Soundbar
Products
In The Lab
Forums
Newsletters
 Insider
Notice: Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available.
Best
Soundbars Subwoofer Samsung Dolby Atmos Bose LG All-In-One Sonos Music Under $200 Small Under $500 Vizio Dialogue Sony Under $300 Under $100 Movies Budget 5.1
Tools
Compare Table Review List Review Index Graph Custom Ratings
Popular
Samsung HW-Q990D Samsung HW-Q990F Hisense AX5125H Samsung HW-Q800D Samsung HW-Q930D Samsung HW-Q600C/Q60CC Sonos Arc Ultra Samsung HW-B750D Samsung HW-S60D Sonos Beam (Gen 2) LG S95TR Samsung HW-B650 LG S90TR LG S80TR Samsung HW-Q990C JBL Bar 500 TCL Q85H Sonos Arc Sonos Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc Ultra Sony BRAVIA Theater Quad with Bass Module
222
Soundbars bought and tested
Supported by you via insider access, and when you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Driven by data, run by a passionate team of engineers, testers, technical writers, developers, and more.
We are hiring!
  1. Home
  2. Soundbar
  3. Compare
  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Style - Bar
    2. Style - Subwoofer
    3. Style - Satellites
    4. Dimensions - Bar
    5. Dimensions - Subwoofer
    6. Dimensions - Satellites
    7. Mounting
    8. Build Quality
    9. In The Box
  5. Sound
    1. Stereo Frequency Response
    2. Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
    3. Stereo Soundstage
    4. Stereo Dynamics
    5. Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
    6. Center
    7. Surround 5.1
    8. Height (Atmos)
    9. Sound Enhancement Features
  6. Connectivity
    1. Inputs/Outputs - Bar
    2. Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
    3. Audio Format Support: HDMI In
    4. Audio Format Support: Optical
    5. Audio Latency: ARC
    6. Audio Latency: HDMI In
    7. Audio Latency: Optical
    8. Video Passthrough To TV
    9. Wireless Playback
  7. Additional Features
    1. Interface
    2. Bar Controls
    3. Remote
    4. Voice Assistants Support
  8. Comments

Samsung HW-Q900A vs Samsung HW-Q900C

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Samsung HW-Q900A
Samsung HW-Q900C

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Jan 12, 2024 07:40 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated May 21, 2024 01:04 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Samsung HW-Q900A Picture
Samsung HW-Q900C Picture
Channels
7.1.2
Channels
7.1.2
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. Music

Variants

  • HW-Q900A (Black)
  • HW-Q900C (Black)

Review

See Samsung HW-Q900A Review
See Samsung HW-Q900C Review
0 
10 

Our Verdict

Samsung HW-Q900A

Samsung HW-Q900C

The Samsung HW-Q900A and the Samsung HW-Q900C are similar 7.1.2 setups. However, the newer Q900C has some small improvements over its predecessor—notably, it gets louder with less compression at max volume, and its sound quality is a bit more even out-of-the-box. It has a better build quality, too.

0 

Check Price

Black
HW-Q900A
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q900C
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q900A
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q900C
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q900A
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q900C
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q900A
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q900C
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q900A
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q900C
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q900A
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q900C
Searching
Finding store
Read more

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

8.3
8.5
No major differences between these soundbars for mixed usage. See full list of tests below.

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Samsung HW-Q900A Style photo - bar
Samsung HW-Q900C Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Samsung HW-Q900A Style photo - sub
Samsung HW-Q900C Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-Q900A Style photo - satellites
Samsung HW-Q900C Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Samsung HW-Q900A Dimensions photo - bar
Samsung HW-Q900C Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

48.4" (123.0 cm)
48.5" (123.2 cm)

Height  

2.8" (7.0 cm)
2.8" (7.0 cm)

Depth  

5.4" (13.8 cm)
5.4" (13.8 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Samsung HW-Q900A Dimensions photo - sub
Samsung HW-Q900C Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

8.2" (20.9 cm)
8.9" (22.6 cm)

Height  

15.8" (40.2 cm)
16.2" (41.2 cm)

Depth  

15.9" (40.3 cm)
16.1" (41.0 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-Q900A Dimensions photo - satellites
Samsung HW-Q900C Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Samsung HW-Q900A Bar Mounting Holes
Samsung HW-Q900C Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Samsung HW-Q900A Satellite Mounting Holes
Samsung HW-Q900C Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes
Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Yes
Yes

