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JBL Bar 300W 2.1-Channel Deep Bass(MK2) Soundbar System with Wireless Subwoofer vs Samsung HW-Q990F 11.1.4-Channel Dolby Atmos Soundbar System

These are not close competitors. The Samsung HW-Q990F is a full 11.1.4 Dolby Atmos system with wireless rear speakers, room calibration and smart features, at $998.00 at Best Buy as of November 3, 2026. The JBL Bar 300W MK2 is a 2.1 bar with a wireless subwoofer, at $229.95 as of October 28, 2026. Buy the JBL for a small room, a tight budget or a simple TV upgrade. Buy the Samsung if you want true surround and can spend roughly four times as much.

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JBL
JBL Bar 300W 2.1-Channel Deep Bass(MK2) Soundbar System with Wireless Subwoofer

JBL Bar 300W 2.1-Channel Deep Bass(MK2) Soundbar System with Wireless Subwoofer

5· 1 rating

Choose the JBL Bar 300W MK2 if you want a big step up from TV speakers for under $250 and don't want rear speakers or a complicated setup.

Pros
  • Under $250, about a quarter of the Samsung's price
  • Simple two-piece setup: bar, wireless sub, HDMI cable included
  • 300W with a 6.5-inch subwoofer gives solid bass for the size
  • Wall-mount bracket and remote in the box
  • Cons
    • No rear speakers, so no true surround
    • No Dolby Atmos or height channels
    • No Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Chromecast or built-in voice assistant
    • Only one rating on record, so reliability evidence is thin
    Samsung
    Samsung HW-Q990F 11.1.4-Channel Dolby Atmos Soundbar System

    Samsung HW-Q990F 11.1.4-Channel Dolby Atmos Soundbar System

    4.9· 29 ratings
    $998.00at Best BuyObserved at 8:14 PM
    Visit store

    Choose the Samsung HW-Q990F if you want real rear-channel surround, Dolby Atmos height effects and room calibration and the $998.00 price is acceptable.

    Pros
    • True 11.1.4 surround with wireless rear speakers
    • Dolby Atmos, including wireless Atmos from compatible Samsung TVs
    • Dual 8-inch subwoofer and 756W max system power
    • SpaceFit Sound Pro and Adaptive Sound tune to the room and content
    • Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Alexa and SmartThings support
    Cons
    • $998.00 is roughly four times the JBL's price
    • Needs space and power outlets for two rear speakers and a large sub
    • Some buyers report occasional disconnects and bass weaker than expected
    • Warranty and gray-market concerns reported by some buyers

    What separates them

    JBL Bar 300W 2.1-Channel Deep Bass(MK2) Soundbar System with Wireless SubwooferSamsung HW-Q990F 11.1.4-Channel Dolby Atmos Soundbar System
    Channel configuration2.1 (bar plus subwoofer)11.1.4 with wireless rear speakers and up-firing drivers
    Surround formatDolby Digital and JBL Surround Sound virtualizationDolby Atmos object-based audio, including wireless Atmos
    Rear speakersNoneTwo wireless rear speakers included
    SubwooferOne 6.5-inch driver, 300W system totalDual 8-inch drivers, 300W subwoofer, 756W max system
    Room calibrationNoneSpaceFit Sound Pro automatic tuning
    ConnectivityHDMI, optical, BluetoothHDMI (2 inputs), optical, Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Chromecast
    Voice assistantsNone built inAlexa and Bixby built in; works with Google Home and SmartThings
    Price$229.95 as of October 28, 2026$998.00 at Best Buy as of November 3, 2026

    Price history

    $998.00$229.95
    Oct 28Nov 3
    • JBL Bar 300W 2.1-Channel Deep Bass(MK2) Soundbar System with Wireless Subwoofer: lowest $229.95 on Oct 28 at Amazon; $229.95 on Oct 30.
    • Samsung HW-Q990F 11.1.4-Channel Dolby Atmos Soundbar System: lowest $998.00 on Oct 30 at Best Buy; $998.00 on Nov 3.

    Prices at every store

    JBL Bar 300W 2.1-Channel Deep Bass(MK2) Soundbar System with Wireless Subwoofer

    • CuracaoCheck price at Curacao
    • AmazonCheck price at Amazon
    Prices and history →

    Samsung HW-Q990F 11.1.4-Channel Dolby Atmos Soundbar System

    • Best BuyNew

      In stock

      $998.00Free shippingObserved at 8:14 PM
      Visit store
    • The AV DudesNew

      In stockReturn policy

      $999.00Observed at 9:14 AM
      Visit store
    • eBayNew

      Availability unknown

      $1,200.00Observed at 8:14 PM
      Visit store
    • Merlin's TV & ApplianceNew

      Availability unknown

      $1,499.99Observed at 8:14 PM
      Visit store

    Also available at

    • DatavisionCheck price at Datavision
    • Electro Home OutletCheck price at Electro Home Outlet
    • AmazonCheck price at Amazon
    All 8 stores and price history →

