The Samsung HW-Q60C is a 3.1 soundbar released in 2023. It's a simpler mid-range offering that brings some of the manufacturer's signature sound enhancement tools, including a 7-band graphic EQ to switch up its sound. Satellites aren't sold with this setup, which is great if you're low on space. However, you may want to add them for an improved surround sound.
Our Verdict
The Samsung HW-Q60C is good for mixed usage. It's a simple bar with a good sound suitable for many different types of audio content, especially more dialogue-focused TV shows and podcasts. Voices and clear and easy to follow, and it reproduces instruments with detail in your favorite songs, too. While it supports many different audio formats, it has to downmix more immersive formats into stereo sound, which doesn't sound as clear or real as more premium setups.
- Graphic EQ and presets.
- Gets loud.
- Bluetooth compatible.
- Lacks some low-bass.
- Downmixes height and surround sound.
The Samsung HW-Q60C is great for dialogue-centric TV shows and podcasts. This 3.1 setup has a discrete center channel designed to improve vocal reproduction in the mix. With a clear and detailed sound, it's easy to follow conversations on screen. The Adaptive Sound preset doubles as a dialogue enhancer, which is a nice touch.
- Graphic EQ and presets.
- Gets loud.
- Bluetooth compatible.
- No room correction.
The Samsung HW-Q60C is good for music. Out-of-the-box, you get good sound, especially compared to other bars in its price range. Voices and lead instruments are clear and detailed in the mix, and there are many different customization tools to get the sound you want. The sub is pretty one-note, though, and you don't get a lot of thump and rumble with more bass-heavy tracks like EDM and hip-hop.
- Graphic EQ and presets.
- Gets loud.
- Lacks some low-bass.
The Samsung HW-Q60C is decent for movies. It supports many audio formats commonly found on streaming platforms and Blu-rays, like Dolby Digital and Dolby Atmos. As a 3.1 setup, it has to downmix this content into stereo to play it back. The resulting sound isn't quite as immersive as with more premium setups. Dialogue remains clear in the mix, so it's easy to follow along.
- Graphic EQ and presets.
- Gets loud.
- Lacks some low-bass.
- Downmixes height and surround sound.
Changelog
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Updated Aug 28, 2025:
We updated the Differences Between Variants and Popular Soundbar Comparisons sections of this review to clarify that the Samsung HW-Q60C is not the same as the Samsung HW-Q6CC, which has a smaller subwoofer.
- Updated Sep 24, 2024: Updated the Stereo Dynamics results with new methodology from Test Bench 1.3. Added text to the Audio Latency: ARC, Audio Latency: HDMI In, and Audio Latency: Optical boxes.
- Updated Sep 19, 2024: We've converted this review to Test Bench Update 1.3. If applicable, we've retested stereo sound based on the manufacturer's recommendations. Additionally, we've expanded our audio latency tests to the following boxes: Audio Latency: ARC, Audio Latency: HDMI In, and Audio Latency: Optical. You can see the full changelog here.
- Updated Dec 19, 2023: Added market comparison with the Samsung HW-Q600C/Q60CC in the Height (Atmos) box.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Samsung HW-Q60C is available in Black. It's not the same as the similar Samsung HW-Q6CC, which has a smaller sub. The label for the model we tested is here.
Let us know in the comments if you encounter another version of this soundbar.
Popular Soundbar Comparisons
The Samsung HW-Q60C soundbar is the next generation of the Samsung HW-Q60B. Their performances are similar, though the Q60C offers a few improvements, especially with its low-frequency extension. As a simple mid-range offering, it's mostly designed for listening to stereo content like music and TV shows. It doesn't bring as many features as some of the manufacturer's more premium bars, like room correction, and you'll have to purchase its satellites separately if you want an improved surround sound.
You can also check out our recommendations for the best soundbars under $300, the best Samsung soundbars, and the best soundbars with a subwoofer.
The Samsung HW-Q600C is better than the Samsung HW-Q60C, especially for height content like Dolby Atmos. The Q600C has two up-firing channels, so it doesn't have to downmix Atmos content into stereo like the Q60C. The resulting sound is more clear and lifelike. The Q600C has a better stereo soundstage, too.
The main appeal of the Samsung HW-Q60C over the Samsung HW-B750D is its ability to playback a greater selection of audio formats. However, the HW-Q60C can't actually provide the dimension of height that's expected from Dolby Atmos content because the bar lacks up-firing drivers, and it necessarily downmixes multi-channel formats to stereo anyhow because it's a 3.1 design. Neither soundbar has an app, but their remotes provide a graphic EQ, so you can tweak either for a different sound. The side-firing drivers on the 5.1 HW-750D lend it a better stereo soundstage and a more immersive surround sound experience, but it's still limited to Dolby Digital, DTS, and PCM audio formats.
The Samsung HW-Q60C is a more versatile soundbar than the Samsung HW-B650. They're both 3.1 setups, but the Q60C supports more audio formats. For example, it supports Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby TrueHD. It's not "true" support since it has to downmix these formats into stereo, but it's better than nothing.
Compared to the standalone Sonos Arc, the Samsung HW-Q60C has a dedicated subwoofer. As a result, the Samsung can reproduce more low-bass in the mix. You can also add a sub to the Sonos, and our results for the Sonos Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc and the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers give you an idea of how it will perform in comparison. Still, the standalone option is a good alternative for those without much room in their setup, and its stereo soundstage is better than the Samsung. Plus, it doesn't have to downmix surround and height content like the Samsung.
Test Results
