LG SP9YA vs Samsung HW-Q850A: Which Soundbar Is Better?

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Jan 12, 2024 04:48 PM

See Samsung HW-Q850A Review

Channels 5.1.2

Our Verdict

LG SP9YA

Samsung HW-Q850A

Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Samsung HW-Q850A or the LG SP9YA. The Samsung comes with discrete surround speakers that offer a better surrounds performance. It also comes with a graphic EQ and gets louder, albeit with more compression at max volume. The LG has a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, a room correction feature, and supports Chromecast built-in.

Variants

SP9YA (Black)

HW-Q850A (Black)

Review

See LG SP9YA Review

Check Price

Black

SP9YA

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

SP9YA

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

SP9YA

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

SP9YA

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

SP9YA

LG.com

Black

HW-Q850A

Samsung.com

Notice: Two or more of the products selected have been tested with different test methodologies, so some of the results below aren't directly comparable. Learn how our test benches and scoring system work, and read more about the latest changes to our soundbars test methodology.

Threshold

0.10

Mixed Usage

8.0

7.9

Surround 5.1

4.8

8.2

Stereo Frequency Response

8.3

8.0

Full Comparison

Mixed Usage

8.0

7.9

Dialogue/TV Shows

8.2

8.1

Music

8.2

7.7

Movies

7.7

7.9

Design

Style - Bar

Style photo - bar

Show Text

Style - Subwoofer

Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless

Yes

Enclosure

Ported

Show Text

Style - Satellites

Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless

Partial, satellites wired together

Show Text

Dimensions - Bar

Dimensions photo - bar

Width

48.1" (122.2 cm)

38.6" (98.0 cm)

Height

2.3" (5.8 cm)

2.4" (6.0 cm)

Depth

5.8" (14.7 cm)

4.5" (11.5 cm)

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Dimensions - Subwoofer

Dimensions photo - sub

Width

8.7" (22.1 cm)

8.0" (20.4 cm)

Height

15.4" (39.0 cm)

15.8" (40.1 cm)

Depth

12.3" (31.2 cm)

15.8" (40.1 cm)

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Dimensions - Satellites

Dimensions photo - satellites

Width

N/A

3.5" (9.0 cm)

Height

N/A

5.8" (14.8 cm)

Depth

N/A

3.5" (9.0 cm)

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Mounting

Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar

Yes

Bar Brackets Included

Yes

Mountable Satellites

Satellite Brackets Included

Build Quality

8.0

Build quality photo

Show Text

In The Box

In The Box photo

HDMI Cable Length

1.5 m (4.9 ft)

Digital Optical Cable Length

N/A

Show Text

Back - Bar

Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting

Universal (holes on underside)

Show Text

Back - Subwoofer

Back photo - sub

Enclosure

Ported

Show Text

Back - Satellites

Back photo - satellites

Mounting

Universal (holes on back)

Show Text

Sound

Stereo Frequency Response

8.3

8.0

Stereo Setup

Raw Frequency Response

Frequency Response Small

Tested Preset

Standard

Slope

-0.26

0.92

Std. Err.

2.22 dB

3.24 dB

Channels

5.1.2

Low-Frequency Extension

33.2 Hz

High-Frequency Extension

19.9 kHz

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Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration

8.3

8.4

Frequency Response Calibrated

Suggested Preset

Standard

Suggested Bass Setting

-1

Suggested Treble Setting

N/A

Slope

-0.06

0.46

Std. Err.

2.18 dB

2.33 dB

Low-Frequency Extension

33.2 Hz

29.5 Hz

High-Frequency Extension

19.9 kHz

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Stereo Soundstage

7.5

Crosstalk

Crosstalk Error

2.14 dB

2.26 dB

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Stereo Dynamics

8.0

7.4

Dynamic Range Compression

SPL @ Max Volume

91.8 dB SPL

94.4 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume

0.92 dB

2.69 dB

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Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion

7.0

7.8

THD

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.65

0.39

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

3.19

2.21

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Center

7.7

Center Setup

Frequency Response

Localization

Discrete

Slope

-1.47

1.32

Std. Err.

3.95 dB

4.43 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

86.8 dB SPL

90.7 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

1.10

0.52

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

7.83

4.70

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Surround 5.1

4.8

8.2

Surround Setup

Frequency Response

Localization

Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)

Discrete

Slope

1.67

0.50

Std. Err.

7.19 dB

2.54 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

92.5 dB SPL

97.5 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.85

0.62

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

7.18

3.46

7.1 Rears

Show Text

Height (Atmos)

5.3

6.2

Height Setup

H Frequency Response

Localization

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)

Slope

-0.12

1.06

Std. Err.

5.73 dB

3.55 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

79.4 dB SPL

83.5 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

2.00

0.47

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

0.29

0.88

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Sound Enhancement Features

9.2

7.5

Room Correction

Yes

Dialogue Enhancement

Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode

Yes

Subwoofer Level Adjustment

Yes

Bass Adjustment

Yes

Treble Adjustment

Yes

EQ

Presets

Graphic + Presets

Surround Level Adjustment

Yes

Rear Level Adjustment

Yes

Height Level Adjustment

Yes

Virtual Surround

Yes

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Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In

HDMI ARC

1 (shared)

HDMI Out

1 (shared)

Full HDMI In

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)

RCA In

USB for Files

Ethernet

Subwoofer Output

Show Text

Audio Format Support - ARC

eARC

Yes

Dolby Atmos

Yes

Dolby Digital

Yes

Dolby Digital Plus

Yes

DTS

Yes

DTS:X (eARC only)

Yes

Dolby TrueHD (eARC only)

Yes

DTS-HD MA (eARC only)

Yes

5.1 PCM (eARC only)

Yes

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Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In

Dolby Atmos

Yes

DTS:X

Yes

Dolby Digital

Yes

Dolby Digital Plus

Yes

DTS

Yes

Dolby TrueHD

Yes

DTS-HD MA

Yes

5.1 PCM

Yes

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Audio Format Support - Optical

Dolby Digital

Yes

DTS

Yes

Show Text

Latency

7.5

7.3

Latency Video

ARC

82 ms

67 ms

Optical

66 ms

48 ms

Full HDMI In

75 ms

-86 ms

Show Text

Wireless Playback

9.0

Bluetooth

Yes

Wi-Fi Playback

Yes

Chromecast built-in

Yes

Apple AirPlay

Yes

Spotify Connect

Yes

Show Text

Other Input Specifications

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough

Yes

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough

Yes

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough

Yes

HDR10 Passthrough

Yes

Show Text

Connectivity - Subwoofer

Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1

Sub Wireless

Yes

Show Text

Connectivity - Satellites

Physical inputs satellites photo 1

Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless

Partial, satellites wired together

Show Text

Additional Features

Interface

Interface photo

Display

Yes

Show Text

Bar Controls

Controls photo

Show Text

Remote

Remote photo

Universal Remote

Show Text

Voice Assistants Support

Amazon Alexa

Yes (Built-in)

Google Assistant

Apple Siri

Microphone Mute

Show Text

App

App image

App Name

Samsung SmartThings

iOS

Yes

Android

Yes

Acts As A Remote

Yes

Controls Soundbar's Settings

Some

Casts Device Files

Yes

Show Text

Other Features

Power Saving

Auto-off

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)

Yes

Show Text

Check Price

Black

SP9YA

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

SP9YA

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

SP9YA

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

SP9YA

Black

HW-Q850A