Samsung's flagship soundbar is in the Czech Republic. HW-Q990H redefines the Dolby Atmos standard

The Samsung Q990 series is among the best in the consumer soundbar segment over the past five years. British What Hi-Fi? has repeatedly given it full marks, sales are strong, and Samsung has no reason to interfere with this well-tuned system more than necessary. The Samsung HW-Q990H is the fresh successor to last year’s Q990F, and its Czech launch is just a few days away — it’s even already in stock at Alza for 27,990 CZK, or 22,990 CZK with cashback as part of the current Samsung promotion.

Home cinema without an AV receiver and without cables

The HW-Q990H is a complete 11.1.4-channel system designed to handle all layers of movie sound. The package includes three pieces of hardware — the main soundbar with 11 drivers for front and surround channels, an active wireless subwoofer, and a pair of wireless rear speakers, which also feature up-firing drivers that bounce sound off the ceiling for full-fledged Dolby Atmos height channels. The total output is 756 W, and Samsung claims that this combination of physical rear speakers and ceiling reflections makes the biggest difference when watching movies compared to cheaper soundbars that merely simulate surround sound.

Importantly, it doesn’t require an AV receiver. Everything connects wirelessly via Wi-Fi, so only a single HDMI cable runs from the TV to the soundbar, and no wires run across the living room from the subwoofer and rear speakers — just power cables. This is a crucial argument for many customers. A classic 5.1.2 setup with a receiver means drilling into walls, running speaker cables, and fiddling with Dolby Atmos settings. Samsung eliminates all of this and promises a comparable result.

What’s new compared to the Q990F

If you’re familiar with last year’s Q990F, the hardware leap is more evolutionary — Samsung isn’t making any radical changes, but rather fine-tuning details. The main new feature is Sound Elevation, which uses algorithms and up-firing drivers to virtually raise dialogues towards the center of the screen. This is a common issue with all soundbars placed below the TV — the main character’s voice comes from the bottom edge, instead of originating from where the speaker stands on screen. Sound Elevation aims to solve this by shifting the center channel higher using up-firing speakers.

In addition, Samsung has improved AI Active Voice Amplifier Pro, which analyzes room noise in real time and adjusts dialogue volume accordingly. When a car passes by or a washing machine starts in the next room, voices won’t get lost in the ambient noise. The Auto Volume function, in turn, smooths out unpleasant volume fluctuations — typically commercials, which are louder than shows on all TVs. SpaceFit Sound Pro further automatically calibrates the output according to the room’s acoustics, so you don’t have to manually adjust anything.

For gamers, Samsung has integrated a Gaming Hub into the soundbar with a gaming mode that automatically switches based on the connected console. HDMI 2.1 with eARC can handle a full-quality 4K signal, so you can route a PS5 or Xbox Series X directly through the soundbar without image loss. A small detail, but one that anyone who has ever struggled with a lack of HDMI inputs on their TV will appreciate.

Compromises and Price vs. Competition

The price of 27,990 CZK (22,990 CZK with cashback) sounds high until you look at the competition. An equivalent setup from Sonos — Arc Ultra plus subwoofer plus two Era 300s as rear speakers — would cost you well over 50,000 CZK in the Czech Republic. Dolby Atmos systems from Bose, B&O, or Sennheiser are similarly priced. Samsung, therefore, charges a premium for its flagship, but in the market context, it is one of the most accessible ways to bring home Dolby Atmos with physical rear speakers.

Of course, don’t expect miracles — no soundbar, however advanced, can replace a proper AV receiver with passive speakers in a well-acoustically treated room. That’s simply not possible. But when a buyer chooses a soundbar over hi-fi, they know what they’re getting into. Furthermore, the Q990H fully unleashes its potential when paired with a Samsung TV thanks to Q-Symphony technology, which integrates the TV’s built-in speakers as a complement to the soundbar. If you have a TV of a different brand, it works independently, but you’ll miss out on this final layer.

Is a soundbar with built-in bass enough for you, or do you need a proper subwoofer in your living room?

Source: What Hi-Fi