The Samsung HW-Q60T is a 5.1 soundbar from the 2020 lineup. It comes with a dedicated subwoofer, but it struggles to reproduce a thumpy low-bass, and its default sound profile is a bit dark. There are many sound enhancement features, including a graphic EQ and presets like Adaptive Sound and Game Pro. It also supports Q-Symphony, which syncs up the bar's speakers with compatible Samsung TVs, and Acoustic Beam, which the manufacturer says helps create a more immersive sound.
Our Verdict
The Samsung HW-Q60T is decent for mixed usage. Though it comes with a dedicated subwoofer, this bar struggles to reproduce a thumpy low-bass, so you don't feel the deep rumble in action-packed movies or bass-heavy music. Its surrounds performance is poor, and it doesn't support Atmos content. That said, it comes with lots of sound enhancement features to help customize it, including a graphic EQ and presets.
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Graphic EQ and presets.
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Bass and treble adjustments.
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Lacks low-bass.
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No Atmos support.
The Samsung HW-Q60T is very good for dialogue-centric content like TV shows. Thanks to its dedicated center channel, it can reproduce dialogue clearly and accurately. There's even a dialogue enhancement feature available to help make voices more clear and crisp. You can also stream podcasts and audiobooks from your mobile device to the bar wirelessly via Bluetooth, but unfortunately, it doesn't support Wi-Fi, Chromecast built-in, or Apple AirPlay.
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Bluetooth compatible.
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Dialogue enhancement feature.
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No support for Wi-Fi, Chromecast built-in, or Apple AirPlay.
The Samsung HW-Q60T is good for music. Out-of-the-box, it reproduces a punchy bass, though its overall sound profile can also sound a bit dark and veiled. However, it comes with lots of sound customization features to help you get a more neutral sound, including a graphic EQ and bass and treble adjustments. That said, it still struggles to reproduce a thumpy low-bass, which can be disappointing for fans of bass-heavy music.
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Graphic EQ and presets.
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Bass and treble adjustments.
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Lacks low-bass.
The Samsung HW-Q60T is fair for movies. While this soundbar comes with lots of sound enhancement features, it still struggles to reproduce a thumpy low-bass, so you don't feel the deep rumble in action-packed scenes. Its surround performance isn't very immersive, and it doesn't support Dolby Atmos content. On the upside, the bar can get loud.
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Bass and treble adjustments.
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Gets loud.
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Lacks low-bass.
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No Atmos support.
- 7.2 Mixed Usage
- 7.9 Dialogue/TV Shows
- 7.5 Music
- 6.6 Movies
- Updated Apr 06, 2023: Added cable lengths to In The Box.
- Updated Apr 05, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 1.1. With this update, we've added a Mounting test and added information aboutSubwoofer Output, Spotify Connect, and Microphone Mute.
- Updated Feb 17, 2022: Firmware update adds DTS support via HDMI In.
- Updated Jan 27, 2022: Corrected the Surround 5.1 localization.
- Updated May 13, 2021: Updated review for accuracy and clarity.
- Updated Feb 22, 2021: Updated Dolby Digital+ and DTS support via HDMI In to 'NO'.
- Updated Feb 09, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Sep 23, 2020: The Dynamics tests have been reconducted due to a value input bug.
- Updated Jun 01, 2020: Review published.
- Updated May 28, 2020: Early access published.
- Updated May 21, 2020: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated May 20, 2020: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated May 05, 2020: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Samsung HW-Q60T comes in one color variant: 'Black'. You can see the label for the model we tested here.
There's also a variant of this soundbar called the Samsung HW-Q6CT sold at Walmart. It's the same bar as the Samsung HW-Q60T, but it comes with a different subwoofer. The HW-Q6CT's PS-WR45BB sub is only 130W compared to the HW-Q60T's PS-WR65BB 160W sub, so you can expect to feel less power in the bass. We haven't tested this setup, though, so we can't confirm its performance.
Note: We previously reported that there was a variant of this soundbar called the Samsung HW-Q67CT available at Costco. However, thanks to user feedback, we've identified that the HW-Q67CT is a different setup, so its performance isn't expected to be the same as the HW-Q60T.
