The Samsung HW-Q950A is the next generation of the Samsung HW-Q950T. This premium Dolby Atmos soundbar has a subwoofer and satellites to enhance your listening experience. It's the first 11.1.4 setup from the manufacturer, and compared to last year's model, it offers some new features, including an Auto EQ room correction feature and Apple AirPlay 2 connectivity. Also, you get access to Samsung's premium tools, such as Q-Symphony, which uses the bar in tandem with the speakers on compatible Samsung TVs for a more immersive sound.
Our Verdict
The Samsung HW-Q950A soundbar is impressive for mixed usage. It's an 11.1.4 soundbar with a balanced sound right out of the box, so you don't have trouble hearing dialogue in your favorite TV shows or instruments in your favorite songs. If you like watching movies, you get an immersive sound with everything from 5.1 surround sound content to object-based formats like Dolby Atmos. The sub brings plenty of rumble in the bass, and you have lots of customization tools on hand to make it sound how you like. It's a really premium bar overall.
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Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Apple AirPlay 2 compatibility.
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Graphic EQ and presets.
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Dolby Atmos support.
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Doesn't support Chromecast built-in.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is excellent for dialogue-heavy TV shows and podcasts. It's an 11.1.4 setup, so there's a discrete center channel included to enhance vocal reproduction. With its balanced mids, voices are clearly and accurately reproduced, and you don't have any trouble hearing the action on screen. With its dialogue enhancement tool called Active Voice Amplifier, you can make voices more clear and crisp in the mix. Podcasts are easy to stream to the bar wirelessly, though you won't find Chromecast built-in support.
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Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Apple AirPlay 2 compatibility.
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Dialogue enhancement tool.
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Doesn't support Chromecast built-in.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is great for music. This soundbar comes with a room correction feature that uses a microphone built into the subwoofer to automatically optimize audio reproduction based on the unique acoustic characteristics of your room. With it on, its sound profile is quite balanced, especially in the mids. Voices and lead instruments are clear and present in the mix, and the sub brings the rumble in the bass range. As a result, it's suitable for lots of different music genres. There are lots of customization tools on hand to switch up its sound, too.
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Graphic EQ and presets.
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Gets loud.
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Bass and treble adjustments don't work.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is great for movies. Dialogue is clear and present in the mix, so you don't have any trouble following the plot on-screen, and the bass brings the rumble in action-packed scenes. With its satellites, you get an immersive sound with 5.1 surround sound formats like Dolby Digital, which are commonly found on streaming services. There's Dolby Atmos support, too, and the bar makes it seem like the action is happening all around you from the comfort of your couch.
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Gets loud.
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Dolby Atmos support.
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Bass and treble adjustments don't work.
- 8.4 Mixed Usage
- 8.6 Dialogue/TV Shows
- 8.3 Music
- 8.3 Movies
- Updated Jan 09, 2024: Added information to the Wireless Playback and Voice Assistant Support boxes as Chromecast and Google Assistant support is region-specific.
- Updated Jun 13, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 1.2. Updated the results for audio format support via ARC/eARC, HDMI In, and Optical. Added Video Passthrough to TV results as well.
- Updated Mar 20, 2023: Added cable lengths to In The Box.
- Updated Mar 16, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 1.1. With this update, we've added a Mounting test and added information aboutSubwoofer Output, Spotify Connect, and Microphone Mute.
- Updated Aug 07, 2022: Updated the review text to our current standards by adding subjective impressions to the 'Atmos' box as well as impressions of the different EQ presets to the 'Stereo Soundstage' box. Also updated the verdict boxes for clarity. No changes to the results or the scores.
- Updated May 20, 2022: We retested the bar after updating to the latest firmware version 1010.1 and confirmed that its bass and treble adjustments don't work. No changes to our results.
- Updated Apr 27, 2022: No changes in results. Added more information confirming user reports of compatibility issues with Dolby Atmos content when using LG TVs in Passthrough mode.
- Updated Feb 09, 2022: Firmware update doesn't add Chromecast support.
- Updated Nov 01, 2021: Updated 5.1 PCM support to Yes.
- Updated Jul 08, 2021: Changed 5.1 PCM support via ARC to 'NO'.
- Updated Jun 29, 2021: Updated 5.1 PCM support via ARC to 'Yes'.
- Updated Jun 28, 2021: Confirmed that this bar is an 11.1.4 setup.
- Updated Jun 25, 2021: Updated 5.1 PCM support via ARC to No.
- Updated Jun 22, 2021: Review published.
- Updated Jun 18, 2021: Early access published.
- Updated Jun 14, 2021: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Jun 10, 2021: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Apr 28, 2021: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Samsung HW-Q950A 11.1.4ch soundbar is available in 'Black'. You can see the label for the model we tested here.
