Samsung HW-Q800A vs Samsung HW-Q900A Side-by-Side Soundbar Comparison

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Jan 12, 2024 07:40 PM

Channels3.1.2

Channels7.1.2

Variants

HW-Q800A (Black)

HW-Q900A (Black)

Review

See Samsung HW-Q800A review

See Samsung HW-Q900A review

Our Verdict

Samsung HW-Q800A

Samsung HW-Q900A

The Samsung HW-Q900A is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q800A. The HW-Q900A is a 7.1.2 setup that gets louder and comes with a room correction feature. Also, it offers a better surrounds performance since it doesn't have to downmix this content into stereo to play it like the 3.1.2 HW-Q800A.

Check Price

Black

HW-Q800A

Black

HW-Q900A

Black

HW-Q800A

Black

HW-Q900A

Black

HW-Q800A

Black

HW-Q900A

Black

HW-Q800A

Black

HW-Q900A

Black

HW-Q800A

Black

HW-Q900A

Black

HW-Q800A

Black

HW-Q900A

Main Differences for

Threshold

0.10

Mixed Usage

8.1

8.3

Stereo Dynamics

7.5

8.6

Full Comparison

Mixed Usage

8.1

8.3

Dialogue/TV Shows

8.5

8.6

Music

8.0

8.3

Movies

7.8

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

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Dimensions - Bar

Dimensions photo - bar

Width

38.6" (98.0 cm)

48.4" (123.0 cm)

Height

2.4" (6.0 cm)

2.8" (7.0 cm)

Depth

4.5" (11.5 cm)

5.4" (13.8 cm)

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Dimensions - Subwoofer

Dimensions photo - sub

Width

8.0" (20.4 cm)

8.2" (20.9 cm)

Height

15.8" (40.1 cm)

15.8" (40.2 cm)

Depth

15.8" (40.1 cm)

15.9" (40.3 cm)

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Dimensions - Satellites

Dimensions photo - satellites

Width

N/A

Height

N/A

Depth

N/A

Mounting

Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar

Yes

Bar Brackets Included

Yes

Mountable Satellites

Satellite Brackets Included

Build Quality

8.0

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

Tested Preset

Standard

Slope

-0.62

0.51

Std. Err.

2.49 dB

2.75 dB

Channels

3.1.2

7.1.2

Low-Frequency Extension

28.7 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

Standard

Suggested Bass Setting

Suggested Treble Setting

Slope

-0.56

0.08

Std. Err.

2.46 dB

2.13 dB

Low-Frequency Extension

29.1 Hz

30.0 Hz

High-Frequency Extension

19.9 kHz

19.3 kHz

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Stereo Soundstage

7.5

Crosstalk

Crosstalk Error

2.57 dB

2.07 dB

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Stereo Dynamics

7.5

8.6

Dynamic Range Compression

SPL @ Max Volume

95.1 dB SPL

98.3 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume

2.57 dB

1.19 dB

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Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion

7.7

8.2

THD

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.40

0.25

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

2.40

1.36

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Center

8.5

8.7

Center Setup

Frequency Response

Localization

Discrete

Slope

0.52

0.36

Std. Err.

2.49 dB

2.29 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

91.2 dB SPL

95.7 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.37

0.18

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

4.34

0.88

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Surround 5.1

4.7

6.0

Surround Setup

Frequency Response

Localization

Stereo (Downmix)

Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)

Slope

-0.43

0.18

Std. Err.

2.13 dB

4.00 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

95.0 dB SPL

89.8 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.39

0.48

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

2.59

1.89

7.1 Rears

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Height (Atmos)

5.9

5.8

Height Setup

H Frequency Response

Localization

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)

Slope

0.35

0.71

Std. Err.

4.25 dB

5.06 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

83.3 dB SPL

87.7 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

1.05

0.73

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

0.76

1.12

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Sound Enhancement Features

7.4

9.5

Room Correction

Yes

Dialogue Enhancement

Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode

Yes

Subwoofer Level Adjustment

Yes

Bass Adjustment

Yes

Treble Adjustment

Yes

EQ

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

1 (shared)

Full HDMI In

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)

RCA In

USB for Files

Ethernet

Subwoofer Output

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Audio Format Support - ARC

eARC

Yes

Dolby Atmos

Yes

Dolby Digital

Yes

Dolby Digital Plus

Yes

DTS

Yes

DTS:X (eARC only)

Yes

Dolby TrueHD (eARC only)

Yes

DTS-HD MA (eARC only)

Yes

5.1 PCM (eARC only)

Yes

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Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In

Dolby Atmos

Yes

DTS:X

Yes

Dolby Digital

Yes

Dolby Digital Plus

Yes

DTS

Yes

Dolby TrueHD

Yes

DTS-HD MA

Yes

5.1 PCM

Yes

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Audio Format Support - Optical

Dolby Digital

Yes

DTS

Yes

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Latency

8.9

8.3

Latency Video

ARC

31 ms

49 ms

Optical

38 ms

19 ms

Full HDMI In

-32 ms

-66 ms

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Wireless Playback

9.0

Bluetooth

Yes

Wi-Fi Playback

Yes

Chromecast built-in

Apple AirPlay

Yes

Spotify Connect

Yes

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Other Input Specifications

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough

Yes

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough

Yes

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

Yes

HDR10 Passthrough

Yes

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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

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Check Price

Black

HW-Q800A

Black

HW-Q900A

Black

HW-Q800A

Black

HW-Q900A

Black

HW-Q800A

Black

HW-Q900A

Black

HW-Q800A

Black

HW-Q900A

Black

HW-Q800A

Black

HW-Q900A

Black

HW-Q800A

Black

HW-Q900A