Are you looking for an immersive audio experience every time you binge your favorite films and shows or listen to your favorite album? But is the thought of setting up a multi-speaker home theater arrangement putting you off the idea?
If yes, then a soundbar is exactly what you are looking for. Soundbars are compact, easy to set up, and can provide just as much of a cinematic sound quality as their multi-speaker counterparts. The upside is that you won’t need to drill holes in your walls, hire an electrician to run wire, or otherwise craft a master plan for your home theater.
When it comes to soundbars, and audio equipment in general, Samsung and Bose are two brands that you cannot go wrong with. Both companies have an impeccable track record of providing state of the art soundbars at different price points to accommodate all budgets and use cases.
In this article, we will be taking a look at three models of soundbars from the two brands: the Samsung Q990B, the Bose Smart Soundbar 900, and the Samsung Q950A. All three models are popular choices among audio enthusiasts, but differ significantly in terms of their functionality, feature sets, and overall performance.
To help you make an informed purchase decision, we will be comparing these products based on their design and build quality, sound quality, smart features, and a few other aspects. Keep reading to learn more.
~~~ Check Price: Samsung Q990B ~~~
~~~ Check Price: Bose Smart Soundbar 900 ~~~
~~~ Check Price: Samsung Q950A ~~~
Design and Build Quality
The design and build quality of a soundbar can be an important factor to consider, as it affects the overall aesthetic of the device and its durability.
The Samsung Q990B has a slim and modern design, with a metallic finish and a clean, minimalist aesthetic. It measures 46.1 inches wide and 2.3 inches high and weighs in at just 8.8 pounds. It has a small LED display on the front panel that shows the volume level and input source, and it is relatively lightweight and easy to install. The bundle includes a subwoofer and two satellite speakers.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 also has a compact design, with a slim profile and a black finish. It measures 48.4 inches wide and 2.4 inches high, and weighs 11.2 pounds. Rather than an included product, you will have to separately purchase a Bose Bass Module if you are wanting the added bass response. Although slightly bulkier than the Q990B, the Smart Soundbar 900 is also pretty easy to set up.
The Samsung Q950A has a more traditional design, with a wider profile and a black finish. It measures 43.7 inches wide and 2.7 inches high, weighing in at 13.2 pounds. This unit, too, includes a separate wireless subwoofer and satellite speakers. It’s significantly heavier than the two other models, but is quite easy to install nonetheless.
Overall, the Q990B and the Smart Soundbar 900 have a more modern and streamlined design than the Q950A, which has a more traditional aesthetic. The Q990B is the slimmest and lightest of the three soundbars, making it the easiest to install and integrate into your home entertainment system.
Connectivity and Compatibility
In addition to their design and build quality, the connectivity and compatibility of a soundbar can be an important factor to consider.
The Samsung Q990B offers a variety of connectivity options, including Bluetooth, HDMI, and optical input. It also has a USB port for connecting devices like a flash drive or a hard drive, and it supports various streaming services, such as Spotify and Apple Music. The Q990B is compatible with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, two advanced surround sound formats that provide a truly immersive listening experience.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 also offers a variety of connectivity options, including Bluetooth, HDMI, and optical input. You can also connect your hard drive or flash drive via the USB port. It has support for various streaming services, such as Spotify and Amazon Music and is compatible with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Additionally, the Smart Soundbar 900 has built-in support for Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing you to control the soundbar using voice commands.
The Samsung Q950A offers similar connectivity options to the other two soundbars, that is, optical input, HDMI, and Bluetooth. This unit, too, comes with a USB port for connecting your flash drive or a hard drive, and has support for various streaming services, such as Spotify and Apple Music. The Q950A is compatible with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, but it does not have built-in support for virtual assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant.
Overall, the Q990B and the Smart Soundbar 900 offer similar connectivity and compatibility options, with support for various streaming services and advanced surround sound formats. The Q950A offerings are mostly comparable, but it lacks built-in support for virtual assistants.
Sound Quality
The sound quality of a soundbar is perhaps the most important factor to consider when choosing the right one for your home entertainment arrangement.
