Samsung HW-Q990F vs Sonos Arc Ultra soundbars

Zdnet compares Samsung's HW-Q990F and the Sonos Arc Ultra, two premium flagship soundbars that take different approaches to home theater audio. Both are praised for quality and features, but they are built for different kinds of buyers with different priorities.

The Samsung HW-Q990F is presented as a complete surround package that ships with a main bar, two wireless rear speakers with up‑firing drivers, and a subwoofer for an 11.1.4 configuration, delivering strong immersion. It offers Samsung TV integrations such as Q‑Symphony and SmartThings on compatible models and supports DTS:X, Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD and Eclipsa Audio.

The HW-Q990F is listed at $2,000. The Sonos Arc Ultra focuses on exceptional standalone performance, using a 9.1.4 virtualized system with 14 drivers and bass comparable to the Sonos Sub Mini. It works on its own or within the Sonos ecosystem, supports Wi‑Fi, AirPlay 2, Sonos Trueplay tuning on iOS and Android, and integrates with other Sonos speakers and the Ace headphones.