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  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. Back - Bar
    8. Back - Subwoofer
    9. Back - Satellites
    10. Build Quality
    11. 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. Physical Inputs - Bar
    2. Audio Format Support - ARC
    3. Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
    4. Audio Format Support - Optical
    5. Latency
    6. Wireless Playback
    7. Other Input Specifications
    8. Connectivity - Subwoofer
    9. Connectivity - Satellites
  7. Additional Features
    1. Interface
    2. Bar Controls
    3. Remote
    4. Voice Assistants Support
    5. App
    6. Other Features
  8. Comments

Samsung HW-Q90R vs Sony HT-ST5000

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Samsung HW-Q90R
Sony HT-ST5000

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Jan 11, 2024 07:40 PM

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Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Mar 15, 2024 07:13 PM

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Samsung HW-Q90R Picture
Sony HT-ST5000 Picture

Variants

  • HW-Q90R
  • HT-ST5000 (Black)

Our Verdict

Samsung HW-Q90R

Sony HT-ST5000

The Samsung HW-Q90R is a much better soundbar 7.1 setup than the Sony HT-ST5000. The Samsung has a more neutral frequency response that makes it better suited to a wider range of music and film genres. Not only can it also get much louder, but it compresses and distorts less at max volume. Its surround performance is also better since it comes with rear speakers, but if you're tight on space you may prefer the more compact Sony setup.

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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

8.2
7.7

Stereo Dynamics 
 

9.0
7.3

Surround 5.1 
 

8.3
5.7

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.4
8.1

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

No
Yes

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Samsung HW-Q90R Style photo - bar
Sony HT-ST5000 Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Samsung HW-Q90R Style photo - sub
Sony HT-ST5000 Style photo - sub
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-Q90R Style photo - satellites
Sony HT-ST5000 Style photo - satellites
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Samsung HW-Q90R Dimensions photo - bar
Sony HT-ST5000 Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

48.3" (122.7 cm)
46.5" (118.0 cm)

Height  

3.1" (8.0 cm)
3.2" (8.1 cm)

Depth  

5.4" (13.8 cm)
5.6" (14.3 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Samsung HW-Q90R Dimensions photo - sub
Sony HT-ST5000 Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

7.9" (20.1 cm)
9.8" (25.0 cm)

Height  

15.9" (40.4 cm)
15.9" (40.3 cm)

Depth  

15.7" (39.8 cm)
16.7" (42.3 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-Q90R Dimensions photo - satellites
Sony HT-ST5000 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
Show Text 

Back - Bar  

Back photo - bar  

Samsung HW-Q90R Back photo - bar
Sony HT-ST5000 Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting 
 

Universal (holes on underside)
Universal (holes on back)
Show Text 

Back - Subwoofer  

Back photo - sub  

Samsung HW-Q90R Back photo - sub
Sony HT-ST5000 Back photo - sub

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Passive Radiator
Show Text 

Back - Satellites  

Back photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-Q90R Back photo - satellites
Sony HT-ST5000 Back photo - satellites

Mounting 
 

Universal (holes on back)
No
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

8.0
8.5

Build quality photo  

Samsung HW-Q90R Build quality photo
Sony HT-ST5000 Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Samsung HW-Q90R In The Box photo
Sony HT-ST5000 In The Box photo

HDMI Cable Length 
 

1.5 m (4.9 ft)
1.5 m (4.9 ft)

Digital Optical Cable Length 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.4
8.1

Stereo Setup  

Samsung HW-Q90R Stereo Setup
Sony HT-ST5000 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

Tested Preset 
 

Standard
Standard

Slope 
 

-0.41
-0.82

Std. Err. 
 

2.65 dB
3.35 dB

Channels 
 

7.1.4
7.1.2

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

27.1 Hz
31.7 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

17.7 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

8.4
8.1

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Standard
Standard

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

0
8

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

0
N/A

Slope 
 

-0.41
-0.82

Std. Err. 
 

2.65 dB
3.35 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

27.1 Hz
31.7 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

17.7 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 
 

2.51 dB
2.53 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

9.0
7.3

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

101.3 dB SPL
92.5 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

1.12 dB
2.35 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

8.4
6.4

THD  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.19
1.33

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.51
4.14
Show Text 

Center 
 

8.6
8.2

Center Setup  

Samsung HW-Q90R Center Setup
Sony HT-ST5000 Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-0.34
-0.15

Std. Err. 
 

