Whether you’re considering purchasing a sizable Samsung TV paired with a soundbar or if you’re contemplating adding a soundbar to your existing TV setup, you’ll encounter a diverse array of soundbar options spanning price points from a modest few hundred dollars to more premium options reaching up to $1500. This inevitably leads to questions about the ideal soundbar choice based on your needs – does a more affordable one still deliver quality sound within your room? In this article, I’ll address these inquiries and elucidate distinctions among the various Samsung 2023 soundbar models.
If you’re a Samsung soundbar enthusiast, you will only know what the soundbar names and model numbers mean.
For example, the HW-Q990C is called the Q-series 11.1.4ch Wireless Dolby ATMOS Soundbar + Rear Speakers w/ Q-Symphony / HW-Q990C (2023). You can understand 2023 and Q-series immediately, but if you want to understand the model numbers of soundbars easily, I recommend reading this article.
How to understand the name of a Samsung soundbar
Now let’s look at what Samsung soundbars mean by their commercial names. Q-Series 11.1.4ch Wireless Dolby ATMOS Soundbar + Rear Speakers with Q-Symphony / HW-Q990C (2023)
- Q-Series: soundbar works with your TV’s Samsung audio system. It also uses the TV’s speakers to create surround sound.
- 11.1.4 CH – Number of channels, take note; this is not the number of speakers but the number of channels. The system only supports this number of channels when playing Dolby Atmos sound.
- 11 – spatial channels for creating surround sound.
- 1 – one subwoofer channel
- 4 – number of ceiling channels; in home cinema, these are speakers facing upwards; their task is to direct the sound reflected from the ceiling to the listener.
- Wireless Dolby ATMOS soundbar – supports wireless connection, soundbar works with ATMOS audio stream, supports the creation of channels encoded in metadata.
- Rear Speakers w – additional rear speakers, wireless
- Q-Symphony – supports the proprietary technology of combined sound from the TV and soundbar speakers.
- HW-Q990C – Model
- 2023 – Development year
Samsung 2023 Soundbar model list
Here are the new Samsung soundbar models you’ll be able to buy in 2023
- HW-Q990C
- HW-Q930C model for other countries HW-Q935C, HW-Q930GC
- HW-Q910C
- HW-Q900C
- HW-Q800C, Q810C, Q810GC
- HW-Q700C, Q710C, Q710GC
- HW-Q600C
- HW-Q60C
- HW-C400
- And now about the differences between these soundbars in terms of price and technical features.
Samsung Soundar HW-Q990C Feature Overview
Q990C is a premium soundbar model from Samsung. Here are the main features of the soundbar.
- Q-Symphony
- Dolby ATMOS
- Channels: 11.1.4 (11 surround, one subwoofer, four ceiling speakers)
- Equipment: main panel, subwoofer, two rear speakers, remote control.
- Number of speakers: 22 in total
- main panel 15
- rear speakers 3 in one cabinet
- One regular
- One high frequency
- one ceiling
- subwoofer one speaker
- Power: 656 watts
- Connections: WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI in 2 ports, HDMI out one port, digital audio input (optical).
- Wireless connections for fast audio playback: Spotify(Hi-Fi) Connect, Tidal (Hi-Fi) Connect, AirPlay, Chromecast.
- Voice Feature: Google, Alexa
The soundbar lets you connect a streaming device and stream video to your TV. But there are better solutions than this, the soundbar has HDMI ports of 2.0 standard, so only 60Hz video is supported. And modern TVs support 120Hz, of course, depending on the model.
The soundbar supports 11 audio channels and four ceiling channels; for better sound quality, some channels have two speakers each of standard and high frequency, a total number of speakers is 22. The soundbar will play authentic surround sound if DOLBY ATMOS surround sound metadata is in the audio stream. The soundbar will output algorithm-based pseudo surround sound if no metadata is present.
Samsung Soundar HW-Q930C Feature Overview
- Q-Symphony
- Dolby ATMOS
- Channels: 9.1.4 (9 surround, one subwoofer, four ceiling speakers)
- Equipment: main panel, subwoofer, two rear speakers, remote control.