If someone comes across a different variant of this soundbar, let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.
Compared To Other Soundbars
The Samsung HW-Q60T is Samsung's 5.1 channel soundbar from their 2020 lineup. Unlike other Samsung soundbars, it doesn't have a companion app. Its surround performance isn't as good as the Samsung HW-Q60R, and it lacks Dolby Atmos support like the Samsung HW-Q80R or the Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX.
If you're looking for more soundbars, see our reviews for the best Samsung soundbars, the best 5.1 soundbars, and the best soundbars with a subwoofer.
The standalone Sonos Arc is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q60T. The Sonos has better soundstage and surround performances. It also supports Dolby Atmos content and offers a room correction feature. You can even upgrade it to the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers for better performance. However, the Samsung comes with a dedicated subwoofer, a graphic EQ for sound customization, and a Full HDMI In port.
You may prefer the Samsung HW-Q60T or the Sonos Beam, depending on your listening habits. The Sonos is a compact 3.0 setup with better soundstage and center channel performances. It has built-in voice assistant support and a room correction feature. However, the 5.1 Samsung has a dedicated sub reproducing a more extended low-bass. It has a better surround performance, a Full HDMI In port, and a graphic EQ to customize its sound.
Although the Samsung HW-Q60T is the newer model of the Samsung HW-Q60R, the older model still slightly outperforms the 2020 model. The HW-Q60R is better for dialogue thanks to its center channel performance, and its surround channel is slightly less bass-heavy. However, unlike other Samsung soundbars, including the HW-Q60R, the HW-Q60T lacks a companion app.
The Samsung HW-Q600A is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q60T. The HW-Q600A is a 3.1.2 setup from 2021 that supports Dolby Atmos content and supports more audio formats, including Dolby Digital Plus. That said, the 5.1 HW-Q60T is a 2020 model with lower latency, which some listeners may prefer.
The Samsung HW-Q60T is slightly better for mixed usage than the Samsung HW-S60A. The HW-Q60T comes with a dedicated sub that helps reproduce a more extended low-bass. It also gets louder, and it comes with a Full HDMI In port. That said, the HW-S60A has better soundstage and surround performances. It supports more wireless playback options, and it has built-in voice assistant support. Some users may prefer its more compact design.
The Vizio V Series V51-H6 is a better overall soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q60T. The Vizio has two dedicated satellite speakers that provide a more immersive surround sound. It also has a better-balanced default sound profile. However, the Samsung is better built and has a graphic EQ and a Full HDMI In port, which the Vizio lacks.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Samsung HW-T650 or the Samsung HW-Q60T. The HW-Q60T is a 5.1 setup, so it doesn't downmix surround content into stereo to play it, which sounds clearer and more real than the HW-T650. It's also better-built and comes with a graphic EQ, which gives you more control over its sound. However, the HW-T650 is a 3.1 setup with a better soundstage performance and offers more audio format support. It also gets louder with less compression at max volume.
The Samsung HW-Q60B is better than the Samsung HW-Q60T. Although the HW-Q60T is a 5.1 setup, its surround performance isn't very impressive. It also doesn't support Dolby Atmos content like the HW-Q60B does. Also, the HW-Q60B comes with eARC support, so you have more capabilities with compatible TVs.
The Samsung HW-Q60T and the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround are both 5.1 setups, but you may prefer one over the other. The Samsung offers a graphic EQ plus presets and supports more audio formats via its Optical In port. However, the JBL has a more balanced default sound profile. It also has room correction, and it supports more wireless playback options.
The Samsung HW-Q60T is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-T550. The HW-Q60T is a 5.1 setup that's better built and supports 4k passthrough. Also, it comes with a discrete center channel and offers a better surrounds performance.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the JBL Bar 5.0 MultiBeam or the Samsung HW-Q60T. The JBL is a 5.0 setup that's better suited for movies, as it has a better surrounds performance. Also, unlike the Samsung, it supports Atmos content. That said, the Samsung may be better for music. It has a dedicated sub and can reproduce a more extended low-bass. Also, it comes with a graphic EQ to customize its sound.
