I had a chance to test and compare two models: Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 vs Samsung HW-Q90R and this review should help people who are looking for a good soundbar. Both soundbars received a score of 8.2 in our ranking. The soundbars are equipped with a different number of buttons, power, source, demo, volume down, volume up for the Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 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 Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 has 9.2.4 and HW-Q90R has 7.1.4. These rivals can be compared in terms of power, 1000 (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. Rate 10 out of 10 received the Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 for audio features and specs, but the Samsung HW-Q90R received 9 out of 10.
Soundbars do not have AirPlay support. Each of the competitors can play content from Spotify.
Wireless Internet connection is realized only in the HW-Q90R. Soundbars from this comparison have Bluetooth support. There are 3/1 HDMI inputs/outputs in the Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 versus 2/1 HDMIs in the Samsung HW-Q90R. As in the Shockwafe Ultra 9.2, 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 Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 at 8 out of 10, while the HW-Q90R was rated 7/10. The manufacturer of the HW-Q90R provides a device control application. The Samsung HW-Q90R equipped with a microphone. The Samsung HW-Q90R may become part of a multiroom system.
Manufacturers equipped both units with Dolby Atmos audio decoder. Units from this comparison can process surround sound due to DTS:X support. The same score of 10/10 was put to the soundbars for multichannel surround support.