Sony HT-ST5000 vs Samsung HW-Q90R review

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I had a chance to test and compare two models: Sony HT-ST5000 vs Samsung HW-Q90R and this review should help people who are looking for a good soundbar. The Sony HT-ST5000 was rated 8.6, while the Samsung HW-Q90R has a rating 8.2. The soundbars are equipped with a different number of buttons, power, volume down, volume up, input Bluetooth, music service for the HT-ST5000 and power, volume down, volume up, source for the HW-Q90R.

Audio features

Each of the models under consideration has active amplification type. A noticeable difference is the number of channels that HT-ST5000 has 7.1.2 and HW-Q90R has 7.1.4. These rivals can be compared in terms of power, 800 (overall) versus 512 (overall) according to devices. 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. Audio features and specs of considered models we rated 9 out of 10 in our ranking.

Streaming services

Soundbars do not have AirPlay support. Each of the competitors can play content from Spotify.

Connectivity

Both models have a wireless Wi-Fi interface. Soundbars from this comparison have Bluetooth support. There are 3/1 HDMI inputs/outputs in the Sony HT-ST5000 versus 2/1 HDMIs in the Samsung HW-Q90R. As in the HT-ST5000, so in the HW-Q90R there is the HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). Connecting devices via USB is possible in both models. We rated the connectivity of the HT-ST5000 at 9 out of 10, while the HW-Q90R was rated 7/10.

Features

Each of the soundbars can be controlled using the application. The soundbars in this review are equipped with a microphone. The models under consideration can become part of a multiroom system.

Multichannel surround

Manufacturers equipped both units with Dolby Atmos audio decoder. Units from this comparison can process surround sound due to DTS:X support. The HT-ST5000 was rated 8/10, while the HW-Q90R received a mark of 10/10 for multichannel surround.