Mountable Satellites 
 

No
No

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

7.5
8.5

Build quality photo  

Samsung HW-Q900A Build quality photo
Samsung HW-Q900C Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Samsung HW-Q900A In The Box photo
Samsung HW-Q900C In The Box photo
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.2
8.4

Stereo Setup  

Samsung HW-Q900A Stereo Setup
Samsung HW-Q900C Stereo Setup

Raw Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Frequency Response Small  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Channels 
 

7.1.2
7.1.2

Tested Preset 
 

Standard
Standard

Slope 
 

0.51
-0.22

Standard Error 
 

2.75 dB
2.48 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

33.2 Hz
27.9 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.3 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

8.5
8.4

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Standard
Standard

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

3
0

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

0
0

Slope 
 

0.08
-0.22

Standard Error 
 

2.13 dB
2.48 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

30.0 Hz
27.9 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.3 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

7.5
7.5

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

2.07 dB
2.18 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

8.6
9.3

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

98.3 dB SPL
100.9 dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

0.24 dB

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

1.19 dB
0.68 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

8.2

THD  

See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.25

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.36
Show Text 

Center 
 

8.7
8.7

Center Setup  

Samsung HW-Q900A Center Setup
Samsung HW-Q900C Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

0.36
-0.07

Std. Err. 
 

2.29 dB
2.42 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

95.7 dB SPL
97.2 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.18
0.33

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.88
1.86
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

6.0
6.3

Surround Setup  

Samsung HW-Q900A Surround Setup
Samsung HW-Q900C Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)

Slope 
 

0.18
-0.06

Std. Err. 
 

4.00 dB
3.36 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

89.8 dB SPL
92.7 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.48
0.46

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.89
2.11

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

5.8
6.1

Height Setup  

Samsung HW-Q900A Height Setup
Samsung HW-Q900C Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)

Slope 
 

0.71
0.05

Std. Err. 
 

5.06 dB
4.22 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

87.7 dB SPL
89.1 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.73
0.64

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.12
1.59
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

9.5
9.5

Room Correction 
 

Yes
Yes

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Yes
Yes

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Bass Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Treble Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

EQ 
 

Graphic + Presets
Graphic + Presets

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Height Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Virtual Surround 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q900A Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Samsung HW-Q900C Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Samsung HW-Q900A Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Samsung HW-Q900C 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 
 

2
2

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

No
No

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

No
No

Ethernet 
 

No
No

Subwoofer Output 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

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

eARC 
 

Yes

DTS-HD MA 
 

Yes
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

Up To 7.1

5.1 PCM (eARC only) 
 

Yes
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

10
10

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Supported

DTS 
 

Yes
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
Show Text 

Audio Latency: ARC 
 

8.7

ARC Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

40 ms

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

37 ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

69 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

89 ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

95 ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

97 ms
Show Text 

Audio Latency: HDMI In 
 

8.3
8.9

HDMI Latency Video  

Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

41 ms

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

40 ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

73 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

103 ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

99 ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

98 ms

ARC 
 

49 ms

Optical 
 

19 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

-66 ms
Show Text 

Audio Latency: Optical 
 

9.3

Optical Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

95 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

157 ms
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

Wireless Playback 
 

9.0
9.0

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
Yes

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

Yes
Yes

Chromecast built-in 
 

No
No

Apple AirPlay 
 

Yes
Yes

Spotify Connect 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Samsung HW-Q900A Interface photo
Samsung HW-Q900C Interface photo

Display 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Samsung HW-Q900A Controls photo
Samsung HW-Q900C Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

Samsung HW-Q900A Remote photo
Samsung HW-Q900C Remote photo
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

Yes (Built-in)
Yes (Built-in)

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
HW-Q900A
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q900C
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q900A
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q900C
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q900A
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q900C
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q900A
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q900C
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q900A
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q900C
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q900A
Searching
Finding store
Black
HW-Q900C
Searching
Finding store
Back to Top

Samsung HW-Q900A

Samsung HW-Q900C

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Samsung HW-Q900A vs Samsung HW-Q900C: 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.

Follow Discussion0 followingSee All Soundbars & Speakers Discussions
 Share
0 
PreviewBack to editorFormat guide
No comments yet, refresh to see new ones
We make money directly from you via insider access (which gives you access to extra features) and when you buy a product after clicking a link to a retailer. Learn more about how we work.
We buy our own products, just like you, mostly from the United States. When a product is discontinued or no longer popular, we sell the review units locally. You can see what products we currently have for sale here.
© 2025 9298-5266 Quebec Inc. All Rights Reserved.