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Samsung HW-Q90R vs Sonos Playbar
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Samsung HW-Q90R
Sonos Playbar
Tested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Jan 11, 2024 07:40 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Apr 09, 2024 02:26 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels7.1.4
Channels3.0
Variants
- HW-Q90R
- Playbar
Our Verdict
Samsung HW-Q90R
Sonos Playbar
The Samsung HW-Q90R performs better than the Sonos Playbar, although we didn't test the Sonos with a sub and satellites, which are sold separately. The Samsung has better overall performance, supports Atmos, and has plenty of inputs, unlike the Sonos. On the other hand, the Sonos has a room correction feature and can easily be upgraded.
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Standard
HW-Q90R
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Amazon.comStandard
Playbar
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Amazon.comStandard
HW-Q90R
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Amazon.comStandard
Playbar
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Amazon.comStandard
HW-Q90R
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Amazon.comStandard
HW-Q90R
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Amazon.comStandard
HW-Q90R
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Amazon.comMain Differences for
Threshold
Mixed Usage
8.2
7.2
Stereo Frequency Response
8.4
7.4
Height (Atmos)
6.4
0.0
Audio Format Support - ARC
10
0.0
Surround 5.1
8.3
4.5
Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
10
0.0
Stereo Dynamics
9.0
7.7
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
No
Yes
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
48.3" (122.7 cm)
35.5" (90.1 cm)
Height
3.1" (8.0 cm)
3.3" (8.5 cm)
Depth
5.4" (13.8 cm)
5.4" (13.8 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
7.9" (20.1 cm)
N/A
Height
15.9" (40.4 cm)
N/A
Depth
15.7" (39.8 cm)
N/A
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
5.6" (14.1 cm)
N/A
Height
8.2" (20.9 cm)
N/A
Depth
4.8" (12.1 cm)
N/A
Back - Bar
Back photo - bar
Bar Mounting
Universal (holes on underside)
Proprietary
Back - Subwoofer
Back photo - sub
Enclosure
Ported
No Subwoofer
Back - Satellites
Back photo - satellites
Mounting
Universal (holes on back)
No
Build Quality
8.0
8.0
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
HDMI Cable Length
1.5 m (4.9 ft)
N/A
Digital Optical Cable Length
N/A
1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.4
7.4
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
Standard
No Preset
Slope
-0.41
0.48
Std. Err.
2.65 dB
2.21 dB
Channels
7.1.4
3.0
Low-Frequency Extension
27.1 Hz
51.9 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
17.7 kHz
15.6 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.4
7.5
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
No Preset
Suggested Bass Setting
0
1
Suggested Treble Setting
0
-3
Slope
-0.41
-0.11
Std. Err.
2.65 dB
2.04 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
27.1 Hz
51.1 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
17.7 kHz
19.3 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.5
8.0
Crosstalk Error
2.51 dB
2.63 dB
Stereo Dynamics
9.0
7.7
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
101.3 dB SPL
96.0 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
1.12 dB
2.41 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
8.4
7.6
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.19
0.47
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.51
1.96
Center
8.6
8.8
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.34
0.44
Std. Err.
2.71 dB
1.99 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
96.5 dB SPL
96.1 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.42
0.67
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.36
1.83
Surround 5.1
8.3
4.5
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
-1.50
0.12
Std. Err.
4.46 dB
2.51 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
123.0 dB SPL
94.8 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.33
1.24
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.43
2.53
7.1 Rears
Yes
No
Height (Atmos)
6.4
0.0
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Not Supported
Slope
-0.38
N/A
Std. Err.
5.25 dB
N/A
SPL @ Max Volume
95.6 dB SPL
N/A
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.33
N/A
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.46
N/A
Sound Enhancement Features
6.3
6.2
Room Correction
No
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
No
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
Yes
Yes
EQ
Graphic + Presets
No
Surround Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Rear Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Height Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Virtual Surround
Yes
No
Connectivity
Physical Inputs - Bar
Physical inputs bar photo 1
Physical inputs bar photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI ARC
1 (shared)
No
HDMI Out
1 (shared)
No
Full HDMI In
2
No
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
No
Ethernet
No
2
Audio Format Support - ARC
10
0.0
eARC
Yes
No
Dolby Atmos
Yes
No
Dolby Digital
Yes
No
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
No
DTS
Yes
No
DTS:X (eARC only)
Yes
No
Dolby TrueHD (eARC only)
Yes
No
DTS-HD MA (eARC only)
Yes
No
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
Yes
No
Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
10
0.0
Dolby Atmos
Yes
No
DTS:X
Yes
No
Dolby Digital
Yes
No
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
No
DTS
Yes
No
Dolby TrueHD
Yes
No
DTS-HD MA
Yes
No
5.1 PCM
Yes
No
Audio Format Support - Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Yes
Yes
DTS
Yes
Yes
Latency
7.2
8.8
Latency Video
ARC
92 ms
N/A
Optical
73 ms
36 ms
Full HDMI In
81 ms
N/A
Wireless Playback
8.0
2.0
Bluetooth
Yes
No
Wi-Fi
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
No
No
Apple AirPlay
No
No
Other Input Specifications
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
Yes
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
Yes
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
Yes
No
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
No
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
Yes
No
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
No
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Universal Remote
No
No
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
No
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
App
App image
App Name
Samsung SmartThings
Sonos Controller
iOS
Yes
Yes
Android
Yes
Yes
Acts As A Remote
Yes
Yes
Controls Soundbar's Settings
Some
All
Casts Device Files
Yes
Yes
Other Features
Power Saving
Auto-off
No
HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)
Yes
No
Check Price
Standard
HW-Q90R
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comStandard
Playbar
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Amazon.comStandard
HW-Q90R
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comStandard
Playbar
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comStandard
HW-Q90R
SEARCH
Amazon.comStandard
HW-Q90R
SEARCH
Amazon.comStandard
HW-Q90R
SEARCH
Amazon.com
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Samsung HW-Q90R
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Samsung HW-Q90R vs Sonos Playbar: Main Discussion
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