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Bose Smart Soundbar 300 vs Samsung HW-Q950A
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Bose Smart Soundbar 300
Samsung HW-Q950A
Tested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Mar 15, 2024 07:11 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Jan 12, 2024 07:39 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels3.0
Channels11.1.4
Variants
- Smart Soundbar 300 (Black)
- HW-Q950A (Black)
Our Verdict
Bose Smart Soundbar 300
Samsung HW-Q950A
The Samsung HW-Q950A and the Bose Smart Soundbar 300 are two very different soundbar setups. The Samsung is a more versatile setup with a dedicated sub and satellites. It supports Dolby Atmos content, unlike the Bose, and it has a better surrounds performance. It gets louder, and there are more sound enhancement features available. However, the standalone Bose is still a decent pick for users who just want a small bar for dialogue-centric content like TV shows.
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Black
Smart Soundbar 300
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q950A
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Amazon.comBlack
Smart Soundbar 300
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Walmart.comBlack
HW-Q950A
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Amazon.comBlack
Smart Soundbar 300
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B&HBlack
Smart Soundbar 300
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BestBuy.comMain Differences for
Threshold
Mixed Usage
6.8
8.4
Stereo Frequency Response
7.1
8.2
Height (Atmos)
0.0
6.6
Surround 5.1
3.9
8.3
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
4.8
10
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
0.0
10
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
No
Yes
Stereo Dynamics
7.6
8.8
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
No
Yes
Enclosure
No Subwoofer
Ported
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
Yes
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
27.4" (69.5 cm)
48.4" (123.0 cm)
Height
2.2" (5.6 cm)
2.8" (7.0 cm)
Depth
4.1" (10.5 cm)
5.4" (13.8 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
N/A
8.2" (20.9 cm)
Height
N/A
15.8" (40.2 cm)
Depth
N/A
15.9" (40.3 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
4.9" (12.4 cm)
Height
N/A
8.0" (20.2 cm)
Depth
N/A
5.5" (14.0 cm)
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
No
Yes
Mountable Satellites
No
Yes
Satellite Brackets Included
No
No
Build Quality
8.0
7.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.1
8.2
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
No Preset
Standard
Slope
-0.25
0.30
Std. Err.
3.34 dB
2.65 dB
Channels
3.0
11.1.4
Low-Frequency Extension
54.2 Hz
33.2 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.1 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.4
8.4
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
No Preset
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
-30
2
Suggested Treble Setting
-20
0
Slope
-0.21
0.01
Std. Err.
2.31 dB
2.19 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
55.0 Hz
30.4 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.6 kHz
19.6 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.5
7.5
Crosstalk Error
1.95 dB
2.24 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.6
8.8
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
93.1 dB SPL
98.8 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
2.03 dB
1.08 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
8.0
8.4
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.36
0.18
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.19
1.27
Center
8.3
8.8
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.19
0.28
Std. Err.
3.27 dB
2.19 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
93.3 dB SPL
96.6 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.40
0.17
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.15
0.86
Surround 5.1
3.9
8.3
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Discrete
Slope
-0.97
-0.36
Std. Err.
3.62 dB
2.92 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
88.9 dB SPL
89.8 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.70
0.52
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.72
2.31
7.1 Rears
No
Yes
Height (Atmos)
0.0
6.6
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Not Supported
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Slope
N/A
-0.28
Std. Err.
N/A
4.20 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
N/A
90.5 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
N/A
0.54
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
N/A
1.03
Sound Enhancement Features
2.7
9.5
Room Correction
No
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
No
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
Yes
Yes
EQ
No
Graphic + Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Rear Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Height Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Virtual Surround
No
Yes
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI Out
ARC
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
No
Full HDMI In
No
2
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
No
Ethernet
No
No
Subwoofer Output
Yes
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
4.8
10
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Not Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
Supported
DTS
Not Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Not Supported
Supported
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
0.0
10
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Not Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Not Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
Supported
DTS
Not Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Not Supported
Supported
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
Not Supported
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: Optical
6.5
10
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
DTS
Not Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
2.0
Latency
8.4
7.7
Latency Video
ARC
47 ms
80 ms
Optical
45 ms
60 ms
Full HDMI In
N/A
59 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
0.0
8.5
1080p Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
120Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
120Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
60Hz
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
60Hz
8k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
30Hz
HDR10 Passthrough
No
Yes
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
Yes
Dolby Vision Passthrough
No
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
Yes
FreeSync Passthrough
No
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
No
ALLM Passthrough
No
Yes
Wireless Playback
10
9.0
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
Yes
No
Apple AirPlay
Yes
Yes
Spotify Connect
Yes
Yes
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
No
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
Yes (Built-in)
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
Yes (Built-in)
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
Yes
Yes
Check Price
Black
Smart Soundbar 300
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q950A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Smart Soundbar 300
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
HW-Q950A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Smart Soundbar 300
SEARCH
B&HBlack
Smart Soundbar 300
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
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Bose Smart Soundbar 300
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Bose Smart Soundbar 300 vs Samsung HW-Q950A: Main Discussion
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