Samsung Electronics is updating its soundbar lineup for 2025 with a successor to last year’s flagship HW-Q990D and an entirely new “convertible” model that has much more versatility in terms of how it can be positioned.
The company first unveiled the new soundbars last week at CES 2025, though much of the attention was focused on its new TVs. But this week it revealed more information about its latest audio products.
Samsung’s executive vice president of the Visual Display Business, Hun Lee, said the new soundbars will provide “exceptional sound quality” and “seamless convenience” for users, offering an “immersive and personalised” audio experience.
Up first is the new HW-Q990F flagship soundbar (pictured, above), which replaces last year’s HW-Q990D and offers much the same setup – users get the soundbar itself along with a wireless subwoofer and two wireless surround speakers, which combine to create an immersive 11.1.4-channel sound system.
In terms of upgrades, the main thing appears to be the redesigned subwoofer, which is more compact yet also more powerful than last year’s version. It sports a nice cube shape that’s said to be half the size of its predecessor, and features a pair of 8-inch woofers that deliver a hefty 300-watts of sound.
There’s also a bevy of new AI features for sound optimisation. The Active Voice Amplifier Pro technology helps by analysing the TV’s content in real-time to eliminate background noise and improve the clarity of dialogue, while Dynamic Bass Control helps to expand the low-frequency bass range, reducing distortions.
Samsung’s Q-Symphony tech is also onboard, which makes it possible to combine the soundbar with the TV’s speakers or Samsung Music Frames to create a wider soundstage. In addition, it will also help users to position the Music Frame for the best effect.
Although the HW-Q990F is positioned as a Dolby Atmos soundbar, it also supports Samsung's new Eclipsa Audio surround sound format, in line with its 2025 televisions.
As for the brand new HW-Q700F (below), Samsung explained that this is its first-ever convertible Dolby Atmos soundbar.
By convertible, what Samsung means is that it can be positioned in a few different ways. For instance it can be placed on the TV stand in front of the TV, on a tabletop or wall-mounted like traditional soundbars. Due to the unique positioning of the drivers and its integrated gyroscopic sensor, it can deliver a 3.2.1-channel sound experience that’s “as sophisticated as its design”, no matter where it’s positioned, the company said.
Samsung said the new soundbars will go on sale later this year, and it will likely also release a bunch of mid-range and entry-level models too. Traditionally, it usually launches its audio products in the spring, so we won’t have long to wait. Pricing has not yet been confirmed.
