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Sony HT-ST5000 vs Samsung HW-Q950A
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Sony HT-ST5000
Samsung HW-Q950A
Tested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Mar 15, 2024 07:13 PM
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Finding storeTested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Jan 12, 2024 07:39 PM
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Channels7.1.2
Channels11.1.4
Variants
- HT-ST5000 (Black)
- HW-Q950A (Black)
Our Verdict
Sony HT-ST5000
Samsung HW-Q950A
The Samsung HW-Q950A is a better soundbar than the Sony HT-ST5000. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup that comes with discrete satellite speakers and offers better surrounds and Atmos performances. It also gets louder, and it comes with more sound enhancement features like room correction and a graphic EQ. Unlike the Sony, it also has built-in Alexa voice assistant support. That said, the 7.1.2 Sony is better-built.
Main Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.7
8.4
Stereo Dynamics
7.3
8.8
Surround 5.1
5.7
8.3
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
Yes
Enclosure
Passive Radiator
Ported
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
Yes
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
46.5" (118.0 cm)
48.4" (123.0 cm)
Height
3.2" (8.1 cm)
2.8" (7.0 cm)
Depth
5.6" (14.3 cm)
5.4" (13.8 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
9.8" (25.0 cm)
8.2" (20.9 cm)
Height
15.9" (40.3 cm)
15.8" (40.2 cm)
Depth
16.7" (42.3 cm)
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
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
Mountable Satellites
Yes
Satellite Brackets Included
No
Build Quality
8.5
7.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
HDMI Cable Length
1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Digital Optical Cable Length
N/A
Back - Bar
Back photo - bar
Bar Mounting
Universal (holes on back)
Back - Subwoofer
Back photo - sub
Enclosure
Passive Radiator
Ported
Back - Satellites
Back photo - satellites
Mounting
No
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.1
8.2
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
Standard
Standard
Slope
-0.82
0.30
Std. Err.
3.35 dB
2.65 dB
Channels
7.1.2
11.1.4
Low-Frequency Extension
31.7 Hz
33.2 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.1 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.1
8.4
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
8
2
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
0
Slope
-0.82
0.01
Std. Err.
3.35 dB
2.19 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
31.7 Hz
30.4 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.6 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.5
7.5
Crosstalk Error
2.53 dB
2.24 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.3
8.8
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
92.5 dB SPL
98.8 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
2.35 dB
1.08 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
6.4
8.4
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.33
0.18
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
4.14
1.27
Center
8.2
8.8
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.15
0.28
Std. Err.
2.99 dB
2.19 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
90.4 dB SPL
96.6 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.76
0.17
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
5.53
0.86
Surround 5.1
5.7
8.3
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Front Firing, Bar)
Discrete
Slope
-0.97
-0.36
Std. Err.
4.01 dB
2.92 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
92.8 dB SPL
89.8 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.30
0.52
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
3.50
2.31
7.1 Rears
No
Yes
Height (Atmos)
5.8
6.6
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Slope
-0.90
-0.28
Std. Err.
3.97 dB
4.20 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
78.3 dB SPL
90.5 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
2.25
0.54
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.00
1.03
Sound Enhancement Features
5.6
9.5
Room Correction
No
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Bass Adjustment
No
Yes
Treble Adjustment
No
Yes
EQ
Presets
Graphic + Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Rear Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Height Level Adjustment
No
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
1 (shared)
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Full HDMI In
3
2
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
1
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
1
No
Ethernet
1
No
Subwoofer Output
No
HDMI ARC
1 (shared)
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
10
10
Dolby Atmos
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Yes
Supported
DTS
Yes
Supported
DTS:X
Yes
Supported
eARC
Yes
DTS-HD MA
Yes
Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
Yes
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
10
10
Dolby Atmos
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Yes
Supported
DTS
Yes
Supported
DTS:X
Yes
Supported
DTS-HD MA
Yes
Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
5.1 PCM
Yes
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
DTS
Yes
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Latency
7.4
7.7
Latency Video
ARC
72 ms
80 ms
Optical
64 ms
60 ms
Full HDMI In
107 ms
59 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
0.0
8.5
1080p Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
8k Max Refresh Rate
30Hz
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
Yes
HDR10+ Passthrough
Yes
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
Yes
FreeSync Passthrough
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
ALLM Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
Yes
Wireless Playback
9.0
9.0
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
Yes
No
Apple AirPlay
No
Yes
Spotify Connect
Yes
Connectivity - Subwoofer
Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1
Physical controls subwoofer photo 1
Sub Wireless
Yes
Yes
Connectivity - Satellites
Physical inputs satellites photo 1
Physical controls satellites photo 1
Sat Wireless
No
Yes
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Universal Remote
No
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
Yes
App
App image
App Name
Sony Music Center
iOS
Yes
Android
Yes
Acts As A Remote
Yes
Controls Soundbar's Settings
All
Casts Device Files
Yes
Other Features
Power Saving
Standby
HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)
Yes
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Sony HT-ST5000
Samsung HW-Q950A
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Sony HT-ST5000 vs Samsung HW-Q950A: Main Discussion
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