Samsung's latest flagship soundbar is making waves in the premium audio market with its impressive performance and innovative design changes. The HW-Q990F, announced at CES 2025, represents Samsung's continued push to dominate the high-end home theater audio space while competing directly with offerings from Sonos and Sony.
Compact But Powerful Subwoofer Design
One of the most notable changes in the HW-Q990F is its dramatically reduced subwoofer size. Samsung has managed to shrink the external subwoofer cabinet to nearly half the dimensions of its predecessor, going from 16 inches tall and wide to approximately 10 inches. Despite this significant reduction in size, the subwoofer maintains impressive bass performance through an innovative design featuring two 8-inch opposing drivers that work together to minimize vibration. This engineering choice addresses a common complaint about premium sound systems—the bulky subwoofer that dominates living room space—without compromising on the audio quality that enthusiasts demand.
Comparison with Previous Model (HW-Q990D)
- Similar overall design with updated speaker grilles
- Subwoofer size reduced from 16 inches to approximately 10 inches
- Added one additional speaker (23 total vs. 22)
- New Active Voice Amplifier Pro feature for improved dialogue clarity
- Same connectivity options and Samsung ecosystem features
Enhanced Speaker Configuration
The HW-Q990F system maintains Samsung's commitment to immersive audio with its 11.1.4-channel configuration. The complete package includes the main soundbar, the newly compact wireless subwoofer, and two rear speakers for a truly encompassing sound experience. Samsung has increased the total speaker count to 23, adding one more than the previous HW-Q990D model. The main soundbar houses an array of speakers including center, front wide-firing, side-firing, and up-firing units that work in concert to create a three-dimensional soundstage that fills the room.
Samsung HW-Q990F Key Specifications
- Configuration: 11.1.4-channel system
- Total speakers: 23 (one more than previous model)
- Components: Main soundbar, wireless subwoofer, two rear speakers
- Audio formats: Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Eclipsa Audio
- Connectivity: eARC, HDMI 2.1 (4K/120Hz), Apple AirPlay, Google Home, Spotify Connect
- Smart features: Built-in Alexa, Q-Symphony, SmartThings integration
- Subwoofer: Compact design with dual 8-inch opposing drivers
- Price: USD $1,799
Audio Performance and Technology Support
During hands-on testing, the HW-Q990F demonstrated exceptional performance with movie content, particularly during action sequences with complex audio mixes. The system supports multiple spatial audio technologies including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and the new Eclipsa Audio—an open-source spatial audio standard developed collaboratively by Samsung and Google. This technological versatility ensures compatibility with virtually all premium audio content currently available on streaming platforms and physical media.
Smart Features and Connectivity
The HW-Q990F comes equipped with built-in voice assistant support for Alexa, along with Apple AirPlay, Google Home, and Spotify Connect integration. The soundbar supports eARC and HDMI 2.1 with 4K/120Hz pass-through, making it an excellent companion for next-generation gaming consoles and high-end media players. Samsung has also improved its dialogue enhancement technology with the introduction of Active Voice Amplifier Pro, which dynamically adjusts dialogue levels while reducing background noise in real-time.
Samsung Ecosystem Integration
Owners of Samsung televisions will benefit from exclusive features like Q-Symphony, which coordinates the TV's built-in speakers with the soundbar system for even more immersive audio. Additional Samsung-specific features include access to SmartThings, Private Rear Sound, Sound Grouping, Game Pro Mode, and Adaptive Sound—all designed to enhance the user experience within the Samsung ecosystem.
Price and Value Proposition
At USD $1,799 for the complete system, the HW-Q990F positions itself firmly in the premium segment of the market. While this represents a significant investment, the comprehensive feature set and performance capabilities make it a compelling option for home theater enthusiasts looking to upgrade their audio experience without committing to a more complex component-based system. When compared to similarly priced competitors like the Sonos Arc Ultra bundled with Era 300 speakers and Sub 4, the Samsung system offers more speakers and deeper integration with television features, though some might prefer Sonos for its multi-room capabilities and ecosystem flexibility.
Early Impressions
Initial testing suggests that the HW-Q990F delivers impressive audio quality across various content types, though it appears to excel particularly with movie soundtracks and immersive content. Music performance, while still strong, may not match the system's cinematic prowess—a common characteristic of soundbar systems optimized primarily for home theater use. For those with current-generation Samsung soundbars like the HW-Q990D, HW-Q910D, or HW-Q800D, the upgrade may not be essential, but for anyone looking to significantly improve their home audio experience, the HW-Q990F presents a compelling option that balances performance, features, and relative simplicity.