The Samsung HW-Q700A is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q60T. The HW-Q700A supports Dolby Atmos content, and it has better center and soundstage performances. It also supports more wireless playback options, and you can plug in a third-party voice assistant device, unlike the HW-Q60T.
The Samsung HW-Q800A is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q60T. The HW-Q800A offers better soundstage, center, and surround performances, and it also supports Dolby Atmos content. It can reproduce a more extended low-bass. It also supports more wireless playback options and has built-in Alexa voice assistant, unlike the HW-Q60T.
The Samsung HW-Q80R is a better overall performing soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q60T. The HW-Q80R is larger in size, which might be a bit more difficult to fit in your setup, but it has a much better-balanced sound profile that still delivers a thumpy, rumbly bass. It's louder, has height channels so it can support Atmos content, and you can use Wi-Fi to stream your audio. However, the HW-Q60T has an auto-volume feature. It also has EQ presets such as Game Pro mode, which is great for gamers who don't want to tinker with their audio too much.
The Samsung HW-Q60T is better than the Yamaha YAS-207. The Samsung is a 5.1 setup that's better-built and offers a better center channel performance. It doesn't have to downmix surround content into stereo in order to play it, unlike the 2.1 Yamaha. It also offers more sound enhancement features, such as a graphic EQ and presets.
The Samsung HW-Q60T and the Samsung HW-A650 are very similarly performing soundbars, but the HW-A650 is a bit better overall. It has a slightly more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, which some listeners may prefer.
The LG SN8YG is better than the Samsung HW-Q60T. The LG supports Dolby Atmos content, and it has built-in voice assistant support. It reproduces a more extended low-bass and supports more wireless playback options. Also, it has a better center channel performance, and a room correction feature. That said, the Samsung is better-built, and it comes with a graphic EQ.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Sony HT-G700 or the Samsung HW-Q60T. The Samsung is a 5.1 setup that's better-built and offers a better soundstage. It also comes with a graphic EQ so you can customize its sound. That said, the 3.1 Sony has a better center channel performance, and it supports Atmos content, unlike the Samsung.
The Samsung HW-Q60T and the Samsung HW-S60T have different channel setups but have very similar performances. The HW-Q60T is a 5.1 setup so it can produce a more thumpy bass, thanks to its wireless subwoofer. It can get a bit louder with fewer compression artifacts at max volume, its discrete center channel reproduces more clear and accurate dialogue, and it also has an auto-volume mode. It has a Full HDMI In as well too, but it only supports Dolby Digital. In contrast, the HW-S60T can use Wi-Fi to stream audio, it has a slightly more neutral treble range, and even though its surround performance is still poor, it's still slightly better than the HW-Q60T.
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Samsung HW-Q60T or the Samsung HW-Q59CT. The HW-Q60T is better built and has a better surrounds performance. That said, the HW-Q59CT reproduces a slightly more extended low-bass. The manufacturer also says that it supports some more features like TapSound.
The Samsung HW-Q60T is a decent overall soundbar, but the Samsung HW-Q900A is a better choice for most users. The HW-Q900A is a 7.1.2 setup that supports Dolby Atmos content. It has better soundstage, center, and surround performances. It even gets louder with less compression at max volume. Also, there are more sound enhancement features, like room correction. However, the 5.1 HW-Q60T is better built.
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the Samsung HW-Q60T. The HW-Q950A comes with discrete satellites and offers better soundstage and surround performances. Unlike the HW-Q60T, it supports Atmos content, and has room correction and built-in voice assistant support. That said, the HW-Q60T is better-built.
The Samsung HW-Q60T is a bit better for mixed usage than the Samsung HW-A450. The 5.1 HW-Q60T is better built and has better center and surround performances. Unlike the 2.1 HW-A450, it also has ARC and Full HDMI In ports.
The Samsung HW-Q65T is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q60T. Both bars have slightly punchy sound profile and can get loud without too much compression. However, the HW-Q65T comes with two discrete satellite speakers, which create a better surrounds performance.
