The HW-Q950T is the most ambitious soundbar produced by
Samsung, particularly suitable for televisions with 50 "upwards. In fact,
calling it soundbar is rather simplistic, if only for the presence of three
other Bluetooth devices: a subwoofer and two satellites for rear effects.
A total 9.1.4 configuration that can take advantage of
advanced encodings, from Dolby ATMOS to DTS: X. Compared to the previous
HW-Q90R, the Q Symphony and Tap Sound functionality developed by Samsung is
included, there is also Amazon Alexa and this time the eARC return audio is not
missing either. techwadia
Design and control systems
HW-Q950T shows an elegant cabinet, redesigned compared to
previous models, which can also be positioned in front of the TV as long as the
latter is slightly higher than 69.5 mm. It is covered with a black Kvadrat
fabric , helping to give a modern, technological and classy look. Wall mounting
brackets are included and dimensions are 123.2cm wide and 138mm deep, with a
soundbar weight alone of 7.1kg. Typically soundbars tend to position the
display for control frontally for a more immediate feedback, but not in this
case given the questionable position on the upper side.
In fact, this makes it very difficult to grasp the
information flowing on it , since it is also stingy in terms of size and number
of characters visible at the same time. In addition, the physical controls,
always on the upper side, are dark in color on black fabric, impossible to see
in the dark. However, this can be compensated for with the complete remote
control, unfortunately not backlit, with a circular navigation element that
also incorporates play-pause control, treble and bass setting, volume, subwoofer
intervention degree, source selection, Bluetooth pairing, preset and mode.
audio.
Control is also possible through Alexa and the SmartThings
app, installed by default on Samsung smartphones but can also be downloaded
from other Android phones and iPhones. The controls offer additional functions
based on how long you hold them down: with five seconds on the Woofer button
you disable the management of the soundbar via a Samsung TV for example.
Functionality
Available presets include "Standard",
"Surround", "Game Pro" and "Adaptive Sound".
"Standard" decodes but does not affect the sound, "Game
Pro" and "Surround" are both effective, where the first of the
two emphasizes the entire frequency spectrum with additional energy.
More balanced and ready to load with more congenial emphasis
is the "Surround", to be used in the presence of any encoding that
exploits all the available channels beyond the two musical stereos. Finally,
the Adaptive analyzes the signal, optimizing it in real time with a redistribution
here too linked to the choices of the engineers of the Californian Audio Lab ,
owned by Samsung, also taking advantage of the rear speakers. Do not
underestimate the SmartThings app, which simplifies configuration operations
and gives access to multiple streaming services including Spotify, TuneIn,
Deezer, Samsung Music, Amazon Music and certainly not least Apple Music.
We recall the compatibility for FLAC, ALAC, AIFF, WAV, AAC
and MP3 audio formats, with high resolution audio enjoyment up to 24 bit / 192
kHz.
The active subwoofer does not differ from the previous
model, with rear bass-reflex agreement, 8 "inch driver and the same black
Kvadrat fabric. The overall dimensions are relative: it is 21 cm wide, 40.3 cm
high and 40.3 deep cm, for a weight of 9.8 Kg.
To obtain the fateful 9.1.4 channels, 14 speakers + the
subwoofer are used, and a total of 20 drivers and 546 Watt of amplification. As
usual, the two rear units must be positioned equidistant from the listening
point, remembering to leave the upper side free to 'look' upwards. Only in this
way will it be possibles to give vent todiffusion of vertical reflection
elements for object codecs ; to a similar extent the soundbar also works, not
only vertically through two specific speakers but also laterally, always using
the proximity walls for the sound bounce. At the front, the center, front right
and left channels each employ a double woofer and a tweeter, while the
engineering has led to the development of specific signal virtualization
algorithms.
These are dedicated depending on the channel and its preset
for a particularly large and rewarding soundstage and maximum emphasis and
stage presence with the "Surround" mode. Among the functions offered
by the Q950T we find the "Q Symphony", owner of Samsung, which in the
presence of a (compatible) TV of the same brand allows you to take advantage of
the TV speakers in combination, with synchronization of both devices and
additional load for the front face. The set of terminals for the connection is
present in the rear part, inside a recess whose geometry during the test caused
a certain twist of the head of the connector with respect to the cable, due to
the angle of entry into the HDMI port. Side by side and with very little space
available, the digital audio inputs S / PDIF, 2 x HDMI 2.0 and HDMI ARC / eARC,
really difficult to think of being able to cram them all without encountering a
physical obstacle. HDMI allows for clean transit for any HDR video signal,
including HDR-10 + and Dolby Vision.
Setup and test
The configuration is quite simple, both with Bluetooth 5.0
for devices such as smartphones and tablets (Tap Sound works only with devices
of the same brand), and the first round of connections between the four
wireless units. Once the blue lights have finished flashing, paring is
complete; even if you turn off the power, you hardly notice the realignment . A
system so sophisticated and intriguing in terms of sound redistribution,
however, deserved a further effort in terms of calibration.
At these levels, an automatic correction system based on
absorption / reflection of the room seemed legitimate, so that we find
ourselves having to deal with any curtains, false ceilings, carpets and any
element present and potentially 'harmful' to the final result. An external
microphone to be placed where the listener sits would have made a huge
difference, favoring the perception of the 9.1.4 channels. The solution would
be to act manually with a sound pressure meter, dedicated application and audio
test signals by intervening through SmartThings for a more balanced show, but
this is a precedence that few will be able to do.
While gaming offers more of a cue regardless of the audio
material, the most striking results are achieved with audio codecs such as
ATMOS and DTS: X. Tests with UHD discs have shown sensitivity and ability to
route multiple channels with precision and great yield .
Those who have experience of listening through real vertical
channels will not cry out to the miracle, but if the ceiling is not too high the
result is guaranteed. The use also with music and speech is favored by balanced
profiles, without distortions even at high volumes, while the absence of
"nocturnal" listening is felt, with the typical preset aimed at
making the dialogues intelligible and cutting the bass. The neutral and
balanced sound profile is suitable for most musical genres, working through the
graphic equalizer for further finishing. Listening is pleasant even for stereo
programs only, via the "Standard" preset, while the adaptive also
re-elaborates the stereophony of any television program, re-proposing it with a
pleasant distribution. It is with the "Surround" mode that the fun
reaches its peak, even with more 'simple' encodings such as Dolby Digital and
DTS lossy.