The Samsung Q990B has nine built-in speakers, including a center channel, left and right channels, and surround channels, as well as a separate wireless subwoofer for deep bass. It delivers impressive sound quality, with a wide soundstage and clear, detailed audio. The separate subwoofer adds a powerful bass response, enhancing the overall sound of the soundbar.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900, too, has nine built-in speakers, including a center channel, left and right channels, and surround channels, as well as a separate wireless subwoofer for deep bass. As a result, its sound quality is comparable to that of the Q990B, making it perfect for those looking for crisp, lifelike audio, and a wide soundstage.
*The key difference is that the Bose 900 will require you to purchase satellite speakers and a bass module separately — so the price comparison isn’t really “apples to apples.”
The Samsung Q950A has seven built-in speakers, with a center channel, left and right channels, and surround channels, and a separate wireless subwoofer. Despite having two speakers less than its competitors, it delivers powerful audio that is crisp and immersive. The soundstage is wide and the bass response adds to the clarity and overall sound quality of the unit.
Overall, the Q990B and the Smart Soundbar 900 are pretty comparable in terms of the sound quality that they deliver, with a wide soundstage and clear, detailed audio. The Q950A offers standout sound quality, but it does not have as many built-in speakers as the other two soundbars, which may affect the overall soundstage and clarity of the audio.
At the same time, the all-in-one setup of the Bose 900 probably won’t provide the immersiveness that the Samsung setups — with separate rear speakers and subwoofers — will.
Smart Features and Voice Control
The inclusion of smart features and voice control can be a useful addition to a soundbar, as it allows for more convenient and intuitive control of the device.
The Samsung Q990B does not have built-in support for virtual assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant, so it cannot be controlled using voice commands. With that said, it does support various streaming services, such as Spotify and Apple Music, allowing you to access your music library using the soundbar’s built-in controls.
The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 has built-in support for Google Assistant and Alexa, allowing you to control the soundbar using voice commands. This means that you can easily adjust the volume, change the input source, or play music using simple voice commands. It also supports various streaming services, such as Spotify and Amazon Music.
The Samsung Q950A, like the Q990B, does not have built-in support for virtual assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant and therefore cannot be controlled using voice commands. It does have support for streaming services like Amazon Music and Spotify, however, enabling you to use the unit’s built-in controls to access your music library.
Summing up, the Smart Soundbar 900 offers the most advanced smart features and voice control capabilities, with built-in support for Alexa and Google Assistant. The Q990B and the Q950A do not have built-in support for virtual assistants, but they do support various streaming services.
Key Takeaways
In conclusion, the Samsung Q990B, the Bose Smart Soundbar 900, and the Samsung Q950A are all excellent soundbars that offer an excellent combination of good design and build quality, connectivity and compatibility, sound quality, and smart features and voice control.
The Q990B and the Smart Soundbar 900 offer similar performance in these areas, with sleek and modern designs, a variety of connectivity options, impressive sound quality, and support for advanced surround sound formats. The Q950A offers solid performance as well, but it lacks built-in support for virtual assistants and does not have as many built-in speakers as the other two soundbars.
Based on their overall performance, the Samsung Q990B and the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 are the best options for users who are looking for a high-quality soundbar with advanced features and a sleek design.
The Q990B is a poignant choice for users who prefer a more minimalist design and a wider range of connectivity options, and the purchase price includes every component you need. The Smart Soundbar 900 is a fantastic option for those who want built-in support for virtual assistants and advanced smart features — but you will need to spend extra if you want a subwoofer or dedicated rear speakers.
The Samsung Q950A is a striking choice for users who want a more traditional design and cinematic sound quality that makes a Michael Bay Transformers or a Fast and Furious movie even better than what they already are.
So, depending on your budget and your specific needs, you can choose any of the three products based on the comparison above. Choosing the right soundbar for your home entertainment system will definitely make your viewing and listening experience exponentially more enjoyable.
~~~ Check Price: Samsung Q990B ~~~
