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Research · 11.1.4-channel soundbar

Samsung HW-Q990H: what the testing says

The HW-Q990H is the most complete system we cover. The bar, a wireless sub, and two wireless rears all come in the box, and RTINGS calls it amazing for mixed use and impressive for movies. It's a big, wide bar at $1,497.99, and RTINGS says it's largely unchanged from last year's Q990F, so a discounted Q990F is the thing to cross-shop.

By The WhichTVShouldIBuy editorsUpdated Released Apr 2026
Samsung HW-Q990H soundbar with its wireless subwoofer and two rear speakers, three-quarter view
Image: Samsung (official product page, opens in a new tab)

Our take

The short version

Samsung's 2026 flagship is a full home theater in one purchase: an 11.1.4-channel bar with up-firing drivers, a wireless subwoofer, and two wireless rear speakers. There's nothing to add later. In RTINGS' testing it's the bar to beat here, with 'amazing' verdicts for mixed use and for dialogue and TV, and an 'impressive' one for movies.

It's also the best-connected bar we cover. There are two HDMI inputs with 4K 120Hz passthrough, so a console or streaming box can run through it, plus eARC, optical, Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Chromecast, and Spotify Connect. Samsung TV owners get Q-Symphony, which plays the TV's speakers along with the bar, and Wireless Dolby Atmos on select 2022–2026 Samsung TVs.

Two cautions. The bar is 48.5 inches wide, so it only fits under a 65-inch screen or bigger by our width rule. And RTINGS says that on paper the Q990H is 'largely unchanged' from the 2025 Q990F, adding software features like Auto Volume and Sound Elevation. Samsung itself still sells the Q990F, for $100 more than the Q990H on October 26, so check both prices.

Pros and cons

What we like

  • Sub and two rears in the box: true 11.1.4 with nothing to add
  • RTINGS: amazing for mixed use and dialogue, impressive for movies
  • Two HDMI inputs with 4K 120Hz passthrough
  • Q-Symphony and Wireless Dolby Atmos with 2022 and later Samsung TVs

Trade-offs

  • 48.5 inches wide: fits 65-inch screens and up
  • RTINGS calls it largely unchanged from the Q990F
  • Some bass compression near max volume, per RTINGS
  • The priciest bar we cover

Who it's for

Buy it if…

  • Anyone who wants full surround without shopping for rears and a sub separately
  • Samsung TV owners, who get Q-Symphony and wireless Atmos
  • Living rooms with a 65-inch or bigger TV

Skip it if…

  • Owners of TVs under 65 inches: the bar is wider than the picture
  • Anyone who doesn't want speakers behind the couch: the Samsung HW-Q800H is bar and sub only
  • Shoppers on a budget: the Hisense AX5140Q also includes a sub and rears for far less

Your TV

TVs it fits and syncs with

At 48.5 in (1,232 mm) wide, the HW-Q990H fits under a 65-inch screen, whose picture is 56.7 inches wide, and anything bigger. It's wider than the picture on a 55-inch screen or smaller. Our rule: a bar fits when it's no wider than the picture, since every TV is a little wider than its picture and the bar then won't overhang it. Check the gap under the screen too: the bar is 2.8 inches (71 mm) tall.

Samsung names these features for Samsung TVs. Any other TV still works with it over HDMI eARC.

  • Samsung TVs: Q-Symphony, Wireless Dolby Atmos, SpaceFit Sound Pro

    Q-Symphony plays the TV's speakers together with the bar, and Wireless Dolby Atmos drops the HDMI cable on select Samsung TVs. SpaceFit Sound Pro tunes the sound to the room with the bar's own mic. Samsung names 2022 or later Samsung TVs. Samsung's page (opens in a new tab)

TVs we cover that it fits under

Sizes are the ones each TV is sold in. A sync feature is listed where Samsung names one for that TV's brand and model year.

Spec sheet

HW-Q990H specs

Samsung HW-Q990H specifications
Channels11.1.4 ("11 front and surround channels including rear speakers, 1 subwoofer channel and 4 up-firing channels")
Drivers23 speakers in the system
Audio formatsDolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Atmos Music, Eclipsa Audio; DTS:X per Samsung's eARC copy (no DTS row in its spec table)
HDMIeARC to the TV, plus 2 HDMI inputs
HDMI passthrough4K at 120Hz, HDR10+
Optical1 optical input
WirelessWi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3, AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon Ready
Voice / micsAlexa built in; works with Google Home
SubwooferWireless subwoofer included
Rear speakersTwo wireless rear speakers included
Bar dimensions48.50 x 2.80 x 5.43 in (Samsung gives inches only; about 1,232 x 71 mm)
Bar weight16.08 lb (bar)
Room calibrationSpaceFit Sound Pro, using the bar's mic
Dialogue / night modesActive Voice Amplifier Pro; Voice Enhance; Night mode; Auto Volume; Sound Elevation
Also notableGame Mode Pro; AI Dynamic Bass Control

From the manufacturer sources listed below. “Not specified” means those sources don't state it. Model number: HW-Q990H/ZA.

