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Samsung HW-Q990D vs Samsung HW-Q990C
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Samsung HW-Q990D
Samsung HW-Q990C
Tested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Apr 25, 2025 06:45 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Jul 15, 2024 04:31 PM
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Channels11.1.4
Channels11.1.4
Variants
- HW-Q990D (Black)
- HW-Q990C (Black)
Our Verdict
Samsung HW-Q990D
Samsung HW-Q990C
The Samsung HW-Q990D is the next generation of the Samsung HW-Q990C. While both bars largely look the same, one notable change is the addition of HDMI 2.1. The Q990D can passthrough 4k signals at 120Hz, which is great if you're gaming from a next-gen console. It also supports Private Listening, a feature that sends audio only to the satellite speakers, which helps minimize disturbing others, and Sound Grouping, allowing the satellites to play left and right channel content for a more stereo sound. The Q990C may still be worthwhile if you don't need HDMI 2.1. Since it's older, you may be able to find it discounted, making its cost-to-performance ratio a bit more digestible.
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Black
HW-Q990D
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HW-Q990C
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HW-Q990C
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HW-Q990C
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HW-Q990C
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HW-Q990C
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HW-Q990C
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Finding storeMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
8.6
8.5
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
Yes
Enclosure
Ported
Ported
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
Yes
Yes
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
48.5" (123.2 cm)
48.5" (123.2 cm)
Height
2.7" (6.9 cm)
2.8" (7.0 cm)
Depth
5.4" (13.8 cm)
5.4" (13.8 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
8.8" (22.4 cm)
8.9" (22.6 cm)
Height
16.1" (40.9 cm)
16.2" (41.2 cm)
Depth
16.1" (40.9 cm)
16.1" (41.0 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
5.1" (13.0 cm)
5.1" (13.0 cm)
Height
7.8" (19.9 cm)
7.9" (20.0 cm)
Depth
5.6" (14.1 cm)
5.5" (14.0 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
8.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.5
8.4
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
11.1.4
11.1.4
Tested Preset
Standard
Standard
Slope
-0.32
-0.01
Standard Error
2.32 dB
2.38 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
27.5 Hz
28.7 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.1 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.5
8.4
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
0
0
Suggested Treble Setting
0
0
Slope
-0.28
-0.01
Standard Error
2.37 dB
2.38 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
27.5 Hz
28.7 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.1 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.5
7.5
Crosstalk Error
2.43 dB
2.33 dB
Stereo Dynamics
9.1
9.1
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
99.4 dB SPL
99.9 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
0.32 dB
0.46 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
0.81 dB
0.84 dB
Center
8.8
8.7
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.22
-0.33
Std. Err.
2.24 dB
2.31 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
96.2 dB SPL
96.6 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.24
0.35
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.99
1.70
Surround 5.1
8.4
8.2
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.16
-0.34
Std. Err.
2.83 dB
3.16 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
93.2 dB SPL
91.8 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.56
0.60
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
3.00
2.82
7.1 Rears
Yes
Yes
Height (Atmos)
6.8
6.7
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Slope
-0.23
-0.11
Std. Err.
3.76 dB
4.11 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
91.4 dB SPL
90.9 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.53
0.61
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.46
1.61
Sound Enhancement Features
9.5
9.5
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
Graphic + Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
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
1
HDMI Out
eARC
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
Yes
No
Full HDMI In
2
2
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
10
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
2.0
Audio Latency: ARC
9.3
8.6
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
34 ms
37 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
40 ms
37 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
58 ms
69 ms
Dolby Digital
79 ms
90 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
86 ms
94 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
90 ms
96 ms
Audio Latency: HDMI In
9.4
8.8
HDMI Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
34 ms
41 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
35 ms
40 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
63 ms
73 ms
Dolby Digital
97 ms
104 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
89 ms
99 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
95 ms
99 ms
Audio Latency: Optical
9.1
8.0
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
97 ms
103 ms
Dolby Digital
156 ms
303 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
10
8.5
1080p Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
120Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
120Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
60Hz
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Supported
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
60Hz
8k Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
30Hz
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
Yes
HDR10+ Passthrough
Yes
Yes
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
Yes
Yes
FreeSync Passthrough
Yes
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
Yes
No
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)
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
Yes
Yes
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HW-Q990D
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HW-Q990C
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Samsung HW-Q990D
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Comments
Samsung HW-Q990C vs Samsung HW-Q990D: Main Discussion
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Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Insiders have direct access to buying advice on our insider forum.
The TCL S45H also has an integrated bass port.
I have this soundbar and currently my tone adjustments are +1 Bass and -1 Treble then we recently got a renovation and now my tonal adjustments are +2 Bass and +/- 0 Treble and also calibrated via TCL Home App. I’m using most of the presets specially the Music and Movie modes. When in Standard EQ mode this soundbar sounds lifeless almost like only an amplifier and the speaker itself and the only goal is to produce sound.
But when in Music and Movie mode it doesn’t sound that bad. The processing kicks in.
In Music mode it brings the bass and treble frequencies a bit and cuts a little of the mid frequencies making it sounds V-Shaped.
In Movie mode, this is where it brings most of its bass depending on the scene. The dialog are clear but it lacks the mid bass or the weight of the vocal. But there are also some movies where the vocal sounds fuller. The overall clarity are present though I’m not impressed with its Dolby processing due to driver and design limitations. But its there and it wasn’t bad at all just manage your expectations.
Surprisingly, the Voice mode is actually much better than turning ON the Dialog Enhancer. In voice, it does emphasis the vocal and automatically raises its presence to bring out most of the dialog detail. I’m using this mode when watching news.
Also, but maybe it’s just how our home are constructed. I’ve notice that most of the bass frequencies are at the sides of the soundbar a few meters away. I can’t confirm this but maybe you can try to listen to this soundbar at the sides in a few inches away LOL 🤣
BTW I’m new to RTINGS but I’m a silent reader and now I’m making noise LOL 😂