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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-Q950T vs Samsung HW-Q850A

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Samsung HW-Q950T
Samsung HW-Q850A

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Jan 12, 2024 07:47 PM

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Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Jan 12, 2024 04:48 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Samsung HW-Q950T Picture
Samsung HW-Q850A Picture

Variants

  • HW-Q950T (Black)
  • HW-Q850A (Black)

Our Verdict

Samsung HW-Q950T

Samsung HW-Q850A

The Samsung HW-Q950T is a better soundbar than the Samsung HW-Q850A. The HW-Q950T is a 9.1.4 setup that offers a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, which some users may prefer. Also, it gets louder. However, the 5.1.2 HW-Q850A is better built and supports Apple AirPlay.

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Black
HW-Q950T
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Black
HW-Q850A
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Black
HW-Q950T
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Black
HW-Q850A
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Black
HW-Q950T
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Black
HW-Q850A
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Black
HW-Q950T
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Black
HW-Q850A
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Black
HW-Q950T
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Black
HW-Q950T
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Black
HW-Q950T
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Main Differences for

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

8.2
7.9

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.4
8.0

Stereo Dynamics 
 

9.0
7.4

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

No
Yes

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Samsung HW-Q950T Style photo - bar
Samsung HW-Q850A Style photo - bar

Show text

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Samsung HW-Q950T Style photo - sub
Samsung HW-Q850A Style photo - sub

Show text

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-Q950T Style photo - satellites
Samsung HW-Q850A Style photo - satellites

Show text

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Samsung HW-Q950T Dimensions photo - bar
Samsung HW-Q850A 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)

Show text

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Samsung HW-Q950T Dimensions photo - sub
Samsung HW-Q850A 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)

Show text

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-Q950T Dimensions photo - satellites
Samsung HW-Q850A Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

4.8" (12.2 cm)
3.5" (9.0 cm)

Height  

8.2" (20.9 cm)
5.8" (14.8 cm)

Depth  

5.6" (14.3 cm)
3.5" (9.0 cm)

Show text

Back - Bar  

Back photo - bar  

Samsung HW-Q950T Back photo - bar
Samsung HW-Q850A Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting 
 

Universal (holes on underside)
Universal (holes on underside)

Show text

Back - Subwoofer  

Back photo - sub  

Samsung HW-Q950T Back photo - sub
Samsung HW-Q850A Back photo - sub

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported

Show text

Back - Satellites  

Back photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-Q950T Back photo - satellites
Samsung HW-Q850A Back photo - satellites

Mounting 
 

Universal (holes on back)
Universal (holes on back)

Show text

Build Quality 
 

7.5
8.0

Build quality photo  

Samsung HW-Q950T Build quality photo
Samsung HW-Q850A Build quality photo

Show text

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Samsung HW-Q950T In The Box photo
Samsung HW-Q850A 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
8.0

Stereo Setup  

Samsung HW-Q950T Stereo Setup
Samsung HW-Q850A 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 
 

-0.14
0.92

Std. Err. 
 

2.62 dB
3.24 dB

Channels 
 

9.1.4
5.1.2

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

28.3 Hz
33.2 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

18.5 kHz
19.9 kHz

Show text

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

8.4
8.4

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Standard
Standard

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

0
3

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

0
N/A

Slope 
 

-0.14
0.46

Std. Err. 
 

2.62 dB
2.33 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

28.3 Hz
29.5 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

18.5 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 
 

2.35 dB
2.26 dB

Show text

Stereo Dynamics 
 

9.0
7.4

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

101.1 dB SPL
94.4 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

1.00 dB
2.69 dB

Show text

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

8.3
7.8

THD  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.18
0.39

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.55
2.21

Show text

Center 
 

8.6
7.7

Center Setup  

Samsung HW-Q950T Center Setup
Samsung HW-Q850A Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

0.05
1.32

Std. Err. 
 

2.92 dB
4.43 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

96.9 dB SPL
90.7 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.21
0.52

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.05
4.70

Show text

Surround 5.1 
 

8.0
8.2

Surround Setup  

Samsung HW-Q950T Surround Setup
Samsung HW-Q850A Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-0.02
0.50

Std. Err. 
 

5.01 dB
2.54 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

103.7 dB SPL
97.5 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.32
0.62

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

3.97
3.46

7.1 Rears 
 

Yes
No

Show text

Height (Atmos) 
 

6.0
6.2

Height Setup  

Samsung HW-Q950T Height Setup
Samsung HW-Q850A 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 
 

1.02
1.06

Std. Err. 
 

5.71 dB
3.55 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

88.5 dB SPL
83.5 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

1.09
0.47

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.74
0.88

Show text

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

6.3
7.5

Room Correction 
 

No
No

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

No
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

Show text

Connectivity

Physical Inputs - Bar 
 

Physical inputs bar photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q950T Physical inputs bar photo 1
Samsung HW-Q850A Physical inputs bar photo 1

Physical inputs bar photo 2  

Samsung HW-Q950T Physical inputs bar photo 2
Samsung HW-Q850A 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
1

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

No
No

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

No
No

Ethernet 
 

No
No

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 
 

8.1
7.3

Latency Video  

ARC 
 

46 ms
67 ms

Optical 
 

45 ms
48 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

93 ms
-86 ms

Show text

Wireless Playback 
 

8.0
9.0

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
Yes

Wi-Fi 
 

Yes
Yes

Chromecast built-in 
 

No
No

Apple AirPlay 
 

No
Yes

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-Q950T Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1
Samsung HW-Q850A Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q950T Physical controls subwoofer photo 1
Samsung HW-Q850A Physical controls subwoofer photo 1

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes

Show text

Connectivity - Satellites 
 

Physical inputs satellites photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q950T Physical inputs satellites photo 1
Samsung HW-Q850A Physical inputs satellites photo 1

Physical controls satellites photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q950T Physical controls satellites photo 1
Samsung HW-Q850A Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless 
 

Yes
Partial, satellites wired together

Show text

Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Samsung HW-Q950T Interface photo
Samsung HW-Q850A Interface photo

Display 
 

Yes
Yes

Show text

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Samsung HW-Q950T Controls photo
Samsung HW-Q850A Controls photo

Show text

Remote 
 

Remote photo  

Samsung HW-Q950T Remote photo
Samsung HW-Q850A Remote photo

Universal Remote 
 

No
No

Show text

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

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

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Show text

App 
 

App image  

Samsung HW-Q950T App image
Samsung HW-Q850A App image

App Name  

Samsung SmartThings
Samsung SmartThings

iOS  

Yes
Yes

Android  

Yes
Yes

Acts As A Remote 
 

Yes
Yes

Controls Soundbar's Settings 
 

Some
Some

Casts Device Files 
 

Yes
Yes

Show text

Other Features 
 

Power Saving 
 

Auto-off
Auto-off

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control) 
 

Yes
Yes

Show text

Check Price

Black
HW-Q950T
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HW-Q950T
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HW-Q950T
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HW-Q950T
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HW-Q850A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HW-Q950T
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Black
HW-Q950T
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Black
HW-Q950T
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 

Samsung HW-Q950T

Samsung HW-Q850A

Comments

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Samsung HW-Q950T vs Samsung HW-Q850A: Main Discussion

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