If you come across another version of the Samsung HW-Q950A, let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.
Compared To Other Soundbars
The Samsung HW-Q950A is a premium soundbar released in 2021 that's the next generation of the Samsung HW-Q950T. Unlike its predecessor, it comes with a room correction feature and supports Apple AirPlay 2 connectivity. It also comes with some new features that we don't test for, like SpaceFit Sound, which adjusts audio reproduction using your compatible Samsung TV, and Tap Sound, which mirrors audio when you tap your phone against the bar. While it's advertised to come with two extra channels, we didn't hear any sound coming from them during our tests.
See also our recommendations for the best soundbars, the best Dolby Atmos soundbars, and the best soundbars for movies.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is a marginally better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q900A. The HW-Q950A is an 11.1.4 setup with dedicated satellite speakers and offers better surround and Atmos performances. Also, it has rear level adjustments, unlike the HW-Q900A.
The Samsung HW-Q990C is an updated version of the Samsung HW-Q950A. The newer Q990C boasts an improved build quality, with metal grilles instead of the Q950A's fabric coverings. Both bars have a similar sound performance, but the Q990C outdoes its older competitor in several respects. It gets louder with less compression, and its bass is more controlled in the mix.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is a better soundbar than the standalone Sonos Arc. The Samsung has a dedicated subwoofer and satellites, so it reproduces a more extended low-bass and has better surround performance. It also gets louder with less compression at max volume and comes with a graphic EQ and Full HDMI In port. However, the Sonos is better built and has a better soundstage performance. Also, you can upgrade it to the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance.
The Samsung HW-Q990B is the next generation of the Samsung HW-Q950A, and it's a better bar overall. They're both 11.1.4 setups, but the Q990B packs more punch in the bass range right out of the box. It has an improved design, too, with metal grilles that feel more solid than the 950A's fabric sides. Its redesigned satellites add a lot to the sound, especially if you watch a lot of movies. It gives a more immersive listening experience overall.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q950T. The HW-Q950A comes with more sound enhancement features, including room correction and auto-volume mode. It also supports Apple AirPlay 2, and it even comes with some sound features that we don't test for, like SpaceFit Sound and TapSound. However, the HW-Q950T gets louder with less compression at max volume.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q90R. The HW-Q950A comes with more sound enhancement features, including room correction and auto-volume mode. It supports Apple AirPlay 2 connectivity, and it has built-in voice assistant support. It also comes with some sound enhancement features that we don't test for, like SpaceFit Sound and TapSound. However, the HW-Q90R is better built and gets a bit louder than the HW-Q950A.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is a better soundbar than the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers. The Samsung has a more balanced, neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, which some users may prefer. It also comes with a graphic EQ, EQ presets, a Full HDMI In port, and support for more wireless playback options. However, the Sonos is better built and has a better soundstage performance.
The Samsung HW-Q950A and the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module are premium soundbars with versatile overall performances. The Bose is better built. and it offers a better soundstage performance. It also offers a more balanced sound profile out of the box. That said, the Samsung comes with more sound customization features. Unlike the Bose, it has DTS support and a Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q850A. The HW-Q950A is an 11.1.4 setup that gets louder and offers a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, which some users may prefer. It also comes with a room correction feature. However, the 5.1.2 HW-Q850A is better-built.
The Samsung HW-Q950A and the Samsung HW-Q930B offer similar overall performances. The Q950A is an 11.1.4 setup released in 2021, whereas the Q930B is a 9.1.4 setup released in 2022. The Q930B reproduces more bass out-of-the-box, and it's better built. It doesn't get quite as loud as the Q950A, but that's likely not worth the extra price for most people.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is a better soundbar than the JBL Bar 9.1. The Samsung gets louder, and it offers a better surrounds performance. It comes with more sound enhancement features, including bass and treble adjustments, a dialogue enhancement feature, and a graphic EQ. It also has built-in support for Amazon Alexa voice assistant. That said, the JBL is better built and has a better soundstage performance.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the Sony HT-A7000 with Speakers + Bass Module. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup that's better built. It has better center, surround, and Atmos performances, and it gets louder with less compression at max volume. There are also some more sound enhancement features available, including bass and treble adjustments as well as a graphic EQ.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q600A. The HW-Q950A is an 11.1.4 setup that comes with discrete satellite speakers and offers better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. It reproduces a more extended low-bass, and it gets louder. Also, it comes with a room correction feature and supports Wi-Fi and Apple AirPlay 2 connectivity as well as built-in Alexa voice assistant. However, the 3.1.2 HW-Q600A is better-built.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q700A. The HW-Q950A is an 11.1.4 setup that comes with dedicated satellite speakers and offers better surround and Atmos performance. It gets louder, too, and it comes with a room correction feature. That said, the 3.1.2 HW-Q700A is better-built.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround. The Samsung gets louder with less compression at max volume. Unlike the JBL, it has discrete satellite speakers, supports Dolby Atmos, and has built-in voice assistant capabilities. It also has better soundstage and surround performances. There are even more sound enhancement features, such as a graphic EQ. That said, the JBL is better-built.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR. The Samsung is better built, and it gets louder with less compression at max volume. Unlike the Polk Audio, it supports Atmos content and has built-in voice assistant capabilities. It also has better soundstage and surround performances. There are even more sound enhancement features available, including room correction and a graphic EQ.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q800T. The HW-Q950A is an 11.1.4 setup that comes with discrete satellite speakers and offers better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. It gets louder than the HW-Q800T, and it comes with more sound enhancement features like room correction and auto-volume mode. Also, it supports Apple AirPlay 2 connectivity. That said, the 3.1.2 HW-Q800T is better-built.
