Klipsch Cinema 1200 vs Samsung HW-Q900A Side-by-Side Soundbar Comparison

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Jan 12, 2024 07:40 PM

See Klipsch Cinema 1200 Review

Channels5.1.4

Channels7.1.2

Variants

Cinema 1200 (Black)

HW-Q900A (Black)

Review

See Samsung HW-Q900A Review

Our Verdict

Klipsch Cinema 1200

Samsung HW-Q900A

The Samsung HW-Q900A is a bit better for mixed usage than the Klipsch Cinema 1200. The Samsung is a better-built 7.1.2 setup. Unlike the Klipsch, it supports DTS content, and it has more sound enhancement features like room correction. While the Klipsch has a bass-heavy sound right out-of-the-box, the Samsung's sound is more neutral with an accurate reproduction of the boom in the bass. That said, since the Klipsch comes with discrete satellites, it has a better surrounds performance.

Check Price

Black

Cinema 1200

Black

HW-Q900A

Black

Cinema 1200

Black

HW-Q900A

Black

HW-Q900A

Black

HW-Q900A

Notice: Two or more of the products selected have been tested with different test methodologies, so some of the results below aren't directly comparable. Learn how our test benches and scoring system work, and read more about the latest changes to our soundbars test methodology.

Threshold

0.10

Mixed Usage

8.2

8.3

No major differences between these soundbars for mixed usage. See full list of tests below.

Full Comparison

Mixed Usage

8.2

8.3

Dialogue/TV Shows

8.6

Music

8.2

8.3

Movies

8.0

Design

Style - Bar

Style photo - bar

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Style - Subwoofer

Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless

Yes

Enclosure

Ported

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Style - Satellites

Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless

Yes

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Dimensions - Bar

Dimensions photo - bar

Width

54.1" (137.3 cm)

48.4" (123.0 cm)

Height

3.0" (7.5 cm)

2.8" (7.0 cm)

Depth

6.2" (15.7 cm)

5.4" (13.8 cm)

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Dimensions - Subwoofer

Dimensions photo - sub

Width

15.6" (39.7 cm)

8.2" (20.9 cm)

Height

20.2" (51.3 cm)

15.8" (40.2 cm)

Depth

15.6" (39.7 cm)

15.9" (40.3 cm)

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Dimensions - Satellites

Dimensions photo - satellites

Width

4.8" (12.1 cm)

N/A

Height

8.9" (22.5 cm)

N/A

Depth

4.8" (12.1 cm)

N/A

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Mounting

Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar

Yes

Bar Brackets Included

Yes

Mountable Satellites

Yes

Satellite Brackets Included

Build Quality

7.0

7.5

Build quality photo

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In The Box

In The Box photo

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Sound

Stereo Frequency Response

8.4

8.2

Stereo Setup

Raw Frequency Response

Frequency Response Small

Channels

5.1.4

7.1.2

Tested Preset

Direct

Standard

Slope

-0.35

0.51

Standard Error

3.15 dB

2.75 dB

Low-Frequency Extension

22.8 Hz

33.2 Hz

High-Frequency Extension

19.9 kHz

19.3 kHz

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Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration

8.4

8.5

Frequency Response Calibrated

Suggested Preset

Direct

Standard

Suggested Bass Setting

-4

Suggested Treble Setting

Slope

-0.26

0.08

Standard Error

3.35 dB

2.13 dB

Low-Frequency Extension

22.4 Hz

30.0 Hz

High-Frequency Extension

19.9 kHz

19.3 kHz

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Stereo Soundstage

7.5

Crosstalk

Crosstalk Error

1.68 dB

2.07 dB

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Stereo Dynamics

8.7

8.6

Dynamic Range Compression

SPL @ Max Volume

95.9 dB SPL

98.3 dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB

0.29 dB

DRC @ Max Volume

0.42 dB

1.19 dB

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Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion

8.2

THD

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.25

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

1.36

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Center

8.4

8.7

Center Setup

Frequency Response

Localization

Discrete

Slope

-0.17

0.36

Std. Err.