The Samsung HW-Q60T is better than the LG SP7Y. The Samsung is better built, and it has a better soundstage. It can also reproduce a more extended low-bass. Some users may also prefer its more balanced, neutral sound profile out-of-the-box. That said, the LG has a better surrounds performance.
The LG SK10Y is a slightly better overall soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q60T. The LG is a 5.1.2 channel soundbar that has a better-balanced sound profile with more thump and rumble than the Samsung. It also has height channels to support Atmos content, and it has two HDMI In ports. You can even use Wi-Fi and Chromecast built-in to stream your audio from your mobile devices. However, the Samsung can get louder, and it has a graphic EQ plus presets such as Game Pro mode, designed with gamers in mind.
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is a bit better for mixed usage than the Samsung HW-Q60T. The Sonos is a better-built 5.0 setup with better soundstage and surround performances. Unlike the Samsung soundbar, it supports Dolby Atmos and built-in voice assistant capabilities. Its small, standalone design may also be preferable for users without a lot of space in their setup. However, the 5.1 Samsung has a dedicated sub and can reproduce a more extended low-bass. It can also get louder.
The Vizio SB46514-F6 is a better overall performing 5.1 channel soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q60T. The Vizio is technically a 5.1.4 setup, and it has a better-balanced sound profile that delivers a thumpy, rumbly bass. It has a remarkable center channel performance, and its surround and height channels support Atmos content. However, the Samsung is similarly well-built and offers more sound enhancement features like a dialogue enhancement feature as well as a graphic EQ and presets.
The Samsung HW-Q60T is a slightly better soundbar than the Samsung HW-A550. The HW-Q60T is a 5.1 setup that's better-built. It also offers better center and surround performances than the 2.1 HW-A550.
The Vizio M Series M51a-H6 is a better 5.1 setup than the Samsung HW-Q60T. The Vizio comes with discrete satellites, and unlike the Samsung, it supports Dolby Atmos content. It has better surround performance and can even reproduce a more extended low bass. That said, the Samsung is better built.
The Samsung HW-Q60T is a better soundbar than the Yamaha YAS-209. The Samsung is a 5.1 soundbar that's better-built and has a better center channel performance. It also comes with more sound enhancement features, including a graphic EQ and auto-volume mode. However, the 2.1 Yamaha reproduces a more extended low-bass. It also supports Wi-Fi connectivity and has built-in voice assistant support.
The Samsung HW-Q60T is better than the Bose Smart Soundbar 300. The Samsung is a 5.1 setup with a dedicated sub that reproduces a more extended low-bass. It has more sound enhancement features, including a graphic EQ, and a Full HDMI In port for high quality passthrough. However, the 3.0 Bose has a better soundstage, more wireless playback options, and built-in voice assistant support.
The Samsung HW-Q70R is better than the Samsung HW-Q60T. The HW-Q70R is a 3.1.2 setup that supports Dolby Atmos content, unlike the HW-Q60T. It also offers more wireless playback options, and it reproduces a more extended low-bass. That said, the 5.1 HW-Q60T has a better surrounds performance.
The Samsung HW-Q60T is better than the Sony HT-S350. The Samsung is a 5.1 setup that's better-built with better center and surround performances. It also has more sound enhancement features, including bass and treble adjustments as well as a graphic EQ. Also, some listeners may prefer that its default sound profile is more neutral than the Sony's.
The 3.1.2 Samsung HW-Q800T is a better soundbar than the 5.1 Samsung HW-Q60T. The HW-Q800T has a more extended low-bass, and it also gets louder. Unlike the HW-Q60T, it supports Dolby Atmos content and has built-in Alexa voice assistant.
The Samsung HW-Q60T is better than the 2.1 Samsung HW-T450. The HW-Q60T is a 5.1 setup that's better built. It has better center and surround performances, and it offers more sound enhancement features like a graphic EQ. Unlike the HW-T450, it also has ARC and Full HDMI In ports.
The Samsung HW-Q70T is a better overall soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q60T. The Q60T's default sound profile is a little bass-heavy, so if you like a more neutral sound out-of-the-box, you may prefer the Q70T. On the upside, both soundbars come with a graphic EQ that lets you tweak the sound to match your preferences. Unlike the Q70T, the Q60T doesn't support Dolby Atmos content, which can be disappointing for movie fans. It also has fewer connectivity options compared to the Q70T, and there's no app.
