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Sonos Beam vs Samsung HW-Q950A
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Sonos Beam
Samsung HW-Q950A
Tested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Apr 09, 2024 02:27 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Jan 12, 2024 07:39 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels3.0
Channels11.1.4
Variants
- Beam (Black)
- Beam (White)
- HW-Q950A (Black)
Our Verdict
Sonos Beam
Samsung HW-Q950A
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the Sonos Beam. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup that supports Dolby Atmos content. Thanks to its dedicated sub, it reproduces a more extended low-bass. It also gets louder, and it has a better surround performance thanks partly to its dedicated satellites. It supports more wireless playback options, and its Full HDMI In port supports high-quality passthrough. That said, the Sonos is better built, is more compact, and has a better soundstage.
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Black
Beam
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q950A
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Amazon.comWhite
Beam
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q950A
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HW-Q950A
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HW-Q950A
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Samsung.comBlack
HW-Q950A
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Walmart.comMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
6.9
8.4
Stereo Frequency Response
7.2
8.2
Height (Atmos)
0.0
6.6
Surround 5.1
3.1
8.3
Stereo Dynamics
6.4
8.8
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
0.0
10
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
6.3
10
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
No
Yes
Enclosure
No Subwoofer
Ported
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
Yes
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
25.6" (65.0 cm)
48.4" (123.0 cm)
Height
2.6" (6.7 cm)
2.8" (7.0 cm)
Depth
4.0" (10.1 cm)
5.4" (13.8 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
N/A
8.2" (20.9 cm)
Height
N/A
15.8" (40.2 cm)
Depth
N/A
15.9" (40.3 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
4.9" (12.4 cm)
Height
N/A
8.0" (20.2 cm)
Depth
N/A
5.5" (14.0 cm)
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
No
Yes
Mountable Satellites
No
Yes
Satellite Brackets Included
No
No
Build Quality
8.0
7.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.2
8.2
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
No Preset
Standard
Slope
0.63
0.30
Std. Err.
3.39 dB
2.65 dB
Channels
3.0
11.1.4
Low-Frequency Extension
49.7 Hz
33.2 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.1 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.5
8.4
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
No Preset
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
0
2
Suggested Treble Setting
-6
0
Slope
0.18
0.01
Std. Err.
2.34 dB
2.19 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
49.7 Hz
30.4 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.6 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
8.0
7.5
Crosstalk Error
2.26 dB
2.24 dB
Stereo Dynamics
6.4
8.8
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
91.2 dB SPL
98.8 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
3.85 dB
1.08 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.2
8.4
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.73
0.18
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.51
1.27
Center
8.3
8.8
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
0.39
0.28
Std. Err.
2.87 dB
2.19 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
92.0 dB SPL
96.6 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.97
0.17
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.56
0.86
Surround 5.1
3.1
8.3
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Discrete
Slope
-0.27
-0.36
Std. Err.
5.44 dB
2.92 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
85.2 dB SPL
89.8 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.74
0.52
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.95
2.31
7.1 Rears
No
Yes
Height (Atmos)
0.0
6.6
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Not Supported
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Slope
N/A
-0.28
Std. Err.
N/A
4.20 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
N/A
90.5 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
N/A
0.54
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
N/A
1.03
Sound Enhancement Features
5.4
9.5
Room Correction
Yes
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
Yes
Yes
EQ
No
Graphic + Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Rear Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Height Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Virtual Surround
No
Yes
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
Adapter into HDMI ARC
1
HDMI Out
ARC
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
No
Full HDMI In
No
2
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
No
Ethernet
1
No
Subwoofer Output
No
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
6.3
10
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Not Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Not Supported
Supported
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
0.0
10
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Not Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Not Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
Supported
DTS
Not Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Not Supported
Supported
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
Not Supported
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
2.0
Latency
9.8
7.7
Latency Video
ARC
-14 ms
80 ms
Optical
0 ms
60 ms
Full HDMI In
N/A
59 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
0.0
8.5
1080p Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
120Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
120Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
60Hz
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
60Hz
8k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
30Hz
HDR10 Passthrough
No
Yes
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
Yes
Dolby Vision Passthrough
No
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
Yes
FreeSync Passthrough
No
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
No
ALLM Passthrough
No
Yes
Wireless Playback
3.0
9.0
Bluetooth
No
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
No
No
Apple AirPlay
Yes
Yes
Spotify Connect
Yes
Yes
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
No
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
Yes (Built-in)
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
Yes (Built-in)
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
Yes
Yes
Check Price
Black
Beam
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q950A
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Amazon.comWhite
Beam
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q950A
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BestBuy.comBlack
HW-Q950A
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B&HBlack
HW-Q950A
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Samsung.comBlack
HW-Q950A
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Walmart.com
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Sonos Beam
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Sonos Beam vs Samsung HW-Q950A: Main Discussion
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