Since this is a translation of an overseas article, there may be some mistranslations.

https://hifi.de/test/samsung-hw-q995gh-test-268783

Samsung HW-Q995GH (Q990H) First Test: A New Number One That Overwhelms, Except for One Thing!

Samsung makes good soundbars, we know that. Here's what convinced us of the HW-Q995GH's performance and what we feel urgently needs improvement through our tests.

-- Number of channels: 11.1.4

-- Connections / Interfaces: HDMI-eARC, HDMI, Optical, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi

-- Supported sound formats: Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD, DTS Express, DTS 5.1ch

-- AirPlay 2: Supported

-- Network: Supported

-- Voice control: Amazon Alexa, Bixby

-- Dimensions (width x height x depth): 1232 x 71 x 138 mm

-- Subwoofer dimensions (width x height x depth): 249 x 252 x 249 mm

-- Price (launch price / retail price): €1,699 / approx. €1,700

The Samsung HW-Q995 is a very familiar model in our test lab. Every year, Samsung releases a new flagship model, and every year the soundbar, subwoofer, and rear speaker set receive excellent reviews. This year, we'll see why it achieved those results, and where we finally want to see a change. Check out the Samsung HW-Q995GH test.

Brief Distinction:

Since the Samsung soundbar name is repeated so often, if you're looking to buy the 2026 model, make sure it has an "H" at the end of the model name. If you buy a Samsung HW-Q995GF, it's last year's model. Overseas, this soundbar may be called the Samsung HW-Q990H. As far as we know, these models are structurally identical.

Actual Sound Test of the Samsung HW-Q995GH:

-- Powerful and restrained bass

-- Excellent and smooth surround sound

-- Crystal clear and natural dialogue

As in previous years, the Samsung HW-Q995GH is a soundbar surround set consisting of a soundbar, subwoofer, and two rear speakers. With numerous speakers onboard, Samsung calls this system an 11.1.4 channel setup.

In addition to the regular center channel speaker, two rear speakers are responsible for overhead sound, with a total of four speakers facing upwards and reflecting sound off the ceiling. This is why the Samsung HW-Q995GH falls into the Dolby Atmos soundbar category. It also supports DTS:X.

The soundbar and rear speakers also have side-firing speakers that fill the room with sound.

Smooth 3D Sound in Games and Movies:

We first played Halo Infinite on an Xbox Series X. In one of the early missions, we meet a new AI companion who is very similar to our old friend Cortana. Her voice echoes through the mechanical halls of Halo. At this point, her voice was positioned around us, and warnings came from all directions. As an old Halo fan, it sent chills down my spine, and it was clear that the Samsung HW-Q995GH did its job exceptionally well.

After watching several movies, I confirmed this point again. There is no soundbar that surpasses the HW-Q995GH in terms of surround sound and 3D audio tracks. What's particularly impressive is how well the individual speakers work together. You can hear a bird smoothly flying in a circle around you, and when watching Top Gun: Maverick, you can pinpoint exactly where danger is approaching while sitting in the cockpit with Tom Cruise.

Clear Dialogue – Now Adjustable to Your Liking

However, a soundbar being good at 3D sound doesn't automatically make it top-of-the-line. Fortunately, the Samsung set has two major strengths. The first is the center speaker. Even in the midst of a sandstorm on the distant planet Arrakis in the movie **Dune**, you can understand every line of dialogue. Not only that, but the dialogue sounds incredibly natural, warm, and powerful. You don't even need a separate voice enhancement feature.

However, the new feature that calculates sound positioning based on your TV's height is best left off. While the effect of dialogue sounding like it's coming from screen level is interesting, it makes the overall soundstage feel strangely empty and destroys the sense of naturalness.

Is Music Playback Top-Notch Too?

Another major advantage of the Samsung HW-Q995GH is its subwoofer. Replaced last year, this subwoofer uses two facing drivers for more refined control, reminiscent of the bass driver in the JBL Bar 1300MK2. Like its predecessor, the new subwoofer delivers powerful low frequencies that perfectly complement what's happening on screen.

