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Samsung HW-Q990F Soundbar System vs Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9

The Samsung HW-Q990F is the more complete system: it ships with a wireless subwoofer and two wireless rear speakers, so you get true 11.1.4 surround out of the box. The Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 is a single bar with 13 drivers and 360 Spatial Sound Mapping, and it needs a separate subwoofer and rear speakers to match the Samsung's low end and rear effects. Buy the Samsung for a full-room movie setup; buy the Sony for a cleaner one-bar install with strong HDMI 2.1 gaming support.

  • Choose the Samsung HW-Q990F if you want a complete surround package with subwoofer and rear speakers included, and you own a Samsung TV that can use Q-Symphony.
  • Choose the Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 if you want one bar with no separate boxes, need 8K and 4K120 passthrough for a console or PC, and prefer Sony's room-mapping processing.

Prices

  • Samsung HW-Q990F Soundbar System: $645.00 at Emafoo (last seen Nov 5)
  • Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9: $1,423.10 at Greentoe (checked today)
  • Difference: the Samsung HW-Q990F Soundbar System is $778.10 cheaper than the Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 at the latest prices (Nov 5 and Nov 10)
Samsung
Samsung HW-Q990F

Samsung HW-Q990F Soundbar System

Samsung HW-Q990F

4.7(1,100 ratings)
$645.00at EmafooChecked Nov 5
See all prices and details
Visit Emafoo
Pros
  • True surround with rear speakers and subwoofer included
  • Dual 8-inch subwoofer drivers deliver deep bass
  • Built-in Alexa plus AirPlay 2 and Chromecast
  • Q-Symphony pairs with Samsung TVs for fuller sound
  • SpaceFit Sound Pro tunes output to the room
Cons
  • Rear speakers need power outlets and placement behind the seating
  • No 8K or 4K120 passthrough for next-gen consoles
  • Large box and heavy package at about 53 lb
  • Best features depend on a compatible Samsung TV
Sony
Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9

Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9

4.4(74 ratings)
$1,423.10at GreentoeChecked 1 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit Greentoe
Pros
  • Single bar, no separate subwoofer or rear boxes to place
  • 13 drivers with 360 Spatial Sound Mapping
  • Full HDMI 2.1: 8K, 4K120, VRR and ALLM
  • LDAC support for higher-quality Bluetooth
  • Sound Field Optimization calibrates to the room
Cons
  • No subwoofer included, so bass is limited out of the box
  • No rear speakers unless you buy RS3R or SA-RS5
  • No built-in voice assistant
  • Fewer owner ratings to judge long-term reliability

What separates them

Samsung HW-Q990F Soundbar SystemSony Bravia Theatre Bar 9
What's in the boxSoundbar, wireless subwoofer and two wireless rear speakersSoundbar only; subwoofer and rear speakers sold separately
Channel configuration11.1.4 channels with dedicated rear and up-firing speakers13 drivers in a single bar using 360 Spatial Sound Mapping
BassDual 8-inch drivers in an included wireless subwooferNo subwoofer included; add SW3 or SW5 for deep bass
HDMI passthrough4K passthrough, 2 inputs, 1 eARC output4K and 8K HDR passthrough with HDMI 2.1 features (4K120, VRR, ALLM)
Room calibrationSpaceFit Sound Pro plus Adaptive SoundSound Field Optimization with 360 Spatial Sound Mapping
Streaming and codecsAirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, BluetoothAirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth 5.2 with LDAC
Voice assistantsBuilt-in Alexa and Siri supportNo built-in assistant; control via app or TV
Owner feedback4.7 out of 5 from about 1,100 ratings4.4 out of 5 from about 74 ratings

Price history

$1,498.00$645.00
Oct 28Nov 10
  • Samsung HW-Q990F Soundbar System: lowest $645.00 on Nov 5 at Emafoo; $912.88 on Nov 10.
  • Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9: lowest $1,423.10 on Nov 9 at Greentoe; $1,498.00 on Nov 10.

Prices at every store

Samsung HW-Q990F Soundbar System

  • GreentoeNew

    In stockSold by TV's & Home Theater

    $912.88Free shippingChecked 2 h ago
    Visit Greentoe
  • The AV DudesNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $999.00Checked 1 h ago
    Visit The AV Dudes
  • EmafooNew

    Availability unknown

    $645.00Checked Nov 5
    Visit Emafoo
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknownSold by brandsmartusa (99.5% positive, 37,700 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $912.01Free shippingChecked 1 h ago
    Visit eBay

Also available at

  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart
  • eBayCheck price at eBay

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All 32 stores and price history →

Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9

  • GreentoeNew

    In stockSold by TV's & Home Theater

    $1,423.10Free shippingChecked 1 h ago
    Visit Greentoe
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $1,498.00Free shippingChecked 1 h ago
    Visit Amazon
  • WalmartNew

