Sonos Beam vs Samsung HW-Q90R Side-by-Side Soundbar Comparison

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Jan 11, 2024 07:40 PM

See Samsung HW-Q90R Review

Channels3.0

Channels7.1.4

Variants

Beam (Black)
Beam (White)

HW-Q90R

Review

See Sonos Beam Review

Our Verdict

Sonos Beam

Samsung HW-Q90R

The Samsung HW-Q90R is a better overall setup compared to the Sonos Beam. The Samsung is a 7.1.4 setup with a better surround performance that can also support Dolby Atmos content. It gets louder with less compression at max volume, and it reproduces a more extended low-bass. When it comes to sound enhancement features, the Samsung soundbar has a graphic EQ and presets, whereas the Sonos has room correction. The Sonos is simple in its setup and is a great standalone soundbar with a center channel that helps reproduce dialogue accurately. It also has a better soundstage and built-in voice assistant support.

Check Price

Black

Beam

Standard

HW-Q90R

White

Beam

Standard

HW-Q90R

BestBuy.com

Standard

HW-Q90R

Walmart.com

Standard

HW-Q90R

B&H

Standard

HW-Q90R

Samsung.com

Notice: Two or more of the products selected have been tested with different test methodologies, so some of the results below aren't directly comparable. Learn how our test benches and scoring system work, and read more about the latest changes to our soundbars test methodology.

Threshold

0.10

Mixed Usage

6.9

8.2

Stereo Frequency Response

7.2

8.4

Height (Atmos)

0.0

6.4

Surround 5.1

3.1

8.3

Stereo Dynamics

6.4

9.0

Audio Format Support: HDMI In

0.0

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC

6.3

Auto-Volume/Night Mode

Yes

Full Comparison

Mixed Usage

6.9

8.2

Dialogue/TV Shows

7.6

8.2

Music

7.3

8.2

Movies

6.3

8.3

Design

Style - Bar

Style photo - bar

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Style - Subwoofer

Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless

Yes

Enclosure

No Subwoofer

Ported

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Style - Satellites

Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless

Yes

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Dimensions - Bar

Dimensions photo - bar

Width

25.6" (65.0 cm)

48.3" (122.7 cm)

Height

2.6" (6.7 cm)

3.1" (8.0 cm)

Depth

4.0" (10.1 cm)

5.4" (13.8 cm)

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Dimensions - Subwoofer

Dimensions photo - sub

Width

N/A

7.9" (20.1 cm)

Height

N/A

15.9" (40.4 cm)

Depth

N/A

15.7" (39.8 cm)

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Dimensions - Satellites

Dimensions photo - satellites

Width

N/A

5.6" (14.1 cm)

Height

N/A

8.2" (20.9 cm)

Depth

N/A

4.8" (12.1 cm)

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Mounting

Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar

Yes

Bar Brackets Included

Mountable Satellites

Satellite Brackets Included

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Build Quality

8.0

Build quality photo

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In The Box

In The Box photo

HDMI Cable Length

1.5 m (4.9 ft)

Digital Optical Cable Length

N/A

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Back - Bar

Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting

Universal (holes on underside)

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Back - Subwoofer

Back photo - sub

Enclosure

No Subwoofer

Ported

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Back - Satellites

Back photo - satellites

Mounting

Universal (holes on back)

Show Text

Sound

Stereo Frequency Response

7.2

8.4

Stereo Setup

Raw Frequency Response

Frequency Response Small

Tested Preset

No Preset

Standard

Slope

0.63

-0.41

Std. Err.

3.39 dB

2.65 dB

Channels

3.0

7.1.4

Low-Frequency Extension

49.7 Hz

27.1 Hz

High-Frequency Extension

19.9 kHz

17.7 kHz

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Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration

7.5

8.4

Frequency Response Calibrated

Suggested Preset

No Preset

Standard

Suggested Bass Setting

Suggested Treble Setting

-6

Slope

0.18

-0.41

Std. Err.

2.34 dB

2.65 dB

Low-Frequency Extension

49.7 Hz

27.1 Hz

High-Frequency Extension

19.9 kHz

17.7 kHz

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Stereo Soundstage

8.0

7.5

Crosstalk

Crosstalk Error

2.26 dB

2.51 dB

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Stereo Dynamics

6.4

9.0

Dynamic Range Compression

SPL @ Max Volume

91.2 dB SPL

101.3 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume

3.85 dB

1.12 dB

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Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion

7.2

8.4

THD

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.73

0.19

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

1.51

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Center

8.3

8.6

Center Setup

Frequency Response

Localization

Discrete

Slope

0.39

-0.34

Std. Err.

