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Samsung HW-Q950A vs Samsung HW-Q850A
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Samsung HW-Q950A
Samsung HW-Q850A
Tested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Jan 12, 2024 07:39 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Jan 12, 2024 04:48 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels11.1.4
Channels5.1.2
Variants
- HW-Q950A (Black)
- HW-Q850A (Black)
Our Verdict
Samsung HW-Q950A
Samsung HW-Q850A
The Samsung HW-Q950A is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q850A. The HW-Q950A is an 11.1.4 setup that gets louder and offers a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, which some users may prefer. It also comes with a room correction feature. However, the 5.1.2 HW-Q850A is better-built.
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Black
HW-Q950A
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q850A
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q850A
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Amazon.comNotice:
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
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Main Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
8.4
7.9
Stereo Dynamics
8.8
7.4
Center
8.8
7.7
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
Yes
Enclosure
Ported
Ported
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
Yes
Partial, satellites wired together
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)
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)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
4.9" (12.4 cm)
3.5" (9.0 cm)
Height
8.0" (20.2 cm)
5.8" (14.8 cm)
Depth
5.5" (14.0 cm)
3.5" (9.0 cm)
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
Mountable Satellites
Yes
Satellite Brackets Included
No
Build Quality
7.5
8.0
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
HDMI Cable Length
1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Digital Optical Cable Length
N/A
Back - Bar
Back photo - bar
Bar Mounting
Universal (holes on underside)
Back - Subwoofer
Back photo - sub
Enclosure
Ported
Ported
Back - Satellites
Back photo - satellites
Mounting
Universal (holes on back)
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.2
8.0
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
Standard
Standard
Slope
0.30
0.92
Std. Err.
2.65 dB
3.24 dB
Channels
11.1.4
5.1.2
Low-Frequency Extension
33.2 Hz
33.2 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.1 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.4
8.4
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
2
3
Suggested Treble Setting
0
N/A
Slope
0.01
0.46
Std. Err.
2.19 dB
2.33 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
30.4 Hz
29.5 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.6 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.5
7.5
Crosstalk Error
2.24 dB
2.26 dB
Stereo Dynamics
8.8
7.4
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
98.8 dB SPL
94.4 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
1.08 dB
2.69 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
8.4
7.8
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.18
0.39
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.27
2.21
Center
8.8
7.7
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
0.28
1.32
Std. Err.
2.19 dB
4.43 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
96.6 dB SPL
90.7 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.17
0.52
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.86
4.70
Surround 5.1
8.3
8.2
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.36
0.50
Std. Err.
2.92 dB
2.54 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
89.8 dB SPL
97.5 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.52
0.62
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.31
3.46
7.1 Rears
Yes
No
Height (Atmos)
6.6
6.2
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Slope
-0.28
1.06
Std. Err.
4.20 dB
3.55 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
90.5 dB SPL
83.5 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.54
0.47
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.03
0.88
Sound Enhancement Features
9.5
7.5
Room Correction
Yes
No
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
No
Rear Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Height Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Virtual Surround
Yes
Yes
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI Out
eARC
1 (shared)
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Full HDMI In
2
1
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
No
Ethernet
No
No
Subwoofer Output
No
HDMI ARC
1 (shared)
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
10
10
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital
Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Yes
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Yes
DTS
Supported
Yes
DTS:X
Supported
Yes
eARC
Yes
DTS-HD MA
Supported
Yes
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
Yes
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
10
10
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital
Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Yes
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Yes
DTS
Supported
Yes
DTS:X
Supported
Yes
DTS-HD MA
Supported
Yes
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
5.1 PCM
Yes
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Supported
Yes
DTS
Supported
Yes
PCM Channels
2.0
Latency
7.7
7.3
Latency Video
ARC
80 ms
67 ms
Optical
60 ms
48 ms
Full HDMI In
59 ms
-86 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
8.5
0.0
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
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
Connectivity - Subwoofer
Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1
Physical controls subwoofer photo 1
Sub Wireless
Yes
Yes
Connectivity - Satellites
Physical inputs satellites photo 1
Physical controls satellites photo 1
Sat Wireless
Yes
Partial, satellites wired together
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Universal Remote
No
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
Yes (Built-in)
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
Yes
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
Other Features
Power Saving
Auto-off
HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)
Yes
Check Price
Black
HW-Q950A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
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Samsung HW-Q950A
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Comments
Samsung HW-Q950A vs Samsung HW-Q850A: Main Discussion
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