Samsung HW-Q850A vs Samsung HW-Q930B Side-by-Side Soundbar Comparison

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Dec 13, 2024 07:31 PM

See Samsung HW-Q850A Review

Channels5.1.2

Channels9.1.4

Variants

HW-Q850A (Black)

HW-Q930B (Black)

Review

See Samsung HW-Q930B Review

Our Verdict

Samsung HW-Q850A

Samsung HW-Q930B

The Samsung HW-Q930B is better than the Samsung HW-Q850A. While they're both very versatile Dolby Atmos soundbars, the Q930B offers more bass right out-of-the-box. Also, it has more sound enhancement features such as room correction on hand.

Check Price

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

HW-Q930B

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

HW-Q930B

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

HW-Q930B

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

HW-Q930B

Black

HW-Q850A

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.

Threshold

0.10

Mixed Usage

7.9

8.2

No major differences between these soundbars for mixed usage. See full list of tests below.

Full Comparison

Mixed Usage

7.9

8.2

Dialogue/TV Shows

8.1

8.4

Music

7.7

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

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Style - Satellites

Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless

Partial, satellites wired together

Yes

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Dimensions - Bar

Dimensions photo - bar

Width

38.6" (98.0 cm)

43.7" (111.1 cm)

Height

2.4" (6.0 cm)

2.3" (5.9 cm)

Depth

4.5" (11.5 cm)

4.7" (12.0 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

3.5" (9.0 cm)

5.1" (13.0 cm)

Height

5.8" (14.8 cm)

7.9" (20.0 cm)

Depth

3.5" (9.0 cm)

5.6" (14.2 cm)

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Mounting

Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar

Yes

Bar Brackets Included

Yes

Mountable Satellites

Yes

Satellite Brackets Included

Build Quality

8.0

8.5

Build quality photo

Show text

In The Box

In The Box photo

HDMI Cable Length

1.5 m (4.9 ft)

Digital Optical Cable Length

N/A

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Back - Bar

Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting

Universal (holes on underside)

Show text

Back - Subwoofer

Back photo - sub

Enclosure

Ported

Show text

Back - Satellites

Back photo - satellites

Mounting

Universal (holes on back)

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Sound

Stereo Frequency Response

8.0

8.2

Stereo Setup

Raw Frequency Response

Frequency Response Small

Tested Preset

Standard

Slope

0.92

-0.52

Std. Err.

3.24 dB

Channels

5.1.2

9.1.4

Low-Frequency Extension

33.2 Hz

28.3 Hz

High-Frequency Extension

19.9 kHz

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Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration

8.4

8.2

Frequency Response Calibrated

Suggested Preset

Standard

Suggested Bass Setting

-3

Suggested Treble Setting

N/A

Slope

0.46

0.00

Std. Err.

2.33 dB

2.63 dB

Low-Frequency Extension

29.5 Hz

32.2 Hz

High-Frequency Extension

19.9 kHz

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Stereo Soundstage

7.5

Crosstalk

Crosstalk Error

2.26 dB

2.04 dB

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Stereo Dynamics

7.4

8.0

Dynamic Range Compression

SPL @ Max Volume

94.4 dB SPL

95.9 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume

2.69 dB

1.81 dB

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Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion

7.8

7.7

THD

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.39

0.46

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

2.21

1.42

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Center

7.7

8.2

Center Setup

Frequency Response

Localization

Discrete

Slope

1.32

-0.56

Std. Err.

4.43 dB

3.13 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

90.7 dB SPL

89.2 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.52

0.33

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

4.70

1.09

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Surround 5.1

8.2

7.8

Surround Setup

Frequency Response

Localization

Discrete

Slope

0.50

-1.15

Std. Err.

2.54 dB

4.39 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

97.5 dB SPL

92.1 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.62

0.47

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

3.46

2.05

7.1 Rears

Yes

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Height (Atmos)

6.2

6.8

Height Setup

H Frequency Response

Localization

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)

Slope

1.06

-0.56

Std. Err.

3.55 dB

3.90 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

83.5 dB SPL

91.4 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.47

0.50

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

0.88

0.93

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Sound Enhancement Features

7.5

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 Out

1 (shared)

eARC

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth

Full HDMI In

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)

RCA In

USB for Files

Ethernet

Subwoofer Output

HDMI ARC

1 (shared)

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Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC

Dolby Atmos

Yes

Supported

Dolby Digital

Yes

Supported

Dolby Digital Plus

Yes

Supported

Dolby TrueHD

Yes

Supported

DTS

Yes

Supported

DTS:X

Yes

Supported

eARC

Yes

DTS-HD MA

Yes

Supported

PCM Channels

Up To 7.1

5.1 PCM (eARC only)

Yes

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Audio Format Support: HDMI In

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

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Audio Format Support: Optical

Dolby Digital

Yes

Supported

DTS

Yes

Supported

PCM Channels

2.0

Show text

Latency

7.3

8.6

Latency Video

ARC

67 ms

49 ms

Optical

48 ms

67 ms

Full HDMI In

-86 ms

6 ms

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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

HDR10+ Passthrough

Yes

Dolby Vision Passthrough

Yes

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough

Yes

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough

Yes

FreeSync Passthrough

G-SYNC Passthrough

ALLM Passthrough

Yes

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough

Yes

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

Yes

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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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Connectivity - Subwoofer

Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1

Sub Wireless

Yes

Show text

Connectivity - Satellites

Physical inputs satellites photo 1

Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless

Partial, satellites wired together

Yes

Show text

Additional Features

Interface

Interface photo

Display

Yes

Show text

Bar Controls

Controls photo

Show text

Remote

Remote photo

Universal Remote

Show text

Voice Assistants Support

Amazon Alexa

Yes (Built-in)

Google Assistant

Apple Siri

Microphone Mute

Yes

Show text

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

Show text

Other Features

Power Saving

Auto-off

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)

Yes

Show text

Check Price

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

HW-Q930B

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

HW-Q930B

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

HW-Q930B

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

HW-Q930B

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

HW-Q930B