2.87 dB

2.71 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

92.0 dB SPL

96.5 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.97

0.42

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

1.56

1.36

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Surround 5.1

3.1

8.3

Surround Setup

Frequency Response

Localization

Stereo (Downmix)

Discrete

Slope

-0.27

-1.50

Std. Err.

5.44 dB

4.46 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

85.2 dB SPL

123.0 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

1.74

0.33

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

1.95

1.43

7.1 Rears

Yes

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Height (Atmos)

0.0

6.4

Height Setup

H Frequency Response

Localization

Not Supported

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)

Slope

N/A

-0.38

Std. Err.

N/A

5.25 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

N/A

95.6 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

N/A

0.33

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

N/A

1.46

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Sound Enhancement Features

5.4

6.3

Room Correction

Yes

Dialogue Enhancement

Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode

Yes

Subwoofer Level Adjustment

Yes

Bass Adjustment

Yes

Treble Adjustment

Yes

EQ

Graphic + Presets

Surround Level Adjustment

Yes

Rear Level Adjustment

Yes

Height Level Adjustment

Yes

Virtual Surround

Yes

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Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In

Adapter into HDMI ARC

HDMI Out

ARC

1 (shared)

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth

Full HDMI In

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)

RCA In

USB for Files

Ethernet

Subwoofer Output

HDMI ARC

1 (shared)

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Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC

6.3

Dolby Atmos

Not Supported

Yes

Dolby Digital

Supported

Yes

Dolby Digital Plus

Not Supported

Yes

Dolby TrueHD

Not Supported

Yes

DTS

Supported

Yes

DTS:X

Not Supported

Yes

eARC

Yes

DTS-HD MA

Not Supported

Yes

PCM Channels

2.0

5.1 PCM (eARC only)

Yes

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Audio Format Support: HDMI In

0.0

Dolby Atmos

Not Supported

Yes

Dolby Digital

Not Supported

Yes

Dolby Digital Plus

Not Supported

Yes

Dolby TrueHD

Not Supported

Yes

DTS

Not Supported

Yes

DTS:X

Not Supported

Yes

DTS-HD MA

Not Supported

Yes

PCM Channels

Not Supported

5.1 PCM

Yes

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Audio Format Support: Optical

Dolby Digital

Supported

Yes

DTS

Supported

Yes

PCM Channels

2.0

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Latency

9.8

7.2

Latency Video

ARC

-14 ms

92 ms

Optical

0 ms

73 ms

Full HDMI In

N/A

81 ms

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Video Passthrough To TV

0.0

1080p Max Refresh Rate

Not Supported

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate

Not Supported

4k Max Refresh Rate

Not Supported

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit

Not Supported

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate

Not Supported

8k Max Refresh Rate

Not Supported

HDR10 Passthrough

Yes

HDR10+ Passthrough

Dolby Vision Passthrough

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough

Yes

FreeSync Passthrough

G-SYNC Passthrough

ALLM Passthrough

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough

Yes

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough

Yes

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Wireless Playback

3.0

8.0

Bluetooth

Yes

Wi-Fi Playback

Yes

Chromecast built-in

Apple AirPlay

Yes

Spotify Connect

Yes

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Connectivity - Subwoofer

Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1

Sub Wireless

Yes

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Connectivity - Satellites

Physical inputs satellites photo 1

Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless

Yes

Show Text

Additional Features

Interface

Interface photo

Display

Yes

Show Text

Bar Controls

Controls photo

Show Text

Remote

Remote photo

Universal Remote

Show Text

Voice Assistants Support

Amazon Alexa

Yes (Built-in)

Google Assistant

Yes (Built-in)

Apple Siri

Microphone Mute

Yes

Show Text

App

App image

App Name

Samsung SmartThings

iOS

Yes

Android

Yes

Acts As A Remote

Yes

Controls Soundbar's Settings

Some

Casts Device Files

Yes

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Other Features

Power Saving

Auto-off

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)

Yes

Show Text

Check Price

Black

Beam

Standard

HW-Q90R

White

Beam

Standard

HW-Q90R

BestBuy.com

Standard

HW-Q90R