Notice: Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available.
Samsung HW-Q990C vs Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Samsung HW-Q990C
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
Tested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Jul 15, 2024 04:31 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Nov 28, 2024 02:21 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Channels11.1.4
Channels5.1.2
Variants
- HW-Q990C (Black)
- Smart Ultra Soundbar (Arctic White)
- Smart Ultra Soundbar (Black)
Our Verdict
Samsung HW-Q990C
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
The Samsung HW-Q990C offers a more robust overall performance than the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar. While both bars are premium, the Samsung comes with a subwoofer and satellites, has a more neutral sound profile out of the box, and gets louder. Thanks to its satellites and up-firing speakers, it offers a better, more immersive surround and height performance and has a wide array of customization features. It even supports HDMI In and video passthrough. However, the Bose has a better soundstage performance and supports Chromecast built-in.
Main Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
8.5
7.3
Stereo Frequency Response
8.4
7.1
Surround 5.1
8.2
5.6
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
10
0.0
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
No
Stereo Dynamics
9.1
8.0
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
48.5" (123.2 cm)
41.1" (104.5 cm)
Height
2.8" (7.0 cm)
2.2" (5.7 cm)
Depth
5.4" (13.8 cm)
4.3" (10.8 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
8.9" (22.6 cm)
N/A
Height
16.2" (41.2 cm)
N/A
Depth
16.1" (41.0 cm)
N/A
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
5.1" (13.0 cm)
N/A
Height
7.9" (20.0 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
8.5
8.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.4
7.1
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
11.1.4
5.1.2
Tested Preset
Standard
No Preset
Slope
-0.01
0.50
Standard Error
2.38 dB
3.74 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
28.7 Hz
48.3 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.1 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.4
7.4
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
No Preset
Suggested Bass Setting
0
0
Suggested Treble Setting
0
-50
Slope
-0.01
0.03
Standard Error
2.38 dB
2.97 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
28.7 Hz
48.3 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.1 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.5
8.0
Crosstalk Error
2.33 dB
1.68 dB
Stereo Dynamics
9.1
8.0
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
99.9 dB SPL
94.2 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
0.46 dB
0.50 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
0.84 dB
2.30 dB
Center
8.7
8.2
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.33
0.57
Std. Err.
2.31 dB
3.54 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
96.6 dB SPL
95.0 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.35
0.49
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.70
1.96
Surround 5.1
8.2
5.6
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Phantom (Front Firing and Up Firing, Bar)
Slope
-0.34
-0.42
Std. Err.
3.16 dB
3.35 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
91.8 dB SPL
95.6 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.60
0.72
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.82
2.72
7.1 Rears
Yes
No
Height (Atmos)
6.7
6.1
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Phantom (Front Firing, Bar)
Slope
-0.11
-0.76
Std. Err.
4.11 dB
3.68 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
90.9 dB SPL
87.7 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.61
0.58
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.61
1.68
Sound Enhancement Features
9.5
4.7
Room Correction
Yes
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
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
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
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
Yes
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
10
8.1
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Not 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
6.5
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Not Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
2.0
Audio Latency: ARC
8.6
9.0
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
37 ms
59 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
37 ms
55 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
69 ms
55 ms
Dolby Digital
90 ms
80 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
94 ms
97 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
96 ms
94 ms
Audio Latency: HDMI In
8.8
0.0
HDMI Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
41 ms
N/A
PCM-5.1 ch
40 ms
N/A
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
73 ms
N/A
Dolby Digital
104 ms
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus
99 ms
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
99 ms
N/A
Audio Latency: Optical
8.0
7.8
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
103 ms
122 ms
Dolby Digital
303 ms
166 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
10
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
No
Yes
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
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
Yes
Yes
You have 10/10 free reviews left
To access
and
Become an Insider
unlimited full product reviews,
product prices
other exclusive site features
Samsung HW-Q990C
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
Comments
Samsung HW-Q990C vs Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar: 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.