
| Sound & dialogue | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Bass | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Setup & TV connection | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| App & features | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Reliability | 3.5 | — |
Price tiers: $ under $200 · $$ $200–500 · $$$ over $500. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Samsung HW-Q990F
- Pricey, and a small step over older models
PCMag's only listed con is that it's pricey. TechRadar lists it at $1,999 at launch and calls it only a minor upgrade over the HW-Q990D, which it says is the better value while stock lasts.
Source: PCMag best soundbars, TechRadar review - Hard-to-read display; app needed for setup
TechRadar lists a difficult-to-read front LED display as a con and says the SmartThings app is necessary for setup, though the remote is adequate afterward.
Source: TechRadar review - Mixed connectivity; bulky rears
Amazon's review summary says connectivity gets mixed feedback, with some owners finding Bluetooth hit-or-miss, and that some find the rear speakers larger than expected.
Samsung HW-Q990H
- Pricey, wide, and a modest subwoofer
Wirecutter calls it pricey and says the 48.5-inch bar may not fit between a TV's legs. Its compact sub measured 5.6 dB (mid-bass) and 4.2 dB (low-bass) less than the Vizio Elevate's and isn't likely to shake your couch. A 2-star Amazon reviewer found the sub basically useless.
- Annoying display and app-dependent controls
Wirecutter says the front display scrolls only four characters at a time, so you end up using the SmartThings app, which takes more time than grabbing a remote.
Source: Wirecutter (NYT) - Little gain over the cheaper HW-Q990F
RTINGS found much of the performance unchanged from the HW-Q990F. It says the new Sound Elevation feature lifts dialogue at the cost of horizontal clarity, and it picks the discounted Q990F as the better value. A few early Amazon reviewers were disappointed with the sound and soundstage.
Who should pick which
Pick the Samsung HW-Q990F if
Full surround and Atmos in one box
Connecting consoles or players through HDMI 2.1 inputs
Mixed iPhone and Android households (AirPlay 2 and Google Cast)
Skip it if: You want a single bar with no rear speakers; You need a readable front display; You want the newest model (the HW-Q990H)
Pick the Samsung HW-Q990H if
A near home-theater setup without an AV receiver
Connecting a game console or Blu-ray player directly (two HDMI 2.1 inputs)
Samsung TV owners
Skip it if: Your TV stand is narrower than about 4 feet; You want couch-shaking bass; You can find the HW-Q990F on sale
We don't list prices — they change daily. Paid links.
Neither one feels right?
If both catches are deal-breakers, start here.
Wirecutter's budget pick and RTINGS' favorite under-$200 bar without satellites: a 2.1 system with natural, full sound, a real subwoofer and a handy voice button. It can't match bigger systems for volume or envelopment, and low-star Walmart reviews describe HDMI dropouts and a sub that stopped working.
Its catch: dropouts and subwoofer failuresA third option · #4Sony Bravia Theater Bar 7Tom's Guide's best soundbar for movies: crystal-clear dialogue, room calibration and controlled bass in a 37.5-inch 5.1.2 bar. It's sold with or without the subwoofer, so check what's in the box. Music sounds only okay, some subtle high-frequency detail gets lost, and Amazon has few ratings so far.
Its catch: music sounds only okayAll 11 comparedSee every soundbar, rankedEach one's biggest complaint at a glance, with the full ranking.
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