Samsung
Samsung HW-Q990D
$1999.99
Released 2024
Best Soundbars · head-to-head
Samsung HW-Q990D vs Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 is cheaper at $1399. Every spec and price links to its source.
Sony
Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9
$1399Cheaper
Released 2024-10
Which is better: the Samsung HW-Q990D or Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 is the cheaper at $1399.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Samsung HW-Q990D | Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $1999.99 | $1399 |
| Brand | Samsung | Sony |
| Released | 2024 | 2024-10 |
| Channels | 11.1.4 | 5.0.2 |
| Total watts | 656 | 585 |
| Dolby atmos | Yes | Yes |
| Dts x | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless sub | Yes | No |
| Rear speakers | Yes | No |
| HDMI earc | Yes | Yes |
| Voice assistant | Amazon Alexa | none |
| Release | 2024 | 2024-10 |
Sources — Samsung HW-Q990D: samsung.com (verified 2026-06-15). Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9: dolby.com (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the Samsung HW-Q990D and Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9?
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 Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 5.0.2
- Total watts: Samsung HW-Q990D 656 vs Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 585
- Wireless sub: Samsung HW-Q990D true vs Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 false
- Rear speakers: Samsung HW-Q990D true vs Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 false
- Voice assistant: Samsung HW-Q990D Amazon Alexa vs Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 none
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.
Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9
Only one whitelisted tester (What Hi-Fi) yielded a verifiable review body for this exact model (Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9 / HT-A9000). What Hi-Fi rates it a five-star Award winner: a clear upgrade on the three-time Award-winning HT-A7000, with superb clarity, detail and dynamics, and the most convincing Atmos it has heard from a standalone soundbar. Trade-offs are a slightly clinical voicing with less warmth than the predecessor, occasionally over-pronounced deep bass at high volume, no display, and only one HDMI input. No lab measurements were published. (1 sourced review.)
Praised: Superb clarity, detail and dynamic punch; Most convincing Atmos/3D spatial imaging from a standalone soundbar; Classy, subtle, more discreet design than the HT-A7000.
Flagged: Delivery can sound slightly clinical, with reduced warmth vs the HT-A7000; Deep bass notes occasionally over-pronounced and distracting at high volume; No display and only one HDMI input (down from two).