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  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
  5. Sound
    1. Stereo Frequency Response
    2. Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
    3. Stereo Soundstage
    4. Stereo Dynamics
    5. Center
    6. Surround 5.1
    7. Height (Atmos)
    8. 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. Audio Latency: ARC
    6. Audio Latency: HDMI In
    7. Audio Latency: Optical
    8. Video Passthrough To TV
    9. Wireless Playback
  7. Additional Features
    1. Interface
    2. Bar Controls
    3. Remote
    4. Voice Assistants Support
  8. Comments

Samsung HW-Q990B vs Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Samsung HW-Q990B
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated May 15, 2024 01:29 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Aug 13, 2024 06:22 PM

SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Samsung HW-Q990B Picture
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Picture
Channels
11.1.4
Channels
7.1
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. Sonos

Variants

  • HW-Q990B (Black)
  • Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers (Black)

Review

See Samsung HW-Q990B Review
See Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Review
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Our Verdict

Samsung HW-Q990B

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers

The Samsung HW-Q990B is better than the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers. They're both very premium soundbar setups with Dolby Atmos support. However, the Samsung soundbar supports more audio formats and more wireless playback options and offers more sound enhancement tools. Also, the larger Samsung gets louder with less compression at max volume. Subjectively, we found that it did a better job replicating height with Atmos content, resulting in a more immersive, all-around sound.

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Black
HW-Q990B
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Black
Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers
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HW-Q990B
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Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers
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HW-Q990B
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Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers
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HW-Q990B
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Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers
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HW-Q990B
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Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers
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HW-Q990B
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

8.4
7.9

Stereo Dynamics 
 

9.1
6.9

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

10
0.0

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Samsung HW-Q990B Style photo - bar
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Samsung HW-Q990B Style photo - sub
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Sealed
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-Q990B Style photo - satellites
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Samsung HW-Q990B Dimensions photo - bar
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

48.6" (123.5 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)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Samsung HW-Q990B Dimensions photo - sub
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

8.9" (22.6 cm)
9.1" (23.0 cm)

Height  

16.1" (40.8 cm)
11.9" (30.2 cm)

Depth  

16.2" (41.1 cm)
9.1" (23.0 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-Q990B Dimensions photo - satellites
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

5.1" (13.0 cm)
4.7" (12.0 cm)

Height  

7.9" (20.0 cm)
6.3" (16.1 cm)

Depth  

5.6" (14.2 cm)
4.7" (12.0 cm)
Show Text 

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Samsung HW-Q990B Bar Mounting Holes
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Samsung HW-Q990B Satellite Mounting Holes
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes
Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Yes
No

Mountable Satellites 
 

Yes
Yes

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

No
No

Build Quality 
 

8.5
8.5

Build quality photo  

Samsung HW-Q990B Build quality photo
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Samsung HW-Q990B In The Box photo
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers In The Box photo
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.3
8.2

Stereo Setup  

Samsung HW-Q990B Stereo Setup
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers 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

Channels 
 

11.1.4
7.1

Tested Preset 
 

Standard
No Preset

Slope 
 

-0.55
-0.71

Standard Error 
 

3.01 dB
3.02 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

27.1 Hz
27.5 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
16.3 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

8.4
8.3

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Standard
No Preset

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

-3
-3

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

0
2

Slope 
 

-0.18
-0.08

Standard Error 
 

2.47 dB
2.65 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

27.9 Hz
28.3 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
17.2 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

7.5
8.0

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

1.94 dB
2.10 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

9.1
6.9

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

99.8 dB SPL
93.0 dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

0.17 dB
3.39 dB

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

0.84 dB
3.35 dB
Show Text 

Center 
 

8.6
8.3

Center Setup  

Samsung HW-Q990B Center Setup
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-0.50
0.11

Std. Err. 
 

2.82 dB
3.00 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

97.3 dB SPL
92.7 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.30
0.63

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.82
1.80
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

8.1
8.0

Surround Setup  

Samsung HW-Q990B Surround Setup
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-0.84
-0.07

Std. Err. 
 

3.61 dB
2.49 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

92.4 dB SPL
92.7 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.70
0.76

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

2.71
2.04

7.1 Rears 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

6.9
5.6

Height Setup  

Samsung HW-Q990B Height Setup
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

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

Slope 
 

-0.84
0.23

Std. Err. 
 

3.74 dB
4.09 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

92.7 dB SPL
79.1 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.42
2.42

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.23
0.44
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

9.5
7.5

Room Correction 
 

Yes
Yes

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
No

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Height Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Virtual Surround 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q990B Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Samsung HW-Q990B Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers 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
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

10
10

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Supported

DTS 
 

Supported
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
2.0
Show Text 

Audio Latency: ARC 
 

7.2
7.0

ARC Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

46 ms
65 ms

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

46 ms
65 ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

87 ms
83 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

113 ms
115 ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

119 ms
125 ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

120 ms
125 ms
Show Text 

Audio Latency: HDMI In 
 

7.3
0.0

HDMI Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

49 ms
N/A

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

45 ms
N/A

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

91 ms
N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

126 ms
N/A

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

122 ms
N/A

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

122 ms
N/A
Show Text 

Audio Latency: Optical 
 

7.9
7.7

Optical Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

103 ms
123 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

325 ms
184 ms
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

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
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Samsung HW-Q990B Interface photo
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Interface photo

Display 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Samsung HW-Q990B Controls photo
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

Samsung HW-Q990B Remote photo
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers Remote photo
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

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Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers
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Samsung HW-Q990B

Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Samsung HW-Q990B vs Sonos Beam (Gen 2) with Sub Mini + One SL Speakers: Main Discussion

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