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  1. Home
  2. Soundbar
  3. Compare
  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Style - Bar
    2. Style - Subwoofer
    3. Style - Satellites
    4. Dimensions - Bar
    5. Dimensions - Subwoofer
    6. Dimensions - Satellites
    7. Mounting
    8. Build Quality
    9. In The Box
  5. Sound
    1. Stereo Frequency Response
    2. Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
    3. Stereo Soundstage
    4. Stereo Dynamics
    5. Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
    6. Center
    7. Surround 5.1
    8. Height (Atmos)
    9. Sound Enhancement Features
  6. Connectivity
    1. Inputs/Outputs - Bar
    2. Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
    3. Audio Format Support: HDMI In
    4. Audio Format Support: Optical
    5. Latency
    6. Video Passthrough To TV
    7. Wireless Playback
  7. Additional Features
    1. Interface
    2. Bar Controls
    3. Remote
    4. Voice Assistants Support
  8. Comments

Bose Solo 5 vs Samsung HW-Q950A

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Bose Solo 5
Samsung HW-Q950A

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Apr 09, 2024 02:19 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Jan 12, 2024 07:39 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Bose Solo 5 Picture
Samsung HW-Q950A Picture
Channels
2.0
Channels
11.1.4

Variants

  • Solo 5 (Black)
  • HW-Q950A (Black)

Review

See Bose Solo 5 Review
See Samsung HW-Q950A Review
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0 

Our Verdict

Bose Solo 5

Samsung HW-Q950A

The Bose Solo 5 and the Samsung HW-Q950A are two very different soundbar setups. The Bose is a small, standalone soundbar with a simple design. However, the Samsung is a premium 11.1.4 setup with a dedicated sub and satellites. Unlike the Bose, it supports Atmos content, and it has HDMI inputs. It has better soundstage, center, and surround performances. There are also lots more sound enhancement features, including room correction.

0 

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Black
Solo 5
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Black
HW-Q950A
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Black
Solo 5
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Black
HW-Q950A
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Black
Solo 5
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Black
HW-Q950A
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Solo 5
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HW-Q950A
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Solo 5
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HW-Q950A
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Black
HW-Q950A
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

6.2
8.4

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.2
8.2

Height (Atmos) 
 

0.0
6.6

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

0.0
10

Surround 5.1 
 

3.0
8.3

Center 
 

6.7
8.8

Stereo Dynamics 
 

7.0
8.8

Stereo Soundstage 
 

6.0
7.5

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

0.0
10

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

No
Yes

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

2.1
9.5

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Bose Solo 5 Style photo - bar
Samsung HW-Q950A Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Bose Solo 5 Style photo - sub
Samsung HW-Q950A Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

No
Yes

Enclosure 
 

No Subwoofer
Ported
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Bose Solo 5 Style photo - satellites
Samsung HW-Q950A Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Bose Solo 5 Dimensions photo - bar
Samsung HW-Q950A Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

21.7" (55.0 cm)
48.4" (123.0 cm)

Height  

2.6" (6.7 cm)
2.8" (7.0 cm)

Depth  

3.2" (8.1 cm)
5.4" (13.8 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Bose Solo 5 Dimensions photo - sub
Samsung HW-Q950A 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)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Bose Solo 5 Dimensions photo - satellites
Samsung HW-Q950A 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)
Show Text 

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Bose Solo 5 Bar Mounting Holes
Samsung HW-Q950A Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Bose Solo 5 Satellite Mounting Holes
Samsung HW-Q950A Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes
Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

No
Yes

Mountable Satellites 
 

No
Yes

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

No
No

Build Quality 
 

7.5
7.5

Build quality photo  

Bose Solo 5 Build quality photo
Samsung HW-Q950A Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Bose Solo 5 In The Box photo
Samsung HW-Q950A In The Box photo
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.2
8.2

Stereo Setup  

Bose Solo 5 Stereo Setup
Samsung HW-Q950A Stereo Setup

Raw Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Frequency Response Small  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Tested Preset 
 

No Preset
Standard

Slope 
 

-0.31
0.30

Std. Err. 
 

2.57 dB
2.65 dB

Channels 
 

2.0
11.1.4

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

56.6 Hz
33.2 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
19.1 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

7.3
8.4

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

No Preset
Standard

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

-2
2

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

N/A
0

Slope 
 

-0.25
0.01

Std. Err. 
 

2.31 dB
2.19 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

57.4 Hz
30.4 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
19.6 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

6.0
7.5

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

3.23 dB
2.24 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

7.0
8.8

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

87.4 dB SPL
98.8 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

1.86 dB
1.08 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

7.4
8.4

THD  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.64
0.18

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.06
1.27
Show Text 

Center 
 

6.7
8.8

Center Setup  

Bose Solo 5 Center Setup
Samsung HW-Q950A Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom
Discrete

Slope 
 

-0.43
0.28

Std. Err. 
 

2.59 dB
2.19 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

87.2 dB SPL
96.6 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.56
0.17

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.06
0.86
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

3.0
8.3

Surround Setup  

Bose Solo 5 Surround Setup
Samsung HW-Q950A Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Stereo (Downmix)
Discrete

Slope 
 

-0.59
-0.36

Std. Err. 
 

5.86 dB
2.92 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

86.0 dB SPL
89.8 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.63
0.52

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.00
2.31

7.1 Rears 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

0.0
6.6

Height Setup  

Bose Solo 5 Height Setup
Samsung HW-Q950A Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

Bose Solo 5 H Frequency Response
See details on graph tool

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
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

2.1
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 
 

No
Yes

EQ 
 

No
Graphic + Presets

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Height Level Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Virtual Surround 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Bose Solo 5 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Samsung HW-Q950A Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Bose Solo 5 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Samsung HW-Q950A Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
1

HDMI Out 
 

No
eARC

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

No
No

Full HDMI In 
 

No
2

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

1
No

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

No
No

Ethernet 
 

No
No

Subwoofer Output 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

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
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

6.5
10

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Supported

DTS 
 

Not Supported
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
2.0
Show Text 

Latency 
 

8.8
7.7

Latency Video  

ARC 
 

N/A
80 ms

Optical 
 

-35 ms
60 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

N/A
59 ms
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

Wireless Playback 
 

6.0
9.0

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
Yes

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

No
Yes

Chromecast built-in 
 

No
No

Apple AirPlay 
 

No
Yes

Spotify Connect 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Bose Solo 5 Interface photo
Samsung HW-Q950A Interface photo

Display 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Bose Solo 5 Controls photo
Samsung HW-Q950A Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

Bose Solo 5 Remote photo
Samsung HW-Q950A Remote photo
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

No
Yes (Built-in)

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
Solo 5
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Black
HW-Q950A
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Solo 5
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HW-Q950A
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Solo 5
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HW-Q950A
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Solo 5
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HW-Q950A
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Solo 5
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HW-Q950A
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HW-Q950A
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Bose Solo 5

Samsung HW-Q950A

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 2 years ago

Bose Solo 5 vs Samsung HW-Q950A: Main Discussion

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