Samsung HW-Q950A 11.1.4-Channel
SoundbarProduct Gallery
Product Overview
HW-Q950A is a flagship 11.1.4-channel soundbar with wireless subwoofer and wireless rear speakers in Samsung's 2021 Q-series. It is a successor to the HW-Q950T from 2020, adding two more side-firing speakers on the rear speakers.
Compared to the HW-Q900A, which is a 7.1.2-channel soundbar for 2021, the HW-Q950A uses essentially the same main soundbar unit and the wireless subwoofer. In the former, there are 15 drivers, including virtual surround, side, and front height channels that together deliver a virtual 7.0.2-channel Dolby Atmos experience. The rear speakers add further 6 drivers for another 4.0.2 channels.
For those uncommitted at the moment, it is possible to purchase the HW-Q900A and SWA-9500S separately to obtain the a result similar to that of the HW-Q950T, though the 11.1.4-channel setup is now exclusive to the HW-Q950A.
Ratings
What we found
Pros
- Powerful 16 channels of sound
- Impressive sound quality
- Excellent build quality
Cons
- Nothing in particular
What external reviewers found
External score 84%
Pros
- Good sound quality
- Excellent build quality
- Gorgeous, detailed sound
Cons
- Not as precise as a separates system
- Sub lacks coherence
- No HDMI passthrough
- Not the most immersive listening experience
- Subwoofer is a bit chunky
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Price Comparison
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Specifications
Related Products
- Excellent sound quality
- Q-Symphony feature works in tandem with compatible Samsung TVs
- Supports HDR10 and Dolby Atmos
- Excellent sound quality
- Excellent sound enhancement features including room correction and eARC
- Excellent surround performance
External Reviews
rtings[1]
Reviewer score 58% (normalized by Neofiliac)The Samsung HW-Q950A soundbar comes with an Auto EQ feature that uses a microphone built into the subwoofer. With this feature turned on, it has a pretty neutral sound profile suitable for most types of audio content. Thanks to its dedicated center channel and balanced mid-range, it can reproduce voices clearly and accurately. There's even an Active Voice Amplifier feature that makes voices more clear and crisp.
Pros
- Dolby Atmos support
- Graphic EQ and presets
- Auto EQ room correction feature
- Great for dialogue-centric content
Cons
- No compression when playing at max volume
- Not the most immersive listening experience
t3[2]
Reviewer score 92% (normalized by Neofiliac)The Samsung HW-Q950A is yet another outstanding high-end soundbar from the company. The impact of those key new rear channels is obvious and welcome, adding an extra layer of immersive excellence to a wider audio performance. The key thing is the price: in the UK, you can find it for just £999, and in the US it goes for as low as $1,100. It's not cheap for a system with no subwoofer and annoyingly it has no HDMI passthrough.
Pros
- Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision support
- Excellent build quality
- Excellent sound quality
Cons
- No HDMI passthrough
- Subwoofer is a bit chunky
techhive[3]
Reviewer score 89% (normalized by Neofiliac)Even without the benefit of Samsung’s Q-Symphony feature, the HW-Q950A still manages to dazzle. With its $1,800 list price, the soundbar is one of the most expensive on the market. At press time, Samsung was offering a pre-Black Friday $200 discount. The unit is also slim enough to plop down in front of most TVs.
Pros
- Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, and DTS:X support
- Slim, compact design
- Supports Alexa and Google Assistant
Cons
- No built-in subwoofer
- Doesn’t upmix stereo sources
techradar[4]
Reviewer score 88% (normalized by Neofiliac)The HW-Q950A’s extreme power is partnered with impressively accurate channel ‘throw’ and effects placement. The main soundbar has enough dynamic range to never sound thin or boxy, and it latches on to the bass whumping out from the subwoofer seamlessly. The sound can grow to fill out the most extreme action scenes, and never misses a beat when it comes to thumping out even the hardest impact sounds.
Pros
- Class-leading sound
- Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support
- Excellent build quality
Cons
- Not as precise with effects as separates system
trustedreviews[5]
Reviewer score 91% (normalized by Neofiliac)The Q950A delivers the most completely immersive sound I’ve heard from any soundbar to date. The power and presence created by the main soundbar stretches far beyond anything you’d imagine possible from its impressively slender, restrained size. There’s zero distortion or cabinet buzzing from any of the speakers or drivers either, even at volumes that push way beyond what your ears or neighbours will comfortably tolerate.
Pros
- Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
- Impressive sound quality
Cons
- Not quite as precise as a separate system
whathifi[6]
Reviewer score 82% (normalized by Neofiliac)The Q950A soundbar has a wide tonal range, plenty of attack and exceptionally clear dialogue projection. The sub adds plenty of low end to the undulating score and intense action sequences, but it doesn't always integrate well with the main bar. The soundbar's microphone allows for commands to the built-in Amazon Alexa voice assistant and can also be used to monitor background levels.
Pros
- Gorgeous, detailed sound
- Powerful driver-shaking performance
- Dolby Atmos integration
Cons
- Sub lacks coherence
wired[7]
Reviewer score 89% (normalized by Neofiliac)Samsung's HW-Q950A soundbar has 11.1.4 channels versus its predecessor's 9.4. Those extra channels are for the sides, to make audio feel more immersive. Other upgrades include support for Apple's AirPlay 2 standard and an auto-room-correction EQ mode. You can very easily modify the sound to your liking via the included remote.
Pros
- Sleek design
- Good sound quality
- Built-in LED display
- Supports Apple AirPlay 2
Cons
- Very loud
Also Check
References
- ^ Samsung HW-Q950A Soundbar Review. [rtings].
- ^ Samsung HW-Q950A review: the ultimate Dolby Atmos soundbar experience. [t3].
- ^ Samsung HW-Q950A review: This 11.1.4 Dolby Atmos soundbar is the one to beat. [techhive].
- ^ Samsung HW-Q950A review. [techradar].
- ^ Samsung HW-Q950A Review. [trustedreviews].
- ^ Samsung HW-Q950A Dolby Atmos soundbar review. [whathifi].
- ^ Review: Samsung HW-Q950A. [wired].
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