The Samsung HW-Q950A and the JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam are two very different soundbars. The JBL is a small standalone setup that's ideal for listeners without a lot of space. It's a decent choice overall, but the Samsung is much more versatile. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup with a dedicated subwoofer and satellites. It can reproduce a more extended low-bass, and it has better surround and Atmos performances.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the Samsung HW-Q70R. The HW-Q950A is a premium 11.1.4 setup that comes with discrete satellite speakers. It has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. Also, it comes with more sound enhancement features, including room correction. The HW-Q70R does reproduce a little more low-bass out-of-the-box, but you shouldn't have any issues with the HW-Q950A's low thump and rumble, especially with its included sound enhancement features.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is a better soundbar than the Bose Smart Soundbar 700 with Speakers + Bass Module. The Samsung supports Dolby Atmos content and comes with a graphic EQ and presets for sound customization. It also gets louder with less compression and comes with a Full HDMI In port. However, the Bose is better built and offers a better soundstage performance.
The LG S95QR and the Samsung HW-Q950A are two premium soundbars with very versatile performances—so you aren't likely to be disappointed by either bar. The Samsung soundbar performs a bit better, especially with its out-of-the-box sound. On its stereo and surround channels, it offers a more neutral frequency response than the LG's boomy sound. It also gets louder and comes with a graphic EQ, which the LG lacks. If you prefer more boom in the bass range, you may prefer the LG.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the LG S90QY. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup with dedicated surround speakers, and its surround performance is better than the LG. It has a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, too, and its graphic EQ gives you more control over its sound across the range. If you don't have space for satellites, the LG is still a good choice. You can also buy satellites separately if you want.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is a better soundbar than the LG SP11RA. The Samsung gets louder, and offers better surround and Atmos performances. It also comes with a graphic EQ for sound customization. While the Samsung has built-in voice assistant support, you have to connect a third-party device to use voice assistants with the LG. That said, the LG is better-built with more wireless playback options.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the Klipsch Cinema 800. The Samsung is a better built 11.1.4 setup with discrete satellites. It gets louder, and it has better surround and Atmos performances. It even comes with more sound enhancement features, such as room correction. Unlike the Klipsch, it has DTS support and built-in voice assistant capabilities.
The Klipsch Cinema 1200 and the Samsung HW-Q950A are both premium soundbars, but the Samsung is better overall. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup that's better built with built-in voice assistant support. It has better surround and Atmos performances. Unlike the Klipsch, it supports DTS content, and it has a room correction feature. However, if you love a bass-heavy sound, you may prefer the Klipsch.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the Sony HT-A9. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup with a dedicated sub that can reproduce a more extended low-bass. It gets louder, and it has better center and surround performances. It even has a graphic EQ for sound customization. However, the Sony is better built with a better soundstage. You can also upgrade it with a dedicated sub.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the Denon Home Sound Bar 550. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup with a dedicated sub and discrete satellites. It reproduces a more extended low-bass, and it gets louder. It also has better soundstage, center, and surround performances. There are even more sound enhancement features, including a graphic EQ and room correction. However, the Denon is better built, and it has a more compact design that some users may prefer.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is a better soundbar than the Bang & Olufsen Beosound Stage. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup with a dedicated subwoofer and two satellite speakers. It has better surround and Atmos performances, and it reproduces a more extended low-bass. It also gets louder and comes with room correction, an Optical In port, and built-in voice assistant support. That said, the standalone Bang & Olufsen is better built and supports more wireless playback options.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the Sony HT-A5000. The Samsung is a full 11.1.4 setup with a dedicated subwoofer and discrete satellites. It can reproduce a more extended low-bass, and it has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. There are also more sound enhancement features, like a graphic EQ. However, if you prefer a standalone bar, the Sony is still a decent choice overall.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup with eARC support that offers more sound enhancement features, including room correction and a graphic EQ. It has a more neutral sound out-of-the-box, especially than the bass-heavy Nakamichi. That said, the 7.1.4 Nakamichi is still a good choice, and it even has a better build quality than the Samsung soundbar.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is a better soundbar than the LG SN11RG. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup that gets louder, and offers a better surrounds performance. It also comes with a graphic EQ for sound customization, and it has a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box. That said, some listeners may prefer the 7.1.4 LG's more bass-heavy default sound. The LG is also better-built.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch or the Samsung HW-Q950A. The Samsung is a more versatile 11.1.4 setup that offers more sound enhancement features, including room correction and a graphic EQ. Its default sound profile reproduces a more extended low-bass, and it also has built-in support for Alexa voice assistant. That said, the 9.2.4 Nakamichi has a unique design with two subwoofers. It's better-built, and it gets louder, albeit with more compression at max volume.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is a much better soundbar than the Klipsch Cinema 600. