Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 eARC vs Samsung HW-Q930B Side-by-Side Soundbar Comparison

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Dec 13, 2024 07:31 PM

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 eARC Picture

Channels9.2.4

Channels9.1.4

Recommended in 3 articles:
Soundbars
Subwoofer
Dolby Atmos

Variants

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 eARC (Black)

HW-Q930B (Black)

Review

See Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 eARC review

See Samsung HW-Q930B review

Our Verdict

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 eARC

Samsung HW-Q930B

The Samsung HW-Q930B is better than the Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 eARC for most uses. These are two very different setups—the Samsung has one sub and two satellites, while the Nakamichi has two subs and four satellites. As a result, the Nakamichi is more geared towards those with large, more open living spaces. Still, it doesn't offer the same immersive listening experience as the Samsung model, especially with Dolby Atmos content. The Samsung is more customizable, too, with a more balanced sound out-of-the-box.

Check Price

Black

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 eARC

Black

HW-Q930B

Black

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 eARC

Black

HW-Q930B

Black

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 eARC

Black

HW-Q930B

Black

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 eARC

Black

HW-Q930B

Black

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 eARC

Black

HW-Q930B

Black

HW-Q930B

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.

Main Differences for

Threshold

0.10

Mixed Usage

7.9

8.2

Stereo Frequency Response

7.6

8.2

Stereo Dynamics

9.1

8.0

Full Comparison

Mixed Usage

7.9

8.2

Dialogue/TV Shows

8.1

8.4

Music

7.5

8.1

Movies

7.9

8.1

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

Partial, wired to wireless sub

Yes

Show text

Dimensions - Bar

Dimensions photo - bar

Width

45.6" (115.8 cm)

43.7" (111.1 cm)

Height

3.5" (9.0 cm)

2.3" (5.9 cm)

Depth

3.1" (7.8 cm)

4.7" (12.0 cm)

Show text

Dimensions - Subwoofer

Dimensions photo - sub

Width

11.9" (30.1 cm)

8.2" (20.9 cm)

Height

20.2" (51.2 cm)

15.8" (40.2 cm)

Depth

13.6" (34.5 cm)

15.9" (40.3 cm)

Show text

Dimensions - Satellites

Dimensions photo - satellites

Width

4.8" (12.2 cm)

5.1" (13.0 cm)

Height

8.0" (20.4 cm)

7.9" (20.0 cm)

Depth

5.6" (14.2 cm)

Show text

Mounting

Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar

Yes

Bar Brackets Included

Yes

Mountable Satellites

Yes

Satellite Brackets Included

Yes

Build Quality

8.0

8.5

Build quality photo

Show text

In The Box

In The Box photo

Show text

Sound

Stereo Frequency Response

7.6

8.2

Stereo Setup

Raw Frequency Response

Frequency Response Small

Channels

9.2.4

9.1.4

Tested Preset

Music

Standard

Slope

-1.00

-0.52

Standard Error

4.90 dB

3.24 dB

Low-Frequency Extension

27.1 Hz

28.3 Hz

High-Frequency Extension

17.0 kHz

19.9 kHz

Show text

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration

7.8

8.2

Frequency Response Calibrated

Suggested Preset

Music

Standard

Suggested Bass Setting

-3

Suggested Treble Setting

Slope

-0.67

0.00

Standard Error

4.45 dB

2.63 dB

Low-Frequency Extension

27.1 Hz

32.2 Hz

High-Frequency Extension

18.0 kHz

19.9 kHz

Show text

Stereo Soundstage

7.5

Crosstalk

Crosstalk Error

2.93 dB

2.04 dB

Show text

Stereo Dynamics

9.1

8.0

Dynamic Range Compression

SPL @ Max Volume

99.8 dB SPL

95.9 dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB

0.27 dB

DRC @ Max Volume

1.06 dB

1.81 dB

Show text

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion

7.7

THD

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.46

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

1.42

Show text

Center

8.2

Center Setup

Frequency Response

Localization

Discrete

Slope

-0.99

-0.56

Std. Err.

3.88 dB

3.13 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

98.6 dB SPL

89.2 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.40

0.33

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

15.76

1.09

Show text

Surround 5.1

7.4

7.8

Surround Setup

Frequency Response

Localization

Discrete

Slope

-1.16

-1.15

Std. Err.

6.11 dB

4.39 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

98.3 dB SPL

92.1 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.25

0.47

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

3.95

2.05

7.1 Rears

Yes

Show text

Height (Atmos)

6.3

6.8

Height Setup

H Frequency Response

Localization

Phantom (Front Firing Bar and Up Firing Satellites)

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)

Slope

-0.92

-0.56

Std. Err.

4.93 dB

3.90 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

97.3 dB SPL

91.4 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

3.78

0.50

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

1.80

0.93

Show text

Sound Enhancement Features

6.8

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

Show text

Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In

HDMI Out

eARC

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth

Full HDMI In

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)

RCA In

USB for Files

Ethernet

Subwoofer Output

Show text

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC

Dolby Atmos

Supported

Dolby Digital

Supported

Dolby Digital Plus

Supported

Dolby TrueHD

Supported

DTS

Supported

DTS:X

Supported

DTS-HD MA

Supported

PCM Channels

Up To 7.1

Show text

Audio Format Support: HDMI In

Dolby Atmos

Supported

Dolby Digital

Supported

Dolby Digital Plus

Supported

Dolby TrueHD

Supported

DTS

Supported

DTS:X

Supported

DTS-HD MA

Supported

PCM Channels

Up To 7.1

Show text

Audio Format Support: Optical

Dolby Digital

Supported

DTS

Supported

PCM Channels

2.0

Show text

Audio Latency: ARC

7.0

ARC Latency Video

PCM-2.0 ch

25 ms

PCM-5.1 ch

56 ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos

80 ms

Dolby Digital

121 ms

Dolby Digital Plus

127 ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos

143 ms

Show text

Audio Latency: HDMI In

6.6

8.6

HDMI Latency Video

Latency Video

PCM-2.0 ch

26 ms

PCM-5.1 ch

36 ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos

84 ms

Dolby Digital

140 ms

Dolby Digital Plus

132 ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos

148 ms

ARC

49 ms

Optical

67 ms

Full HDMI In

6 ms

Show text

Audio Latency: Optical

9.2

Optical Latency Video

PCM-2.0 ch

83 ms

Dolby Digital

314 ms

Show text

Video Passthrough To TV

8.1

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

Not Supported

30Hz

HDR10 Passthrough

Yes

HDR10+ Passthrough

Yes

Dolby Vision Passthrough

Yes

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough

Yes

FreeSync Passthrough

G-SYNC Passthrough

ALLM Passthrough

Yes

Show text

Wireless Playback

6.0

9.0

Bluetooth

Yes

Wi-Fi Playback

Yes

Chromecast built-in

Apple AirPlay

Yes

Spotify Connect

Yes

Show text

Additional Features

Interface

Interface photo

Display

Yes

Show text

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

Show text

Check Price

Black

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 eARC

Black

HW-Q930B

Black

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 eARC

Black

HW-Q930B

Black

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 eARC

Black

HW-Q930B

Black

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 eARC

Black

HW-Q930B

Black

Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 eARC

Black

HW-Q930B

Black

HW-Q930B