Samsung
Samsung HW-Q990D
$1999.99
Released 2024
Best Soundbars · head-to-head
Samsung HW-Q990D vs Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar is cheaper at $299. Every spec and price links to its source.
Bose
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
$299Cheaper
Released 2023
Which is better: the Samsung HW-Q990D or Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar is the cheaper at $299.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified at capture; live price may differ.
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Samsung HW-Q990D | Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $1999.99 | $299 |
| Brand | Samsung | Bose |
| Released | 2024 | 2023 |
| Channels | 11.1.4 | 3.1.1 |
| Total watts | 656 | — |
| Dolby atmos | Yes | Yes |
| Dts x | Yes | No |
| Wireless sub | Yes | No |
| Rear speakers | Yes | No |
| HDMI earc | Yes | Yes |
| Voice assistant | Amazon Alexa | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Release | 2024 | 2023 |
Sources — Samsung HW-Q990D: samsung.com (verified 2026-06-15). Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar: bose.com (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the Samsung HW-Q990D and Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (5 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Channels: Samsung HW-Q990D 11.1.4 vs Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar 3.1.1
- Dts x: Samsung HW-Q990D true vs Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar false
- Wireless sub: Samsung HW-Q990D true vs Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar false
- Rear speakers: Samsung HW-Q990D true vs Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar false
- Voice assistant: Samsung HW-Q990D Amazon Alexa vs Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Samsung HW-Q990D
One whitelisted tester source survived verification: Engadget, a genuine hands-on review of the exact model (HW-Q990D, correct 'D' suffix). Both quoted sentences were re-confirmed verbatim on the page. RTINGS and TechRadar candidate pages returned no usable body text and were excluded, so this consensus rests on a single source. Engadget praises boomy, immersive all-in-one 11.1.4 Atmos sound with new HDMI 2.1 conveniences, but flags only a minor generational upgrade over the Q990C at a $2,000 list price. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Boomy, immersive all-in-one 11.1.4 Atmos sound with modern conveniences (HDMI 2.1).
Flagged: Only a small upgrade over the previous Q990C model at a high $2,000 list price.
Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
Two whitelisted hands-on testers (Tom's Guide, What Hi-Fi?) reviewed this exact model; neither published lab bench measurements. Both praise the wide, immersive Dolby Atmos soundstage and solid build, but flag a congested/harsh midrange that undermines music and dialogue, and note the AI Dialogue mode can over-compensate. (2 sourced reviews, 2 lab-tested.)
Praised: Wide, immersive soundstage with good sense of height and width from Dolby Atmos; Solid, well-built design with useful, responsive Bose Music app controls.
Flagged: Weak/overstretched bass that muddles or distorts on demanding action content; Congested, harsh midrange and highs; underwhelming for music; AI Dialogue mode can over-compensate and sound hard/forced, upsetting tonal balance.