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup that's better-built and offers better center and surround performances. Unlike the Klipsch, it supports Dolby Atmos content, built-in voice assistant support, and has a Full HDMI In port. It supports more wireless playback options, and it also offers more sound enhancement features, including room correction, a graphic EQ and presets, and bass and treble adjustments.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is a better soundbar than the Sony HT-Z9F. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup with dedicated satellite speakers and offers better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performance. It reproduces a more extended low-bass, and it gets louder than the Sony. It comes with more sound enhancement features, including room correction and a graphic EQ, as well as built-in Alexa voice assistant support. That said, the 3.1 Sony is better built.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the Vizio M Series M512a-H6. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup that gets louder with less compression at max volume. It has better surround and Atmos performances and supports more wireless playback options. It has more sound enhancement features like room correction and a graphic EQ. Its voice assistant support is built into the bar, whereas you need a third-party voice assistant-enabled device to use them with the Vizio. That said, the Vizio offers a better stereo soundstage.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the Samsung HW-A650. The HW-Q950A is a premium 11.1.4 setup with better soundstage and surround performances. Unlike the HW-A650, it supports Dolby Atmos content, too. There are also more sound enhancement features, including room correction, and more wireless playback options.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is a better soundbar than the Vizio V Series V51x-J6. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup that supports Dolby Atmos content and offers built-in voice assistant support, unlike the Vizio. It's better built, with better soundstage and surround performances. It also comes with more sound enhancement features, like room correction and a graphic EQ, and it can get louder.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is a significantly better soundbar than the AmazonBasics 2.1 Channel Bluetooth. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup with a dedicated sub and satellites that's better-built. Unlike the AmazonBasics, it has center, surround, and Atmos channels, as well as ARC and HDMI connection ports. It has a better soundstage, and it offers more sound enhancement features. There's even built-in voice assistant support. Some listeners may also prefer its more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q900T. The HW-Q950A is an 11.1.4 setup that comes with discrete satellite speakers. It offers better surround and Atmos performances, and it supports Apple AirPlay 2. Also, it comes with more sound enhancement features, including room correction and auto-volume mode.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the LG SPD7Y. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup with dedicated satellites. It has better soundstage, center, surround, and Atmos performances, and it can get louder. It also offers more sound enhancement features, like room correction, and more wireless playback options. Unlike the LG, it has built-in voice assistant support. Also, some users may prefer its more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the Sonos Beam (Gen 2). The Samsung is an 11.14 setup with a dedicated sub and satellites. It has better surround and Atmos performances and can get louder. There are even some more sound enhancement features, like a graphic EQ, as well as some more wireless playback options. Unlike the Sonos, it also has a Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough. That said, the Sonos is still a solid option for users who prefer a small standalone bar. It's better built than the Samsung, and despite its small size, it has a better soundstage.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the standalone Sony HT-A7000. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup that comes with a sub and satellites. It gets louder, and it has better surround and Atmos performances. There are even more sound enhancement features, such as a graphic EQ. It also reproduces a more extended low-bass. However, the Sony is better built. You can also upgrade it with a sub and satellites for better performance.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the Sony HT-A9 with Bass Module. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup that can reproduce a more extended low-bass. It has better center and surround performances, and it can also get louder. There are even more sound enhancement features to choose from, including a graphic EQ. That said, the 4.1.4 Sony is better built with better soundstage and Atmos performances.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better for most uses than the Devialet Dione. These bars have very different designs, as the Devialet is a standalone bar that's meant for use on its own, while the Samsung comes with satellites and a dedicated subwoofer included. The Samsung has better surround and soundstage performances, as well as more sound enhancement features to customize its sound. Unlike the Devialet, there's DTS support as well as HDMI In ports for video passthrough. It's a better value, too, but if you don't have space for all the add-ons, the standalone Devialet may be more suitable.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the Bowers & Wilkins Formation Bar. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup with a dedicated sub and satellites. Unlike the Bowers & Wilkins, it supports Dolby Atmos content and has HDMI inputs. It can reproduce a more extended low-bass, and it has better soundstage, center, and surround performances. There are also more sound enhancement features, like room correction. That said, some users may prefer the Bowers & Wilkins' standalone design.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is much better than the Klipsch Cinema 700. The Samsung is a very premium 11.1.4 setup with discrete satellites. It's better-built, with better surround and Atmos performances. Unlike the Klipsch, it also supports DTS content. There are even more sound enhancement features, like room correction. If you want a simple 3.1 setup for music and dialogue-heavy content, the Klipsch is still a good choice.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the onn. 42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup with discrete satellites and offers better surround and Atmos performances. Its soundstage is better, too, and it supports more sound enhancement features. Unlike the onn, there's even DTS support.
