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Samsung HW-Q950A vs Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Samsung HW-Q950A
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
Tested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Jan 12, 2024 07:39 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated May 22, 2025 05:12 PM
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BestBuy.com
Channels11.1.4
Channels5.0
Variants
- HW-Q950A (Black)
- Beam (Gen 2) (Black)
- Sonos Beam (Gen 2) (White)
Our Verdict
Samsung HW-Q950A
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the Sonos Beam (Gen 2). The Samsung is an 11.14 setup with a dedicated sub and satellites. It has better surround and Atmos performances and can get louder. There are even some more sound enhancement features, like a graphic EQ, as well as some more wireless playback options. Unlike the Sonos, it also has a Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough. That said, the Sonos is still a solid option for users who prefer a small standalone bar. It's better built than the Samsung, and despite its small size, it has a better soundstage.
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Black
HW-Q950A
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Amazon.comBlack
Beam (Gen 2)
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HW-Q950A
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Amazon.comWhite
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
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HW-Q950A
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HW-Q950A
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Amazon.comMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
8.4
7.4
Stereo Frequency Response
8.2
7.4
Stereo Dynamics
8.8
7.1
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
10
0.0
Center
8.8
7.4
Surround 5.1
8.3
5.9
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
No
Enclosure
Ported
No Subwoofer
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
Yes
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
48.4" (123.0 cm)
25.6" (65.0 cm)
Height
2.8" (7.0 cm)
2.6" (6.7 cm)
Depth
5.4" (13.8 cm)
4.0" (10.1 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
8.2" (20.9 cm)
N/A
Height
15.8" (40.2 cm)
N/A
Depth
15.9" (40.3 cm)
N/A
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
4.9" (12.4 cm)
N/A
Height
8.0" (20.2 cm)
N/A
Depth
5.5" (14.0 cm)
N/A
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
No
Mountable Satellites
Yes
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
No
Build Quality
7.5
8.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.2
7.4
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
11.1.4
5.0
Tested Preset
Standard
No Preset
Slope
0.30
-0.56
Standard Error
2.65 dB
2.82 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
33.2 Hz
50.4 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.1 kHz
16.7 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.4
7.4
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
No Preset
Suggested Bass Setting
2
-3
Suggested Treble Setting
0
2
Slope
0.01
0.05
Standard Error
2.19 dB
2.66 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
30.4 Hz
51.9 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.6 kHz
17.2 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.5
8.0
Crosstalk Error
2.24 dB
2.32 dB
Stereo Dynamics
8.8
7.1
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
98.8 dB SPL
88.8 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
N/A
DRC @ Max Volume
1.08 dB
1.70 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
8.4
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.18
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.27
Center
8.8
7.4
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
0.28
0.24
Std. Err.
2.19 dB
3.73 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
96.6 dB SPL
72.3 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.17
0.63
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.86
1.54
Surround 5.1
8.3
5.9
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Phantom (Front Firing and Side Firing, Bar)
Slope
-0.36
-0.56
Std. Err.
2.92 dB
2.79 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
89.8 dB SPL
70.4 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.52
0.38
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.31
0.87
7.1 Rears
Yes
No
Height (Atmos)
6.6
5.7
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Phantom (Front Firing, Bar)
Slope
-0.28
1.01
Std. Err.
4.20 dB
3.35 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
90.5 dB SPL
59.2 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.54
1.45
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.03
0.30
Sound Enhancement Features
9.5
5.4
Room Correction
Yes
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
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
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
Adapter into HDMI ARC
HDMI Out
eARC
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
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
1
Subwoofer Output
No
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
10
9.6
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Supported
Not Supported
DTS-HD MA
Supported
Not Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
10
0.0
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Not Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Not Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Not Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Not Supported
DTS
Supported
Not Supported
DTS:X
Supported
Not Supported
DTS-HD MA
Supported
Not Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
Not Supported
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
2.0
Audio Latency: ARC
7.3
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
61 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
61 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
79 ms
Dolby Digital
111 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
121 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
121 ms
Audio Latency: HDMI In
7.7
0.0
HDMI Latency Video
Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
N/A
PCM-5.1 ch
N/A
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
N/A
Dolby Digital
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
N/A
ARC
80 ms
Optical
60 ms
Full HDMI In
59 ms
Audio Latency: Optical
7.8
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
119 ms
Dolby Digital
180 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
8.5
0.0
1080p Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
Not Supported
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
Not Supported
4k Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
Not Supported
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
Not Supported
8k Max Refresh Rate
30Hz
Not Supported
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
No
HDR10+ Passthrough
Yes
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
No
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
Yes
No
FreeSync Passthrough
No
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
No
ALLM Passthrough
Yes
No
Wireless Playback
9.0
3.0
Bluetooth
Yes
No
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
No
No
Apple AirPlay
Yes
Yes
Spotify Connect
Yes
Yes
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
No
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
Yes (Built-in)
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
No
Yes (Built-in)
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
Yes
Yes
Check Price
Black
HW-Q950A
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Amazon.comBlack
Beam (Gen 2)
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HW-Q950A
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Amazon.comWhite
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
Searching
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HW-Q950A
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q950A
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Amazon.com
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Samsung HW-Q950A
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
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Samsung HW-Q950A vs Sonos Beam (Gen 2): Main Discussion
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