Key specs – Elements: Soundbar, subwoofer; Channel configuration: 3.1; Stated power: 430W; Connections: 1 x HDMI input, 1 x HDMI output, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, optical digital audio input; HDMI passthrough support: HD, SDR (no 4K or HDR); HDMI ARC support: Yes; Dimensions (WDH): Soundbar: 1030 x 105 x 60mm, subwoofer – 184 x 295 x 346mm; Weight: Soundbar – 3.1kg, subwoofer – 5.1kg That's even though the bass features some truly epic rumbles from the Q800C’s subwoofer. The 8-inch driver reaches prodigious low frequency depths that provide action scenes with a huge sense of scale and heft. It does so, moreover, without either hanging too loosely off the bottom of the main soundbar’s lowest frequencies, or sounding flattened or compressed when the going gets really tough. The best Samsung soundbars to buy in 2023 1. Samsung HW-Q990B: The best Samsung soundbar for immersion Generally, soundbars are a single long speaker with several drivers inside but some come with external subwoofers for extra low-end extension and rear speakers for surround sound effects whereas others are compatible with other speakers from within the manufacturer's brand. If floor-shaking bass is high on your priority list then these are models you'll want to consider. Ideally, we would recommend going all in on an AV amplifier and matching home theatre speaker system, but in reality, we understand that not everyone has the space and/or the budget for something like this. That's why we recommend a soundbar as a great alternative.

The HW-Q990B is Samsung’s flagship soundbar and delivers the most immersive sound performance of any soundbar we’ve heard. It immaculately envelops you in a hemisphere of sound, and delivers a three-dimensional sense of space that includes sounds above you, behind you and down your sides. This is essential to a true Dolby Atmos experience, and the 11.1.4-channel setup delivers this in a uniquely effective way. Key specs – Elements: Soundbar, subwoofer; Channel configuration: 3.1.2; Stated power: 330W; Connections: 1 x HDMI output, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi; HDMI passthrough support: N/A; HDMI ARC support: eARC; Dimensions (WDH): Soundbar – 1160 x 40 x 38mm, subwoofer – 238 x 238 x 241mm; Weight: Soundbar – 1.4kg, subwoofer – 6.4kg

Our pick of the best Samsung soundbars to buy regardless of whether or not you own one of the company's TVs

We’re also impressed by the width afforded by the virtual surround technology. It’s no match for real surround speakers, but as Dennis Nedry makes his escape through the driving rain you’re almost convinced that sound is coming from either side of you. Later, the herd of Gallimimus sweeps past the camera and the sound moves from one side to the other. Read the full Roku Streambar review How to choose a soundbar How to choose the best TV soundbar for you This is because as TVs have become slimmer, their in-built speakers have shrunk and are often positioned at the rear or underneath the screen - hardly the ideal position as large speakers that face forward will always be clearer and louder than tiny speakers pointing in another direction. Next, features and connectivity. Many modern TV soundbars boast ARC and eARC-enabled HDMI ports, which can handle high bandwidth multichannel audio formats as well as optical inputs for older TVs. If your TV has ARC/eARC, you'll be able to control the volume of your soundbar with your existing remote control. It's worth considering if having a separate physical remote for the soundbar is important to you or if you're comfortable with controlling settings from a smartphone app.

There are a few options to improve your TV sound that range from the budget to the expensive, but a soundbar is one of the simplest ways as they are typically compact and require minimal cabling. They often also have added benefits, such as wireless streaming over Bluetooth or WiFi. If your soundbar comes with its own automatic calibration software, then make sure you run it, so the soundbar’s audio output is matched to your room’s layout and characteristics. The Sonos Arc, for example, uses Sonos's Trueplaysoftware in conjunction with your smartphone's microphone to tailor its sound.The Q800C supports an impressive array of sound formats, ranging from Dolby Atmos and DTS:X multi-channel mixes to basic surround sound, stereo, and a wide range of music file formats - including FLAC, AIFF, AAC, ALAC, WAV, WMA, OGG and MP3. One small rider I’d add to the Q800C’s improved musicality is that you need to have the subwoofer placed in front of your seating position for it to meld most effectively with the main bar. I’m not entirely certain why, but my best guess is that Samsung’s latest Space Fit pro auto-calibration algorithms can get the best handle on it. The Samsung HW-Q800C’s main soundbar component looks a lot like its other bars, and at 1111mm / 43.4 inches wide, it's not too imposing to accommodate beneath your TV. This is a little less wide than the average 55-inch TV, and is pretty much exactly the width of a 50-inch TV, such as the Samsung Q90C. It's slightly wider than a 48-inch TV, such as the LG C3. That's what you get for not going with Samsung for everything… If you want a soundbar that’s more hi-fi oriented, even though it’s much more musical than its predecessors the Q800C can be bettered by some rivals, this is true. But for movies, at this price, nothing does it better. The included-as-standard 5.1.2 channels break down into a center speaker, front left and right speakers, side left and right speakers, two up-firing speakers built into the soundbar’s top edge, and a bass channel provided by the external wireless subwoofer. You can also effectively add more speakers to the system via Q Symphony, where the speakers in compatible Samsung TVs can intelligently join forces with those in the soundbar to deliver a bigger, more precisely detailed soundstage. The soundbar works just fine with any TV – compatible Samsung TVs just get an extra boost.

The Samsung HW-Q800C is simple to setup, with the subwoofer connecting automatically, and the SmartThings app discovering the Wi-Fi network without any issues. SpaceFit Sound Pro is also effective, using test tones to calibrate the system and eliminate the more egregious aspects of the room, thus ensuring the soundstage is balanced and the bass properly integrated. All the smart features of Samsung’s flagship Q990B soundbar model are present too – including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Alexa voice control. On top of all this, the key Dolby Atmos and DTS:X sound formats are not just supported but handled brilliantly. In short, the Q930B’s sound gets much closer to the mighty Q990B than you’d expect considering it costs two thirds of the price. Gamers, meanwhile, may enjoy the Q800C’s new Game Mode Pro feature, which tweaks the audio presentation to create a more dynamic and three-dimensional soundstage to make it easier to place where specific sounds are coming from. The soundbar can even automatically switch to its Game mode when your TV does (provided that TV is a Samsung model equipped with Game Hub menu support).There’s a pleasing crispness to the high-frequencies that allows detail and sonic textures to shine through, making Isla Nublar seem wonderfully atmospheric – the hiss of driving rain and the rustle of bushes are clear, while the sound of loud, screeching dinosaurs is conveyed without making your toes curl. Additional HDMI inputs are very useful too, as they let you pass audio from other sources through your soundbar. Such HDMI passthrough doesn’t always support all the video features you may want, however. Some soundbars won’t pass through Dolby Vision HDR or HDR10+ HDR signals, or the 4K/120Hz feeds now output by the latest games consoles and premium PCs. The soundbar itself has a sleek design and plenty of connectivity options, both the remote and mobile app are effective, while built-in Alexa not only adds a smart assistant but also voice control. You're transported to the heart of the action. Surround effects are expertly placed, and there's great dynamism and good weight to the sound too. Tonally, it's nicely balanced if you just want to listen to music, although it could sound a tiny bit more direct. But, there's no doubt this is a hugely impressive TV soundbar for the money. The wide main soundbar delivers audio with a fantastic amount of detail, power and dynamic range, the latter of which helps it blend in superbly with the monumental bass output by the subwoofer. A subwoofer which, by the way, features a so-called acoustic lens over its driver to help its bass sound smoother and less directional.