Samsung HW-Q990H vs JBL Bar 1300XMK2: Which Soundbar Is Better? - RTINGS.com

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Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated May 21, 2026 06:45 PM

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated May 28, 2026 06:24 PM

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Picture

Samsung HW-Q990H Picture

Channels 11.1.4

Channels 11.1.4

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Our Verdict

JBL Bar 1300XMK2

Samsung HW-Q990H

The Samsung HW-Q990H and the JBL Bar 1300XMK2 are the flagship bars from two audio heavyweights. Both have superb performance across the board, with balanced tunings, extensive format support, great wireless connectivity, and strong performances with 5.1 and Atmos. The Samsung has the edge when it comes to latency and HDMI passthrough capabilities, making it a better fit for gamers. That said, the JBL retails for a bit less, so it represents better value for those who won't be using their sub for gaming or don't mind dialing in manual AV Sync adjustments.

Variants

Bar 1300XMK2 (Black)

HW-Q990H (Black)

Review

See JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Review

See Samsung HW-Q990H Review

Check Price

Black

Bar 1300XMK2

Black

HW-Q990H

Black

Bar 1300XMK2

Black

HW-Q990H

Black

Bar 1300XMK2

Black

HW-Q990H

Black

Bar 1300XMK2

Black

HW-Q990H

Black

Bar 1300XMK2

Black

HW-Q990H

Main Differences for

Mixed Usage

Threshold

0.10

Mixed Usage

0.0

0.0

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Full Comparison

Mixed Usage

0.0

0.0

Dialogue/TV Shows

0.0

0.0

Music

0.0

0.0

Movies

0.0

0.0

Design

Style - Bar

Style photo - bar

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q990H Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Style - Subwoofer

Style photo - sub

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q990H Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sub Wireless

Locked

Locked

Enclosure

Locked

Locked

Style - Satellites

Style photo - satellites

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q990H Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Satellite Wireless

Locked

Locked

Dimensions - Bar

Dimensions photo - bar

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q990H Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Width

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Height

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Dimensions - Subwoofer

Dimensions photo - sub

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q990H Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Width

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Height

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Dimensions - Satellites

Dimensions photo - satellites

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q990H Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Width

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Height

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Mounting

Bar Mounting Holes

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q990H Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Satellite Mounting Holes

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q990H Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Mountable Bar

Locked

Locked

Bar Brackets Included

Locked

Locked

Mountable Satellites

Locked

Locked

Satellite Brackets Included

Locked

Locked

Build Quality

N/A

N/A

Build quality photo

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q990H Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

In The Box

In The Box photo

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q990H In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sound

Stereo Frequency Response

N/A

N/A

Stereo Setup

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q990H Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Raw Frequency Response

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q990H Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Frequency Response Small

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q990H Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Channels

Locked

Locked

Tested Preset

Locked

Locked

Slope

Lock

Lock

Standard Error

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension

Lock kHz

Lock kHz

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration

N/A

N/A

Frequency Response Calibrated

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q990H Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Suggested Preset

Locked

Locked

Suggested Bass Setting

Lock

Lock

Suggested Treble Setting

Lock

Lock

Slope

Lock

Lock

Standard Error

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension

Lock kHz

Lock kHz

Stereo Soundstage

N/A

N/A

Crosstalk

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q990H Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Crosstalk Error

Lock dB

Lock dB

Stereo Dynamics

N/A

N/A

Dynamic Range Compression

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q990H Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SPL @ Max Volume

Lock dB SPL

Lock dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB

Lock dB

Lock dB

DRC @ Max Volume

Lock dB

Lock dB

Center

N/A

N/A

Center Setup

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q990H Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Frequency Response

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q990H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Localization

Locked

Locked

Slope

Lock

Lock

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume

Lock dB SPL

Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

Lock

Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

Lock

Lock

Surround 5.1

N/A

N/A

Surround Setup

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q990H Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Frequency Response

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q990H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Localization

Locked

Locked

Slope

Lock

Lock

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume

Lock dB SPL

Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

Lock

Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

Lock

Lock

7.1 Rears

Locked

Locked

Height (Atmos)

N/A

N/A

Height Setup

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q990H Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

H Frequency Response

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q990H H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Localization

