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Soundbar tech is probably not horny, however there’s at all times one thing to be mentioned for merchandise that search to satisfy the wants of your extra demanding cinephiles. By providing a platform that may deal with nearly any demand a modern residence theater might ask of it, the new flagship Samsung Q950T makes a robust case for your consideration.
Read our full Samsung Q950T soundbar evaluation to seek out out if this must be the subsequent addition to your property theater system.
What is the Samsung Q950T soundbar?
The facet speaker grilles conceal 4 side-firing channels.
Credit: Chris Thomas / Android Authority
The Samsung Q950T soundbar is a 9.1.Four channel sound system that provides the newest and best software program and audio processing obtainable to Samsung units. For instance, it has the most options of any soundbar provided by Samsung, together with voice assistant help, satellite tv for pc audio system and a sub, faucet to attach, integration into the SmartThings hub, to call a few of the greater options.
The soundbar itself is far smaller than its packaging would indicate, however that’s largely on account of the hefty exterior subwoofer that comes included with the unit. There are two further satellite tv for pc audio system included in the packaging, meant to be positioned behind the listener if the Samsung Q950T soundbar is getting used as the workhorse of your property theater. However, you’ll must have three further free shops prepared for these additional channels, as the satellite tv for pc audio system and sub every require exterior energy to function.
Samsung Q950T | |
---|---|
Total energy | 546W |
Weight | 15.65lb (fundamental unit), 21.6lb (subwoofer), 4.6lb (satellite tv for pc speaker) |
HDMI enter ports | 2 |
HDMI eARC | 1 |
Optical in | 1 |
Wireless | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
Voice assistant help | Alexa, Bixby |
Samsung imbued its flagship soundbar with just about each sensible function you may ask for, and it’s clearly supposed to enrich the QLED tv line provided by the firm. I say that as a result of it truly was designed with the 2020 Q90 collection in thoughts (per Samsung). The bar suits fairly effectively over the metallic stand of the tv, and nestles in the hole between the backside of the panel and no matter floor you is perhaps resting the unit on. If you select to wall mount your property theater — to not fear. Included in the packaging is sufficient {hardware} to additionally mount the soundbar onto the wall as a peak of your selecting (we suggest you measure the distance from the ground to your typical listening peak).
Also learn: The finest soundbars you should purchase
Who ought to think about the Samsung Q950T soundbar?
Try to not mistake the Samsung Q950T’s distant for your TV clicker.
Credit: Chris Thomas / Android Authority
As this can be a flagship product, that is meant for somebody who’s shopping for different flagship merchandise of their residence theater — somebody with cash to burn. Of course, this soundbar isn’t going to compete with a high-end hi-fi system cobbled along with lengths of speaker wire, high-performing speaker cabs, and an acceptable stack of apparatus. However, it’s an ideal match for somebody who’s purchased into the Samsung ecosystem and desires a sensible machine that may deal with the job of audio conduit for a fundamental living space with out taking on an excessive amount of house.
The Samsung Q950T soundbar can be a great possibility for those that need to begin de-wiring their living room, because it’s a relentless annoyance to must cope with hiding lengths of speaker wire beneath your furnishings and carpeting. A soundbar like the Q950T that connects its distant channels by way of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi isn’t going to have as many skinny cables underfoot, regardless of the want for additional shops for the satellite tv for pc audio system and the subwoofer.
Movie buffs wanting for a soundbar that may help completely different 3D sound requirements must also maintain the Samsung Q950T on their radar. While it isn’t contained in a single unit like the competing Sennheiser Ambeo soundbar, the Q950T does a great job of representing spatial audio by means of its multi-channel design.
What’s beneath the hood?
The ports are hidden on the underside of the soundbar, with a big sufficient hole for cable administration.
Credit: Chris Thomas / Android Authority
If the “9.1.4 channel” factor is gibberish to you, that merely implies that this soundbar has 9 unbiased speaker components, with one subwoofer, and 4 upward-firing channels (for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X). That’s lots of audio system, and having that many channels in a soundbar is nothing to smell at.
While “more channels = better” isn’t essentially true, what the soundbar does with these channels is fairly cool. Instead of simply utilizing two giant speaker components to blast your ears, the a number of channels inside enable the soundbar to do issues like hearth pontificate the partitions to create the phantasm of 3D house. Essentially, it’s a encompass sound system that offloads a few of its job to the partitions of the room it occupies.
Given the very legitimate complaints from our neighbors at the workplace, we are able to vouch for the subwoofer’s energy.