Published testing

What the testing says

Other outlets tested the HW-Q990H; we didn't. Each finding is theirs, with the page and its date.

  • Calls it 'amazing for mixed usage' and 'amazing for dialogue and TV shows', with a balanced default tuning and 'plenty of bass on tap'.

    RTINGS, Samsung HW-Q990H Soundbar Review (opens in a new tab), reviewed April 28, 2026; updated October 13, 2026

  • Says that on paper it's 'largely unchanged from the previous generation': the same 11.1.4 layout and compact sub, with new software such as Auto Volume, Sound Elevation, and AI room correction.

    RTINGS, Samsung HW-Q990H Soundbar Review (opens in a new tab), reviewed April 28, 2026; updated October 13, 2026

  • Lists support for all major audio formats, a 7-band graphic EQ, and 4K @ 120Hz passthrough as pros, and 'some bass-range compression as you approach max volume' as the con.

    RTINGS, Samsung HW-Q990H Soundbar Review (opens in a new tab), reviewed April 28, 2026; updated October 13, 2026

Cross-shop

Alternatives to consider

  • Samsung HW-Q800H soundbar with its wireless subwoofer, three-quarter view
    Image: Samsung (official product page, opens in a new tab)

    Samsung HW-Q800H

    Channels
    5.1.2 Atmos
    Approx. price
    ~$697.99
    In the box
    Bar and sub
    Fits under
    55" and up
    TV sync
    Samsung
    Width
    43.7 in

    Bar plus wireless sub for under $700, with RTINGS' top word for dialogue and rears you can add later.

    Pros

    • Pro: RTINGS: great for mixed use, excellent for dialogue
    • Pro: Wireless sub in the box with deep bass, per RTINGS
    • Pro: HDMI input with 4K passthrough, plus Wi-Fi, AirPlay, and Chromecast

    Trade-offs

    • Trade-off: No DTS of any kind
    • Trade-off: No rears in the box; Atmos height is modest, per RTINGS

    Top fit scores

    Dialogue
    5 out of 5
    Bass
    5 out of 5
    Music
    4 out of 5

    Editorial fit scores, 1–5, from published testing and specs, not our own measurements.

    Check price

    Affiliate link to Amazon. Price approx., seen Oct 2026.

    Read the breakdown: Samsung HW-Q800H
  • Hisense AX5140Q soundbar with its wireless subwoofer and two rear speakers, three-quarter view
    Image: Hisense (official product page, opens in a new tab)

    Hisense AX5140Q

    Channels
    5.1.4 Atmos
    Approx. price
    ~$399.99
    In the box
    Bar, sub, and rears
    Fits under
    48" and up
    TV sync
    Hisense, Roku
    Width
    40.1 in

    A 5.1.4 system with sub and up-firing rears for $400; RTINGS' best budget soundbar.

    Pros

    • Pro: Sub and two up-firing rears in the box for $399.99
    • Pro: RTINGS: great for mixed use, dialogue, and movies; its best budget soundbar
    • Pro: Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, with an HDMI input

    Trade-offs

    • Trade-off: No Wi-Fi: Bluetooth only
    • Trade-off: Passthrough tops out at 4K 60Hz

    Top fit scores

    Movies
    4 out of 5
    Dialogue
    4 out of 5
    Bass
    4 out of 5

    Editorial fit scores, 1–5, from published testing and specs, not our own measurements.

    Check price

    Affiliate link to Amazon. Price approx., seen Oct 2026.

    Read the breakdown: Hisense AX5140Q
  • LG S95AR soundbar, straight-on front view
    Image: LG (official product page, opens in a new tab)

    LG S95AR

    Channels
    9.1.5 Atmos
    Approx. price
    ~$1,199.99
    In the box
    Bar, sub, and rears
    Fits under
    65" and up
    TV sync
    LG
    Width
    49.2 in

    LG's 9.1.5 flagship with sub and rears in the box; RTINGS rates it great or better for every use.

    Pros

    • Pro: Sub and up-firing rears in the box
    • Pro: RTINGS: great for movies and music, amazing for dialogue
    • Pro: WOW Orchestra, WOWCAST, and WOW Interface with LG TVs

    Trade-offs

    • Trade-off: No HDMI 2.1-class bandwidth on its passthrough, per RTINGS
    • Trade-off: 49.2 inches wide: 65-inch screens and up

    Top fit scores

    Dialogue
    5 out of 5
    Movies
    4 out of 5
    Music
    4 out of 5

    Editorial fit scores, 1–5, from published testing and specs, not our own measurements.

    Check price

    Affiliate link to Amazon. Price approx., seen Oct 2026.

    Read the breakdown: LG S95AR

Sources

Manufacturer specs

Published testing

Manufacturer specs and published testing, researched October 26, 2026. The Amazon price is the buy-box price for a new unit that day ($1,497.99, sold by Amazon.com). We didn't test this soundbar ourselves; findings credited to an outlet are that outlet's.