Samsung's flagship model has always been known for its strong bass, but now it's incredibly restrained. There are no booming rumbles or excessively amplified lows. Action movie fans will be more than satisfied.

It also delivers a fairly balanced sound when playing music, providing enjoyment in most cases. While it may not be perfectly optimized for classical or ballads, it provides ample power for radio tracks or party music.

Sound Tailored to You

All the features added to Samsung soundbars over the years are included here as well. There are various sound modes that upscale regular audio tracks to 3D, and a feature that uses only rear speakers to reduce noise late at night.

You can also set the rear speakers to play the same sound as the soundbar, creating a party atmosphere where music flows throughout the entire space. The app allows you to adjust the position of the rear speakers and set bass and voice enhancement features.

Everyday and Real-World Checks

-- Easy to operate with a great app

-- Voice control enabled

-- The display is practically useless

The Samsung HW-Q995GH is the epitome of 'plug and play'. Simply connect power to each component, turn on the soundbar, and you're ready to go. It's recommended to connect the soundbar to the internet using the SmartThings app for Android or iOS and activate SpaceFit Sound Pro. This feature automatically measures the sound of your space every day and adjusts it accordingly.

You can do more settings in the app, but honestly, it's hardly necessary. The 'Standard' sound mode is usually perfect, and you don't really need to touch the equalizer. When the bass is too strong and your neighbors are a concern, just adjust the subwoofer level a bit.

The App Is Better Than the Remote

While many settings are included in the remote control, its design still feels outdated and doesn't follow the modern look of the latest TV remotes. Our tip is to just put the remote in the box or tuck it deep into your living room table. This is because the display is still almost useless.

It only displays three letters at a time, and it can't even properly show that the current input source is 'HDMI'. Thankfully, it verbally guides you through setting changes, but it's easy to get lost in urgent situations. The app is much cleaner and faster, so using your smartphone is far more convenient.

Connection Terminals

-- Two HDMI input terminals

-- Various wireless connection options

-- Additional features with Samsung TVs

If you're using a Samsung or LG TV, having just one HDMI terminal that supports eARC on the soundbar is enough. However, if you're using a TV that lacks HDMI terminals supporting gaming performance, the fact that the soundbar has an HDMI input terminal that supports 4K 120Hz passthrough is a big advantage.

Special Wireless Connections

Some Samsung TVs can connect Dolby Atmos or DTS:X without an HDMI cable, using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The Q-Symphony feature, which allows both TV speakers and the soundbar to output sound together, is also only available with Samsung TVs. You can also expand surround sound by connecting a Samsung Music Frame. In addition, it supports optical digital input, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Tidal, Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2, and more.

Design Is a Stumbling Block

We've already mentioned that the display and remote control aren't great ways to control the HW-Q995GH. This isn't necessarily a Samsung-specific problem, but you'd expect better from a flagship model. The same issue has been going on for several years now, with no changes in design. If there hadn't been a perforated grille covering the display, the text would have been clearer. Increasing the size or changing the font would have improved readability.

The overall design is not quite our preferred style. The sharp corners and metal grille no longer look modern and could potentially clash with the overall interior of a living room. The subwoofer looks significantly more elegant than the rest, meaning the components don't blend together well. In recent years, competing models have been released that make soundbars much more suitable for residential environments. We hope Samsung will unveil a completely new design by 2027.

Overall Evaluation

Samsung continues to focus on its existing strengths in 2026, delivering the HW-Q995GH with overwhelming and powerful bass and captivating 3D sound. Setup is simple, and streaming options are diverse and convenient.

As a result, this model once again takes the top spot on our best list. While competitors aren't sleeping and are releasing interesting models, if you don't place too much importance on aesthetics, it's a product that offers a lot for a reasonable price.

▶ Original Source: https://hifi.de/test/samsung-hw-q995gh-test-268783