To make sure you additionally get sound coming from behind you, the Q950T makes use of two rear channels that you just’ll place straight reverse the wall that your tv and soundbar are on. The fundamental unit will talk with these channels wirelessly, and sync playback. Pairing these is usually a bit fiddly, however in any other case simple by way of the buttons on the again of every unit.
But the star of the present is that monstrous subwoofer. The large side-firing unit makes use of a 28W speaker component and rear-oriented port to just remember to can simply fill your room with as a lot bass and sub-bass as you need. Given the extraordinarily honest complaints from our neighbors at the workplace, we are able to vouch for its uncooked output.
Of course, that simply covers the {hardware}. The actual purpose you’re paying a lot for this soundbar is for the sensible options and integrations into Samsung’s SmartThings platform.
Related: The finest sensible audio system you should purchase
What are you able to do with the Samsung Q950T soundbar?
Tap to pair would not work such as you’re used to, however by integrating the Smart Things platform, you may train you may take higher management of your property t heater.
Credit: Chris Thomas / Android Authority
Hooking up the Samsung Q950T to a Samsung TV by way of HDMI eARC lets you take full management of lots of very handy options by means of the firm’s proprietary platform. The integrations provided by the SmartThings platform cut back lots of friction for widespread duties, and particularly these which are considerably newer for a house stereo to carry out. For instance, not solely are you able to offload all of the audio processing to the soundbar, however you can too deal with the Q950T like a normal sensible speaker whereas it’s on.
If you need to take heed to music by means of the soundbar, the tv might be taken over by the Q950T by a fast faucet on the facet of the fundamental unit, and your cellphone will take it from there. If you’re utilizing a Samsung sensible TV, the soundbar will use the show as a visualizer whereas the soundbar handles the playback for your tunes. You may also have it cycle by means of picture albums, or select from a preset checklist of inventory pictures.
How does the Samsung Q950T soundbar carry out?
Sure, it might seem to be dishonest for a soundbar to make use of additional channels for a encompass sound impact, nevertheless it’s a dependable method to get issues excellent.
Credit: Chris Thomas / Android Authority
In brief, the Samsung Q950T soundbar performs very effectively — even if you happen to resolve to forgo utilizing the satellite tv for pc audio system. The inclusion of completely different sound modes permits the soundbar to tailor your expertise based mostly on the content material you’re consuming, so that you shouldn’t be left excessive and dry if you happen to’ve suffered by means of crappy soundbars earlier than. For most individuals, sticking with the customary mode is great sufficient to neglect tinkering with the settings.
Of course, optimum efficiency requires the use of the satellite tv for pc audio system and subwoofer. Without them, there gained’t be sufficient channels to help the the “surround sound” impact provided by means of Dolby Atmos, as these satellite tv for pc audio system even have half of the upward-firing components inside. Additionally, the sub is vital for including rumble to your cinematic content material, so strive your finest to discover a good residence for it.
Music comes by means of loud and clear, even over Bluetooth. If you discover that you just run into high quality issues, it’s possible you’ll need to discover some fundamental room remedy choices (like roll out a carpet, improve distance from the wall).
Before you do anything, we suggest you replace the system with the included USB port, as the soundbar will downsample LPCM to PCM. This causes some points for Apple TV and Nintendo Switch customers, however the firmware replace ought to clear up that. Additionally, this unit doesn’t provide room correction. If that’s vital to you, you’re going to need to skip this one.
Should you purchase the Samsung Q950T soundbar?
The Samsung Q950T was particularly constructed to slot in the stand of the firm’s newest QLED televisions.
Credit: Chris Thomas / Android Authority
Considering that the most credible competitor to the Samsung Q950T is the Sennheiser Ambeo, I feel that anybody with the cash to blow on this unit could be proud of it. The price ticket is steep at $1,800, however you’re paying for a tool that works pretty seamlessly with the Samsung SmartThings platform — and has the audio chops to justify the premium.
However, there are lots of soundbars on the market, and it’s possible you’ll discover that value is an even bigger motivating issue than a wise platform. If that’s the case, there are a selection of choices from Sony, Vizio and JBL which are effectively price your time. For instance, the JBL Bar 5.1 provides a way more reasonably priced encompass expertise, at the price of the high-end {hardware} provided by the Q950T.
Samsung Q950T soundbar Top-tier sound, top-tier value
Samsung’s Q950T soundbar is a reputable addition to any residence theater in the age of streaming. You’ll must pay for that top-tier expertise, however when you have the money to spend, it is price it.
(This story has not been edited by Newslivenation employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)