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Samsung HW-Q990D vs Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 with Speakers + Bass Module
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Samsung HW-Q990D
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 with Speakers + Bass Module
Tested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Mar 31, 2025 07:32 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Nov 28, 2024 02:16 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels11.1.4
Channels7.1.4
Variants
- HW-Q990D (Black)
- BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 with SA-RS5 + SA-SW5 (Black)
Our Verdict
Samsung HW-Q990D
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 with Speakers + Bass Module
The Samsung HW-Q990D is better for most people than the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 with Speakers + Bass Module thanks to its bigger soundstage and more accurate frequency responses in stereo, surround, and Dolby Atmos. The Samsung offers greater connectivity and more ports, too. Still, the Sony is no slouch and offers a more excited sound by default, with support for IMAX Enhanced DTS:X, but otherwise, the Samsung is more flexible with more manual features to control the sound.
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Black
HW-Q990D
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Amazon.comBlack
BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 with SA-RS5 + SA-SW5
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q990D
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B&HBlack
BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 with SA-RS5 + SA-SW5
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q990D
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BestBuy.comBlack
BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 with SA-RS5 + SA-SW5
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q990D
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Walmart.comMain Differences for
Threshold
Mixed Usage
8.6
7.8
Stereo Frequency Response
8.5
8.1
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
0.0
Stereo Soundstage
7.5
6.5
Stereo Dynamics
9.1
8.0
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
Yes
Enclosure
Ported
Passive Radiator
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
Yes
Yes
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
48.5" (123.2 cm)
51.2" (130.1 cm)
Height
2.7" (6.9 cm)
2.5" (6.4 cm)
Depth
5.4" (13.8 cm)
4.4" (11.3 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
8.8" (22.4 cm)
10.9" (27.7 cm)
Height
16.1" (40.9 cm)
16.0" (40.7 cm)
Depth
16.1" (40.9 cm)
16.7" (42.3 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
5.1" (13.0 cm)
5.7" (14.5 cm)
Height
7.8" (19.9 cm)
9.8" (24.9 cm)
Depth
5.6" (14.1 cm)
5.2" (13.3 cm)
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
Yes
Mountable Satellites
Yes
Yes
Satellite Brackets Included
No
No
Build Quality
8.5
7.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.5
8.1
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
11.1.4
7.1.4
Tested Preset
Standard
Standard Surround
Slope
-0.32
-0.14
Standard Error
2.32 dB
2.91 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
27.5 Hz
33.2 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.5
8.1
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
Standard Surround
Suggested Bass Setting
0
0
Suggested Treble Setting
0
N/A
Slope
-0.28
-0.14
Standard Error
2.37 dB
2.91 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
27.5 Hz
33.2 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.5
6.5
Crosstalk Error
2.43 dB
3.56 dB
Stereo Dynamics
9.1
8.0
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
99.4 dB SPL
96.4 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
0.32 dB
0.85 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
0.81 dB
3.13 dB
Center
8.8
8.6
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.22
0.41
Std. Err.
2.24 dB
2.46 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
96.2 dB SPL
95.7 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.24
0.36
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.99
2.94
Surround 5.1
8.4
6.7
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.16
-0.73
Std. Err.
2.83 dB
6.16 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
93.2 dB SPL
92.4 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.56
0.46
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
3.00
2.13
7.1 Rears
Yes
No
Height (Atmos)
6.8
6.4
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Slope
-0.23
-0.72
Std. Err.
3.76 dB
3.27 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
91.4 dB SPL
77.5 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.53
1.78
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.46
0.68
Sound Enhancement Features
9.5
5.6
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
No
EQ
Graphic + Presets
No
Surround Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Rear Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
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
No
HDMI Out
eARC
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
Yes
Yes
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
Subwoofer Output
No
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
10
10
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Supported
Supported
DTS-HD MA
Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
10
10
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Supported
Supported
DTS-HD MA
Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
0.0
Dolby Digital
Supported
Not Supported
DTS
Supported
Not Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Not Supported
Audio Latency: ARC
9.3
6.2
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
34 ms
95 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
40 ms
91 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
58 ms
100 ms
Dolby Digital
79 ms
130 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
86 ms
136 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
90 ms
132 ms
Audio Latency: HDMI In
9.4
5.9
HDMI Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
34 ms
96 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
35 ms
92 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
63 ms
105 ms
Dolby Digital
97 ms
148 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
89 ms
142 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
95 ms
137 ms
Audio Latency: Optical
9.1
0.0
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
97 ms
N/A
Dolby Digital
156 ms
N/A
Video Passthrough To TV
10
9.6
1080p Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
120Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
120Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
120Hz
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Supported
Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
120Hz
8k Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
60Hz
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
Yes
HDR10+ Passthrough
Yes
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
Yes
Yes
FreeSync Passthrough
Yes
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
Yes
Yes
ALLM Passthrough
Yes
Yes
Wireless Playback
10
9.0
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
Yes
No
Apple AirPlay
Yes
Yes
Spotify Connect
Yes
Yes
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
Yes (Built-in)
No
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
Yes
No
Check Price
Black
HW-Q990D
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 with SA-RS5 + SA-SW5
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q990D
SEE PRICE
B&HBlack
BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 with SA-RS5 + SA-SW5
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q990D
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 with SA-RS5 + SA-SW5
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q990D
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
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Samsung HW-Q990D
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 with Speakers + Bass Module
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Samsung HW-Q990D vs Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 with Speakers + Bass Module: Main Discussion
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