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Samsung HW-Q850A vs Bose Smart Soundbar 900
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Samsung HW-Q850A
Bose Smart Soundbar 900
Tested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Jan 12, 2024 04:48 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated May 10, 2024 04:31 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels5.1.2
Channels5.1.2
Variants
- HW-Q850A (Black)
- Smart Soundbar 900 (Black)
- Smart Soundbar 900 (White)
Our Verdict
Samsung HW-Q850A
Bose Smart Soundbar 900
The Samsung HW-Q850A and the standalone Bose Smart Soundbar 900 are very different setups. The Samsung is a 7.1.2 setup with a dedicated sub and satellites. It can reproduce a more extended low-bass and has a better surrounds performance. Some users may prefer the Bose's standalone design, which you can also upgrade with a separate sub and satellites down the line. The Bose is better built and has better center and soundstage performances.
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Black
HW-Q850A
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Amazon.comBlack
Smart Soundbar 900
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q850A
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BestBuy.comWhite
Smart Soundbar 900
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q850A
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Walmart.comBlack
HW-Q850A
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B&HBlack
HW-Q850A
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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
7.5
Stereo Frequency Response
8.0
7.4
Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
10
0.0
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
No
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
No
Enclosure
Ported
No Subwoofer
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
Partial, satellites wired together
No
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)
N/A
Height
15.8" (40.1 cm)
N/A
Depth
15.8" (40.1 cm)
N/A
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
3.5" (9.0 cm)
N/A
Height
5.8" (14.8 cm)
N/A
Depth
3.5" (9.0 cm)
N/A
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
No
Mountable Satellites
No
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
No Subwoofer
Back - Satellites
Back photo - satellites
Mounting
Universal (holes on back)
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.0
7.4
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
5.1.2
5.1.2
Tested Preset
Standard
No Preset
Slope
0.92
0.05
Standard Error
3.24 dB
2.64 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
33.2 Hz
50.4 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.4
7.4
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
No Preset
Suggested Bass Setting
3
0
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
0
Slope
0.46
0.05
Standard Error
2.33 dB
2.64 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
29.5 Hz
50.4 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.5
8.0
Crosstalk Error
2.26 dB
2.00 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.4
8.1
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
94.4 dB SPL
93.9 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
0.54 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
2.69 dB
1.96 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.8
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.39
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.21
Center
7.7
8.6
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
1.32
0.50
Std. Err.
4.43 dB
2.57 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
90.7 dB SPL
95.3 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.52
0.50
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
4.70
2.37
Surround 5.1
8.2
6.4
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Phantom (Front Firing, Bar)
Slope
0.50
0.18
Std. Err.
2.54 dB
2.51 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
97.5 dB SPL
95.8 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.62
0.45
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
3.46
2.35
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
6.2
6.6
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Slope
1.06
0.63
Std. Err.
3.55 dB
3.20 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
83.5 dB SPL
90.4 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.47
0.47
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.88
1.14
Sound Enhancement Features
7.5
4.5
Room Correction
No
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
No
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
Yes
Yes
EQ
Graphic + Presets
No
Surround Level Adjustment
No
No
Rear Level Adjustment
Yes
No
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
9.0
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
59 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
61 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
61 ms
Dolby Digital
81 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
85 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
95 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
7.3
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
135 ms
Dolby Digital
189 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
No
Connectivity - Satellites
Physical inputs satellites photo 1
Physical controls satellites photo 1
Sat Wireless
Partial, satellites wired together
No
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
SEARCH
Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comWhite
Smart Soundbar 900
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
HW-Q850A
SEARCH
B&HBlack
HW-Q850A
SEARCH
Samsung.com
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Samsung HW-Q850A
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Samsung HW-Q850A vs Bose Smart Soundbar 900: Main Discussion
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