Samsung has new soundbars and updates to existing models to show off at CES 2025. First, the HW-QS700F is an all-new speaker designed to be mounted on a shelf or TV stand, but can also be mounted flat at 90 degrees on the wall below your TV. QS700F can optimize sound based on location for best performance. This adjustment is done automatically thanks to the built-in gyro sensor. The QS700F comes with Samsung’s redesigned subwoofer, the same one that ships with the new Q990F.
In a quick demo, the QS700F sounded just as crisp and clear as the Q990F. However, we were only able to stay for a few seconds in a noisy room, so we’ll have to wait for the full review to see if this is true. Still, Samsung’s trademark clarity is likely the main aspect of the sound profile, and the included subwoofer provides plenty of bass thump. Its bass tone was evident even in the noisy demo area.
The company’s flagship soundbar returns in 2025 with significant tweaks. The HW-Q990F is an all-in-one package with a wireless subwoofer and rear satellite speakers while maintaining the same angular look. However, the company says the submarine’s size has been reduced to more than half of the previous version. Additionally, Samsung explains that it has achieved this while delivering even stronger audio performance from the unit. As someone who has reviewed both the Q990D and Q990C, I can tell you that the previous subwoofers were huge, so this is a great update.
The Q990F continues to be an 11.1.4-channel speaker with “clearer, richer, more effortless sound” and support for Dolby Atmos. The included rear surround speakers also incorporate high-output drivers to enhance the overall effect of immersive audio. As I mentioned earlier, having everything in one package is convenient and eliminates the need for additional purchases on top of an expensive soundbar. I was able to hear the Q990F at Samsung’s CES demo area, and its sound is as loud as ever, with the same crisp, clear detail I encountered with the previous two models. As we mentioned, that small subunit packs a punch and should work well as a replacement for the larger units traditionally shipped with flagship soundbars.
Samsung Q990F (Samsung)
Samsung plans to use AI to improve the sound quality of its soundbars in 2025. Two features, Active Voice Amplifier Pro and Q-Symphony Pro, each use artificial intelligence to enhance interaction against background noise and analyze audio with the Samsung TV’s processor. According to the company, Q-Symphony Pro will also be available in two new B-series soundbars, HW-B750F and HW-B650F, scheduled to be released in 2025.
Another item Samsung wants to discuss at CES is the Eclipsa Audio platform it’s developing in collaboration with Google. Details about the new 3D audio standard are currently under wraps, but Samsung has already announced that its 2025 TVs and soundbars will support it. According to a press release, Eclipsa Audio allows content creators to adjust sound data and position for spatial audio. It appears that Samsung and Google are developing their own versions of Dolby Atmos. Additionally, Samsung says creators will be able to upload videos using Eclipsa Audio to YouTube later this year, but support for other platforms has not yet been announced.
Samsung first announced plans to develop 3D spatial audio in 2023 when it collaborated with Google on the Immersive Audio Model and Format (IAMF). IAMF was adopted by the Alliance for Open Media (AOM), which counts Amazon, Apple, and Netflix among its members. This isn’t the first time Samsung has eschewed Dolby, as it has opted for HDR10+ instead of Dolby Vision for its TVs.
Pricing and availability for the new soundbar models have not yet been announced. That information is likely to arrive closer to release. For reference, the Q990D is $2,000, but again, that includes the subwoofer and rear speakers. Sony’s Bar 9 costs $1,400 just for the soundbar itself.
