Samsung HW-Q990D

Running these analyses costs money. Buy through my links to help keep lights on! I may get a small commission.

TL;DR: Powerful, immersive sound, great value; but music and software issues.

Overall

#3 in

Soundbars

according to Reddit Icon Reddit

Sentiment score76% positive
209
23
42

Top Pros

Top Cons

Last updated: May 27, 2026

Reddit Reviews

Reddit Iconalectivism
3 months ago

This is the way. Can sometimes get them for $699 plus tax. Much better than paying $300 for the F.

Reddit IconAltruistic_Sun_5866
5 months ago

Just checked; Amazon has the HW-Q990D for $885.99 brand new, '/ZA' model which is the U.S. version, not the Canadian model. https://a.co/d/5xvi3hX [Edit] Just checked Samsung's EPP price (wife's account); the Q990D price is $749.99. The Q990F is $1199.99.

5 months ago

I got my Q990D straight from Samsung via Perkspot due to my wife's ex-employer. But that was this past summer. With a $20 extra discount (per Perkspot) and the discounted price on the Samsung site, I got mine for ~$689.00 excluding tax. That's hellava deal for a $1800 soundbar. Rtings dot com has the Q990 series as the top dog of sound bars. Easy peasy setup, too. If you can get it under $900, either the 990D or 990F (newer model), it's a win. Woot has the F for just under 900. But, as previously noted, it's the Canadian version, so a limited warranty. But it's the same soundbar.

5 months ago

Well, it sounds a lot better than the older model Vizeo 5.1 soundbar it replaced. It really opens up the sound stage, especially on movies with advanced Dolby formats. Atmos content (overhead sound effects) aren't as pronounced as if you had a dedicated AVR system with ceiling mounted speakers, but does a halfway decent job if you place the bar at ear level (a bracket attached to TV, assuming your TV is wall mounted) and adjust volume levels accordingly in the app (or the remote). The Samsung SmartThings app is very convenient for making a lot of the adjustments. The bar is decent for music too, although we have a dedicated stereo tube integrated amplifier system for that. All that said, I would find it hard to spend anywhere near retail price for this (or any other high-end soundbar for that matter). But that's just me...a 'value for the dollar' kind a guy. But this bar for <$900, I think is a good buy for a do-it-all sound system. That's just my take as an audiophile and musician. Hope all this helps. [Edit]- and btw, some people mount the rear surround speakers on the wall(s). That didn't work for me (wife objected), so I bought these stands. They worked out beautifully. https://a.co/d/2jbxIzk

5 months ago

Go to rtings.com and read the reviews for soundbars. Spoiler alert!...The Samsung Q990D or F is their top-rated soundbar. I have the Q990D (predecessor to the 990F). Only difference is the sub woofer. The 'D' has a 10" woofer in a ported cabinet and the 'F' has two 8" woofers in a sealed cabinet. I like mine a lot. Never heard the JBL so can't compare. The JBL rear surrounds are completely wireless (i.e., battery operated) but you have to recharge them periodically. I would find that a bit inconvenient myself. The Samsungs' you just need to plug-in to an AC outlet. The Q990D is onsale at Amazon for $886. That's a pretty good deal! https://a.co/d/i2mQDuP

3 months ago

I haven't heard of any reliability issues relating to their soundbars (other than that one time where they bricked the 990D's with a firmware upgrade). Now I have heard about reliability issues with their refrigerators. But LG isn't exempt from reliability issues there themselves.

3 months ago

Yep. Got my 990D via EPP (wife's perk) for $685 (excluding tax). Couldn't be happier. It rocks! Fwiw, any sound bar's Atmos feature is rather gimmicky and doesn't project much of a height/overhead presence. Proper placement helps, though.

3 months ago

Well, I have the Q990D also and would disagree with your assessment of the bass being underwhelming. We have our sub in the corner of the family room (open concept) and the bass can get quite OVERwhelming. No need to turn on "bass enhancement" in most cases. Placement of the subwoofer plays a big part.

3 months ago

Yeah, I got a great deal on a brand new 990D late last summer directly from Samsung for $680 through my wife's EPP (she retired from Abbott Labs and AL was a participant in the employee purchase program). Love it! But had I come across a deal like you did on the 930 then, I would probably have jumped on it. Good score!

24 days ago

Ah, yes, forgot about that. That would be a big benefit while also getting a sub upgrade over the Q900, Q930, or lesser models.

24 days ago

Yeah, probably the Sammy Q900F. Just be aware it only has a 6" bass driver (plus an 8" passive radiator, i.e., dummy speaker) so the bass isn't going to kick quite like it's bigger brother (Q990 series). But, you can add rear speakers later if your environment changes (for an additional $250 or so).

Reddit IconArgomaximus
5 months ago

I had a 5.1 with Boston speakers and a Denon reciever before I got a Samsung HW Q990D. The Samsung soundbar sounds just as good if not better than the 5.1 setup.

Reddit IconEvrything-illumnated
10 months ago

I just got the Samsung Q990D last night. Sounds incredible. [DECENT PRICE ON AMAZON HERE](https://a.co/d/3Dynmqr) or if you have a .edu email or you you get a discount through your work, you can get It for $699 from Samsung direct [CHECK ELIGIBILITY HERE](https://www.samsung.com/us/shop/offer-program/workplace/)

Reddit IconM4ndoTrooperEric
5 months ago

I was able to get [this](https://www.samsung.com/us/televisions-home-theater/home-theater/sound-bars/q-series-11-1-4-ch-wireless-dolby-atmos-soundbar-rear-speakers-w-q-symphony-hw-q990d-hw-q990d-za) from Samsung for ~$790 shipped (student discount) not trying to brag, but is this worth it?