    Specs compared

    SpecJBL Bar 300W 2.1-Channel Deep Bass(MK2) Soundbar System with Wireless SubwooferSamsung HW-Q990F 11.1.4-Channel Dolby Atmos Soundbar System
    Channel configuration—11.1.4
    Subwoofer power—300-watts
    Subwoofer woofers—dual 8" units
    Main speaker dimensions—48.5 x 2.8 x 5.4 inch
    Rear speaker dimensions—5.1 x 7.9 x 5.5 inch
    Subwoofer dimensions—9.8 x 9.9 x 9.8 inch
    Main speaker weight—16.1 lb
    Rear speaker weight—7.5 lb
    Subwoofer weight—18.3 lb
    Bluetooth version—5.3
    HDMI inputs—2
    Wireless—Yes
    Show all 40 specsShow fewer specs
    SpecJBL Bar 300W 2.1-Channel Deep Bass(MK2) Soundbar System with Wireless SubwooferSamsung HW-Q990F 11.1.4-Channel Dolby Atmos Soundbar System
    Color—Black
    Special Purpose—Soundbar
    Style—Wall Mount
    Set—Yes
    Assistant Support—Amazon Alexa, Siri
    Dolby Atmos Enabled—Yes
    Connectivity—Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI, Optical Audio
    Max Wattage—756 W
    App Compatible—true
    Indoor or Outdoor Use

    What reviewers say

    JBL Bar 300W 2.1-Channel Deep Bass(MK2) Soundbar System with Wireless Subwoofer

    Reception is essentially unmeasured: one 5-star rating is the only owner feedback on record, so there is no reliable pattern of praise or complaints yet.

    Pros
    • Owner rating is 5 out of 5 (one rating)

    Samsung HW-Q990F 11.1.4-Channel Dolby Atmos Soundbar System

    Buyers rate it 4.9 out of 5 and praise its immersive surround, rumbling bass, and clear dialogue. Setup is generally easy, though a few note occasional disconnects and bass that is less thunderous than expected.

    Pros
    • Great surround sound with rumbling bass and crisp dialogue
    • Easy setup, including configuration through the SmartThings app
    • Rear speakers and subwoofer perform very well
    • Often priced lower than other retailers
    Cons
    • Occasional wireless disconnects
    • Bass less thunderous than expected
    • Concerns about gray-market units and warranty coverage

    Questions and answers

    Is the Samsung HW-Q990F worth the extra money over the JBL Bar 300W MK2?
    Yes if you want real surround sound. The Samsung adds rear speakers, Atmos height channels, room calibration and Wi-Fi streaming for about $768 more at current prices. The JBL is the better value if a simple 2.1 bar is all you need.
    Which is better for movies?
    The Samsung. Its 11.1.4 layout with rear and up-firing speakers produces object-based Atmos effects the JBL's 2.1 setup cannot match. The JBL still beats built-in TV speakers for dialogue and bass.
    Which is better for a small room or apartment?
    The JBL. It is a bar plus one subwoofer with no rear speakers to place, and it costs far less. The Samsung needs room behind the seating for its rear speakers to pay off.
    Does the JBL Bar 300W MK2 support Dolby Atmos?
    No. It handles Dolby Digital and JBL Surround Sound virtualization. Only the Samsung decodes Dolby Atmos.
    Which has better bass?
    The Samsung on paper, with dual 8-inch subwoofer drivers and 756W max system power versus the JBL's single 6.5-inch sub and 300W total. Some Samsung owners still say the bass is less thunderous than expected.
    Can I stream music to both?
    Both support Bluetooth. Only the Samsung adds Wi-Fi with AirPlay 2 and Chromecast, plus built-in Alexa.

    More comparisons

    • Samsung HW-Q990F 11.1.4-Channel Dolby Atmos Soundbar System vs Bose TV Speaker Soundbar
    • Samsung HW-Q990F 11.1.4-Channel Dolby Atmos Soundbar System vs JBL Bar 1000MK2
    • Samsung HW-Q990F 11.1.4-Channel Dolby Atmos Soundbar System vs Samsung HWQ990HZC 11.1.4ch System with Soundbar, Subwoofer and Speakers
    • JBL Bar 500MK2 5.1 Channel Soundbar System vs Samsung HW-Q990F 11.1.4-Channel Dolby Atmos Soundbar System
    • Samsung HW-Q990F 11.1.4-Channel Dolby Atmos Soundbar System vs Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
    • Samsung HW-Q990F 11.1.4-Channel Dolby Atmos Soundbar System vs TCL Q75H 5.1.2 Channel Q Class Soundbar with Dolby Atmos, Ray Danz Technology, and Wireless Subwoofer
    • JBL Bar 300W 2.1-Channel Deep Bass(MK2) Soundbar System with Wireless Subwoofer vs TCL Q75H 5.1.2 Channel Q Class Soundbar with Dolby Atmos, Ray Danz Technology, and Wireless Subwoofer
    • Samsung HW-Q990F 11.1.4-Channel Dolby Atmos Soundbar System vs Sonos Beam Gen 2 Soundbar

    Buying guides that pick them

    • Best home theater systems for living rooms
    • Best sound bars for TVs
    • Best sound bars for TV
    • Best soundbars with subwoofers
    • Best soundbars for TV
    • Best soundbars with wireless subwoofers
    —
    Indoor
    Wall Mountable—true
    Works With—Google Home, SmartThings, Amazon Alexa
    Voice Assistant Built-in—Amazon Alexa, Bixby
    Brand—Samsung
    Model Number—HW-Q990F/ZA
    Number of Channels—11.2
    Surround Sound Supported—Dolby Atmos
    Peak Power Handling—756 watts
    Number of HDMI Inputs (Total)—2
    Audio/Video Inputs—2 x HDMI 2.1
    Audio/Video Outputs—1 x HDMI 2.1
    Number of USB Inputs—0
    Number of Optical Audio Inputs—1
    Number of HDMI Outputs (Total)—1
    Subwoofer—Included
    Product Height—9.91 inches
    Product Width—48.5 inches
    Product Depth—9.8 inches