Samsung Electronics has announced that its new Q-series Dolby Atmos soundbars have gone on sale, with the extremely powerful Samsung HW-Q950A sitting alongside a number of more affordable options.
The Samsung HW-Q950A soundbar (pictured) is an 11.1.4 channel system that’s meant to replace last year’s flagship model, the Samsung HW-Q950T soundbar, which was a 9.1.4 channel system, FlatPanels HD reported.
First announced in January, the HW-Q950A features built-in stereo plus center and side-firing units together with up-firing speakers. The system is boosted into an 11.1.4 channel setup thanks to the additional wireless subwoofer and a pair of wireless rear speakers that make up the package. The rear speakers also include up- and side-firing speakers.
The Samsung HWQ950A retails at around £1,599.
Buyers can also choose the Samsung HW-Q900A, which is the same deal minus the rear speakers and therefore a 7.1.2 channel system. That model is said to start at £1,099.
Both offerings come with built-in Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround sound capabilities that should ensure as immersive a soundstage as it’s possible to experience with a simple soundbar package. The additional subwoofer has a nice feature too. It comes with a built-in microphone that’s able to detect the acoustic traits according to where it’s positioned in the room. Then, it uses Space EQ technology to calibrate itself to deliver optimal bass sound, Samsung said.
The main headline though is that the Samsung HW-Q950A is the world’s first 11.1.4 channel Dolby Atmos soundbar system. While the likes of LG Electronics, Sony, Sennheiser and Denon also offer Dolby Atmos soundbars, none of them have such a powerful combination.
The soundbars also sport features such as HDMI eARC, HDMI inputs, and support for Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth and more. They also incorporate Samsung’s Q-Symphony tech.
Besides the Samsung HW-Q950A and HW-Q900A, the company also has a trio of smaller 3.1.2 channel soundbars going on sale now. The only real difference between the Samsung HW-Q800A and the Samsung HW-Q700A models is that the former has an 8-inch subwoofer, compared to a 6.5-inch one on the latter. As for the most affordable Samsung HW-Q600A system, that apparently has a regular “subwoofer” (no size was mentioned) and only supports HDMI ARC, as opposed to eARC. It also lacks support for Bluetooth and Spotify Connect.
The Samsung HW-Q700A system costs £699, while the HW-Q600A is priced at around £549. Pricing for the HW-Q800A is not yet available.
Samsung is also set to launch some even more affordable soundbars as part of its A-series, that will be somewhat less capable than the above, FlatPanels HD said. The A-series includes the HW-A650, HW-A550, and HW-A450 models, which are more conventional 3.1 and 2.1 channel systems.
