Q-Symphony

We couldn’t test this feature, because Samsung didn’t supply a TV with the soundbar, but if you connect the Q800T to one of Samsung’s QLED TVs, ‘Q-Symphony’ activates and plays surround sound from both the TV and soundbar. This feature can currently operate with five soundbars: the HW-Q60T, Q70T, Q800T, Q900T and Q950T. When interviewing Samsung’s VP of audio R&D Allan Devantier (see overleaf) we indicated surprise that he’d want to incorporate the sound from a flatpanel TV as part of his sonic capabilities!

“So, you know, for you and me, we would certainly use all the transducers in a Q950T soundbar, right?”, he replied. “But that feature Q-Symphony is available for all the soundbars, and some of them don’t have height enhancement, maybe some of the lower-end ones don’t have drivers firing from the side. So this gives you that wonderful opportunity to use those TV speakers, and they are far enough away — that typical half-metre away in height is enough that you differentiate them as separate sources. So it gives you that opportunity to feed a surround channel or some height synthesis, get it up there and get a sense of envelopment without colouring the main channel. So it does work exceptionally well in the less expensive ones. When you plug in the soundbar in the sound source set-up — you know, TV or soundbar — there’s an option to turn Q-Symphony on or off. And of course, I’m pretty sure I know how you’re going to recommend it with the high-end soundbar...“