Sure, you could buy a solo soundbar, but if you want a true home cinema experience you should look at buying a soundbar system that combines a 'bar with wireless surrounds and a subwoofer.
The very best example of this increasingly popular product type is the Samsung HW-Q990D, which won a 2024 What Hi-Fi? Award at its full price of £1699 / $2000 / AU$2099 but is now available for significantly less.
As you would expect, the wireless surrounds allow the sound to envelop you in a way that a solo soundbar simply can't match, while the subwoofer can of course deliver much deeper bass. What's most impressive about the Q990D, though, is how it uses its 11.1.4 channels to fill the room and then place sound effects at precise points within it. It's about as Atmos-y as you can get without going down the route of buying a high-end AV receiver and 11+ dedicated speakers.
As well as great sound, the Q990D has a really strong feature set that includes two HDMI 2.1 inputs. This means it can handle fancy gaming features such as 4K/120Hz, VRR and ALLM.
If that sounds like the sort of thing you're looking for, check out the latest, lowest prices below:
It's an 11.1.4-channel system and has a total of 22 drivers. The main soundbar features six elliptical midrange drivers. three tweeters that fire forwards, four side-firing drivers and two up-firing drivers. The surround speakers include one forward-, one side-, and one up-firing driver. The subwoofer features a 20cm driver hidden behind a plastic plate.
The system does a great job of filling the room with three-dimensional sound very precisely by soundbar standards. Audio sounds vibrant and full-bodied, no matter the content. There are a range of audio processing modes to suit different types of media and personal preferences. Our preferred setting, Surround mode, sounds a little softer than the Adaptive mode, with both delivering a lively and engaging performance.
Another big improvement from the last model is the inclusion of HDMI 2.1 inputs, with both providing full support for advanced gaming features like 4K/120Hz, VRR, and ALLM. It offers support for a range of HDR formats, including HLG, HDR10 and HDR10+.
Both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio are supported, along with the surround versions of these technologies. There are a few additional options which users can toggle on or off: Active Voice Amplifier, Voice Enhancement, and Bass Enhancement. There's also a Night Mode, which reduces bass and overall dynamics to avoid disturbing others during a late-night viewing session.
The Q990D certainly represents a premium option, for comparison, our current soundbar Product of the Year, the Sony HT-A7000, cost around £1299 / $999 / AU$1699 before being discontinued, and that was for just the 'bar. Adding a pair of wireless speakers along with an appropriate subwoofer would take this total to around £2500 / $2100 / AU$3500.
The Q990D has only just hit the market, so it could be some time before we see any hefty discounts but that doesn't mean we won't be keeping our eyes peeled – any saving is always a good thing. Stay tuned to this page so you don't miss any deals as they arrive.
MORE:
Read our full Samsung Q990D review
Here are our picks for the best soundbars available
And the best soundbar deals on right now