    Availability unknownSold by Video & Audio Center

    $1,498.00Checked 16 h ago
    Visit Walmart
  • B&H Photo-Video-AudioNew

    Availability unknown

    $1,498.00Checked 16 h ago
    Visit B&H Photo-Video-Audio
All 18 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecSamsung HW-Q990F Soundbar SystemSony Bravia Theatre Bar 9
WirelessYesYes
ColorBlackBlack
StyleWall MountWall Mount
Dolby Atmos EnabledYesYes
ConnectivityBluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI, Optical AudioBluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, HDMI, Ethernet
Max Wattage756 W585 W
Channel Configuration11.1.4-Channel13
Wall MountableYes, with Included HardwareYes, with Included Hardware
Inputs2x HDMI - Audio/Video1x Optical TOSLINK - Audio1x HDMI 2.1 - ARC/Audio/Video/eARC
HDMI ComplianceCEC, eARCARC, CEC, eARC
Wireless Audio ProtocolsAirPlay 2, Bluetooth, Chromecast built-in, Spot…AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, Spotify Connect, Wi-Fi
Ethernet I/ONoNo
Show all 40 specsShow fewer specs
SpecSamsung HW-Q990F Soundbar SystemSony Bravia Theatre Bar 9
USB I/O1x USB-A (Unspecified Interface) (Service)No
NFCNofalse
Bluetooth5.3 Dual-Modetrue
HDR SupportYestrue
Special PurposeSoundbar—
SetYes—
Assistant SupportAmazon Alexa, Siri—
Height13 in high—
Subwoofer Driver2x 8" / 20.3 cm—
Subwoofer Inputs/Outputs

What reviewers say

Samsung HW-Q990F Soundbar System

  • 4.7 / 51,100 ratings

Rated 4.7 out of 5 from about 1,100 ratings. Buyers call the sound good to great and the setup straightforward, and they like the Bluetooth connectivity.

What people mention
  • Sound qualityPraisedBuyers describe the surround sound as good to great.
  • SetupPraisedOwners say the system is straightforward to set up.
  • ConnectivityPraisedBluetooth is called convenient for phone and streaming use.
  • Rear speakersMixedWireless rears free you from speaker cable but still need power outlets.

Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9

  • 4.4 / 574 ratings

Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 74 ratings. Owners praise the wide, immersive sound and the phantom surround effect from a single bar. The main complaints are the cost of adding a subwoofer and the bar's size.

What people mention
  • SoundstagePraisedOwners say the 360 Spatial Sound Mapping throws sound well beyond the bar's width.
  • DialoguePraisedReviewers report clear center dialogue, especially with a Bravia TV's acoustic center sync.
  • BassMixedThe bar alone has modest low end; deeper bass needs the optional SW3 or SW5 subwoofer.
  • SetupPraised
Reviews
  • The Best Soundbars for 2026
  • The Best Soundbars for 2026 - PCMag editors select and review products independently
  • The Samsung HW-Q990F Is Our Favorite High-End Soundbar
  • We measured our favourite Dolby Atmos soundbars and favourite TVs to find the perfect Black Friday pairings - Get the What Hi-Fi
  • I compared the best soundbars from Samsung and Sonos, and here's my preference - ZDNET
  • We tested four premium Dolby Atmos soundbars: can JBL, LG or Sony defeat Sonos?

Questions and answers

Which is better for movies in a dedicated room?
The Samsung HW-Q990F. Its included subwoofer and rear speakers produce real surround behind and beside you, which a single bar approximates but cannot fully replace.
Do I need extra speakers with the Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9?
Not to use it, but the bar alone lacks deep bass and rear effects. Sony sells the SW3 and SW5 subwoofers and the RS3R and SA-RS5 rear speakers separately if you want the full setup.
Which is better for a PS5 or Xbox Series X?
The Sony. It passes 8K and 4K120 with VRR and ALLM over HDMI 2.1, while the Samsung tops out at 4K passthrough.
Which one is easier to set up?
The Sony. It is one bar with one HDMI cable to the TV. The Samsung needs power and placement for the subwoofer and two rear speakers.
Is the Samsung worth stepping up to over the Sony?
If you want surround sound without buying add-ons, yes. The Samsung delivers a complete 11.1.4 system, while matching it on the Sony means buying a subwoofer and rear speakers.
Which has better dialogue clarity?
Both handle dialogue well. The Sony strengthens the center channel when paired with a BRAVIA TV, and the Samsung has a Voice Amplifier plus Adaptive Sound.

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Buying guides that pick them

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Wireless
—
Placement & Mounting OptionsTabletop/Bookshelf—
Speaker PositioningRear—
Satellite Speaker Configuration2-Way—
Satellite Inputs/OutputsWireless—
Environmental ResistanceNo—
Recommended Screen Size55" and Up—
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)51.6 x 16.5 x 11.75"—
Package Weight53 lb—
Outputs1x HDMI - eARC—
Mobile App CompatibleYes: Android & iOS—
HDCP SupportYes—
Configuration—2 Channel
Battery Life—10 hr battery life
Bluetooth Version—5.2
Bluetooth Codecs—AAC, SBC, LDAC
Wi-Fi—true
Water Resistant—false
Number of Speakers In Set—1
Room calibration and app setup are described as quick and straightforward.
  • Best soundbars
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