- Number of speakers: 17 in total
- main panel 12
- rear speakers 2 in one cabinet
- subwoofer one speaker
- Power: 240 watts
- Connections: WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI in 1 port, HDMI out one port, digital audio input (optical).
- Wireless connections for fast audio playback: Spotify(Hi-Fi) Connect, Tidal (Hi-Fi) Connect, AirPlay, Chromecast.
- Voice Feature: Google, Alexa
Samsung Soundar HW-Q910C Feature Overview
- Q-Symphony
- Dolby ATMOS
- Channels: 9.1.2 (9 surround, one subwoofer, 2 ceiling speakers).
- Equipment: main panel, subwoofer, two rear speakers, remote control.
- Number of speakers: 17 in total
- main panel 14
- rear speakers 1 in one cabinet
- subwoofer one speaker
- Power: 520 watts
- Connections: WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI in 1 port, HDMI out one port, digital audio input (optical).
- Wireless connections for fast audio playback: Spotify(Hi-Fi) Connect, Tidal (Hi-Fi) Connect, AirPlay. Chromecast.
- Voice Feature: Google, Alexa
Q910C is a more simplified version; only 9 Atmos channels are supported; naturally, the number of speakers is reduced to 17, the total power is reduced, and now it is 520W. The number of ceiling speakers has also been reduced from four to two. In general, this soundbar can also be attributed to the high class.
Samsung Soundar HW-Q900C Feature Overview
- Q-Symphony
- Dolby ATMOS
- Channels: 7.1.2 (7 surround, one subwoofer, 2 ceiling speakers).
- Equipment: main panel, subwoofer, remote control.
- Number of speakers: 16 in total
- main panel 15
- subwoofer one speaker
- Power: 446 watts
- Connections: WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI in 2 ports, HDMI out one port, digital audio input (optical).
- Wireless connections for fast audio playback: Spotify(Hi-Fi) Connect, Tidal (Hi-Fi) Connect, AirPlay, Chromecast.
- Compatible Rear Speaker: SWA-9500S separately purchased
- Voice Feature: Google, Alexa
The Q900C reduces the number of Atmos channels to seven; rear speakers are optional and can be purchased separately. As there are fewer speakers, the system power is reduced to 446W
Samsung Soundar HW-Q800C Feature Overview
- Q-Symphony
- Dolby ATMOS
- Channels: 5.1.2 (5 surround, one subwoofer, 2 ceiling speakers).
- Equipment: main panel, subwoofer, remote control.
- Number of speakers: 11 in total
- main panel 10
- subwoofer one speaker
- Power: 360 watts
- Connections: WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI in 2 ports, HDMI out one port, digital audio input (optical).
- Wireless connections for fast audio playback: Spotify(Hi-Fi) Connect, Tidal (Hi-Fi) Connect, AirPlay, Chromecast
- Compatible Rear Speaker: SWA-9500S separately purchased
- Voice Feature: Google, Alexa
The Q800C is a further downsizing of the soundbar; this audio system only supports five channels of surround sound, and rear speakers are also an option. Total power is further reduced to 360 watts. This audio system is still for large rooms with ceiling speakers; the soundbar can produce good surround sound.
Samsung Soundar HW-Q700C Feature Overview
- Q-Symphony
- Dolby ATMOS
- Channels: 3.1.2 (3 surround, one subwoofer, 2 ceiling speakers).
- Equipment: main panel, subwoofer, remote control.
- Number of speakers: 9 in total
- main panel 8
- subwoofer one speaker
- Power: 320 watts
- Connections: WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI in 1 port, HDMI out one port, digital audio input (optical).
- Wireless connections for fast audio playback: NO
- Compatible Rear Speaker: SWA-9500S separately purchased
- Voice Feature: Google, Alexa
Samsung Soundar HW-Q600C Feature Overview
- Q-Symphony
- Dolby ATMOS
- Channels: 3.1.2 (3 surround, one subwoofer, 2 ceiling speakers).
- Equipment: main panel, subwoofer, remote control.
