Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available.
Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch vs Samsung HW-Q950A
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
Samsung HW-Q950A
Tested using Methodology v1.1
Updated Jan 11, 2024 05:16 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Jan 12, 2024 07:39 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Channels9.2.4
Channels11.1.4
Variants
- Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch (Black)
- HW-Q950A (Black)
Our Verdict
Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
Samsung HW-Q950A
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch or the Samsung HW-Q950A. The Samsung is a more versatile 11.1.4 setup that offers more sound enhancement features, including room correction and a graphic EQ. Its default sound profile reproduces a more extended low-bass, and it also has built-in support for Alexa voice assistant. That said, the 9.2.4 Nakamichi has a unique design with two subwoofers. It's better-built, and it gets louder, albeit with more compression at max volume.
Check Price
Black
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
Searching
Finding storeBlack
HW-Q950A
Searching
Finding storeBlack
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
Searching
Finding storeBlack
HW-Q950A
Searching
Finding storeBlack
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
Searching
Finding storeBlack
HW-Q950A
Searching
Finding storeBlack
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
Searching
Finding storeBlack
HW-Q950A
Searching
Finding storeBlack
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
Searching
Finding storeBlack
HW-Q950A
Searching
Finding storeBlack
HW-Q950A
Searching
Finding storeNotice: 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
Mixed Usage
7.4
8.4
Stereo Frequency Response
6.9
8.2
Stereo Dynamics
7.7
8.8
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
Yes
Enclosure
Ported
Ported
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
Partial, wired to wireless sub
Yes
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)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
12.4" (31.6 cm)
8.2" (20.9 cm)
Height
20.3" (51.6 cm)
15.8" (40.2 cm)
Depth
13.6" (34.5 cm)
15.9" (40.3 cm)
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)
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
Yes
Mountable Satellites
Yes
Yes
Satellite Brackets Included
Yes
No
Build Quality
8.0
7.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
6.9
8.2
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
DSP Off
Standard
Slope
0.07
0.30
Std. Err.
3.62 dB
2.65 dB
Channels
9.2.4
11.1.4
Low-Frequency Extension
48.3 Hz
33.2 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
7.1 kHz
19.1 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
6.9
8.4
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
DSP Off
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
5
2
Suggested Treble Setting
5
0
Slope
0.07
0.01
Std. Err.
3.62 dB
2.19 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
48.3 Hz
30.4 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
7.1 kHz
19.6 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.5
7.5
Crosstalk Error
1.65 dB
2.24 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.7
8.8
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
101.1 dB SPL
98.8 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
3.61 dB
1.08 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.5
8.4
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.56
0.18
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.76
1.27
Center
8.4
8.8
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-1.06
0.28
Std. Err.
3.84 dB
2.19 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
101.5 dB SPL
96.6 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.41
0.17
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.66
0.86
Surround 5.1
8.3
8.3
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.61
-0.36
Std. Err.
4.24 dB
2.92 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
102.3 dB SPL
89.8 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.14
0.52
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.90
2.31
7.1 Rears
Yes
Yes
Height (Atmos)
6.4
6.6
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Side Firing, Front Firing Bar and Up Firing Satellites)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Slope
-0.89
-0.28
Std. Err.
5.04 dB
4.20 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
100.2 dB SPL
90.5 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
2.18
0.54
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.95
1.03
Sound Enhancement Features
6.8
9.5
Room Correction
No
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Bass Adjustment
No
Yes
Treble Adjustment
Yes
Yes
EQ
Presets
Graphic + Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Rear Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Height Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Virtual Surround
Yes
Yes
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI ARC
1 (shared)
HDMI Out
1 (shared)
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Full HDMI In
3
2
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
1
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
1
No
Ethernet
No
No
Subwoofer Output
No
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
8.4
10
Dolby Atmos
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
No
Supported
DTS
Yes
Supported
DTS:X
No
Supported
eARC
No
DTS-HD MA
No
Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
No
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
10
10
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
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
DTS
Yes
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Latency
8.1
7.7
Latency Video
ARC
69 ms
80 ms
Optical
70 ms
60 ms
Full HDMI In
-28 ms
59 ms
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
Yes
HDR10+ Passthrough
Yes
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
Yes
FreeSync Passthrough
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
ALLM Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
Yes
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
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
Yes
Check Price
Black
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
Searching
Finding storeBlack
HW-Q950A
Searching
Finding storeBlack
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
Searching
Finding storeBlack
HW-Q950A
Searching
Finding storeBlack
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
Searching
Finding storeBlack
HW-Q950A
Searching
Finding storeBlack
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
Searching
Finding storeBlack
HW-Q950A
Searching
Finding storeBlack
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
Searching
Finding storeBlack
HW-Q950A
Searching
Finding storeBlack
HW-Q950A
Searching
Finding store
You have 10/10 free reviews left
To access
and
Become an Insider
unlimited full product reviews,
product prices
other exclusive site features
Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
Samsung HW-Q950A
Comments
Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch vs Samsung HW-Q950A: Main Discussion
What do you think of these products? Let us know below.
Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Insiders have direct access to buying advice on our insider forum.