Products
Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX
Samsung HW-Q900A
Tested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Oct 24, 2025 06:15 PM
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Amazon.com
Tested using Methodology v1.1
Updated Jan 12, 2024 07:40 PM
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Channels
5.1.4
Channels
7.1.2
Our Verdict
Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX
Samsung HW-Q900A
The Samsung HW-Q900A is a bit better for mixed usage than the Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX. The Samsung has a better soundstage and comes with more sound enhancement features like bass and treble adjustments. Unlike the Sennheiser, it also has built-in voice assistant support. That said, the Sennheiser has a better Atmos performance.
Variants
- AMBEO Soundbar MAX (Black)
- HW-Q900A (Black)
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Black
AMBEO Soundbar MAX
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Black
HW-Q900A
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Amazon.com
Black
AMBEO Soundbar MAX
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Black
HW-Q900A
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Black
AMBEO Soundbar MAX
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Black
HW-Q900A
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Black
AMBEO Soundbar MAX
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Black
HW-Q900A
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Black
HW-Q900A
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Samsung.com
Main Differences for
Mixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
8.0
8.3
Stereo Frequency Response
7.9
8.2
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
No
Yes
Enclosure
Integrated
Ported
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
49.3" (125.2 cm)
48.4" (123.0 cm)
Height
5.2" (13.3 cm)
2.8" (7.0 cm)
Depth
6.8" (17.2 cm)
5.4" (13.8 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
N/A
8.2" (20.9 cm)
Height
N/A
15.8" (40.2 cm)
Depth
N/A
15.9" (40.3 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
N/A
Height
N/A
N/A
Depth
N/A
N/A
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
No
Yes
Mountable Satellites
No
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
No
Build Quality
7.5
7.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.9
8.2
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
Neutral
Standard
Slope
1.02
0.51
Std. Err.
4.39 dB
2.75 dB
Channels
5.1.4
7.1.2
Low-Frequency Extension
29.5 Hz
33.2 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.6 kHz
19.3 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.3
8.5
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Neutral
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
6
3
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
0
Slope
0.32
0.08
Std. Err.
2.88 dB
2.13 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
29.1 Hz
30.0 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.3 kHz
19.3 kHz
Stereo Dynamics
8.7
8.6
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
101.6 dB SPL
98.3 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
1.72 dB
1.19 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
8.5
8.2
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.16
0.25
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.07
1.36
Center
8.8
8.7
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
0.36
0.36
Std. Err.
2.60 dB
2.29 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
98.9 dB SPL
95.7 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.15
0.18
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.73
0.88
Surround 5.1
6.4
6.0
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)
Slope
1.56
0.18
Std. Err.
3.99 dB
4.00 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
102.2 dB SPL
89.8 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.26
0.48
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.66
1.89
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
6.3
5.8
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Slope
1.00
0.71
Std. Err.
4.26 dB
5.06 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
95.1 dB SPL
87.7 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.41
0.73
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.60
1.12
Sound Enhancement Features
5.9
9.5
Room Correction
Yes
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Bass Adjustment
No
Yes
Treble Adjustment
No
Yes
EQ
Graphic + Presets
Graphic + Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Rear Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Height Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Virtual Surround
Yes
Yes
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI ARC
1 (shared)
HDMI Out
eARC
1 (shared)
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Full HDMI In
3
2
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
No
RCA In
Yes
No
USB for Files
No
No
Ethernet
1
No
Subwoofer Output
Yes
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
9.9
10
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital
Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Yes
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Yes
DTS
Supported
Yes
DTS:X
Supported
Yes
eARC
Yes
DTS-HD MA
Supported
Yes
PCM Channels
Up To 5.1
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
Yes
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
9.9
10
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital
Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Yes
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Yes
DTS
Supported
Yes
DTS:X
Supported
Yes
DTS-HD MA
Supported
Yes
PCM Channels
Up To 5.1
5.1 PCM
Yes
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Supported
Yes
DTS
Supported
Yes
PCM Channels
2.0
Latency
7.5
8.3
Latency Video
ARC
72 ms
49 ms
Optical
71 ms
19 ms
Full HDMI In
88 ms
-66 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
8.5
0.0
1080p Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
8k Max Refresh Rate
30Hz
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
Yes
HDR10+ Passthrough
Yes
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
Yes
FreeSync Passthrough
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
ALLM Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
Yes
Wireless Playback
10
9.0
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
Yes
No
Apple AirPlay
Yes
Yes
Spotify Connect
Yes
Yes
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
Yes
Check Price
Black
AMBEO Soundbar MAX
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HW-Q900A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
AMBEO Soundbar MAX
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
HW-Q900A
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
AMBEO Soundbar MAX
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
HW-Q900A
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
AMBEO Soundbar MAX
SEE PRICE
B&H
Black
HW-Q900A
SEARCH
B&H
Black
HW-Q900A
SEARCH
Samsung.com
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Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX
Samsung HW-Q900A
Comments
Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX vs Samsung HW-Q900A: Main Discussion
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