- Number of speakers: 9 in total
- main panel 8
- subwoofer one speaker
- Power: 320 watts
- Connections: Bluetooth, HDMI in 1 port, HDMI out one port, digital audio input (optical).
- Wireless connections for fast audio playback: NO
- Compatible Rear Speaker: SWA-9200S separately purchased
The Q600C has a very minimalized audio system. It does not process audio formats above 5.1. The audio system creates the 3.1.2 format, and only when receiving Atmos and DTS formats will it be real sound. This is the table of what audio format you will get with this soundbar.
| Effect settings | Input | Output With Subwoofer Only | Output With Subwoofer & Wireless Rear Speaker Kit |
| SURROUND SOUND | 2.0 ch | 3.1.2 ch | 5.1.2 ch |
| SURROUND SOUND | 5.1 ch | 3.1.2 ch | 5.1.2 ch |
| SURROUND SOUND | Dolby Atmos®, DTS:X | 3.1.2 ch | 5.1.2 ch |
| GAME PRO | 2.0 ch | 3.1.2 ch | 5.1.2 ch |
| GAME PRO | 5.1 ch | 3.1.2 ch | 5.1.2 ch |
| GAME PRO | Dolby Atmos®, DTS:X | 3.1.2 ch | 5.1.2 ch |
| ADAPTIVE SOUND | 2.0 ch | 3.1.2 ch | 5.1.2 ch |
| ADAPTIVE SOUND | 5.1 ch | 3.1.2 ch | 5.1.2 ch |
| ADAPTIVE SOUND | Dolby Atmos®, DTS:X | 3.1.2 ch | 5.1.2 ch |
| STANDARD | 2.0 ch | 2.1 ch | 2.1 ch |
| STANDARD | 5.1 ch | 3.1 ch | 5.1 ch |
| STANDARD | Dolby Atmos®, DTS:X | 3.1.2 ch | 5.1.2 ch |
As this model of soundbar does not support WiFi, there is no module, and the functionality of the soundbar is severely limited; there is no quick connection from a smartphone streaming service to listen to music. This soundbar is only designed to improve the sound of your TV.
Samsung Soundar HW-Q60C Feature Overview
- Q-Symphony
- Dolby ATMOS
- Channels: 3.1 (3 surround, one subwoofer).
- Equipment: main panel, subwoofer, remote control.
- Number of speakers: 7 in total
- main panel 6
- subwoofer one speaker
- Power: 340 watts
- Connections: Bluetooth, HDMI in 1 port, HDMI out one port, digital audio input (optical).
- Wireless connections for fast audio playback: NO
- Compatible Rear Speaker: SWA-9200S separately purchased
Q60C differs from Q600 in the absence of ceiling speakers, and although it is claimed to support Dolby Atmos, it is only the soundbar has a codec to decode the audio stream. In reality, you will not hear any Dolby Atmos sound quality. Very few speakers can create surround sound.
Samsung Soundar HW-C450 Feature Overview
- Q-Symphony -NO
- Dolby ATMOS– NO
- Channels: 2.1 (2 surround, one subwoofer).
- Equipment: main panel, subwoofer, remote control.
- Number of speakers: 3 in total
- main panel 2
- subwoofer one speaker
- Power: 300 watts
- Connections: Bluetooth, digital audio input (optical).
- Wireless connections for fast audio playback: NO
- Compatible Rear Speaker: SWA-9200S separately purchased
Samsung Soundar HW-C400 Feature Overview
- Q-Symphony
- Dolby ATMOS
- Channels: 2.0 (2 surround).
- Equipment: main panel, subwoofer, remote control.
- Number of speakers: 4 in total
- main panel 4
- Power: 300 watts
- Connections: Bluetooth, digital audio input (optical).
- Wireless connections for fast audio playback: NO
- Compatible Rear Speaker: SWA-9200S separately purchased
The C-400 and C-450 are budget-level soundbars; their job is to amplify the sound from your TV, and they do it easily with more power. Connection to the TV via bluetooth or optical. These soundbars can be used if you want more powerful sound than the TV speakers; you won’t get much more from these audio systems. The difference between the C-400 and C-450 is that the C-450 has a subwoofer.