Locked

Locked

Slope

Lock

Lock

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume

Lock dB SPL

Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

Lock

Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

Lock

Lock

Sound Enhancement Features

N/A

N/A

Room Correction

Locked

Locked

Dialogue Enhancement

Locked

Locked

Auto-Volume/Night Mode

Locked

Locked

Subwoofer Level Adjustment

Locked

Locked

Bass Adjustment

Locked

Locked

Treble Adjustment

Locked

Locked

EQ

Locked

Locked

Surround Level Adjustment

Locked

Locked

Rear Level Adjustment

Locked

Locked

Height Level Adjustment

Locked

Locked

Virtual Surround

Locked

Locked

Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q990H Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q990H Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Optical Audio In

Locked

Locked

HDMI Out

Locked

Locked

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth

Locked

Locked

Full HDMI In

Locked

Locked

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)

Locked

Locked

RCA In

Locked

Locked

USB for Files

Locked

Locked

Ethernet

Locked

Locked

Subwoofer Output

Locked

Locked

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC

N/A

N/A

Dolby Atmos

Locked

Locked

Dolby Digital

Locked

Locked

Dolby Digital Plus

Locked

Locked

Dolby TrueHD

Locked

Locked

DTS

Locked

Locked

DTS:X

Locked

Locked

DTS-HD MA

Locked

Locked

PCM Channels

Locked

Locked

Audio Format Support: HDMI In

N/A

N/A

Dolby Atmos

Locked

Locked

Dolby Digital

Locked

Locked

Dolby Digital Plus

Locked

Locked

Dolby TrueHD

Locked

Locked

DTS

Locked

Locked

DTS:X

Locked

Locked

DTS-HD MA

Locked

Locked

PCM Channels

Locked

Locked

Audio Format Support: Optical

N/A

N/A

Dolby Digital

Locked

Locked

DTS

Locked

Locked

PCM Channels

Locked

Locked

Audio Latency: ARC

N/A

N/A

ARC Latency Video

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 ARC Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

Samsung HW-Q990H ARC Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

PCM-2.0 ch

Lock ms

Lock ms

PCM-5.1 ch

Lock ms

Lock ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos

Lock ms

Lock ms

Dolby Digital

Lock ms

Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus

Lock ms

Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos

Lock ms

Lock ms

Audio Latency: HDMI In

N/A

N/A

HDMI Latency Video

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 HDMI Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

Samsung HW-Q990H HDMI Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

PCM-2.0 ch

Lock ms

Lock ms

PCM-5.1 ch

Lock ms

Lock ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos

Lock ms

Lock ms

Dolby Digital

Lock ms

Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus

Lock ms

Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos

Lock ms

Lock ms

Audio Latency: Optical

N/A

N/A

Optical Latency Video

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Optical Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

Samsung HW-Q990H Optical Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

for videos & test results

PCM-2.0 ch

Lock ms

Lock ms

Dolby Digital

Lock ms

Lock ms

Video Passthrough To TV

N/A

N/A

1080p Max Refresh Rate

Locked

Locked

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate

Locked

Locked

4k Max Refresh Rate

Locked

Locked

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit

Locked

Locked

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate

Locked

Locked

8k Max Refresh Rate

Locked

Locked

HDR10 Passthrough

Locked

Locked

HDR10+ Passthrough

Locked

Locked

Dolby Vision Passthrough

Locked

Locked

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough

Locked

Locked

FreeSync Passthrough

Locked

Locked

G-SYNC Passthrough

Locked

Locked

ALLM Passthrough

Locked

Locked

Wireless Playback

N/A

N/A

Bluetooth

Locked

Locked

Wi-Fi Playback

Locked

Locked

Chromecast built-in

Locked

Locked

Apple AirPlay

Locked

Locked

Spotify Connect

Locked

Locked

Additional Features

Interface

Interface photo

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q990H Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Display

Locked

Locked

Bar Controls

Controls photo

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q990H Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Remote

Remote photo

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Samsung HW-Q990H Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Voice Assistants Support

Amazon Alexa

Locked

Locked

Google Assistant

Locked

Locked

Apple Siri

Locked

Locked

Microphone Mute

Locked

Locked

Check Price

Black

Bar 1300XMK2

Black

HW-Q990H

Black

Bar 1300XMK2

Black

HW-Q990H

Black

Bar 1300XMK2

Black

HW-Q990H

Black

Bar 1300XMK2

Black

HW-Q990H

Black

Bar 1300XMK2

Black

HW-Q990H

JBL Bar 1300XMK2

Samsung HW-Q990H

Comments

Comparison

• Posted 1 month ago

JBL Bar 1300XMK2 vs Samsung HW-Q990H: Main Discussion

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