Soundbar
Products
In The Lab
Forums
Newsletters
 Insider
Notice: Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available.
Best
Soundbars Subwoofer Samsung Dolby Atmos Bose LG All-In-One Sonos Music Under $200 Small Under $500 Vizio Dialogue Sony Under $300 Under $100 Movies Budget 5.1
Tools
Compare Table Review List Review Index Graph Custom Ratings
Popular
Samsung HW-Q990D Samsung HW-Q990F Hisense AX5125H Samsung HW-Q800D Samsung HW-Q930D Samsung HW-Q600C/Q60CC Sonos Arc Ultra Samsung HW-B750D Samsung HW-S60D Sonos Beam (Gen 2) LG S95TR Samsung HW-B650 LG S90TR LG S80TR Samsung HW-Q990C JBL Bar 500 TCL Q85H Sonos Arc Sonos Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc Ultra Sony BRAVIA Theater Quad with Bass Module
222
Soundbars bought and tested
Supported by you via insider access, and when you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Driven by data, run by a passionate team of engineers, testers, technical writers, developers, and more.
We are hiring!
  1. Home
  2. Soundbar
  3. Compare
  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/eARC
    3. Audio Format Support: HDMI In
    4. Audio Format Support: Optical
    5. Latency
    6. Video Passthrough To TV
    7. Wireless Playback
    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-Q950A vs Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Samsung HW-Q950A
Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Jan 12, 2024 07:39 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Jan 11, 2024 02:49 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Samsung HW-Q950A Picture
Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 Picture
Channels
11.1.4
Channels
3.1.2

Variants

  • HW-Q950A (Black)
  • Panorama 3 (Black)

Review

See Samsung HW-Q950A Review
See Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 Review
2 
0 

Our Verdict

Samsung HW-Q950A

Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3

The Samsung HW-Q950A and the Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 are two very different setups: the Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup with a discrete subwoofer and satellites included, while the Bowers & Wilkins is a standalone bar. Still, the Samsung soundbar is better overall. It can reproduce more bass right out of the box, and it has better surrounds and Atmos performances. Also, it comes with more sound enhancement features.

0 

Check Price

Black
HW-Q950A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Panorama 3
Searching
Finding store
 
Black
Panorama 3
Searching
Finding store
 
Black
Panorama 3
Searching
Finding store
 
Black
Panorama 3
Searching
Finding store
 
Black
Panorama 3
Searching
Finding store
Read more

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

8.4
6.7

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.2
6.9

Surround 5.1 
 

8.3
4.2

Stereo Dynamics 
 

8.8
6.6

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

10
0.0

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
No

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Yes
No

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

9.5
1.0

Stereo Soundstage 
 

7.5
6.5

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Samsung HW-Q950A Style photo - bar
Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Samsung HW-Q950A Style photo - sub
Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
No

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Integrated
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-Q950A Style photo - satellites
Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Samsung HW-Q950A Dimensions photo - bar
Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

48.4" (123.0 cm)
47.4" (120.3 cm)

Height  

2.8" (7.0 cm)
2.5" (6.4 cm)

Depth  

5.4" (13.8 cm)
5.3" (13.5 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Samsung HW-Q950A Dimensions photo - sub
Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 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
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-Q950A Dimensions photo - satellites
Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 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
Show Text 

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Samsung HW-Q950A Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Samsung HW-Q950A Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Yes

Mountable Satellites 
 

Yes

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

No

Build Quality 
 

7.5
7.5

Build quality photo  

Samsung HW-Q950A Build quality photo
Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Samsung HW-Q950A In The Box photo
Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 In The Box photo

HDMI Cable Length 
 

1.0 m (3.3 ft)

Digital Optical Cable Length 
 

N/A
Show Text 

Back - Bar  

Back photo - bar  

Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting 
 

Proprietary
Show Text 

Back - Subwoofer  

Back photo - sub  

Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 Back photo - sub

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Integrated

Back - Satellites  

Back photo - satellites  

Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 Back photo - satellites

Mounting 
 

No
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.2
6.9

Stereo Setup  

Samsung HW-Q950A Stereo Setup
Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 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
No Preset

Slope 
 

0.30
-0.78

Std. Err. 
 

2.65 dB
4.33 dB

Channels 
 

11.1.4
3.1.2

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

33.2 Hz
51.9 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.1 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

8.4
7.0

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Standard
No Preset

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

2
-1

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

0
4

Slope 
 

0.01
0.10

Std. Err. 
 