The Samsung HW-Q950A and the Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 are two very different setups: the Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup with a discrete subwoofer and satellites included, while the Bowers & Wilkins is a standalone bar. Still, the Samsung soundbar is better overall. It can reproduce more bass right out of the box, and it has better surrounds and Atmos performances. Also, it comes with more sound enhancement features.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the LG SN9YG. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup with discrete satellites. It has better soundstage, center, surround, and Atmos performances. It even comes with a graphic EQ, unlike the LG. That said, the 5.1.2 LG is better-built.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is a better soundbar than the Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup with a dedicated subwoofer and satellites, and it offers more balanced sound profile out-of-the-box, which some users may prefer. It has better soundstage and surround performances and has built-in Alexa voice assistant. Unlike the Sennheiser, it also offers bass and treble adjustments for sound customization.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is a better soundbar than the Bose Smart Soundbar 700. The 11.1.4 Samsung has a dedicated subwoofer and discrete satellite speakers, reproducing a more extended low bass. Unlike the Bose, it supports Dolby Atmos content and has a better surround performance. It also comes with more sound enhancement features, including a graphic EQ and presets, as well as a Full HDMI In port. However, the 3.0 Bose is better built and offers a better soundstage performance.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is a better soundbar than the Sony HT-ST5000. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup that comes with discrete satellite speakers and offers better surrounds and Atmos performances. It also gets louder, and it comes with more sound enhancement features like room correction and a graphic EQ. Unlike the Sony, it also has built-in Alexa voice assistant support. That said, the 7.1.2 Sony is better-built.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the Harman/Kardon Enchant 1300. The Samsung comes with a dedicated sub that helps reproduce a more extended low-bass. Unlike the Harman/Kardon, it supports Atmos content and has built-in voice assistant capabilities. It also has a better surrounds performance and a graphic EQ for sound customization. That said, the Harman/Kardon is better-built with a better stereo soundstage.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the Bose Soundbar 500. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup with a dedicated sub and satellites. Unlike the Bose, it supports Dolby Atmos content. It can reproduce a more extended low-bass, and it has better soundstage, center, and surround performances. There are also more sound enhancement features, like room correction. That said, some users may prefer the Bose's smaller, standalone design.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is much better than the Yamaha YAS-408. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup that comes with discrete satellites. It has better soundstage, center, and surround performances, and it gets louder. Unlike the Yamaha, it supports Dolby Atmos content and comes with built-in voice assistant capabilities. It also has more sound enhancement features, like room correction and a graphic EQ.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the Sonos Beam. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup that supports Dolby Atmos content. Thanks to its dedicated sub, it reproduces a more extended low-bass. It also gets louder, and it has a better surround performance thanks partly to its dedicated satellites. It supports more wireless playback options, and its Full HDMI In port supports high-quality passthrough. That said, the Sonos is better built, is more compact, and has a better soundstage.
The Samsung HW-Q950A and the Yamaha YAS-108/ATS-1080 are two very different soundbar setups. The Samsung is a premium 11.1.4 model with a dedicated sub and satellites that performs much better overall. It's better-built, and it supports Dolby Atmos content. Its soundstage, center, and surround performances are better, too. There are more sound enhancement features available, and it can also reproduce a more extended low-bass. In comparison, the 2.2 Yamaha is a simple, standalone bar. It's still a fair choice for dialogue-centric content like TV shows, but it's not as versatile as the Samsung.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the Sony HT-X9000F. The Samsung has better soundstage, center, surround, and Atmos performances. It gets louder, and it has a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, which some users may prefer. It also has more sound enhancement features and wireless playback options. Unlike the Sony, it also comes with built-in voice assistant support.
