Samsung HW-Q90R
QUITE SIMPLY THE FINEST SOUNDBAR THAT SAMSUNG HAS PRODUCED TO DATE.
DECEPTIVELY SIMPLE IN its setup process, Samsung’s HW-Q90R soundbar has been designed to deliver maximum bang for your buck within minutes of being powered on for the first time. In fact, getting the soundbar up and running almost seems too basic, with no need for calibration of any sort. Setting up this Dolby Atmos and DTS:X compatible system is as simple as plugging in and powering on the soundbar, followed by its two wireless rear speakers and its room-rattling subwoofer. A blue light will appear on the speakers and sub to let you know that they’re automatically paired and ready to rock.
Of course, figuring out which devices should be plugged directly into the soundbar and which should go through your television’s audio return channel (ARC) is a little more complicated. As it stands, true Dolby Atmos audio is not possible over standard ARC, meaning you’ll need to connect your Xbox One or 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player’s HDMI cable directly to your soundbar in order for it to decode Dolby Atmos or DTS:X.
Normally, this wouldn’t be a big deal. However, the soundbar has only two HDMI inputs and one output, meaning you may have to prioritise certain devices or get used to physically switching cables. That said, we’ve heard rumblings of an upcoming firmware update that purports to bring enhanced audio return channel (eARC) functionality to the soundbar for lossless and high bitrate audio compatibility, though we’ve not had a chance to experience this at time of writing.
Fiddly HDMI issues aside, this object-based 7.1.4 channel system (seven ear-level speakers, one channel for low bass reproduction, four overhead audio channels) arguably delivers the most immersive and powerful audio we’ve heard in a soundbar yet. Pop in a recent blockbuster with a Dolby Atmos track and prepare to be blown away by the Q90R’s immense three-dimensional sound.
The big race sequence in Ready Player One is a good place to start, with Spielberg’s virtual camera impossibly zipping around as vehicles leap over you and crashes and explosions happen all around you. Of course, if you really want a Dolby Atmos experience to rival (and maybe even surpass) your local theatre, Spider-Man: Far From Home’s Venice-based water rampage and London drone attack sequence are enough to make you want to stay home for good.
For all non-Dolby Atmos and DTS:X tracks, the Q90R soundbar opts for simplicity once again, offering just four distinct listening modes. Standard mode presents the source’s signal as intended, whether it be a 5.1 or mono track, while Surround mode works its magic by upmixing the track to all available channels. Adaptive Sound mode returns once again, adjusting signals on a scene-per-scene basis to prioritise things like voice and on-screen action, while a new Game Pro mode is said to make gaming even more immersive (we didn’t really notice a difference, though). Music lovers will be happy to know that the Q90R will also upscale music that’s played over a Bluetooth connection using Samsung’s UHQ 32-bit technology.
THIS OBJECT-BASED 7.1.4 CHANNEL SYSTEM (7 EAR-LEVEL SPEAKERS, 1 CHANNEL FOR LOW BASS REPRODUCTION, 4 OVERHEAD AUDIO CHANNELS) ARGUABLY DELIVERS THE MOST IMMERSIVE AND POWERFUL AUDIO WE’VE HEARD IN A SOUNDBAR YET.