Dolby Atmos system with separate subwoofer and detachable satellite speakers for rear audio. Great for rooms with no/limited space for rear speakers.
Also $1199 at JB Hi-Fi. I talked them down over the phone to $1000 including delivery. In January last year, a friend was able to bargain with them in-store for $1000 with extended warranty. Let's see how low we can go!
https://www.whathifi.com/au/reviews/samsung-hw-q950a-dolby-a…
But even at its full RRP, we have no problems in declaring that with the Q950A Samsung has maintained its position at the very forefront of soundbar design.
If I had any chance of power points at the rear, I'd be going for that.
I am happy I got the Q950A for $1,009
Be warned that there are a bunch of problems with this bar in combination with a wide range of TVs (I have one of these).
* Sound cutting out (especially over eARC - I have this problem)
* Rear speakers buzzing/humming
* Sound cracking/popping
Is there a way to test for these issues? I've got an LG C1 TV. I only connected my bar an hour ago, so it hasn't yet had a good workout.
can confirm sound cutting out which needed unplug then reconnection of power cable and cracking/popping when scrolling through movies on netflix. I'm using a 75" Sony LED tv with this soundbar (latest firmware)
9.1 channel audio from a soundbar… lol.
Well, they can put as many numbers in the name as they like - as always, the proof is in the listening.
Still, reviews are decent, and for someone like me who can't easily install the rears it would be a good solution.
Yep, reviews are good compared to other soundbars, compared to home theatre or premium setups like the sony 4 speaker, they are quite poor.
Samsung Q950A is 11.1.4, 15 drivers in the soundbar and 22 drivers total.
They are mostly virtual though, so can't compare to REAL 9.1 setups. When nearly all the speakers are physically in front of you and can't even reproduce real physical stereo, is when they can just throw any old number in there to make them sell more. Oh yes, this has 40 channels, they are all directly in front of you though…
Rtings beg to differ -
"Update 06/28/2021: After additional testing, we've confirmed that the Samsung HW-Q950A is an 11.1.4 setup. This soundbar comes with left, center, and right channels, two surround channels on the right, two surround channels on the left, and two satellite speakers."
https://www.rtings.com/soundbar/reviews/samsung/hw-q950a#:~:….
@Quarn: Count it with me, a soundbar, two rear speakers, sub. That's 4 physical enclosures, or sources of sound. Now, to get Left and Right channel, the speakers should physically be around 30cm min from the edge of the TVon both sides of the TV. Considering the soundbar does not extend past most TV's, it doesn't have physical left and right unless you are sitting perhaps 20cm from the soundbar.
You will see the RTINGS scores reflect this. It got poor results in atmos as it physically has no speakers above the TV, even stereo soundstage got below most cheap stereo speakers.
So yes, it's all virtual 11.1.4
@onlinepred: I'm trying to count on my fingers but they are attached to my hand so I only have virtual fingers. I thought they would move independently but alas, due to being attached to the one hand, I have been informed I cannot drive them individually.
I also am unable to hear the directions of sound anyway as I have only 2 ears that are attached to my one head with it's sub-par spacing.
In the real world sound must never reflect off surfaces either, it only comes direct from the source. No echo or reverb now.
Also RTINGS stated "Okay Atmos performance" but now Okey = 'Poor' I guess.
@Quarn: Now that you understand, from your one hand, you could easily put your index finger on one ear, and your middle finger on your other ear at the same time hey, as they are entirely independent. You just use headphones with one speaker too I'm guessing? Just a left speaker okay? It should bounce through your skull/brain/ear to the other side so it would be like atmos
Well most ratings for soundbars or compared to other soundbars yes, not compared to HTIB or actual surround sound systems.
My phone has dolby atmos too which I'm sure you willl love! Comes out of two speakers, but you must hear the full range as it bounces of walls and air for you I guess?
I have the 5.1 version (minus Atmos) of these. Spectacular for movies but music is a no-go. They do suffer from the issue of low sound of vocals during movies, requiring you to constantly increase / decrease the volume depending on the intensity of the source.
I bought it at $1195 from the last Black Friday JB deals. Very satisfied since then. Great bass and the detachable function gives you an actual wireless experience. Some reviews mentioned the connection issue, but it works fine with my Samsung TV. No complaints so far.
How this compare to Samsung Q950A?