Design and build:

Samsung Q930B and Q990B are large soundbars that will be an ideal match with large TVs of 65 or 75” sizes. They come with wireless satellites and subwoofer. A basic black color is available for both models. They are wall mountable and comes with necessary accessories. The soundbars and satellites are made of high-quality plastic and the drivers are covered with metal grilles. For subs, they are made of wood. Overall, the build quality is great.

Performance:

Comparing Samsung Q930B vs Q990B, the Q930B is a 9.1.4 channel bar whereas the Q990B consists of more number of channels. They use SpaceFit and Auto Sub EQ features to calibrate the sound of the bar and subwoofer based on room layout. They support major audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS: X. While both the bars have dedicated center channel, there are also voice enhancement mode and Active Voice Amplifier that boosts the voices in each scene.

Samsung HW-Q990B is a 11.1.4 channel soundbar. It assigns 11 drivers as front, center and sides, and 4 for up-firing channels. The bar delivers 360-sound while maintaining clarity. In terms of Atmos effects, it plays them noticeably well. You can enjoy crashes, helicopter flying and other height effects in movies. Low ends are punchier without being muddy. Trebles of this soundbar is decent and overall, it has a balanced profile.

The soundbar has a broad and powerful soundfield and can deliver room-filling sound. Although there are multiple modes, try using the Adaptive mode that will use the microphones in the bar to improve the sound. This multichannel soundbar has impressive surrounds from the rear speakers. With an SPL of more than 96 dB, both these soundbars can go very loud. They are suitable for large rooms, but you can also place the HW-Q930B bar in medium sized rooms.

Samsung HW-Q930B has a total of 17 speakers. It has a similar setup with rears and subwoofer. The soundstage and Atmos effects are great and as powerful as the HW-Q990B. Compared to the Q930B, the Q990B has more impactful surrounds. Q930B has broad soundstage along with amazingly powerful sound that engulfs the user from all around. It has good tonal accuracy and a neutral sound profile.

The Q930B can produce serious bass but Q990B has got it slightly better. While the Q930B is a good sounding bar, when compared to the Q990B model, it is a bit weak. That said, with dedicated rears and subwoofer, it still displays enjoyable sound with music and movies. Movie soundtracks and effects are produced with good accuracy. Overall, if you are willing to compromise then the Samsung Q930B is an excellent mid-range soundbar for overall use.

Features: 

The soundbars will connect wirelessly to Bluetooth TVs. There is also a Tap Sound feature where users can tap the smartphone on the bar to instantly play contents through it. Samsung TV users can take advantage of Q-Symphony that allows the TV and bar to play in sync. The bars are only compatible with Apple Airplay as there is no Chromecast support for EN soundbar versions. With the support of VRR and ALLM, the soundbars can play gaming scenes quite well.

Connectivity:

All connection ports are place on the back panel of the soundbars. They have similar connection ports including optical, HDMI out and HDMI in. The Q990B has an additional HDMI In. They are versatile and allows user to connect gaming consoles. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are available for streaming files wirelessly.

Control options:

Simple controls are available on the bar including volume, change input and mic mute/unmute. Remotes are included along with mobile apps. Instead of using the soundbar remote, the bars can also be controlled with specific Samsung QLED TV remotes. For voice control only Amazon Alexa is available. With several control options, users have the flexibility to choose whichever they prefer.

Settings:

The following sound modes are available: 3D Surround, Adaptive, Game Pro and Stereo. These soundbars are outstanding in terms of settings. There are voice mode, night mode and virtual surround. You can adjust the level of the following: bass, treble, subwoofer, rear, height and surround. Even if you do not like the out of the box sound profile, users will have the option to tweak settings and listen to their preferred music taste.

Cost:

Comparing Samsung Q930B vs Q990B, the Q990B is a bit costlier than the Q930B. In case you have a tight budget, then the Q930B will be a good option.

FAQ:

Should I upgrade from Samsung Q930B to the Q990B model?

If you already own the Samsung HW-Q930B, then there is no reason to purchase the Q990B with almost the same price. In case you feel that the Q930B is ‘weak’ or does not match your taste, there are several options to try out. Sound modes are quite important. Try using the Adaptive mode to see if you like it. Check the speaker placement in your room.

Users can also try shifting them from large to medium sized rooms. Bass and treble adjustments are essential to alter the tune. Use voice mode if you think you need it.