The Samsung HW-Q60T is marginally better for mixed usage than the LG SL6Y. The Samsung is a 5.1 setup that's better built. Unlike the 3.1 LG, it doesn't have to downmix surround content into stereo in order to play it. It also comes with a graphic EQ, which some users may prefer for sound customization.
The Sony HT-Z9F is marginally better for mixed usage than the Samsung HW-Q60T. The Sony is a 3.1 setup that supports Dolby Atmos content, unlike the Samsung. It also has more wireless playback options. That said, the 5.1 Samsung is a better choice for music. It comes with more sound customization features, such as a graphic EQ as well as bass and treble adjustments.
The Samsung HW-Q60T is marginally better for mixed usage than the LG SN6Y. The Samsung is a 5.1 setup that's better-built and reproduces a more extended low-bass. It has a better surrounds performance, and its Full HDMI In port supports high-quality passthrough. It also has a graphic EQ for sound customization. That said, the 3.1 LG has a better center channel performance.
Test Results
The Samsung HW-Q60T ZA looks almost identical to the previous generation, the Samsung HW-Q60R, as it's made from good quality black plastic, and there's a metal grille that surrounds the front and top of the bar.
The sub is mostly made from wood. There's fabric covering the speaker, which can collect dust or rip over time.
This setup doesn't come with satellites. If you want a 5.1 setup with satellites, check out the Vizio V Series V51-H6. You can also purchase them separately since this bar is compatible with the Wireless Surround Kit.
While this bar is shorter in length than its predecessor, the Samsung HW-Q60R, it likely won't fit between the legs of a 55" inch TV. It's also just a little bit taller than the Samsung HW-Q60R, but it's unlikely to block your screen unless your TV sits flush on the table.
This subwoofer looks like an average-sized desktop but just slightly wider. However, you can place it wherever you like in your room as it connects to the bar wirelessly.
The Samsung HW-Q60T soundbar has a similarly great build quality to the Samsung HW-Q60R. The bar itself is made with good quality plastic and metal that feels robust and solid. The sub feels well-built, too, although its fabric cover can become dusty or rip easily.
- Manuals
- Remote and two AA batteries
- HDMI cable (4.9 ft / 1.5m)
- Bar power cable (4.9 ft / 1.5m)
- Subwoofer power cable (4.9 ft / 1.5m)
- Adapter for bar (4.9 ft / 1.5m)
- Wall-mounting template
- Wall-mounting plates and screws
The Samsung HW-Q60T has a good stereo frequency response. It struggles to reproduce a thumpy low-bass, but there's still a little extra punch and warmth in the mix. The rest of the range is pretty neutral, though higher frequencies can sound dark and veiled. If you prefer a different sound, there's a graphic EQ and presets available, which is handy.
With calibration, the Samsung HW-Q60T has a very good stereo frequency response. With its bass set to '-6' and its treble set to '6', it has a very neutral sound profile that's suitable for listening to lots of different types of audio content. However, it still struggles to reproduce a thumpy low-bass, disappointing for fans of bass-heavy genres like EDM.
The Samsung HW-Q60T's stereo soundstage is decent. It sounds about as wide as the size of the bar, but the bar itself doesn't do anything to make it appear wider. It sounds focused, and objects seem to be coming from a more accurate pinpoint location than from a general area.
The Samsung HW-Q60T has very good stereo dynamics and can get loud enough for large rooms or house parties. However, at max volume, there are slight pumping and compression artifacts.
The Samsung HW-Q60T has a decent THD performance. At a normal listening volume, the THD falls within good limits and reproduces clean and pure sound. However, at max volume, there's distortion present, especially in the bass range.
The Samsung HW-Q60T has a good center channel performance. Its configuration has a dedicated center speaker, which helps produce clearer and more accurate vocals. Its frequency response is bass-heavy, but this shouldn't be too noticeable since there typically isn't a lot of bass reproduced on the center channel.