The Samsung HW-Q950A and the Bose Smart Soundbar 300 are two very different soundbar setups. The Samsung is a more versatile setup with a dedicated sub and satellites. It supports Dolby Atmos content, unlike the Bose, and it has a better surrounds performance. It gets louder, and there are more sound enhancement features available. However, the standalone Bose is still a decent pick for users who just want a small bar for dialogue-centric content like TV shows.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the Yamaha YAS-209. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup that's better built and comes with discrete satellites. It has better soundstage, center, and surround performances, and it gets louder. Unlike the Yamaha, it supports Dolby Atmos content. It also has more sound enhancement features, like room correction. That said, if you want a simple 2.1 bar for dialogue-centric content like TV shows, the Yamaha is a good choice.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the LG SN10YG. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup that comes with discrete satellite speakers. It gets louder, and it has better center, surround, and Atmos performances. It even comes with a graphic EQ for sound customization, unlike the LG. However, the LG is better built.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q800A. The HW-Q950A comes with dedicated satellite speakers that help create a better surrounds performance. It also gets louder, and it has a better Atmos performance. It even comes with a room correction feature, too. That said, the HW-Q800A is better built.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q80R. The HW-Q950A is an 11.1.4 setup that comes with discrete satellite speakers and offers more sound enhancement features, including room correction and auto-volume mode. Also, it has a better surrounds performance, and it supports Apple AirPlay 2 connectivity and built-in Alexa voice assistant. That said, the 5.1.2 HW-Q80R is better-built.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the LG SN8YG. The Samsung comes with dedicated satellites, and it has better soundstage and surround performances. It also gets louder with less compression at max volume. Some users may also prefer its more neutral sound profile compared to the LG's bass-heavy sound.
The Samsung HW-Q950A and the TCL Alto 9+ are two very different soundbar setups. The Samsung is much better overall, and it's an 11.1.4 setup with discrete satellites. It's better-built, and its soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances are better. Unlike the TCL, it supports DTS content. It also has more sound enhancement features, like room correction. The 3.1 TCL is a simpler, more affordable setup that's still a fair choice for dialogue-centric content like TV shows. If you want a bar for mixed usage, however, the Samsung is a better choice.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the Sony HT-G700. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup that comes with discrete satellite speakers. It reproduces a more extended low-bass, and it gets louder. It also has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. It comes with some additional sound enhancement features, like room correction and a graphic EQ. Unlike the Sony, it also has built-in voice assistant support.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the Vizio M Series M51a-H6. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup that's better built and gets louder. It has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances, too. There are also more sound enhancement features, like room correction and a graphic EQ. It supports more wireless playback options than the Vizio and has built-in voice assistant support.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the LG GX Soundbar. The Samsung is a better built 11.1.4 setup with dedicated satellites. It has better center, surround, and Atmos performances. It also offers more sound enhancement features, like room correction, and more wireless playback options. Unlike the LG, it has built-in voice assistant support. Also, it can reproduce a more extended low-bass.
The Samsung HW-Q950A and the Bomaker Odine II are two very different setups. The Samsung is a very premium 11.1.4 setup that, unlike the Bomaker, supports surround sound and height content. It comes with a dedicated sub and satellites, and it reproduces more bass out-of-the-box. Also, there are more sound enhancement features available. Meanwhile, the Bomaker is a standalone bar that only supports 2.0 PCM content.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is a better soundbar than the LG SP9YA. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup that comes with dedicated satellite speakers and offers better surround and Atmos performances. It gets louder, too, and it even comes with a graphic EQ for sound customization. That said, the 5.1.2 LG is better-built, and it supports more wireless playback options.
The Bose Solo 5 and the Samsung HW-Q950A are two very different soundbar setups. The Bose is a small, standalone soundbar with a simple design. However, the Samsung is a premium 11.1.4 setup with a dedicated sub and satellites. Unlike the Bose, it supports Atmos content, and it has HDMI inputs. It has better soundstage, center, and surround performances. There are also lots more sound enhancement features, including room correction.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the Samsung HW-Q850T. The HW-Q950A is an 11.1.4 setup with better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. It also gets louder, and it comes with more sound enhancement features like room correction. That said, the HW-Q850T is better built.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the Samsung HW-Q70T. The HW-Q950A comes with discrete satellites and offers better soundstage, Atmos, and surround performances. It gets louder, too. Unlike the HW-Q70T, it has built-in voice assistant support and room correction. That said, the HW-Q70T is better-built.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the Samsung HW-Q60T. The HW-Q950A comes with discrete satellites and offers better soundstage and surround performances. Unlike the HW-Q60T, it supports Atmos content, and has room correction and built-in voice assistant support. That said, the HW-Q60T is better-built.
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Test Results
The Samsung HW-Q950A has a similar design to the Samsung HW-Q950T. It's fairly wide and heavy, with slightly angled vent-like openings for its side surround speakers. The bar itself is mostly plastic, and the front and top are tightly draped with fabric. However, the fabric seems like it could collect dust easily.
The Samsung HW-Q950A's sub is mostly wood. There's an opening on the right side that's covered by fabric, though this seems like it could rip or get dirty easily.
