JBL Bar 1300X Mk2 Soundbar vs Samsung HW-Q990F Soundbar

Both are 11.1.4 Dolby Atmos systems with a subwoofer and rear speakers, so the split comes down to flexibility versus calibration. The JBL Bar 1300X Mk2 wins on placement freedom: its surround speakers detach, run on battery for up to 10 hours, and can sit anywhere in the room. The Samsung HW-Q990F wins on inputs and tuning: two HDMI inputs, Bluetooth 5.3, and Samsung's room-calibration and Q-Symphony pairing with its TVs. Owners of both praise the immersion and bass; the JBL's detachable rears are the feature people mention most, while Samsung owners cite the app setup and TV integration.

• Choose the JBL Bar 1300X Mk2 if you cannot run cables to the back of the room or want surround speakers you can move and recharge.
• Choose the Samsung HW-Q990F if you need two HDMI inputs, own a Samsung TV, and want automatic room calibration.