Soundbars / LG S95AR vs Samsung HW-Q990H
LG S95AR vs Samsung HW-Q990H
LG S95AR
A complete 9.1.5 system with rears and sub in the box — the LG OLED match.
Wins overall by 0.0 points
Quick Verdict
Too close to call on score alone: 0.0 points separate them. A complete 9.1.5 system with rears and sub in the box — the LG OLED match. The Samsung HW-Q990H answers with a different set of strengths, so let the categories below decide it.
The LG S95AR and Samsung HW-Q990H are both closely matched soundbar models, and the LG S95AR is $301 cheaper than the Samsung HW-Q990H ($1,699 vs $1,999.99). On Value, the LG S95AR leads (8.0 vs 6.5/10) — performance and features relative to price. On Design & Build, the LG S95AR leads (8.0 vs 7.0/10) — finish, size relative to a TV, and how well it fits a living room. On Connectivity, the Samsung HW-Q990H leads (9.8 vs 9.0/10) — HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support. Overall, the LG S95AR scores 8.8/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 8.8/10 for the Samsung HW-Q990H, though the gap is close enough that your specific use case should decide it. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | LG S95AR | Samsung HW-Q990H |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1699.00 | $1999.99 |
| Release Year | 2025 | 2026 |
| Channels | 9.1.5 (17 drivers, five up-firing including a centre height channel) | 11.1.4 (23 drivers: 7.0.2 main bar, 4.0.2 rears, dual 8-inch subwoofer) |
| Total Power (W) | 810 | Samsung does not publish wattage for this model |
| Subwoofer | Included (wireless), 8-inch driver in a 20-litre cabinet, extending to 27.1Hz | Included (wireless) — a 25cm cube with two 8-inch woofers in push/pull |
| Rear Speakers | Included — six-channel true wireless rears with up-firing drivers | Included (wireless, with up-firing drivers) |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
| DTS:X | Yes | Yes, plus Eclipsa Audio |
| HDMI Ports (ports) | 2 | 3✓ |
| HDMI Passthrough | 4K/120Hz with VRR and ALLM, HDCP 2.3, HDR10 and Dolby Vision | 4K/120Hz with VRR and ALLM, HDR10, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision on both inputs |
| eARC | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi & Streaming | Yes — AirPlay 2, Google Cast and Spotify Connect all supported | Yes — AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and Roon Ready |
| Bluetooth | Not published by the manufacturer | 5.3 |
| Voice Assistant | Works with Alexa and Google Home; whether either is built in is not confirmed by LG. The built-in microphone is documented for room calibration | Alexa built in; also works with Google Assistant |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black | Black |
Category Scores
Sound Quality
The Samsung HW-Q990H leads clearly here, 9.5 against 9.0 — a 0.5-point margin on overall tonal balance, clarity and detail. If that is what you are buying for, the LG S95AR does not close the gap elsewhere.
Bass
The Samsung HW-Q990H leads clearly here, 9.5 against 9.0 — a 0.5-point margin on low-end weight and extension, with or without a separate subwoofer. If that is what you are buying for, the LG S95AR does not close the gap elsewhere.
Dialogue Clarity
The LG S95AR and Samsung HW-Q990H are level here, at 8.5/10 each. how well speech cuts through a busy soundtrack is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Surround & Height
The Samsung HW-Q990H is marginally ahead, 9.8 to 9.5. A gap this small rarely decides a purchase on its own, though it counts if dolby Atmos height effect and how convincingly it places surround audio is your priority.
Connectivity
The Samsung HW-Q990H leads clearly here, 9.8 against 9.0 — a 0.8-point margin on HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support. If that is what you are buying for, the LG S95AR does not close the gap elsewhere.
Features
The Samsung HW-Q990H leads clearly here, 9.5 against 9.0 — a 0.5-point margin on room calibration, TV-brand integration, app control and expandability. If that is what you are buying for, the LG S95AR does not close the gap elsewhere.
Design & Build
The LG S95AR leads clearly here, 8.0 against 7.0 — a 1.0-point margin on finish, size relative to a TV, and how well it fits a living room. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung HW-Q990H does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The LG S95AR leads clearly here, 8.0 against 6.5 — a 1.5-point margin on performance and features relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung HW-Q990H does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the LG S95AR if…
- • Value matters most to you — the LG S95AR scores 8.0/10 here (performance and features relative to price).
- • Design & Build matters most to you — the LG S95AR scores 8.0/10 here (finish, size relative to a TV, and how well it fits a living room).
- • You want to spend less — it's $301 cheaper.
Choose the Samsung HW-Q990H if…
- • Connectivity matters most to you — the Samsung HW-Q990H scores 9.8/10 here (HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support).
- • Sound Quality matters most to you — the Samsung HW-Q990H scores 9.5/10 here (overall tonal balance, clarity and detail).
- • Bass matters most to you — the Samsung HW-Q990H scores 9.5/10 here (low-end weight and extension, with or without a separate subwoofer).
Pros & Cons
LG S95AR
Pros
- +Rear speakers and subwoofer both included, so it is a complete system out of the box
- +The only bar here with a centre up-firing height channel
- +810W published power and full 4K/120Hz VRR pass-through
- +WOW Orchestra and WOWCAST make it the natural match for an LG OLED
Cons
- −LG does not publish the Bluetooth version
- −Whether Alexa or Google Assistant is genuinely built in is unclear from LG's own materials
- −Large footprint — the bar, sub and two rears need real space
- −2025 hardware, and LG has announced a modular Sound Suite successor with no price or date
Samsung HW-Q990H
Pros
- +23 drivers in 11.1.4 — the most complete out-of-the-box surround system here
- +Two HDMI 2.1 inputs with full 4K/120Hz VRR, so consoles can run through it
- +Wireless Dolby Atmos from a Samsung TV removes the HDMI cable entirely
- +Roon Ready and Tidal Connect make it a serious music system too
Cons
- −$1,999 — a $300 increase over the 2025 Q990F for what reviewers call a minor refinement
- −Dated design and a front display that is hard to read
- −Samsung does not publish power figures
- −The Samsung Sound app had limited compatibility at launch; SmartThings is the primary controller
- −The outgoing Q990F is still on sale at heavy discounts and is arguably better value
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the LG S95AR or Samsung HW-Q990H better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the LG S95AR comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Value, the LG S95AR or the Samsung HW-Q990H?+
The LG S95AR scores higher on Value (8.0/10 vs 6.5/10) — performance and features relative to price.
Which is better for Design & Build, the LG S95AR or the Samsung HW-Q990H?+
The LG S95AR scores higher on Design & Build (8.0/10 vs 7.0/10) — finish, size relative to a TV, and how well it fits a living room.
Which is better for Connectivity, the LG S95AR or the Samsung HW-Q990H?+
The Samsung HW-Q990H scores higher on Connectivity (9.8/10 vs 9.0/10) — HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support.
Which is better for Sound Quality, the LG S95AR or the Samsung HW-Q990H?+
The Samsung HW-Q990H scores higher on Sound Quality (9.5/10 vs 9.0/10) — overall tonal balance, clarity and detail.
Is the LG S95AR worth the price difference over the Samsung HW-Q990H?+
The LG S95AR is the cheaper option at $1,699 versus $1,999.99. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Value.
What's the warranty on the LG S95AR vs the Samsung HW-Q990H?+
The LG S95AR ships with a 12-month warranty; the Samsung HW-Q990H ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
LG S95AR — $1699.00
Premium Option
Samsung HW-Q990H — $1999.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.