Evaluating Samsung HW-Q995F: Continuing to Lead as Top Home Theater System Available
Revamped Samsung HW-Q995F Home Cinema System
The king of Samsung's home cinema line, the 2025 flagship HW-Q995F sport an annual upgrade cycle. This latest model seems to offer little fresh compared to its fantastic predecessor, but a deep subwoofer overhaul is anything but small fry. Is this evolution or regression?
© Guillaume Fourcardier for our site By Guillaume Fourcadier Tech Journalist - Audio ExpertPublished on , last modified on
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Table of Contents
- Design: Aesthetic Overhaul and Compact Subwoofer (4.5/5)
- Connectivity: Top-Notch, Next-Gen Capabilities (5/5)
- Features: Streamlined Smart Connectivity (4.5/5)
- Sound Quality: Consistently Impressive (5/5)
- Durability and Repairability: Room for Improvement (2/5)
- Alternative Options with a Punch
- Conclusion
Like its high-end counterparts, the HW-Q995F isn't just a soundbar, but an ensemble of separate components: a soundbar, a subwoofer, and a pair of satellite speakers, creating a 11.1.4 configuration offering a Surround and Atmos experience with a reduced footprint and reasonable cost.
Samsung maintains the technical and sonic characteristics of its previous model, the HW-Q995D, including the integration of HDMI 2.1 ports. However, Samsung reduces the subwoofer's size and refines design elements on the soundbar.
Design: Aesthetic Overhaul and Compact Subwoofer (4.5/5)
In terms of design, discussing the HW-Q995F's soundbar and satellite speakers echoes last year's observations. Samsung sticks with practicality, yet the soundbar's top panel gains prominent stripes, a stylistic choice that might be divisive but sets it apart.
The small satellite speakers, unchanged from last year, are compact and blend easily into various pieces of furniture.
The star of the show is the redesigned subwoofer, now sporting a sleek cube shape with rounded edges, approximately 60% less voluminous than its previous incarnation: 24.9 x 24.9 x 24.9 cm compared to 22 x 41 x 41 cm. This shrinkage makes it easier to accommodate the subwoofer, making it look more premium. Samsung delivers an unpretentious yet refined design.
© Guillaume Fourcardier for our siteThe packaging is simple yet effective, offering four power cables, a remote control, an HDMI cable, and mounts for wall-mounting the soundbar.
Connectivity: Top-Notch, Next-Gen Capabilities (5/5)
Samsung has considerably expanded the HW-Q995F's connectivity. The 2025 model boasts two HDMI 2.1 inputs (4K/120Hz, VRR, ALLM) suitable for gaming and an HDMI eARC port, as well as an optical Toslink input. Additionally, it features Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Importantly, thanks to the HDMI/HDMI eARC ports, it supports a vast array of audio formats and codecs, including Dolby and DTS.
While some might lament the absence of an Ethernet port and USB-A for local file playback, it's hard to be dissatisfied with the array of options available.
Features: Streamlined Smart Connectivity (4.5/5)
Setting up the HW-Q995F is straightforward, requiring minimal effort to place the components and establish the wireless connection. Samsung promotes front positioning for the satellites to expand the sound stage, effectively eliminating the concept of rear channels.
Despite the quality of traditional elements, Samsung's approach to ergonomics veers from the norm. Only the soundbar's buttons provide basic functionality, while the front display is small and difficult to read. The remote control takes care of the rest, with access to all essential functions and some sound settings.
© Guillaume Fourcardier for our siteThe heart of the HW-Q995F experience lies within the SmartThings app. Its clean interface houses a range of sound and ergonomic settings, as well as connected functionality for seamless integration with your smart devices.
Furthermore, the HW-Q995F is voice-controllable via built-in Alexa, with support for Google Assistant via a compatible third-party device if desired.
Sound Quality: Consistently Impressive (5/5)
The Samsung HW-Q995F is built on a 11.1.4 sound architecture, with 11 horizontal channels, 1 subwoofer, 4 vertical channels, distributed across 23 speakers. The soundbar contains 15 speakers, including 2 vertical ones for Atmos effects, and 3 speakers in each satellite. The subwoofer sees an improvement in woofer count, now featuring 2 20cm drivers.
Frequency Response, Precision, and Dynamics
The HW-Q995F maintains the sonic fundamentals of the HW-Q995D: sound balance, dynamics, power, and precision. It delivers a natural sound without veil-like qualities, optimally exploiting the inherent qualities of its various speakers. Minimal deviations in frequency response are encountered, and audio remains aggressive-free.
© Guillaume Fourcardier for our siteThe HW-Q995F delivers a Hi-Fi experience without being completely neutral. It offers punchy and precise sound, with no perceivable loss of power compared to its predecessor, despite the smaller subwoofer.
Spatialization and Immersion
By replicating the sound architecture of the HW-Q995D, the HW-Q995F mirrors its predecessor's performance, which already boasts excellent spatialization and immersion. It offers an impressive sense of width, with precision and marked surround and Atmos effects.
The HW-Q995F falls short of true perfection in terms of spatialization, but it creates a wide, detailed sound bubble that envelops the listener.
Durability and Repairability: Room for Improvement (2/5)
Samsung makes no extraordinary efforts in terms of the HW-Q995F's durability. Repairability is limited, as customer service is the only option for addressing issues. No separate components are offered, and no repair efforts are emphasized.
Alternative Options with a Punch
Despite a competitive market, the HW-Q995F faces few direct competitors. Potential alternatives include:
Samsung HW-Q935D
Less powerful, slightly less immersive (9.1.4), and slightly less encompassing, the HW-Q935D is an impressive value proposition for those seeking an affordable approach to Dolby Atmos.
LG S95TR
The LG S95TR serves as the sole serious competitor to the HW-Q995F. It struggles to match the precision of Samsung's surround and Atmos effects but boasts the exceptional quality of its central channel (dialogue).
Conclusion
Samsung maintains its stranglehold on the home cinema market, with competitors failing to match its standards. The HW-Q995D was already the best model of 2024, and the HW-Q995F is poised to reign as the best of 2025. The product's strength lies in its complete system, with only minor drawbacks such as a small display. The design is robust, connectivity is top-notch, and the sound quality is both technically impressive and immersive. A highly recommended product.
- Design quality and accessories: 4.5/5
- Connectivity: 5/5
- Ease of use and functionalities: 4.5/5
- Sound performance: 5/5
- Durability and repairability: 2/5
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- The HW-Q995F, a component of Samsung's high-end home cinema line, integrates a compact subwoofer within its ensemble of soundbar, subwoofer, and satellite speakers, creating a 11.1.4 configuration.
- Samsung refines the design elements on the HW-Q995F soundbar, compared to the HW-Q995D, but reduces the size of the subwoofer, making it 60% less voluminous.
- The HW-Q995F boasts top-notch connectivity with HDMI 2.1 ports and an HDMI eARC port, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connectivity, supporting a vast array of audio formats and codecs.
- Despite minimal deviations in frequency response, the HW-Q995F audio remains aggressive-free and delivers a natural sound with minimal loss of power compared to its predecessor, despite the smaller subwoofer.
- Samsung's subwoofer overhaul with the HW-Q995F is anything but a small change, as it now features 2 20cm drivers compared to the previous model.
- The HW-Q995F is a highly recommended product, with only minor drawbacks such as a small display for settings. Its design is robust, connectivity is top-notch, and the sound quality is both technically impressive and immersive.
