Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE vs Samsung HW-Q950A Side-by-Side Soundbar Comparison

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Jan 12, 2024 07:39 PM

See Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE Review

Channels7.1.4

Channels11.1.4

Variants

Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE (Black)

HW-Q950A (Black)

Review

See Samsung HW-Q950A Review

Our Verdict

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE

Samsung HW-Q950A

The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup with eARC support that offers more sound enhancement features, including room correction and a graphic EQ. It has a more neutral sound out-of-the-box, especially than the bass-heavy Nakamichi. That said, the 7.1.4 Nakamichi is still a good choice, and it even has a better build quality than the Samsung soundbar.

Check Price

Black

Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE

Black

HW-Q950A

Black

Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE

Black

HW-Q950A

Black

Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE

Black

HW-Q950A

Black

Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE

Black

HW-Q950A

Black

Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE

Black

HW-Q950A

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

7.6

8.4

Stereo Frequency Response

7.4

8.2

Full Comparison

Mixed Usage

7.6

8.4

Dialogue/TV Shows

7.8

8.6

Music

7.3

8.3

Movies

7.7

8.3

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

Partial, wired to wireless sub

Yes

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Dimensions - Bar

Dimensions photo - bar

Width

45.6" (115.8 cm)

48.4" (123.0 cm)

Height

3.5" (9.0 cm)

2.8" (7.0 cm)

Depth

3.1" (8.0 cm)

5.4" (13.8 cm)

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Dimensions - Subwoofer

Dimensions photo - sub

Width

9.5" (24.1 cm)

8.2" (20.9 cm)

Height

20.3" (51.6 cm)

15.8" (40.2 cm)

Depth

11.9" (30.1 cm)

15.9" (40.3 cm)

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Dimensions - Satellites

Dimensions photo - satellites

Width

8.0" (20.4 cm)

4.9" (12.4 cm)

Height

5.6" (14.3 cm)

8.0" (20.2 cm)

Depth

4.8" (12.1 cm)

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

8.0

7.5

Build quality photo

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In The Box

In The Box photo

HDMI Cable Length

1.5 m (4.9 ft)

Digital Optical Cable Length

1.5 m (4.9 ft)

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Back - Bar

Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting

Proprietary

Show Text

Back - Subwoofer

Back photo - sub

Enclosure

Ported

Show Text

Back - Satellites

Back photo - satellites

Mounting

Proprietary

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Sound

Stereo Frequency Response

7.4

8.2

Stereo Setup

Raw Frequency Response

Frequency Response Small

Tested Preset

DSP Off

Standard

Slope

-2.30

0.30

Std. Err.

6.37 dB

2.65 dB

Channels

7.1.4

11.1.4

Low-Frequency Extension

27.5 Hz

33.2 Hz

High-Frequency Extension

18.2 kHz

19.1 kHz

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Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration

7.8

8.4

Frequency Response Calibrated

Suggested Preset

DSP Off

Standard

Suggested Bass Setting

Suggested Treble Setting

Slope

-0.87

0.01

Std. Err.

3.78 dB

2.19 dB

Low-Frequency Extension

34.1 Hz

30.4 Hz

High-Frequency Extension

18.0 kHz

19.6 kHz

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Stereo Soundstage

7.5

Crosstalk

Crosstalk Error

2.21 dB

2.24 dB

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Stereo Dynamics

8.1

8.8

Dynamic Range Compression

SPL @ Max Volume

93.3 dB SPL

98.8 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume

1.08 dB

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Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion

7.8

8.4

THD

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.34

0.18

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

2.34

1.27

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Center

7.9

8.8

Center Setup

Frequency Response

Localization

Discrete

Slope

-1.58

0.28

Std. Err.

4.31 dB

2.19 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

94.6 dB SPL

96.6 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.40

0.17

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

2.17

0.86

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Surround 5.1

8.3

Surround Setup

Frequency Response

Localization

Discrete

Slope

-0.05

-0.36

Std. Err.

3.57 dB

2.92 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

99.2 dB SPL

89.8 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.65

0.52

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

11.75

2.31

7.1 Rears

Yes

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Height (Atmos)

6.3

6.6

Height Setup

H Frequency Response

Localization

Phantom (Side Firing, Front Firing Bar and Up Firing Satellites)

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)

Slope

-0.67

-0.28

Std. Err.

5.17 dB

4.20 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

97.4 dB SPL

90.5 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.77

0.54

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

1.67

1.03

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Sound Enhancement Features

6.9

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

8.4

Dolby Atmos

Yes

Supported

Dolby Digital

Yes

Supported

Dolby Digital Plus

Yes

Supported

Dolby TrueHD

Supported

DTS

Yes

Supported

DTS:X

Supported

eARC

DTS-HD MA

Supported

PCM Channels

Up To 7.1

5.1 PCM (eARC only)

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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

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Latency

8.2

7.7

Latency Video

ARC

67 ms

80 ms

Optical

60 ms

Full HDMI In

34 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

6.0

9.0

Bluetooth

Yes

Wi-Fi Playback

Yes

Chromecast built-in

Apple AirPlay

Yes

Spotify Connect

Yes

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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

Partial, wired to wireless sub

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

Apple Siri

Microphone Mute

Yes

Show Text

App

App image

App Name

No App

iOS

Android

Acts As A Remote

Controls Soundbar's Settings

Casts Device Files

Other Features

Power Saving

Standby

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)

Yes

Show Text

Check Price

Black

Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE

Black

HW-Q950A

Black

Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE

Black

HW-Q950A

Black

Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE

Black

HW-Q950A

Black

Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE

Black

HW-Q950A

Black

Shockwafe Pro 7.1 SSE

Black

HW-Q950A

Black

HW-Q950A