The Samsung HW-Q900T soundbar is a premium-looking 7.1.2 setup with a dedicated subwoofer. It has a very neutral default sound profile, a wide and focused soundstage, and many sound customization and connectivity options. The manufacturer advertises that Alexa voice assistant is built into the bar, but we don't test for this. It also supports surround and Dolby Atmos content, though it lacks satellite speakers so it doesn't provide the most immersive listening experience. On the upside, it can get loud, and its versatile overall performance should please many different listeners.
Our Verdict
The Samsung HW-Q900T soundbar is very good for mixed usage. This 7.1.2 setup has a dedicated center channel that makes it ideal for reproducing dialogue-heavy content like TV shows clearly and accurately. Its well-balanced default sound profile is suitable for many different types of music genres and audio content. While it supports surround and Atmos content, it doesn't have dedicated surround speakers, so its sound isn't the most immersive. On the upside, it has many sound customization features.
- Dedicated center channel.
- Graphic EQ and presets.
- Well-balanced sound profile.
- Poor surrounds and height performances.
The Samsung HW-Q900T soundbar is impressive for dialogue and TV shows. Thanks to its 7.1.2 setup, it has a dedicated center channel that makes dialogue-heavy content clear and accurate. Its default sound profile is very well-balanced, especially in the mid-range, which is ideal for accurately reproducing voices. If you want dialogue to sound more clear and crisp, there's even a dialogue enhancement feature available. It can also get loud, and you can stream podcasts to the bar wirelessly via a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection.
- Dialogue enhancement feature.
- Dedicated center channel.
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi compatible.
- No auto-volume mode.
The Samsung HW-Q900T soundbar is great for music. It has a very neutral, well-balanced default sound profile, so it's suitable for listening to a wide range of music genres. It has a dedicated subwoofer, which helps reproduce a deep, extended bass that can please fans of bass-heavy genres like EDM. If you prefer a different sound, there's a graphic EQ and presets available in the Samsung SmartThings app.
- Graphic EQ and presets.
- Well-balanced sound profile.
- No room correction feature.
The Samsung HW-Q900T soundbar is good for movies. Its neutral sound profile is suitable for lots of different audio content, and its extended bass helps reproduce the deep thumps and rumbles from explosions and other action-packed scenes. The bar can get loud, too. Unfortunately, while it supports surround and Atmos content, it doesn't provide the most immersive listening experience.
- Well-balanced sound profile.
- Supports Atmos and DTS content.
- Poor surrounds and height performances.
Changelog
- Updated Feb 09, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Sep 21, 2020: Review published.
- Updated Sep 04, 2020: Early access published.
- Updated Aug 31, 2020: Our testers have started testing this product.
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Popular Soundbar Comparisons
The Samsung HW-Q900T is a premium, versatile 7.1.2 setup released in 2020. It has a neutral, well-balanced sound profile, and many sound customization options. It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS content, and it has Alexa voice assistant built into the bar. It's also compatible with Samsung's Q Symphony feature, which syncs the bar with your Samsung QLED TV to create a more immersive listening experience, though we don't test for this. That said, it lacks dedicated surround speakers, so it doesn't provide the most immersive surround experience. If you're looking for other soundbars, check out our recommendations for the best soundbars, the best soundbars for movies, and the best Samsung soundbars.
The Samsung HW-Q800T and the Samsung HW-Q900T are both very versatile soundbars with different configurations. The 7.1.2 HW-Q900T provides a more immersive listening experience for surrounds content, as it doesn't downmix it into stereo like the 3.1.2 HW-Q800T. The HW-Q900T also has a larger soundstage and less distortion when it's played at max volume. That said, the HW-Q800T is better-built.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the JBL Bar 9.1 or the Samsung HW-Q900T. The JBL is a 5.1.4 setup with discrete satellites and offers better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. It also comes with a room correction feature and more wireless playback support. However, the 7.1.2 Samsung gets louder, and it comes with a graphic EQ for sound customization.
The Samsung HW-Q900A is the newer version of the Samsung HW-Q900T, and it offers better overall performance. The HW-Q900A offers better surround and Atmos performances, and it supports Apple AirPlay 2 connectivity. It also comes with more sound enhancement features like room correction and auto-volume mode. There are also some sound enhancement features that we don't test for, like SpaceFit Sound+ and Tap Sound.
The Samsung HW-Q900T is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q700A. The HW-Q900T is a 7.1.2 setup that reproduces a more extended low-bass to help you feel deep thumps and rumbles. It also gets louder with less compression at max volume. However, the 3.1.2 HW-Q700A is better built, with a better Atmos performance and Apple AirPlay 2 support.
Test Results