The Samsung HW-Q950A's satellites are mostly plastic. There's tight fabric covering the top and front sides, which seems like it could collect dust. Also, the power cable connection is in the back, and there's a groove you can use to tuck the cable away neatly.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is fairly wide and likely won't fit between the legs of a 55" TV stand. That said, it also isn't very tall, so it shouldn't obscure your view of the TV screen unless your TV sits flush on the table.
The Samsung HW-Q950A's sub is about the size of a large desktop PC. It connects to the bar wirelessly, so you just need to plug it into an outlet to get it to work.
The Samsung HW-Q950A's satellite speakers are fairly long and tall. That said, they can be placed anywhere in your room as long as they're connected to a power outlet.
The Samsung HW-Q950A has a good build quality. The bar itself and the satellites are made mostly of plastic, which feels quite solid. The subwoofer is mostly wood. However, the fabric coverings seem like they could rip or get dirty easily, which is a bit disappointing. For a better-built bar, check out the Samsung HW-Q930B.
- User Manual
- Remote with batteries (2xAA)
- Mounting template with bar brackets (x2) and screws (x2) and collars (x2)
- 4x power cord (4.9 ft / 1.5m)
- HDMI cable (4.9 ft / 1.5m)
The Samsung HW-Q950A has a great stereo frequency response. This soundbar comes with a room correction feature called Auto EQ that uses a microphone built into the subwoofer to calibrate the audio reproduction based on the unique acoustic characteristics of your room. With this feature on, it offers a pretty neutral, balanced sound profile. Voices and lead instruments are clear and present thanks to its balanced mids, making it suitable for most types of audio content. It lacks a bit of low-bass out-of-the-box, especially compared to next year's model, the Samsung HW-Q990B. That said, there's a graphic EQ on hand to help you customize its sound, so fans of bass-heavy genres can add more rumble if they wish.
The Samsung HW-Q950A has an impressive stereo frequency response with preliminary calibration. With the subwoofer level set to '+2', this soundbar has a very neutral and balanced sound profile. It reproduces more low-bass, helping you feel the deep thump and rumble in action-packed movies and bass-heavy music genres.
Note:We usually calibrate soundbars using bass and treble adjustments if they're available. However, during our testing, we noticed that adjusting the bass and treble for the Samsung HW-Q950A doesn't change the frequency response. We've experienced the same issue with other Samsung soundbars released in 2021. Unfortunately, this issue hasn't been fixed in any firmware updates.
The Samsung HW-Q950A has a good stereo soundstage performance. It has good focus, meaning that sound effects seem to come from accurate, pinpoint locations in the soundstage. On its 'Standard' preset, the soundstage seems a bit wider than the bar itself. Its 'Adaptive Sound' preset widens the soundstage further, but unfortunately, it makes stereo content sound diffused and filtered. We recommend listening to stereo content on the 'Standard' preset, but your subjective impressions may vary. You can also check out the Sony HT-A9 or the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module if you want a bar with a better stereo soundstage.
The Samsung HW-Q950A has an excellent stereo dynamics performance. It can get quite loud, so your audio can easily fill up a large room or a crowded party. Also, there isn't a lot of compression present when you push it to max volume, so audio reproduction remains clear and pure.
The Samsung HW-Q950A has a great THD performance. At normal listening volumes, its audio reproduction is largely clean and pure. There's a slight jump in THD when you push the bar to its max volume, which is typical. However, distortion is hard to hear with real-life content, especially if you're a more casual listener.
The Samsung HW-Q950A has an excellent center channel performance. It's an 11.1.4 setup, meaning that it comes with a discrete center channel to improve dialogue reproduction. Voices seem to be localized to pinpoint locations in the soundstage, which is good. Also, its frequency response on the center channel is quite balanced, especially in the mid-range, where most voices reproduce. As a result, you don't have trouble following the action on your screen.
The Samsung HW-Q950A has an impressive surrounds performance. It's an 11.1.4 setup that can playback common 5.1 surround sound formats like Dolby Digital and DTS, which are often found on streaming platforms. Since it comes with two discrete surround speakers, it provides a more clear and real representation of sound effects in the soundstage. Audio seems like it's coming from all around you, resulting in a truly immersive sound. Since these channels have a balanced frequency response, these sound effects reproduce with accuracy, which is great.
Like the Samsung HW-Q950T, the Samsung HW-Q950A only plays 5.1 surround sound content from its satellites and the subwoofer when in 'Standard' mode. There are also side-firing drivers on each of the satellites. However, in order to activate these drivers, the soundbar needs to be set to either 'Adaptive Sound', 'Surround', or 'Game Pro' mode. Since we perform our tests in 'Standard' mode, these drivers aren't active during our testing process.
