Samsung HW-Q950A Soundbar Review: Immersive Sound, Premium Price
Duane Beckett
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Samsung’s HW-Q950A soundbar comes with a series of new features. The stand-out additions are an Auto EQ feature and support for Dolby Atmos 11.1.4.
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When Auto EQ is turned on, this luxury soundbar produces a balanced sound profile suitable for any audio content. And when combined with Dolby Atmos-compatible content, the sound goes from exceptional to truly immersive.
However, at over $1,500, is the Samsung HW-Q950A soundbar worth it? Find out below:
Features Include:
- 11 channels, 1 subwoofer, and 4 up-firing channels
- Supports Dolby Atmos and DTX:X
- Features that optimize sound for the scene and the room
- Works with Alexa and other voice assistants
- Easy to pair with devices including iPhones and iPads.
Design And Features
When buying the Samsung HW-Q950A soundbar, you don’t just get a soundbar, you get three additional speakers to be positioned around the room.
The large additional subwoofer has two built-in speakers and an 8” driver, while the shelf speakers have one tweeter and two midrange drivers each. Although they are compact, they are still surprisingly powerful.
As for the soundbar itself, it may appear to be a little too tall, but there’s a clever reason for this:
It incorporates speakers in various locations across it with the goal of creating an immersive surround sound experience no matter where you’re seated.
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There are two more drivers that fire outward toward your walls to create ambiance effects and reflection off surfaces to mimic 5.1 virtual surround sound technology in traditional surround audio setups.
The HW-Q950A provides an optional “Wall of Sound” feature that can be utilized in tandem with compatible Samsung TVs to create an even more improved audio performance.
It works especially well with high-end Samsung TVs, and it comes in handy because the HW-Q950A is both powerful and impressive without any special pairing.
Also, it is equipped with an HDMI input, making it easy to connect to other audiovisual devices, plus, it can even connect to iOS devices with ease.
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Sound Quality
Samsung didn’t stop at just putting a driver here and there for the wireless rear speakers. The HW-Q950A has more wireless rear speakers than is standard for Dolby Atmos soundbars.
Actually, these extra speakers produce a much wider soundstage than usual, providing a greater sensory experience. Plus, these speakers don’t sacrifice quality.
The HW-950A show clear improvements to channel separation over previous Samsung soundbars. It gives three-dimensional audio, making the overall sound feel more rounded.
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The smaller size of the rear speakers compared to the front soundbars is also no longer a problem, and when audio moves between channels, even the smallest gaps in ambient or descriptive sounds are balanced out.
Additionally, the sounds that pass from front to back and rear-left to rear-right are handled with far more conviction than any other soundbar.
Plus, you can hear specific rear-left and rear-right sound details that would have been delivered with less precision by just the front-side drivers in previous models.
Overall, the sound quality and immersion is second-to-none.
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Dimensions
The Samsung HW-Q950A measures 5.4 x 48.5 x 2.7 inches, meaning it will likely not fit flat between your 55″ TV stand’s legs if the two pieces of furniture are very close together.
However, thanks to its short stature (32-inches), it shouldn’t block your view of the TV screen if the TV itself sits just a few inches off of your TV stand table.
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Is It Worth Checking Out?
The Samsung HW-Q950A Soundbar is amazing, from its sound quality to being iOS-ready. The only cons were…
Pros:
- Immersive surround-sound
- Fantastic sound-quality
- Dolby Atmos 11.1.4 compatible
- iOS compatible
Cons:
- The price might make this soundbar unattainable for many
- The height of the soundbar might not fit under all TVs
Let’s be honest, $1,500+ for a soundbar is eye-watering. Especially when you need a Samsung Q-Symphony TV and specific source material to take advantage of all its features.
There’s no doubt the HW-Q950A is top-of-the-line and Nerdable Recommended if money is no object. However, for enthusiasts on a budget, you can get high-quality soundbars for a fraction of the price.