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Immersive home theater audio isn’t something you’ll get from TV speakers, but you don’t need to invest in a massive surround sound system either. Soundbars are a great compromise – in terms of performance and value – and almost every TV manufacturer makes one or more of these audio accessories. Brands like Samsung tend to release new soundbars every year, and Consumer Reports (CR) awarded the top spot to the $1,500 Samsung HW-Q900F. The bar scored a perfect 5 out of 5 for sound quality, a feat no other CR-tested soundbar can claim.
Praise for the Samsung HW-Q900F continues on Amazon, where it has a 4.2 out of 5 star rating, based on over 30 reviews. Touted as a 7.1.2 system, the HW-Q900F features seven front-facing speakers, a wireless subwoofer, and two upward-firing speakers that radiate sound toward the ceiling and then downward, earning the HW-Q900F its Dolby Atmos laurel. “Clean highs, deep bass (and) great surround sound with Dolby Atmos,” is what one user had to say. Using Samsung’s SpaceFit Sound Pro Plus technology, the HW-Q900F automatically optimizes audio to best suit the unique acoustics of your listening space via sensors.
Another nice feature of the HW-Q900F for sound quality is Q-Symphony, a Samsung exclusive that leverages the soundbar and TV speakers simultaneously, resulting in a wider, more detailed soundstage (requires a compatible 2020-2025 model). We were also pleased to discover that this Samsung soundbar has a dedicated center speaker for better dialogue clarity. “Dialogue reproduction is clear, balanced, and fatigue-free,” said one Crutchfield user in his four-star review.
Top Samsung HW-Q900F Buying Considerations You Should Not Overlook
Note also that the HW-Q900F obtained a perfect score of 4.9/5 from B&H Photo (based on 150 reviews). The Q900F supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and the former can even be used to wirelessly stream Dolby Atmos when connected to a compatible Samsung TV. That said, a few Amazon shoppers weren’t too happy with this product’s music performance, even though room acoustics and other variables can overshadow the soundbar’s capabilities.
If you’re not in a hurry, it might be worth waiting for the HW-900F to drop in price. It cost $1,500 at the time of writing, but it’s on sale for as little as $1,000. Samsung’s Q series soundbars are 2025 releases, but until retailers use up remaining inventory, you’ll still be able to buy them new. This includes models like the flagship Samsung HW-Q990F, as well as the budget-friendly Samsung HW-Q800F.
We wouldn’t turn a blind eye to CR’s other high-performing soundbars, either. Systems like the LG SC9S and Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus also earned top marks in several testing categories, including sound quality, versatility, audio immersion and ease of use. Still, the Samsung HW-Q900F is the CR champion, and it’s not a soundbar that will last forever.
