LG SN8YG vs Samsung HW-Q950A Side-by-Side Soundbar Comparison

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Jan 12, 2024 07:39 PM

See Samsung HW-Q950A Review

Channels3.1.2

Channels11.1.4

Variants

SN8YG (Black)

HW-Q950A (Black)

Review

See LG SN8YG Review

Our Verdict

LG SN8YG

Samsung HW-Q950A

The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the LG SN8YG. The Samsung comes with dedicated satellites, and it has better soundstage and surround performances. It also gets louder with less compression at max volume. Some users may also prefer its more neutral sound profile compared to the LG's bass-heavy sound.

Check Price

Black

SN8YG

Black

HW-Q950A

Black

SN8YG

Black

HW-Q950A

Black

SN8YG

Black

HW-Q950A

Black

SN8YG

Black

HW-Q950A

Black

SN8YG

Black

HW-Q950A

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

7.7

8.4

Surround 5.1

3.7

8.3

Stereo Dynamics

6.8

8.8

Stereo Frequency Response

7.9

8.2

Full Comparison

Mixed Usage

7.7

8.4

Dialogue/TV Shows

8.1

8.6

Music

7.7

8.3

Movies

7.4

8.3

Design

Style - Bar

Style photo - bar

Show text

Style - Subwoofer

Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless

Yes

Enclosure

Ported

Show text

Style - Satellites

Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless

Yes

Show text

Dimensions - Bar

Dimensions photo - bar

Width

41.7" (106.0 cm)

48.4" (123.0 cm)

Height

2.2" (5.6 cm)

2.8" (7.0 cm)

Depth

4.7" (12.0 cm)

5.4" (13.8 cm)

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Dimensions - Subwoofer

Dimensions photo - sub

Width

8.7" (22.1 cm)

8.2" (20.9 cm)

Height

15.4" (39.0 cm)

15.8" (40.2 cm)

Depth

12.3" (31.2 cm)

15.9" (40.3 cm)

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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)

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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

7.5

Build quality photo

Show text

In The Box

In The Box photo

HDMI Cable Length

N/A

Digital Optical Cable Length

1.5 m (4.9 ft)

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Back - Bar

Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting

Universal (holes on underside)

Show text

Back - Subwoofer

Back photo - sub

Enclosure

Ported

Show text

Back - Satellites

Back photo - satellites

Mounting

Show text

Sound

Stereo Frequency Response

7.9

8.2

Stereo Setup

Raw Frequency Response

Frequency Response Small

Tested Preset

Standard

Slope

-1.16

0.30

Std. Err.

4.46 dB

2.65 dB

Channels

3.1.2

11.1.4

Low-Frequency Extension

27.9 Hz

33.2 Hz

High-Frequency Extension

19.9 kHz

19.1 kHz

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Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration

8.2

8.4

Frequency Response Calibrated

Suggested Preset

Standard

Suggested Bass Setting

-5

Suggested Treble Setting

Slope

-0.24

0.01

Std. Err.

3.57 dB

2.19 dB

Low-Frequency Extension

27.9 Hz

30.4 Hz

High-Frequency Extension

19.9 kHz

19.6 kHz

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Stereo Soundstage

7.0

7.5

Crosstalk

Crosstalk Error

2.50 dB

2.24 dB

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Stereo Dynamics

6.8

8.8

Dynamic Range Compression

SPL @ Max Volume

92.8 dB SPL

98.8 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume

3.62 dB

1.08 dB

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Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion

6.7

8.4

THD

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.71

0.18

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

4.39

1.27

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Center

8.1

8.8

Center Setup

Frequency Response

Localization

Discrete

Slope

-0.16

0.28

Std. Err.

3.42 dB

2.19 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

90.3 dB SPL

96.6 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

1.11

0.17

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

3.15

0.86

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Surround 5.1

3.7

8.3

Surround Setup

Frequency Response

Localization

Stereo (Downmix)

Discrete

Slope

-1.22

-0.36

Std. Err.

4.52 dB

2.92 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

93.3 dB SPL

89.8 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.71

0.52

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

4.46

2.31

7.1 Rears

Yes

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Height (Atmos)

6.1

6.6

Height Setup

H Frequency Response

Localization

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)

Slope

-0.10

-0.28

Std. Err.

4.43 dB

4.20 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

89.0 dB SPL

90.5 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.41

0.54

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

1.49

1.03

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Sound Enhancement Features

9.4

9.5

Room Correction

Yes

Dialogue Enhancement

Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode

Yes

Subwoofer Level Adjustment

Yes

Bass Adjustment

Yes

Treble Adjustment

Yes

EQ

Presets

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 Out

1 (shared)

eARC

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth

Full HDMI In

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)

RCA In

USB for Files

Ethernet

Subwoofer Output

HDMI ARC

1 (shared)

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Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC

Dolby Atmos

Yes

Supported

Dolby Digital

Yes

Supported

Dolby Digital Plus

Yes

Supported

Dolby TrueHD

Yes

Supported

DTS

Yes

Supported

DTS:X

Yes

Supported

eARC

Yes

DTS-HD MA

Yes

Supported

PCM Channels

Up To 7.1

5.1 PCM (eARC only)

Yes

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Audio Format Support: HDMI In

Dolby Atmos

Yes

Supported

Dolby Digital

Yes

Supported

Dolby Digital Plus

Yes

Supported

Dolby TrueHD

Yes

Supported

DTS

Yes

Supported

DTS:X

Yes

Supported

DTS-HD MA

Yes

Supported

PCM Channels

Up To 7.1

5.1 PCM

Yes

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Audio Format Support: Optical

Dolby Digital

Yes

Supported

DTS

Yes

Supported

PCM Channels

2.0

Show text

Latency

7.6

7.7

Latency Video

ARC

75 ms

80 ms

Optical

56 ms

60 ms

Full HDMI In

87 ms

59 ms

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Video Passthrough To TV

0.0

8.5

1080p Max Refresh Rate

120Hz

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate

120Hz

4k Max Refresh Rate

60Hz

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

Show text

Connectivity - Subwoofer

Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1

Sub Wireless

Yes

Show text

Connectivity - Satellites

Physical inputs satellites photo 1

Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless

Yes

Show text

Additional Features

Interface

Interface photo

Display

Yes

Show text

Bar Controls

Controls photo

Show text

Remote

Remote photo

Universal Remote

Show text

Voice Assistants Support

Amazon Alexa

Yes (Built-in)

Google Assistant

Yes (Built-in)

Apple Siri

Microphone Mute

Yes

Show text

App

App image

App Name

LG Wi-Fi Speaker

iOS

Yes

Android

Yes

Acts As A Remote

Yes

Controls Soundbar's Settings

All

Casts Device Files

Yes

Show text

Other Features

Power Saving

Standby

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)

Yes

Show text

Check Price

Black

SN8YG

Black

HW-Q950A

Black

SN8YG

Black

HW-Q950A

Black

SN8YG

Black

HW-Q950A

Black

SN8YG

Black

HW-Q950A

Black

SN8YG

Black

HW-Q950A