Reddit IconNickool4u
10 months ago

Personally, I don’t like LG. I’ve had two LG sound bars and the performance was always mid. It didn’t impress, it wasn’t terrible but somehow was just barely pass okay levels. I gave it to my parents and eventually I got tired of hearing it that I upgraded my parents sound bar to the Q990D. It sounds amazing, and far exceeds my expectations of a sound bar. So my vote will be for Samsung only because I have no opinion on JBL.

10 months ago

I mean, the Q990D sounds great in the bass department, but I did have to mess with the EQ. So maybe you'll just need to download the app and tune the sound bar to your liking. I know my parents love their Samsung.

8 months ago

You can get the Samsung Q930D for $700 on Woot. I bought my parents the Q990D and it's an amazing sound bar. Those rear speakers pack a punch, and the Dolby Atmos performance is great. If that is a little above your budget, you can get the Samsung Q910D for $490 from Walmart. It's a different set of rear speakers, but still a great sound bar.

9 months ago

I agree with everything this person said. I bought the Q990D for my parents and the sound bar is fantastic. It would be the perfect fit for your new S90F.

7 months ago

My vote would be the Samsung Q990F. While I don't have any experience first hand on the JBL 1300, I do know that the Q990F has much better surround sound performance and audio format support. Plus the Q990F supports HDMI 2.1 which is great for connecting any gaming consoles or anything else that you would need 4K 120Hz support. I bought my parents the Samsung Q990D so I can attest to how great the sound bar is.

7 months ago

So I took a look at Woot to see if they had any good deals on sound bars. They have the Samsung Q800F 5.1.2 for $515 and Samsung Q600F 3.1.2 for $300. That would be the best options that would meet your budget. Although, I personally would aim for the Samsung Q930F for $700 for the full surround sound effect. However, I know that's above your budget. I just know it sounds really great because I bought my parents the Q990D as a surprise upgrade and it really knocked their socks off.

10 months ago

The Samsung Q990D, hands down

10 months ago

I just bought my parents the Samsung Q990D and plan on setting it up as a surprise later today. I'll let you know what I think. From what I heard, the Samsung Q990D is one of the best and most highly recommended sound bars. So I am excited to test it out. I have a Sony 3000ES receiver with a 5.2.2 setup at home, so I'll be putting the Q990D to the test.

10 months ago

Yeah, I recently got them the Panasonic W95A as a surprise about a month ago. They love it, but I still hated the LG sound bar I got them several years ago. I came across a REALLY great deal for on the Q990D for $680 basically new in the box. I think someone legit just bought it, opened it and brought it back. Everything still has the wrapper on it. I wasn't going to pass up such a deal.

10 months ago

It sounds incredible! It was kind of a pain to setup at first, but that was probably more user error than the bar itself because I didn’t realize that the rear speakers and subwoofer weren’t paired. So I kept arguing with the TV and Apple TV trying to get it to work… eventually after an ungodly amount of time messing with those things… I checked the rear speakers to see that it was blinking blue which meant they still needed to be paired. 🙄 However, after all said and done… blows their old LG SK10Y with rear speaker kit out of the water.

7 months ago

I have the full home theater surround sound setup for both my bedroom and living room. However, I also bought my parents the Samsung Q990D for their living room and was just as impressed with it. I still like my setup more, but for someone coming from TV speakers, both would sound amazing and be a huge improvement.

Reddit IconRevolutionary-Yak365
4 months ago

If you check bestbuy on line they have sometimes keep checking each day the hw q990f. Only geek squad open box for around the price you want.The geek squad you get a month to try and if your not happy you can return.The sound bar needs to be around 24 inches from the floor and atmos rear speaker need to be ear level not near the ceiling.I have the hw 990d and it sounds great for movies and I tried also on the 990 tidal music and they have a free trial and they have atmos music which sounds excellent on it.I had a complete 5.1.2 system with big main speakers and for music even with sub off it would kill the samsung but tidal atmos on the 990 sounds great no regrets.Reason for selling wife did not like the look of the towers and all the wiring.

11 months ago

My room is 19 ft. x 13 ft. and the 990d is set up like your picture and its worth it. https://preview.redd.it/re11lkg105bf1.jpeg?width=4080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b554911dcd33419615df059a0f9732a10951b7a3

2 months ago

I would keep it. I had a complete system then to make the wife happy bought a samsung 990d and had problems that when it was off went on by it self and was blasting music at 100 volume after warranty expired so im stuck with it,.Im not happy with samsung even with the 990c it also did it was lucky retuned it before 30 days.Just lower the subs you will have more detail in movies and especially for music not even [close.You](http://close.You) can go to best buy bring the model you like home see if you like it compared to your system and if not go return [it.you](http://it.you) need to enjoy it.

4 months ago

If you check bestbuy on line they have sometimes keep checking each day the hw q990f. Only geek squad open box for around the price you want.The geek squad you get a month to try and if your not happy you can return.The sound bar needs to be around 24 inches from the floor and atmos rear speaker need to be ear level not near the ceiling.I have the hw 990d and it sounds great for movies and I tried also on the 990 tidal music and they have a free trial and they have atmos music which sounds excellent on it.I had a complete 5.1.2 system with big main speakers and for music even with sub off it would kill the samsung but tidal atmos on the 990 sounds great no regrets.Reason for selling wife did not like the look of the towers and all the wiring.

Reddit Iconrunning_on_eeeee
6 months ago

https://a.co/d/7ejuzcc amazon for the 990d right now for $899. Thank me later. Its the best soundbar under $1000. I got one last year and it sounds better than the JBL and Sonos to be honest. Only one that sounded better wad the sony quad and that is just over kill price wise.

Rankings by Use Case

Top recommendations from others in the same boat

Other Reddit Recommendations: