For those not interested or who do not have the space for back speakers, the Samsung Soundbar HW-Q900T is a good compromise, and its flexible performance means it works well with a range of content. Samsung’s second—tier soundbar in its 2020 line-up delivers a very good performance.
Table of Contents
Key Features
- Dolby Atmos/DTS: X
- 406W power
- 8-inch subwoofer
- Q-Symphony
- 7.1.2 Configuration
- Built-in Alexa, Spotify Connect integration
Released date and Price
The Samsung Soundbar HW-Q900T features the same main bar and sub as the Q950T, however drops the rear speakers for a slightly quieter 7.1.2 configuration. Released in the summer 2020, the Samsung Soundbar HW-Q900T sells for £1099 / $1299 / €1049 / CAD$1699 / AUD$1549.
Features of Samsung Soundbar HW-Q900T
Design & Build Quality
- Great look
- Sub of identical bar/Q950T
- Weird display placement
For all intents and purposes, the main bar and subwoofer of the Samsung Soundbar HW-Q900T are the same as the Samsung Soundbar HW-Q950T. It is rare and identical (69.5 x 1232 x 138mm, HWD), it weighs the same (7.1kg and 9.8kg for bar and sub respectively) and it comes wrapped in the same lovely Kvadrat fabric.
It still takes up a fairly large amount of space and requires 7cm of clearance to sit under a TV. To operate at its best you will need to clear space out towards the edges to ensure the wide-firing speakers aren’t blocked. That it doesn’t come with rear speakers makes the Samsung Soundbar HW-Q900T more suited to little rooms.
But, it being similar to the Q950T means that the odd design decisions Samsung made with it,s premium bar are rowed over. The Samsung Soundbar HW-Q900T has two displays, neither of which is finally convenient. The front-facing display displays power and volume, while the extra conventional display on top reveals input and audio.
To make sure the Samsung Soundbar HW-Q900T is pumping out the right audio track or to tweak the speaker levels, you will have to leave the solace of your sofa. It is a curious decision.
On the unit you will trace a multi-function button (input/power/Alexa), volume controls and a mic on/off button for secret. You can perform maximum of these functions (and more) via the remote, which is one of the nicer ones to use.
A settings button dives into the menu for changing speaker levels, as well as fiddling with bass and treble to finer fit the confines of your room. However, again, to see those levels you will need to journey away from your seat and (likely) glower at the display while edits are built.
Port and Power
The Samsung Soundbar HW-Q900T can be set up in the SmartThings app. If you have other smart devices and tackle in the home, SmartThings can fuse them (Philips Hue, Ring, and so on) for operation within the app. The bar does not support any room equalization technology in the method of Sonos’ Trueplay, albeit.
Total amplification is 406W, more than Samsung Soundbar’s next soundbar down in the Samsung Soundbar HW-Q800T (330W). The primary bar somehow fits in a ridiculous number of speakers that includes two up-firing full-range drivers, full—range side—firing speakers, a wide—range tweeter and dedicated center. As far as Samsung is concerned, the more speakers there are, the finer.
Audio Quality
Audio formats cover Dolby Atmos and DTS: X (through Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master Audio), as well as legacy support for Dolby Digital and DTS. There is also support for AAC, MP3, OGG, WAG, FLAC, Alac and AIFF for music playback.
Connectivity
- No room calibration feature
- Supports a cavalcade of audio formats
- Built-in Alexa voice support/Spotify connectivity
Connections allow for plugging in many sources with two HDMI inputs (More than the Samsung soundbar HW-Q800T’s sole input). The HDMI output supports eARC (for Atmos and the like), whilst the soundbar can pass through 4K HDR10+ signals.
A single optical input is all there is in the world of physical connections, skipping the USB port required for service updates. You will find them in the recessed area on the speaker’s underside.
I did have an HDMI handshake meter, with the soundbar reverting to a Wi-Fi connection and there were times when there was a slight lag in audio as a result. If you do experience handshake issues, try plugging in and out sources from the soundbar’s HDMI inputs to resolve the meter.
Other features include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (SBC codec), created—in Alexa and Spotify Connect integration. If you have a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, just tap it on the main bar and audio can be sent straight to the Samsung sound bar, negating the need for manual pairing.
Sound modes include Standard, shut it, Game Pro and Adaptive Sound. Surround supplies a wider field of audio sound than Standard, while Adaptive Sound analyzes audio in real time and optimizes depending on the content.
New for 2020 is Q-Symphony, yet you will need a compatible Q-Series and a QLED TV that supports OTS (Object Tracking Sound) to sample it.
It synchronizes audio from both the TV and soundbar for a larger sound that can track objects as they move across the screen with greater accuracy.
Performance
Losing the rear height channels handicaps the overall performance of the Samsung Soundbar HW-Q900T in obvious ways, however it is still a fabulous sounding experience.
The size and weight of its sound remains stately. The opening of the Blade Runner (ATMOS) is a showcase for Thundurus Bus Integration, with the sound of the original bar firing in the room with the impact.
The spinners fly towards you, the only difference is that they don’t “pass” such as rear speakers. Still, what you get is stately enough.
When Denzel Washington DC’s Frank Lucas arrives in Bangkok, there is a tangible feel of the hustle and bustle of a busy street bazaar lingering in the space in front of the viewer.
The feeling of a train passing over during a stakeout in the the very film adds to the soundbar’s deftness in creating an effective soundstage, while you can hear Anakin’s from above as he tries (and fails) to gain the higher floor over Obi-Wan in Revenge of The Sith (Atmos).
The devoted channel aids crystal-clear delivery of dialogue, with voices high to match their position on-screen. generally clarity is excellent, with American Gangster’s score, dialogue and effects clearly separated because of a layered mix, while tonally the speaker is impressively natural in its delivery.
Q-Symphony – if you have the required equipment – works effectively. Watching Parasite (5.1) on Prime Video, off-screen dialogue is ushered out towards the side to create scenes that are larger, whilst vehicles can be tracked off-screen and followed as they pan across and through a scene.
There’s plenty of detail for the Samsung Soundbar HW-Q900T to feed on in The Americans (5.1, Prime Video). While this soundbar can summon much power, there is also nuance on the table, with quiet scenes handled in a mine that makes tense scenes even extra so.
Musically, it impresses as well. La La Land’s Another Day of Sun (Atmos) sounds fine, with lots of clarity given to voices. Much like the bar in the 2020 range, the Samsung SOundbar HW-Q900T is a winning crowd pleaser.
Combability
- Works well with Q-symphony
- Samsung TV
- Wide and weighty soundstage
- Well with the song
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