Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available.
Big Spring Sale Deal: The Samsung HW-Q990D has dropped by $500 on Amazon.com. See all Soundbar Big Spring Sale deals.
Samsung HW-Q850A vs Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Samsung HW-Q850A
Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module
Tested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Jan 12, 2024 04:48 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Jan 10, 2025 02:44 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Channels5.1.2
Channels5.1.2
Variants
- HW-Q850A (Black)
- Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module (Arctic White)
- Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module (Black)
Our Verdict
Samsung HW-Q850A
Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module is better than the Samsung HW-Q850A. The Bose is a better-built 5.1.2 setup with better soundstage and center performances. It can get louder with less compression at max volume. Also, some listeners may prefer its more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box. That said, it doesn't support DTS content like the Samsung. The Samsung also has a Full HDMI In port, and it has more sound enhancement features, like a graphic EQ.
Check Price
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comArctic White
Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module
SEARCH
Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
HW-Q850A
SEARCH
B&HBlack
HW-Q850A
SEARCH
Samsung.comNotice: 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
7.9
8.2
Stereo Frequency Response
8.0
8.6
Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
10
0.0
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
No
Stereo Soundstage
7.5
8.5
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, satellites wired together
Yes
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
38.6" (98.0 cm)
41.1" (104.5 cm)
Height
2.4" (6.0 cm)
2.2" (5.7 cm)
Depth
4.5" (11.5 cm)
4.3" (11.0 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
8.0" (20.4 cm)
11.6" (29.5 cm)
Height
15.8" (40.1 cm)
12.7" (32.3 cm)
Depth
15.8" (40.1 cm)
11.6" (29.5 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
3.5" (9.0 cm)
1.9" (4.8 cm)
Height
5.8" (14.8 cm)
5.6" (14.3 cm)
Depth
3.5" (9.0 cm)
1.9" (4.8 cm)
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
No
Mountable Satellites
Yes
Satellite Brackets Included
No
Build Quality
8.0
8.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
HDMI Cable Length
1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Digital Optical Cable Length
N/A
Back - Bar
Back photo - bar
Bar Mounting
Universal (holes on underside)
Back - Subwoofer
Back photo - sub
Enclosure
Ported
Ported
Back - Satellites
Back photo - satellites
Mounting
Universal (holes on back)
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.0
8.6
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
5.1.2
5.1.2
Tested Preset
Standard
No Preset
Slope
0.92
-0.15
Standard Error
3.24 dB
2.08 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
33.2 Hz
25.9 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.4
8.6
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
No Preset
Suggested Bass Setting
3
0
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
0
Slope
0.46
-0.15
Standard Error
2.33 dB
2.08 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
29.5 Hz
25.9 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.5
8.5
Crosstalk Error
2.26 dB
2.36 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.4
8.4
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
94.4 dB SPL
95.3 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
0.47 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
2.69 dB
1.39 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.8
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.39
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.21
Center
7.7
8.1
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
1.32
0.03
Std. Err.
4.43 dB
2.00 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
90.7 dB SPL
76.1 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.52
0.42
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
4.70
3.16
Surround 5.1
8.2
7.3
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
0.50
-0.60
Std. Err.
2.54 dB
2.86 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
97.5 dB SPL
72.3 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.62
0.35
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
3.46
0.83
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
6.2
5.8
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Side Firing and Up Firing, Bar)
Slope
1.06
-0.89
Std. Err.
3.55 dB
3.68 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
83.5 dB SPL
65.9 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.47
0.61
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.88
1.72
Sound Enhancement Features
7.5
6.3
Room Correction
No
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
No
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
Yes
Yes
EQ
Graphic + Presets
No
Surround Level Adjustment
No
No
Rear Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Height Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Virtual Surround
Yes
No
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI Out
1 (shared)
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Full HDMI In
1
No
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
No
Ethernet
No
1
Subwoofer Output
Yes
HDMI ARC
1 (shared)
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
10
8.1
Dolby Atmos
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Yes
Supported
DTS
Yes
Not Supported
DTS:X
Yes
Not Supported
eARC
Yes
DTS-HD MA
Yes
Not Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
Yes
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
10
0.0
Dolby Atmos
Yes
Not Supported
Dolby Digital
Yes
Not Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
Not Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Yes
Not Supported
DTS
Yes
Not Supported
DTS:X
Yes
Not Supported
DTS-HD MA
Yes
Not Supported
PCM Channels
Not Supported
5.1 PCM
Yes
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
6.5
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
DTS
Yes
Not Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Audio Latency: ARC
7.0
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
86 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
85 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
91 ms
Dolby Digital
111 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
115 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
125 ms
Audio Latency: HDMI In
7.3
0.0
HDMI Latency Video
Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
N/A
PCM-5.1 ch
N/A
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
N/A
Dolby Digital
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
N/A
ARC
67 ms
Optical
48 ms
Full HDMI In
-86 ms
Audio Latency: Optical
6.6
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
159 ms
Dolby Digital
220 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
0.0
0.0
1080p Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
4k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
8k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
No
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
No
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
Yes
FreeSync Passthrough
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
ALLM Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
Yes
Wireless Playback
9.0
10
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
No
Yes
Apple AirPlay
Yes
Yes
Spotify Connect
Yes
Connectivity - Subwoofer
Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1
Physical controls subwoofer photo 1
Sub Wireless
Yes
Yes
Connectivity - Satellites
Physical inputs satellites photo 1
Physical controls satellites photo 1
Sat Wireless
Partial, satellites wired together
Yes
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
No
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Universal Remote
No
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
Yes (Built-in)
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
No
Yes (Built-in)
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
Yes
App
App image
App Name
Samsung SmartThings
iOS
Yes
Android
Yes
Acts As A Remote
Yes
Controls Soundbar's Settings
Some
Casts Device Files
Yes
Other Features
Power Saving
Auto-off
HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)
Yes
Check Price
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comArctic White
Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module
SEARCH
Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
HW-Q850A
SEARCH
B&HBlack
HW-Q850A
SEARCH
Samsung.com
You have 10/10 free reviews left
To access
and
Become an Insider
unlimited full product reviews,
product prices
other exclusive site features
Samsung HW-Q850A
Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module
Comments
Samsung HW-Q850A vs Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module: 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.