Samsung HW-Q950A Soundbar Review
The Samsung HW-Q950A soundbar is a high-end soundbar that aims to deliver an immersive home theater experience with its impressive 11.1.4 channel speaker configuration and support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. It also boasts a host of convenient features, such as Alexa built-in, AirPlay 2 support, and wireless connectivity. In this review, we’ll be taking a closer look at the HW-Q950A’s performance, design, and connectivity to see if it lives up to its premium price tag.
The Design
The Samsung HW-Q950A consists of a main soundbar unit, two wireless rear speakers, and a wireless subwoofer. The overall of the HW-Q950A sound system is 246W for the main unit + 210W for the rear surrounds + 160W for the subwoofer, a total of 616W. The main unit of the HW-Q950A has a total of 9 drivers: 7 surround channels plus 2 upward-firing sky channels. The two rear surrounds have a total of 6 drivers: 4 surround channels plus 2 upward-firing sky channels.
Finally, the subwoofer is added to complete the luxurious 11.1.4 surround lineup. The biggest improvement from Samsung HW-Q950T is the increase from 9.1.4 channels to 11.1.4 channels, and the addition of side channels to the rear surrounds, which increases the overall sense of surround.
The HW-Q950A supports a variety of sound formats, including Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X. The soundbar also has Bluetooth and AirPlay 2 connectivity and features built-in voice control.
The Samsung HW-Q950A Soundbar has a compact design for a soundbar of its power and channel count. The system has a total weight of 44.3 lbs for the main unit, 21.6 lbs for the subwoofer, and 4 lbs for the rear speakers.
The HW-Q950A has a variety of connectivity options, including two HDMI inputs and one HDMI output with eARC support, an optical-in, and a power socket. It also has a built-in LED display and a comprehensive remote for easy control of the system. The soundbar can be linked to the subwoofer and rear speakers wirelessly or through manual connection.
The HW-Q950A can be paired with Samsung’s SmartThings app to provide additional control and customization options. The app allows users to adjust the bass, treble, and multiband EQ settings, switch sound modes, and enable Voice and Bass Enhancements, as well as Night Mode. The app also has an Auto EQ feature that uses the subwoofer’s built-in microphone to calibrate the system for the listening space.
If you have a newer Samsung TV, such as a 2021 Q70A or higher, you can take advantage of the SpaceFit+ technology, which uses the TV’s built-in microphone to analyze reflected sound waves and adjust the audio accordingly. The HW-Q950A also supports Q-Symphony, which combines the soundbar’s audio with the TV’s internal speakers to add height and space to the sound field.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is equipped with a range of input and output options to suit your home entertainment setup. On the input side, the soundbar features two HDMI ports and one optical input, as well as support for eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) over HDMI. This allows for the transmission of lossless Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks from compatible TVs.
In terms of output, the Samsung HW-Q950A is equipped with a single HDMI port with support for eARC. This allows for the transmission of high-quality audio back to your TV or other device, ensuring that you get the best possible sound quality from your movies, TV shows, and other audio content.
In addition to its physical input and output options, the HW-Q950A also supports a range of app connections, including Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and Amazon Alexa. This allows you to easily stream music from your smartphone or other devices, or control the soundbar using voice commands.
The HW-Q950A is also compatible with Samsung’s SmartThings app, which allows you to easily control and customize the soundbar’s settings from your smartphone. With the app, you can adjust the bass, treble, and multiband EQ settings, switch between different sound modes, and access additional features such as Voice and Bass Enhancements and Night Mode.
The Q-Symphony Feature
The Q-Symphony feature on the Samsung HW-Q950A soundbar allows users to experience perfectly synchronized audio with a compatible Samsung TV. This feature combines the sound from the soundbar with the TV’s internal speakers to create a more immersive and dynamic soundstage. With Q-Symphony, users can enjoy a truly cinematic experience without the need for additional speakers or wires.
To use Q-Symphony, users will need a compatible Samsung TV from the 2021 model year or a 2020 TV from the Q80T series or above. Once the soundbar is connected to the TV via HDMI, Q-Symphony will automatically activate and combine the audio from the TV and soundbar. This creates a seamless and cohesive sound that adds depth and dimension to movies, TV shows, and music.