2.71 dB
2.99 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

96.5 dB SPL
90.4 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.42
0.76

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.36
5.53
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

8.3
5.7

Surround Setup  

Samsung HW-Q90R Surround Setup
Sony HT-ST5000 Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Phantom (Front Firing, Bar)

Slope 
 

-1.50
-0.97

Std. Err. 
 

4.46 dB
4.01 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

123.0 dB SPL
92.8 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.33
1.30

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.43
3.50

7.1 Rears 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

6.4
5.8

Height Setup  

Samsung HW-Q90R Height Setup
Sony HT-ST5000 Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)

Slope 
 

-0.38
-0.90

Std. Err. 
 

5.25 dB
3.97 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

95.6 dB SPL
78.3 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.33
2.25

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.46
1.00
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

6.3
5.6

Room Correction 
 

No
No

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

No
Yes

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Bass Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Treble Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

EQ 
 

Graphic + Presets
Presets

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Height Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Virtual Surround 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 
Connectivity

Physical Inputs - Bar 
 

Physical inputs bar photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q90R Physical inputs bar photo 1
Sony HT-ST5000 Physical inputs bar photo 1

Physical inputs bar photo 2  

Samsung HW-Q90R Physical inputs bar photo 2
Sony HT-ST5000 Physical inputs bar photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
1

HDMI ARC 
 

1 (shared)
1 (shared)

HDMI Out 
 

1 (shared)
1 (shared)

Full HDMI In 
 

2
3

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

No
1

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

No
1

Ethernet 
 

No
1
Show Text 

Audio Format Support - ARC 
 

10
10

eARC 
 

Yes
Yes

Dolby Atmos 
 

Yes
Yes

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Yes
Yes

DTS 
 

Yes
Yes

DTS:X (eARC only) 
 

Yes
Yes

Dolby TrueHD (eARC only) 
 

Yes
Yes

DTS-HD MA (eARC only) 
 

Yes
Yes

5.1 PCM (eARC only) 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In 
 

10
10

Dolby Atmos 
 

Yes
Yes

DTS:X 
 

Yes
Yes

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Yes
Yes

DTS 
 

Yes
Yes

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Yes
Yes

DTS-HD MA 
 

Yes
Yes

5.1 PCM 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Audio Format Support - Optical 
 

10
10

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Yes

DTS 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Latency 
 

7.2
7.4

Latency Video  

ARC 
 

92 ms
72 ms

Optical 
 

73 ms
64 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

81 ms
107 ms

Wireless Playback 
 

8.0
9.0

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
Yes

Wi-Fi 
 

Yes
Yes

Chromecast built-in 
 

No
Yes

Apple AirPlay 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Other Input Specifications 
 

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough 
 

Yes
Yes

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough 
 

Yes
Yes

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough 
 

Yes
Yes

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Connectivity - Subwoofer 
 

Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q90R Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1
Sony HT-ST5000 Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q90R Physical controls subwoofer photo 1
Sony HT-ST5000 Physical controls subwoofer photo 1

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Connectivity - Satellites 
 

Physical inputs satellites photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q90R Physical inputs satellites photo 1
Sony HT-ST5000 Physical inputs satellites photo 1

Physical controls satellites photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q90R Physical controls satellites photo 1
Sony HT-ST5000 Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Samsung HW-Q90R Interface photo
Sony HT-ST5000 Interface photo

Display 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Samsung HW-Q90R Controls photo
Sony HT-ST5000 Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote 
 

Remote photo  

Samsung HW-Q90R Remote photo
Sony HT-ST5000 Remote photo

Universal Remote 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

No
No

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No
Show Text 

App 
 

App image  

Samsung HW-Q90R App image
Sony HT-ST5000 App image

App Name  

Samsung SmartThings
Sony Music Center

iOS  

Yes
Yes

Android  

Yes
Yes

Acts As A Remote 
 

Yes
Yes

Controls Soundbar's Settings 
 

Some
All

Casts Device Files 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Other Features 
 

Power Saving 
 

Auto-off
Standby

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control) 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Samsung HW-Q90R

Sony HT-ST5000

Comments

  1. Comparison

Samsung HW-Q90R vs Sony HT-ST5000: Main Discussion

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