The Samsung HW-Q950A uses up-firing speakers on the bar and the satellites to bounce sound off the ceiling and back down towards you to give the illusion of height. It's a typical setup for premium soundbars, but of course, this doesn't sound as real as a discrete localization provided by down-firing speakers that you'll find in home theater setups. The frequency response on these channels is fairly balanced, too, and sound effects reproduce with accuracy as a result.
In our subjective evaluations, we found that the Samsung HW-Q950A offers an immersive listening experience. From the comfort of your couch, you feel like you're right in the middle of the action. The bar does a good job representing sound effects, especially those that come from the sides, so it feels like cars race right past you in chase scenes. Height is fairly good, too, so you get a sense of objects coming from overheard, like helicopters or drones. There's a bit of low-bass missing, so you don't feel as much rumble in action-packed scenes, especially compared to the Samsung HW-Q990B. However, with its subwoofer level adjustment, you have the option to add more thump in the bass, which is nice.
The Samsung HW-Q950A has an incredible selection of sound enhancement features. Unlike the Samsung HW-Q950T, it has an Auto EQ room correction feature that uses a microphone built into the subwoofer to calibrate audio reproduction. Unfortunately, the bass and treble adjustments don't change the frequency response. However, you can customize its sound to your liking using the graphic EQ and presets, including 'Standard', 'Surround', 'Game', and 'Adaptive Sound'. We found that 'Standard' is better suited to stereo content, while 'Adaptive Sound' sounds best with multi-channel content—but, of course, your subjective impressions can vary.
Like a lot of other premium bars on the market, Samsung offers a tool to pair the Samsung HW-Q950A with compatible TVs from the same manufacturer. It's called Q-Symphony, and it uses your TV speakers in tandem with the bar's speakers. While it's advertised to create a more immersive sound, in practice, it doesn't make much of a difference. Audio isn't louder, and the soundstage isn't any wider. If you don't have a compatible Samsung TV, you aren't missing out on much.
The Samsung HW-Q950A comes with several physical inputs. Thanks to its two Full HDMI In ports, you can use it as a hub between your different devices. However, it lacks an AUX port, so you can't wire older devices to the bar for audio playback.
The Samsung HW-Q950A supports lots of different audio formats over its ARC port. You can watch Dolby Digital content, which is the most commonly found surround sound format, as well as more advanced object-based formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
Thanks to user feedback, some compatibility issues between this soundbar and certain TV brands have been identified. The bar supports 5.1 PCM content with Sony TVs, but it seems that there are TV compatibility issues that prevent the bar from playing back this content with LG and Samsung TVs.
There are also some issues with Dolby Atmos support with LG TVs when using Passthrough mode. As reported by multiple users, the bar doesn't playback Atmos files correctly in Passthrough mode. If you don't use eARC for devices like the Xbox, PS5, or Apple TV, or if you pair the bar with a non-LG TV, you won't run into these issues, though.
The Samsung HW-Q950A also has incredible audio format support via Full HDMI In. It supports Dolby Digital, commonly found on Blu-ray discs and streaming platforms, and more advanced object-based surround formats.
The Samsung HW-Q950A supports both Dolby Digital and DTS content via Optical, commonly found on streaming platforms and Blu-ray discs.
The Samsung HW-Q950A has a good latency performance. It has low latency via Optical and Full HDMI In, so you shouldn't notice a delay between the audio you hear and the video you see when watching over these connections. That said, it may not be as suitable for watching videos over its ARC connection. Keep in mind that some apps and some TVs compensate for latency differently, so your real-world experience may vary.
The Samsung HW-Q950A can passthrough the highest quality bandwidth signals. When connected between your PC and your TV, text on your screen is clear and crisp.
The Samsung HW-Q950A has incredible wireless playback support. You can stream audio from your mobile devices to the bar wirelessly via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Also, unlike the Samsung HW-Q950T, it supports Apple AirPlay 2 connectivity. Chromecast support is region-specific, so you'll want to check your country's product page to see if it's available if you want to use it. You can also use the Tap Sound feature, which lets you "tap" compatible phones against the bar to mirror sound to its speakers.
On top of the bar, a small display indicates the volume level and the settings and inputs. On the front, three small lights flash different patterns based on the settings you change. There's even a solid red light that appears when the microphone is off.
There are a few physical controls on the top of the bar. You can adjust the volume and turn the mic on and off. Also, you can change the input using the multi-function button.
The Samsung HW-Q950A's remote is quite simple and lets you adjust many of the bar's features. However, it isn't a universal remote, so you can't use it to control other devices like your TV. Samsung's SmartThings app is another alternative if you prefer to control the bar from your smartphone.
Like the Samsung HW-Q950T, this soundbar has built-in support for Amazon Alexa. Google Assistant support is available in some regions as well. You can also mute the microphone if you don't want the assistant to hear you.