2.91 dB

2.29 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

94.3 dB SPL

95.7 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.62

0.18

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

1.50

0.88

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Surround 5.1

7.7

6.0

Surround Setup

Frequency Response

Localization

Discrete

Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)

Slope

-1.31

0.18

Std. Err.

3.86 dB

4.00 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

97.5 dB SPL

89.8 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.58

0.48

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

1.86

1.89

7.1 Rears

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Height (Atmos)

6.2

5.8

Height Setup

H Frequency Response

Localization

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)

Slope

-1.99

0.71

Std. Err.

5.15 dB

5.06 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

85.6 dB SPL

87.7 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.27

0.73

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

0.25

1.12

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Sound Enhancement Features

7.5

9.5

Room Correction

Yes

Dialogue Enhancement

Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode

Yes

Subwoofer Level Adjustment

Yes

Bass Adjustment

Yes

Treble Adjustment

Yes

EQ

Graphic + Presets

Surround Level Adjustment

Yes

Rear Level Adjustment

Yes

Height Level Adjustment

Yes

Virtual Surround

Yes

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Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In

HDMI ARC

1 (shared)

HDMI Out

eARC

1 (shared)

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth

Full HDMI In

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)

RCA In

USB for Files

Ethernet

Subwoofer Output

Yes

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Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC

8.1

Dolby Atmos

Supported

Yes

Dolby Digital

Supported

Yes

Dolby Digital Plus

Supported

Yes

Dolby TrueHD

Supported

Yes

DTS

Not Supported

Yes

DTS:X

Not Supported

Yes

eARC

Yes

DTS-HD MA

Not Supported

Yes

PCM Channels

Up To 7.1

5.1 PCM (eARC only)

Yes

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Audio Format Support: HDMI In

8.1

Dolby Atmos

Supported

Yes

Dolby Digital

Supported

Yes

Dolby Digital Plus

Supported

Yes

Dolby TrueHD

Supported

Yes

DTS

Not Supported

Yes

DTS:X

Not Supported

Yes

DTS-HD MA

Not Supported

Yes

PCM Channels

Up To 7.1

5.1 PCM

Yes

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Audio Format Support: Optical

6.5

Dolby Digital

Supported

Yes

DTS

Not Supported

Yes

PCM Channels

2.0

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Audio Latency: ARC

6.9

ARC Latency Video

PCM-2.0 ch

31 ms

PCM-5.1 ch

32 ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos

N/A

Dolby Digital

124 ms

Dolby Digital Plus

136 ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos

100 ms

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Audio Latency: HDMI In

8.6

8.3

HDMI Latency Video

Latency Video

PCM-2.0 ch

N/A

PCM-5.1 ch

N/A

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos

56 ms

Dolby Digital

107 ms

Dolby Digital Plus

100 ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos

102 ms

ARC

49 ms

Optical

19 ms

Full HDMI In

-66 ms

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Audio Latency: Optical

9.0

Optical Latency Video

PCM-2.0 ch

79 ms

Dolby Digital

380 ms

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Video Passthrough To TV

9.0

0.0

1080p Max Refresh Rate

120Hz

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate

120Hz

4k Max Refresh Rate

120Hz

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit

Not Supported

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate

60Hz

8k Max Refresh Rate

30Hz

HDR10 Passthrough

Yes

HDR10+ Passthrough

Yes

Dolby Vision Passthrough

Yes

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough

Yes

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough

Yes

FreeSync Passthrough

G-SYNC Passthrough

ALLM Passthrough

Yes

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough

Yes

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough

Yes

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Wireless Playback

9.0

Bluetooth

Yes

Wi-Fi Playback

Yes

Chromecast built-in

Yes

Apple AirPlay

Yes

Spotify Connect

Yes

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Additional Features

Interface

Interface photo

Display

Yes

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Bar Controls

Controls photo

Show Text

Remote

Remote photo

Show Text

Voice Assistants Support

Amazon Alexa

Yes (Built-in)

Google Assistant

Apple Siri

Microphone Mute

Yes

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Check Price

Black

Cinema 1200

Black

HW-Q900A

Black

Cinema 1200

Black

HW-Q900A

Black

HW-Q900A

Black

HW-Q900A