I had a chance to test and compare two models: Sonos Beam vs Samsung HW-Q90R and this review should help people who are looking for a good soundbar. The Sonos Beam was rated 6, while the Samsung HW-Q90R has a rating 8.2. The soundbars are equipped with a different number of buttons, volume down, volume up, microphone, play/pause for the Beam and power, volume down, volume up, source for the HW-Q90R.
Each of the models under consideration has active amplification type. A noticeable difference is the number of channels that Beam has 3.0 and HW-Q90R has 7.1.4. The built-in subwoofer is not implemented in any of these models. An external subwoofer can be connected to any of the units in this comparison. Rate 6 out of 10 received the Sonos Beam for audio features and specs, but the Samsung HW-Q90R received 9 out of 10. The HW-Q90R can play audio from Spotify.
Both models have a wireless Wi-Fi interface. Soundbars from this comparison have Bluetooth support. There are 1/0 HDMI inputs/outputs in the Sonos Beam versus 2/1 HDMIs in the Samsung HW-Q90R. The HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) is implemented only in the HW-Q90R. We rated the connectivity of the Beam at 6 out of 10, while the HW-Q90R was rated 7/10.
Each of the soundbars can be controlled using the application. The soundbars in this review are equipped with a microphone. The Samsung HW-Q90R may become part of a multiroom system.
Dolby Atmos audio decoder is onboard the HW-Q90R. The HW-Q90R can work with surround sound due to DTS:X support. The Beam was rated 4/10, while the HW-Q90R received a mark of 10/10 for multichannel surround.