Samsung has added a new soundbar to its flagship Q range, the Q900C, which joins the rest of the company’s range of 2023 speaker products. The range starts at $140 for the HW-C400 budget model and is outlined below.
The Q900C includes 7.1.2 channels of Wireless Dolby Atmos sound — when used with a Samsung TV over Wi-Fi — and also offers support for AirPlay 2 and voice commands. The soundbar is designed as a step-down to the all-singing, all-dancing HW-Q990C and lacks rear speakers.
Samsung’s HW-Q990C flagship, announced at CES 2023, is a 11.1.4-channel setup with dedicated rear speakers and a wireless subwoofer. Sound modes include Adaptive Sound 2.0 for “clear sound using AI sound-optimization technology” and Game Pro 2.0, which comes with presets for specific genres. It also includes an onboard SmartThings hub module for connecting with other smart Samsung devices. It is on sale for $300 off.
Both the 900 and 990 include SpaceFit which pairs with Samsung TVs and calibrates itself automatically.
The Samsung HW-Q990C is the company’s flagship for 2023
Also announced at this year’s show, the HW-G60C soundbar is a gaming-focused version of last year’s HW-S60, and it includes echo-canceling microphones and LED lighting. This soundbar is designed to be used with a PC, though it should work with a TV too, and its microphones isolate users’ voices for virtual-assistant functionality and in-game chat. Connectivity includes HDMI/ARC, USB and AirPlay 2.
Meanwhile, the HW-S801B is a Dolby Atmos soundbar which offers an ultraslim profile at 1.57 inches tall and 1.5 inches deep. It’s a front-surround speaker with 3.1.2 channels and also includes Wireless Atmos.
Samsung has had its own development and testing facility in California for some time, thus boosting its audio cred. Yet, the company has a lot of competition, in particular from Vizio — and that company’s soundbars can also be used with Samsung TVs and are typically cheaper.
All of Samsung’s 2023 soundbars are available now, and the retail prices are as below (though many are currently on sale for Memorial Day):
Q Series, Flagship
- HW-Q990C, $1,900
- HW-Q900C, $1,400
- HW-Q800C, $1,000
- HW-Q700C, $700
- HW-Q600C, $600
- HW-Q60C, $500
C Series, Budget
- HW-C450, $200
- HW-C400, $140
S Series, Slimline
- HW-S800B, $900
- HW-S801B, $900
Look out for a review of Samsung’s 2023 soundbars on CNET in the near future.
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