Samsung's flagship HW-Q990F soundbar is making waves in the Indian home entertainment market, promising cinema-quality audio at a fraction of the cost of competing systems. Priced aggressively under ₹1,00,000, this 23-speaker Dolby Atmos system aims to deliver the most complete home theatre experience for Indian consumers.
Price Advantage Over Competition
In India's price-sensitive market, the Samsung HW-Q990F presents a compelling case at ₹92,990 on Samsung's official website, though our reviewer secured it for approximately ₹85,000 from a Delhi retail store. What makes this particularly attractive is that this price includes the soundbar, a newly redesigned subwoofer with dynamic bass control, and two up-firing wireless rear speakers - creating a complete wireless surround sound system.
The competition appears significantly more expensive when comparing complete setups. Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar alone costs ₹99,999, requiring an additional ₹84,999 for the Sub 4, bringing the total to ₹1,84,998. Similarly, Sony's Bravia Theatre 9 system ranges between ₹1,79,980 to ₹2,11,980, while Bose Smart Ultra with Bass Module 700 totals ₹1,89,800.
Immersive Audio Performance
The HW-Q990F truly shines with Dolby Atmos content, utilizing its four upfiring drivers to create a three-dimensional soundscape that places viewers directly into the action. During testing, the soundbar demonstrated exceptional balance, with bass that enhances rather than overwhelms vocals and background elements in films.
Particularly impressive was the handling of dialogue clarity. In scenes like the prisoner exchange negotiation in "Bridge of Spies," Tom Hanks' vocals remained crisp and prominent despite varying background music intensity. The system also excels with music content, delivering distortion-free, detailed audio with The Rolling Stones and Red Hot Chili Peppers tracks showcasing wide soundstage and powerful bass response.
Enhanced Subwoofer Design
For 2025, Samsung has redesigned the subwoofer into a more compact rounded cube weighing nearly 9 kg. Despite its smaller footprint compared to previous models, it houses dual 8-inch drivers powered by AI-driven controls that minimize distortion while delivering deeper bass notes. The subwoofer's performance is particularly noticeable in action sequences, such as the engine rumbles and bullet impacts in "Top Gun: Maverick."
Setup and Usability
The HW-Q990F offers remarkably straightforward setup - simply place the soundbar below the TV, position the subwoofer nearby with power access, and place the two rear speakers behind the viewing area. The system supports multiple connectivity options including Google Home, Apple AirPlay, and Alexa integration.
However, the soundbar does have some limitations. The tiny display makes it difficult to identify selected sound modes, and some users might find the design somewhat dated. The accompanying SmartThings app allows for system reconfiguration, though most users will likely prefer the functional, voice-command capable remote for daily use.
Despite these minor drawbacks, the Samsung HW-Q990F emerges as the most value-for-money home theatre package in the Indian market. With excellent Dolby Atmos performance, powerful bass, clear dialogue reproduction, and competitive pricing, it represents a significant achievement in making premium audio accessible to more consumers.
