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Editorial illustration for Samsung Q990C Named Best Dolby Atmos Soundbar; Q990D to Stay Under USD 1k, 11.1.4‑ch
Samsung Q990F: Best Dolby Atmos Soundbar of 2025
Samsung Q990C Named Best Dolby Atmos Soundbar; Q990D to Stay Under USD 1k, 11.1.4‑ch
Why does a soundbar matter when you’re already juggling a streaming‑heavy home? Because the speaker you choose can make or break the experience, especially if you’re chasing Dolby Atmos without breaking the bank. While the market is littered with pricey rigs that promise immersion, Samsung’s 2023 Q990C managed to snag the Best Dolby Atmos soundbar title—an accolade it held across two product cycles.
Here’s the thing: the bar’s 11.1.4 layout, paired with a dedicated subwoofer and wireless surrounds, delivers a level of fluidity and musicality that many reviewers struggle to match. Yet the real intrigue isn’t just the sound; it’s the price point. The upcoming Q990D is slated to sit just under $1,000, keeping the same channel count and configuration.
That price‑to‑performance ratio is rare in a segment where premium often means premium cost. The author’s confidence in the new model rests on that track record, setting up a claim that the Q990D will likely enjoy the same longevity as its predecessor.
That's a big reason why 2023's Q990C was our pick for the Best Dolby Atmos soundbar for two generations, and why I'm confident the Q990D will have similar staying power. At under a grand for 11.1.4 channels between the bar, subwoofer, and wireless surrounds, you won't find a more fluid, musical, and downright cinematic system for the money. For most folks, it just doesn't make financial sense to grab the newer models (sorry, Samsung). Lots of Speakers When Samsung revamped its 9.1.4-channel HW-Q950T to the curiously titled HW-Q950A (the prototype that would become the Q990 series), it somehow found a way to add even more speakers.
Samsung's Q990C earned the Best Dolby Atmos soundbar title for two generations, a claim backed by its 22‑speaker, 11.1.4‑channel architecture. The Q990D follows at a sub‑$1,000 price point, promising the same fluid, musical performance across bar, subwoofer, and wireless surrounds. Yet the recent Q990 iterations have introduced only minor material tweaks, suggesting the platform may have reached a practical ceiling.
Audio physics and processing advances appear to plateau, making further gains difficult to justify. Consequently, the Q990D's staying power hinges on whether listeners value incremental refinements over the established baseline. No evidence in the article indicates a substantial leap beyond the Q990C's capabilities.
Whether Samsung will break this ceiling in future models remains uncertain. For buyers seeking a high‑channel count Atmos experience without exceeding a thousand dollars, the Q990 series presents a clear, if not groundbreaking, option. The conclusion is modest: the Q990C and its successor deliver a well‑rounded, high‑density sound field, but the room for material improvement appears limited.
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Common Questions Answered
What are the key features of the Samsung HW-Q990D soundbar system?
The Samsung HW-Q990D is an 11.1.4 soundbar system with 22 total speakers, including a main bar, wireless subwoofer, and two wireless rear speakers. It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, offers Wi-Fi streaming for music services like Tidal and Apple Music, and includes new features like Private Rear Sound and Active Voice Amplifier Pro for improved audio experience.
How does the HW-Q990D improve gaming audio performance?
The soundbar now supports 4K/120Hz and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), making it more compatible with next-gen gaming consoles like PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. For Samsung TV users, it includes Game Mode Pro, which can automatically adjust sound based on the selected game genre in the TV's gaming hub, optimizing the overall gaming audio experience.
What are the connectivity and smart features of the Samsung HW-Q990D?
The soundbar offers multiple connectivity options, including Bluetooth 5.2, compatibility with Google Home, Alexa, and Apple AirPlay, and Roon Certification for music streaming. For Samsung TV owners, it features Q Symphony technology that can synchronize with compatible TVs to expand the front soundstage, utilizing both the TV and soundbar speakers for a more immersive audio experience.