Samsung HW-Q900T vs Samsung HW-Q850A Side-by-Side Soundbar Comparison

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Jan 12, 2024 04:48 PM

See Samsung HW-Q900T Review

Channels7.1.2

Channels5.1.2

Variants

Samsung HW-Q900T (Black)

HW-Q850A (Black)

Review

See Samsung HW-Q850A Review

Our Verdict

Samsung HW-Q900T

Samsung HW-Q850A

Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Samsung HW-Q900T or the Samsung HW-Q850A. The HW-Q900T is a 7.1.2 setup from 2020 with a better-balanced sound profile out-of-the-box, and it gets louder. However, the HW-Q850A is a 5.1.2 setup from 2021 that's better-built and supports Apple AirPlay. Also, it has better surrounds and Atmos performances.

Check Price

Black

Samsung HW-Q900T

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

Samsung HW-Q900T

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

Samsung HW-Q900T

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

Samsung HW-Q900T

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

Samsung HW-Q900T

Black

HW-Q850A

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold

0.10

Mixed Usage

7.9

Surround 5.1

4.6

8.2

Stereo Frequency Response

8.3

8.0

Auto-Volume/Night Mode

Yes

Full Comparison

Mixed Usage

7.9

Dialogue/TV Shows

8.1

Music

8.0

7.7

Movies

7.7

7.9

Design

Style - Bar

Style photo - bar

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Style - Subwoofer

Style photo - sub

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Style - Satellites

Style photo - satellites

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Dimensions - Bar

Dimensions photo - bar

Width

48.4" (123.0 cm)

38.6" (98.0 cm)

Height

2.8" (7.0 cm)

2.4" (6.0 cm)

Depth

5.4" (13.8 cm)

4.5" (11.5 cm)

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Dimensions - Subwoofer

Dimensions photo - sub

Width

8.2" (20.9 cm)

8.0" (20.4 cm)

Height

15.8" (40.2 cm)

15.8" (40.1 cm)

Depth

15.9" (40.3 cm)

15.8" (40.1 cm)

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Dimensions - Satellites

Dimensions photo - satellites

Width

N/A

3.5" (9.0 cm)

Height

N/A

5.8" (14.8 cm)

Depth

N/A

3.5" (9.0 cm)

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Back - Bar

Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting

Universal (holes on underside)

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Back - Subwoofer

Back photo - sub

Enclosure

Ported

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Back - Satellites

Back photo - satellites

Mounting

Universal (holes on back)

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Build Quality

7.5

8.0

Build quality photo

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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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Sound

Stereo Frequency Response

8.3

8.0

Stereo Setup

Raw Frequency Response

Frequency Response Small

Tested Preset

Standard

Slope

-0.09

0.92

Std. Err.

2.94 dB

3.24 dB

Channels

7.1.2

5.1.2

Low-Frequency Extension

28.3 Hz

33.2 Hz

High-Frequency Extension

18.5 kHz

19.9 kHz

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Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration

8.3

8.4

Frequency Response Calibrated

Suggested Preset

Standard

Suggested Bass Setting

Suggested Treble Setting

N/A

Slope

-0.09

0.46

Std. Err.

2.94 dB

2.33 dB

Low-Frequency Extension

28.3 Hz

29.5 Hz

High-Frequency Extension

18.5 kHz

19.9 kHz

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Stereo Soundstage

7.5

Crosstalk

Crosstalk Error

2.53 dB

2.26 dB

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Stereo Dynamics

8.3

7.4

Dynamic Range Compression

SPL @ Max Volume

99.5 dB SPL

94.4 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume

2.17 dB

2.69 dB

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Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion

8.4

7.8

THD

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.18

0.39

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

1.24

2.21

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Center

8.3

7.7

Center Setup

Frequency Response

Localization

Discrete

Slope

0.35

1.32

Std. Err.

3.53 dB

4.43 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

96.2 dB SPL

90.7 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.21

0.52

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

1.29

4.70

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Surround 5.1

4.6

8.2

Surround Setup

Frequency Response

Localization

Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)

Discrete

Slope

1.69

0.50

Std. Err.

7.71 dB

2.54 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

89.4 dB SPL

97.5 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.49

0.62

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

2.16

3.46

7.1 Rears

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Height (Atmos)

4.9

6.2

Height Setup

H Frequency Response

Localization

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)

Slope

3.18

1.06

Std. Err.

7.27 dB

3.55 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

87.3 dB SPL

83.5 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

1.12

0.47

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

0.84

0.88

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Sound Enhancement Features

5.9

7.5

Room Correction

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

Physical Inputs - Bar

Physical inputs bar photo 1

Physical inputs 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

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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

9.1

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

9.8

7.3

Latency Video

ARC

13 ms

67 ms

Optical

0 ms

48 ms

Full HDMI In

10 ms

-86 ms

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Wireless Playback

8.0

9.0

Bluetooth

Yes

Wi-Fi

Yes

Chromecast built-in

Apple AirPlay

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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Connectivity - Subwoofer

Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1

Sub Wireless

Yes

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Connectivity - Satellites

Physical inputs satellites photo 1

Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless

Partial, satellites wired together

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Additional Features

Interface

Interface photo

Display

Yes

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Bar Controls

Controls photo

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Remote

Remote photo

Universal Remote

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Voice Assistants Support

Amazon Alexa

Yes (Built-in)

Google Assistant

Apple Siri

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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

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Other Features

Power Saving

Auto-off

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)

Yes

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Check Price

Black

Samsung HW-Q900T

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

Samsung HW-Q900T

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

Samsung HW-Q900T

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

Samsung HW-Q900T

Black

HW-Q850A

Black

Samsung HW-Q900T

Black

HW-Q850A