Get insider access
Preferred store
Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available.
We've recently launched Soundbars 1.3! Read the R&D Article to learn more.

  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
    10. Back - Bar
    11. Back - Subwoofer
    12. Back - Satellites
  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
    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 Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Samsung HW-Q90R
Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Jan 11, 2024 07:40 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Jan 11, 2024 05:16 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Samsung HW-Q90R Picture
Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Picture

Variants

  • HW-Q90R
  • Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch (Black)

Our Verdict

Samsung HW-Q90R

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch

The Samsung HW-Q90R is a better soundbar system than the Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch. The Samsung has a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, which some users may prefer. It also reproduces a more extended low-bass, and it performs better at max volume. There's even a graphic EQ to help you customize its sound. That said, some users may prefer the Nakamichi's unique design with four satellites and two subs.

0

Check Price

Standard
HW-Q90R
Searching
Finding store
Black
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
Searching
Finding store
Standard
HW-Q90R
Searching
Finding store
Black
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
Searching
Finding store
Standard
HW-Q90R
Searching
Finding store
Black
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
Searching
Finding store
Standard
HW-Q90R
Searching
Finding store
Black
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
Searching
Finding store
Standard
HW-Q90R
Searching
Finding store
Black
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
Searching
Finding store
Standard
HW-Q90R
Searching
Finding store
 

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.

Main Differences for

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

8.2
7.4

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.4
6.9

Stereo Dynamics 
 

9.0
7.7

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

No
Yes

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Samsung HW-Q90R Style photo - bar
Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Style photo - bar

Show text

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Samsung HW-Q90R Style photo - sub
Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported

Show text

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-Q90R Style photo - satellites
Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

Yes
Partial, wired to wireless sub

Show text

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Samsung HW-Q90R Dimensions photo - bar
Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

48.3" (122.7 cm)
45.6" (115.8 cm)

Height  

3.1" (8.0 cm)
3.5" (9.0 cm)

Depth  

5.4" (13.8 cm)
3.1" (8.0 cm)

Show text

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Samsung HW-Q90R Dimensions photo - sub
Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

7.9" (20.1 cm)
12.4" (31.6 cm)

Height  

15.9" (40.4 cm)
20.3" (51.6 cm)

Depth  

15.7" (39.8 cm)
13.6" (34.5 cm)

Show text

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-Q90R Dimensions photo - satellites
Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

5.6" (14.1 cm)
8.0" (20.4 cm)

Height  

8.2" (20.9 cm)
5.6" (14.3 cm)

Depth  

4.8" (12.1 cm)
4.8" (12.1 cm)

Show text

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Yes

Mountable Satellites 
 

Yes

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

Yes

Build Quality 
 

8.0
8.0

Build quality photo  

Samsung HW-Q90R Build quality photo
Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Build quality photo

Show text

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Samsung HW-Q90R In The Box photo
Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch In The Box photo

HDMI Cable Length 
 

1.5 m (4.9 ft)

Digital Optical Cable Length 
 

N/A

Show text

Back - Bar  

Back photo - bar  

Samsung HW-Q90R Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting 
 

Universal (holes on underside)

Show text

Back - Subwoofer  

Back photo - sub  

Samsung HW-Q90R Back photo - sub

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported

Show text

Back - Satellites  

Back photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-Q90R Back photo - satellites

Mounting 
 

Universal (holes on back)

Show text

Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.4
6.9

Stereo Setup  

Samsung HW-Q90R Stereo Setup
Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch 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
DSP Off

Slope 
 

-0.41
0.07

Std. Err. 
 

2.65 dB
3.62 dB

Channels 
 

7.1.4
9.2.4

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

27.1 Hz
48.3 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

17.7 kHz
7.1 kHz

Show text

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

8.4
6.9

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Standard
DSP Off

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

0
5

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

0
5

Slope 
 

-0.41
0.07

Std. Err. 
 

2.65 dB
3.62 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

27.1 Hz
48.3 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

17.7 kHz
7.1 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
1.65 dB

Show text

Stereo Dynamics 
 

9.0
7.7

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

101.3 dB SPL
101.1 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

1.12 dB
3.61 dB

Show text

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

8.4
7.5

THD  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.19
0.56

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.51
1.76

Show text

Center 
 

8.6
8.4

Center Setup  

Samsung HW-Q90R Center Setup
Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-0.34
-1.06

Std. Err. 
 

2.71 dB
3.84 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

96.5 dB SPL
101.5 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.42
0.41

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.36
1.66

Show text

Surround 5.1 
 

8.3
8.3

Surround Setup  

Samsung HW-Q90R Surround Setup
Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-1.50
-0.61

Std. Err. 
 

4.46 dB
4.24 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

123.0 dB SPL
102.3 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.33
0.14

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.43
1.90

7.1 Rears 
 

Yes
Yes

Show text

Height (Atmos) 
 

6.4
6.4

Height Setup  

Samsung HW-Q90R Height Setup
Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Phantom (Side Firing, Front Firing Bar and Up Firing Satellites)

Slope 
 

-0.38
-0.89

Std. Err. 
 

5.25 dB
5.04 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

95.6 dB SPL
100.2 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.33
2.18

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.46
0.95

Show text

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

6.3
6.8

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
Yes

EQ 
 

Graphic + Presets
Presets

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Height Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Virtual Surround 
 

Yes
Yes

Show text

Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q90R Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Samsung HW-Q90R Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Physical Connections 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
No

Subwoofer Output 
 

No

Show text

Audio Format Support - ARC 
 

10
8.4

eARC 
 

Yes
No

Dolby Atmos 
 

Yes
Yes

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Yes
Yes

DTS 
 

Yes
Yes

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

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
8.1

Latency Video  

ARC 
 

92 ms
69 ms

Optical 
 

73 ms
70 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

81 ms
-28 ms

Show text

Wireless Playback 
 

8.0
6.0

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
Yes

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

Yes
No

Chromecast built-in 
 

No
No

Apple AirPlay 
 

No
No

Spotify Connect 
 

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

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q90R 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

Physical controls satellites photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q90R Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless 
 

Yes
Partial, wired to wireless sub

Show text

Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Samsung HW-Q90R Interface photo
Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Interface photo

Display 
 

Yes
Yes

Show text

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Samsung HW-Q90R Controls photo
Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Controls photo

Show text

Remote  

Remote photo  

Samsung HW-Q90R Remote photo
Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch Remote photo

Universal Remote 
 

No

Show text

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

No
No

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

No

Show text

App 
 

App image  

Samsung HW-Q90R 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

Standard
HW-Q90R
Searching
Finding store
Black
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
Searching
Finding store
Standard
HW-Q90R
Searching
Finding store
Black
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
Searching
Finding store
Standard
HW-Q90R
Searching
Finding store
Black
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
Searching
Finding store
Standard
HW-Q90R
Searching
Finding store
Black
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
Searching
Finding store
Standard
HW-Q90R
Searching
Finding store
Black
Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch
Searching
Finding store
Standard
HW-Q90R
Searching
Finding store
 

Samsung HW-Q90R

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch

Comments

  1. Comparison

Samsung HW-Q90R vs Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2Ch: 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.

PreviewBack to editorFormat guide
No comments yet, refresh to see new ones