2.19 dB
3.70 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

30.4 Hz
52.6 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.6 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

7.5
6.5

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

2.24 dB
2.97 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

8.8
6.6

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

98.8 dB SPL
98.4 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

1.08 dB
5.17 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

8.4
8.0

THD  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.18
0.31

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.27
1.75
Show Text 

Center 
 

8.8
8.0

Center Setup  

Samsung HW-Q950A Center Setup
Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

0.28
-0.76

Std. Err. 
 

2.19 dB
4.30 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

96.6 dB SPL
96.0 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.17
0.32

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.86
1.21
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

8.3
4.2

Surround Setup  

Samsung HW-Q950A Surround Setup
Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Stereo (Downmix)

Slope 
 

-0.36
-0.85

Std. Err. 
 

2.92 dB
3.99 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

89.8 dB SPL
98.1 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.52
0.29

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

2.31
1.87

7.1 Rears 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

6.6
5.8

Height Setup  

Samsung HW-Q950A Height Setup
Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 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 
 

-0.28
1.30

Std. Err. 
 

4.20 dB
5.09 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

90.5 dB SPL
89.7 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.54
2.16

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.03
0.35
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

9.5
1.0

Room Correction 
 

Yes
No

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
No

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Yes
No

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
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q950A Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Samsung HW-Q950A Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
1

HDMI Out 
 

eARC
No

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

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

HDMI ARC 
 

1
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

10
8.8

Dolby Atmos 
 

Supported
Yes

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Supported
Yes

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Supported
Yes

DTS 
 

Supported
No

DTS:X 
 

Supported
No

eARC 
 

Yes

DTS-HD MA 
 

Supported
No

PCM Channels 
 

Up To 7.1

5.1 PCM (eARC only) 
 

Yes
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

10
0.0

Dolby Atmos 
 

Supported
No

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
No

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Supported
No

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Supported
No

DTS 
 

Supported
No

DTS:X 
 

Supported
No

DTS-HD MA 
 

Supported
No

PCM Channels 
 

Up To 7.1

5.1 PCM 
 

No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

10
6.0

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Yes

DTS 
 

Supported
No

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
Show Text 

Latency 
 

7.7
8.5

Latency Video  

ARC 
 

80 ms
63 ms

Optical 
 

60 ms
22 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

59 ms
N/A
Show Text 

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
No

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

Yes

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

Yes

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

Yes

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough 
 

No

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

No

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

No

ALLM Passthrough 
 

Yes

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough 
 

No

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough 
 

No
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

Connectivity - Subwoofer 
 

Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1  

Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1  

Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 Physical controls subwoofer photo 1

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
No

Connectivity - Satellites 
 

Physical inputs satellites photo 1  

Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 Physical inputs satellites photo 1

Physical controls satellites photo 1  

Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless 
 

Yes
No
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Samsung HW-Q950A Interface photo
Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 Interface photo

Display 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Samsung HW-Q950A Controls photo
Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

Samsung HW-Q950A Remote photo
Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 Remote photo

Universal Remote 
 

No
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

Yes (Built-in)
Yes (Built-in)

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

Yes
Show Text 

App 
 

App image  

Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 App image

App Name  

Bowers & Wilkins Music

iOS  

Yes

Android  

Yes

Acts As A Remote 
 

Yes

Controls Soundbar's Settings 
 

All

Casts Device Files 
 

Yes
Show Text 

Other Features 
 

Power Saving 
 

Standby

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control) 
 

Yes
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
HW-Q950A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Panorama 3
Searching
Finding store
 
Black
Panorama 3
Searching
Finding store
 
Black
Panorama 3
Searching
Finding store
 
Black
Panorama 3
Searching
Finding store
 
Black
Panorama 3
Searching
Finding store
Back to Top

Samsung HW-Q950A

Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Samsung HW-Q950A vs Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3: 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.

Follow Discussion0 followingSee All Soundbars & Speakers Discussions
 Share
0 
PreviewBack to editorFormat guide
No comments yet, refresh to see new ones
We make money directly from you via insider access (which gives you access to extra features) and when you buy a product after clicking a link to a retailer. Learn more about how we work.
We buy our own products, just like you, mostly from the United States. When a product is discontinued or no longer popular, we sell the review units locally. You can see what products we currently have for sale here.
© 2025 9298-5266 Quebec Inc. All Rights Reserved.