Update 01/27/2022: We previously reported the bar's localization as 'Phantom (Up-Firing, Bar)' because of its Acoustic Beam feature. Samsung's Acoustic Beam technology creates a surround experience, firing sound upwards from its bar to give you the impression of a more immersive surround sound experience. However, this feature is only active when the bar is set to either its 'Surround', 'Game', or 'Adaptive Sound' modes. In 'Standard' and 'DTS Virtual:X' modes, the bar only plays surround audio from the subwoofer and the left and right stereo channels. Since we test the bar in its default 'Standard' mode, we updated the localization to 'Stereo (Downmix)'.
In its 'Standard' mode, the Samsung HW-Q60T's surrounds performance is poor. It has to downmix surround content into stereo to play it, but this doesn't result in the most accurate or clear reproduction of surround objects in the soundstage. It also doesn't feel as real or immersive as the surround experience offered by discrete localization from soundbars like the Samsung HW-Q65T. Instead, it sounds dark and overly bass-heavy.
The Samsung HW-Q60T has a fair selection of sound enhancement features. Unlike the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround, it lacks a room correction feature. However, this soundbar is one of the first in their lineup to have EQ presets like Game Pro and Adaptive Sound in addition to their 7-band graphic EQ. It also has a surround sound mode, but it needs to be enabled to decode 5.1 content without downmixing it to 3.1. The manufacturer says that it supports Q-Symphony, which syncs up the bar with the speakers from compatible Samsung QLED TVs, but we don't currently test for this. If you want a bar that's advertised to support some of Samsung's newer features like Tap Sound, check out the Samsung HW-Q59CT.
The Samsung HW-Q60T has a Full HDMI In port that can support high-quality signals and a USB input, which is a nice touch. Unlike the Samsung HW-Q60R, it lacks an audio jack, so you can't share your phone's audio using an aux cable.
Update 12/21/2021: A user noted that the Irish website for Samsung advertises this bar with eARC support. However, we can confirm that our model doesn't support eARC. The European variant may be a bit different from the American version. Also, this could be a mistake on the Samsung website.
This soundbar's HDMI ARC port supports the most common formats found on soundbars like Dolby Digital and DTS. While you can listen to 5.1 surround content like Blu-ray discs or streaming media, you need to activate the soundbar's surround sound mode; otherwise, it downmixes this content to 3.1.
Update 02/17/2022: Firmware update 1006.0 adds DTS support.
The Full HMDI In port supports Dolby Digital, used in content like streaming platforms or Blu-ray discs. The Full HDMI In port allows you to use your soundbar as a hub for your devices like a PC and TV setup. However, this soundbar still lacks object-based surround support for Dolby Atmos content.
This bar supports both Dolby Digital and DTS content via its Audio Optical In. These formats are usually found on Blu-ray discs and streaming platforms.
The Samsung HW-Q60T has an incredible latency performance. It has low latency over its ARC, Optical, and Full HDMI In ports, so there shouldn't be a noticeable delay between the audio you hear and the video you see. As a result, it's suitable for watching videos and movies over these connections. That said, some apps and some TVs compensate for latency differently, so your real-world experience may vary.
This soundbar only supports Bluetooth wireless playback. Some may find the lack of connection via Wi-Fi, Chromecast built-in, or Apple AirPlay limiting. If you're looking for a Samsung soundbar that can support Wi-Fi playback, check out the Samsung HW-S60T.
When connected between your PC and the TV, the Samsung HW-Q60T can passthrough the highest bandwidth signals, which means text looks crisp and clear on your TV.
The interface is a small screen to the right of the bar, behind the front grille. It's simple to read and use. It can show you the input you're on, your volume level, and the settings you're changing. However, because it's a small screen, it may have to scroll to display the entire message.
There are four controls on the bar that perform basic commands. You can turn on/off the bar, adjust the volume, and change inputs.
This remote has a similar look to Samsung's TV remotes. You can control all the soundbar's functions with it, but you can't use it as a universal remote. The manufacturer says it supports Samsung OneRemote, which lets you control the bar using the remote from a compatible Samsung TV, but we don't test for this.