In addition to its syncing capabilities, Q-Symphony also allows users to customize their audio settings through the SmartThings app. The app allows users to adjust the volume of the TV’s internal speakers, as well as the soundbar’s bass, treble, and multiband EQ settings. This allows users to fine-tune their audio to match their personal preferences and the characteristics of their listening space.
Overall, the Q-Symphony feature on the Samsung HW-Q950A soundbar is a convenient and effective way to enhance the audio of a compatible Samsung TV. By combining the audio from the TV and soundbar, Q-Symphony creates a dynamic and immersive soundstage that truly brings movies and TV shows to life.
Other Key Features
- Customized audio for your space: The Samsung HW-Q950A’s SpaceFit Sound+ feature calibrates the sound to your specific room, ensuring you get the best audio experience possible. The enhanced bass adds an extra level of immersion to your movie or music listening.
- Immersive surround sound: The included up-firing rear speakers project sound above and around you, creating a true home theater experience.
- Voice control: With Alexa built-in, you can control your HW-Q950A with just your voice. No need for additional devices or complicated setup.
- Adaptive sound: The HW-Q950A’s Adaptive Sound feature optimizes the audio to match the content you’re watching, ensuring that you always have the best audio experience.
- Enhanced dialogue: The Active Voice Amplifier (AVA) feature emphasizes voices in each scene, making it easier to understand dialogue.
- Seamless music listening: The Tap Sound feature allows you to easily mirror music from your phone to your soundbar, allowing for uninterrupted listening.
- Enhanced gaming audio: Game Pro Mode, Elevate your gaming experience with rich, immersive sound and reduced latency for a competitive edge.
- Seamless connectivity: AirPlay 2, Enjoy your favorite music and sound from your device on your soundbar using Apple’s AirPlay 2 technology.
- Wireless connection: Bluetooth TV Connection, Connect your soundbar wirelessly to your TV for easy setup and hassle-free listening.
- High-quality audio through HDMI: HDMI eARC, Experience lossless Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio through your TV’s HDMI port with eARC support.
Sound Performance
The Samsung HW-Q950A boasts an impressive 11.1.4 channel setup, with 16 dedicated drivers providing immersive surround sound. The up-firing rear speakers included in the system further enhance the audio experience, projecting sound above and around the listener for a truly cinematic feel.
This was especially evident when watching movies on the Samsung HW-Q950A soundbar, as the added height channels added a sense of realism to action scenes. The soundstage felt incredibly wide and enveloping, with clear separation of sounds coming from different directions.
The HW-Q950A’s Adaptive Sound feature also proved to be a standout, dynamically optimizing the audio to suit the content being watched. This was particularly noticeable when watching sports, as the enhanced voice clarity allowed for easy understanding of commentary without any distractions.
Music listening on the Samsung HW-Q950A soundbar was also a joy, with the system able to deliver a balanced and detailed sound. The bass was punchy and well-controlled, adding depth to the overall sound without overpowering the rest of the frequency range.
The HW-Q950A’s Tap Sound feature, which allows for seamless music playback by tapping a compatible device to the soundbar, was also convenient for quick and easy access to music.
Attending a live concert through the HW-Q950A was an equally impressive experience. The system was able to accurately recreate the energy and excitement of a live performance, with the added rear speakers enhancing the sense of immersion. The vocals and instruments were all clearly defined and separated, making for a dynamic and engaging listening experience.
Overall, the Samsung HW-Q950A delivers top-notch sound performance across a range of content. Its impressive channel count and dedicated drivers make for an immersive and detailed audio experience, while its convenient connectivity options add to its appeal.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Samsung HW-Q950A soundbar is a top-of-the-line soundbar that delivers impressive sound quality and a truly immersive home theater experience. With its world’s first true 11.1.4 channel configuration and included up-firing rear speakers, you’ll feel like you’re right in the middle of the action, whether you’re watching a movie or listening to music.
The built-in Alexa voice assistant and Tap Sound feature make it easy to control your soundbar, while the SpaceFit Sound+ auto calibration ensures that your audio is always perfectly tailored to your space. While the HW-Q950A may be on the pricier side, it’s worth every penny for those looking to upgrade their home audio setup.
If you’re in the market for a high-quality soundbar that offers unparalleled sound performance and convenience, the HW-Q950A is an excellent choice.
