Review: Samsung HW-Q995D

Samsung has had great success with its soundbars in recent years and is constantly battling Sonos and JBL for the largest market share in the soundbar industry. This is probably partly because many Samsung TV buyers choose a soundbar from the same brand – but also because the manufacturer has put a lot of time and effort into getting things to sound right. Ever since Samsung set up its own audio lab in California, things have been sounding very convincing to our ears, often without the price being overwhelmingly high.

Among the jumble of models, it’s actually the top model in the Q900 series that has been among the most coveted in the Samsung arena. Now the updated 2024 model HW-Q995D is on offer, and many are probably wondering how it compares to its predecessor and test winner HW-Q995C from 2023!

Samsung HW-Q995D (2024) vs. HW-Q995C (2023): What’s new

The answer is simply that there are more similarities than differences. The new 2024 model uses the exact same exterior design and speaker configuration as its predecessor. That is, 11.1.4 channels, with the same type of wireless subwoofer and surround speakers included in the package.

Most of the internals are also the same. However, the HW-Q995D has received two HDMI 2.1 inputs, meaning it now supports both 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video signals (its predecessor was limited to 8K/30Hz and 4K/60Hz). This allows you to connect high-end video sources to the soundbar, extract the audio, and pass the video signals on without limitations.

Other new features include the ability to play music in all channels (Sound Grouping), or only through the rear speakers when you want to listen discreetly (Private Rear Sound). Otherwise, there are no major hardware or software differences to speak of.

Speaking of hardware, at 123 centimeters, this is still a large soundbar made to match the largest TV screens. In terms of looks, it may not be among the most appealing – but if you want a slim and elegantly designed soundbar, there are other options from both Samsung and other manufacturers.

Ease of use and features

A lavish soundbar like this naturally has built-in Wi-Fi, and the HW-Q995D also has its own ‘SmartThings Hub’, which allows the soundbar to talk to various devices in your Smart Home.

Therefore, you should download the Samsung SmartThings app, which provides access to more advanced settings and features. Setup is quick and the soundbar connects quickly with the additional speakers in the room.

If you’re one of those who avoid HDMI cables like the plague, you also have the option to send TV sound wirelessly to the soundbar via Wi-Fi. However, you’ll need a newer Samsung monitor. However, the Wi-Fi transmission uses the more compressed Dolby Digital+ standard, so for the best sound we still recommend using the HDMI eARC connector.

Otherwise, the soundbar supports Airplay 2, Chromecast and Spotify Connect as well as Bluetooth, so there are plenty of wireless connectivity options, also for music.

Plenty of sound settings

This soundbar has several useful sound modes, including a ‘voice enhancement’ that works well on older and murky recordings, as well as a night mode that dims the dynamics. The Q995D model also has a new feature (Private Rear Sound) where it only uses the rear speakers, which can be handy when you don’t want to disturb others in the room.

In some cases, you may also find the sound a little too forward and eager or a little too restrained. In such cases, it can be good to be able to use the equaliser and fine-tune a little. Room correction is also possible by activating the ‘Spacefit Sound’ function. The soundbar then uses the built-in microphone to ‘listen’ and adapt to its surroundings. But the odd thing is that the microphone has to be switched on all the time – it would be easier to make an actual measurement, we think.

Sound quality for films

Features are nice to have, but in the end it’s the sound performance in the cinema room that counts: This is where the Q995 has been particularly popular, as it’s among the models that offer the most power and speaker channels in its price range.

Of course, it can’t match the sound experience that a full-fledged surround amplifier and large, separate speakers can provide – but it’s probably one of the closest we can get without the price getting out of hand. We tried it out with a 98-inch DU9005 TV for the occasion and found that the soundbar produced a soundstage that suited the large screen well.

The first thing we notice is that the Samsung soundbar is spot on with voice reproduction. The dialogues from the TV entertainment hit hard and clear, immediately drawing listeners into the action. There’s punch and clarity in everything that’s going on, with good lip sync to the people speaking.

The voice reproduction is definitely better than the Sonos Arc, which we find a bit thin in this area. However, perhaps not quite as refined and finely resolved as the more expensive Sony Bravia Theater Bar 9 (but there the soundbar alone costs as much as the entire Samsung package).

Another advantage of the Samsung model is the included surround speakers, which help create an impressive sense of space. We’re enveloped in a believable ‘sound bubble’ of effects swirling around us, and we get the real feel that the sound engineers were looking for when things need to move. This is especially evident on great Dolby Atmos mixes like Drive to Survive, Dune I and II or the Top Gun films, for example.

Entertainment doesn’t have to be limited to the latest titles: Samsung has created a cool surround mode that upscales older 5.1 content to use all available channels in the system.

It’s especially noticeable in the rear speakers, and had a really powerful effect on older 5.1 recordings like Band of Brothers. And while not always according to the director’s intentions, it certainly sounds engaging with bullets firing and explosions roaring from all directions.

The Samsung system also has plenty of power, if that’s what matters. The HW-Q995D can play convincingly loud, clean and with impressive dynamics. It can handle the most demanding action scenes without running out of power. (That is, at the most deafening sound pressure levels, we can sometimes hear the subwoofer having some breathing problems just before the rest of the speakers start to struggle).

Sound quality for music

More and more people are using their TV speakers for music, so it’s becoming increasingly important that soundbars also perform well in this discipline. The Samsung HW-Q995D (somewhat surprisingly) also benefits from the additional rear speakers in this respect. When we play music in standard listening mode, the sound only comes out through the front soundbar, and frankly it sounds quite narrow and stuffy.

However, when we switch to surround mode, the rear speakers contribute to a much bigger and wider soundstage, with a much better stereo effect. Again, it’s far from hi-fi optimised and the bass isn’t as tight as you’d like, but it’s certainly quite entertaining. Thanks to the many active drivers, it’s possible to fill the room with a very powerful sound pressure. So you can achieve plenty of decibels for your house party.

Solid bass, but more wants more

As good as this package is, you can always think of potential improvements. And when the rest of the sound is this potent, it’s only natural to want even more bass.

All in all: The included Samsung subwoofer isn’t bad at all and packs a good punch for its size. If you work a little with the placement, it’s easily possible to get quite tight, deep and hard-hitting bass. You’d have to be pretty crazy about bass to need more. But there are some solutions out there that offer even ‘’meatier‘’ subwoofers.

Some more expensive competitors (including Sennheiser, Sonos, Klipsch, Nakamichi, etc.) offer us to buy and add an additional subwoofer to the system to even out the bass response and reproduce even more deep bass in large and challenging rooms. It wouldn’t hurt if Samsung also made this possible on their top model. Maybe an option for the next generation?

Conclusion

Samsung’s best soundbar HW-Q995 has been one of our favourite soundbars for (model) generations, and the 2024 model with the surname ‘D’ is no exception: with a total of 11.1.4 channels, Dolby Atmos, accompanying surround speakers and wireless subwoofer, this Samsung package is capable of really shaking up home cinema sound.

Sonically, this edition is very similar to its predecessor, with a big, powerful and convincing soundstage that enhances the movie experience and creates the right cinema atmosphere. With surround speakers and a subwoofer included in the package, you get a complete and capable setup at a very competitive price.

There may be even wilder competitors out there, but they certainly cost significantly more money! That’s why this vintage gets a strong recommendation – but if you can find the 2023 model at a lower price, it’s also a great buy.