Soundbars / Polk Audio Signa S4 vs Samsung HW-Q990H
Polk Audio Signa S4 vs Samsung HW-Q990H
Samsung HW-Q990H
23 drivers, 11.1.4, rears and sub included — the most complete system here.
Wins overall by 2.0 points
Quick Verdict
The Samsung HW-Q990H is the stronger all-round pick, ahead by 2.0 points. 23 drivers, 11.1.4, rears and sub included — the most complete system here.
The Polk Audio Signa S4 and Samsung HW-Q990H are both closely matched soundbar models, and the Polk Audio Signa S4 is $1,551 cheaper than the Samsung HW-Q990H ($449 vs $1,999.99). On Connectivity, the Samsung HW-Q990H leads (9.8 vs 4.5/10) — HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support. On Features, the Samsung HW-Q990H leads (9.5 vs 5.5/10) — room calibration, TV-brand integration, app control and expandability. On Surround & Height, the Samsung HW-Q990H leads (9.8 vs 7.0/10) — dolby Atmos height effect and how convincingly it places surround audio. Overall, the Samsung HW-Q990H scores 8.8/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 6.8/10 for the Polk Audio Signa S4. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Polk Audio Signa S4 | Samsung HW-Q990H |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.00 | $1999.99 |
| Release Year | 2022 | 2026 |
| Channels | 3.1.2 | 11.1.4 (23 drivers: 7.0.2 main bar, 4.0.2 rears, dual 8-inch subwoofer) |
| Total Power (W) | Not published by the manufacturer | Samsung does not publish wattage for this model |
| Subwoofer | Included (wireless), 5.9-inch driver | Included (wireless) — a 25cm cube with two 8-inch woofers in push/pull |
| Rear Speakers | None — Polk's SR2 wireless surrounds pair with the MagniFi range, not the Signa S4 | Included (wireless, with up-firing drivers) |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
| DTS:X | No | Yes, plus Eclipsa Audio |
| HDMI Ports (ports) | 1 | 3✓ |
| HDMI Passthrough | None — eARC output only | 4K/120Hz with VRR and ALLM, HDR10, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision on both inputs |
| eARC | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi & Streaming | None | Yes — AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and Roon Ready |
| Bluetooth | Not published by the manufacturer | 5.3 |
| Voice Assistant | None | 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 7.5 — a 2.0-point margin on overall tonal balance, clarity and detail. If that is what you are buying for, the Polk Audio Signa S4 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Bass
The Samsung HW-Q990H leads clearly here, 9.5 against 7.5 — a 2.0-point margin on low-end weight and extension, with or without a separate subwoofer. If that is what you are buying for, the Polk Audio Signa S4 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Dialogue Clarity
The Samsung HW-Q990H leads clearly here, 8.5 against 8.0 — a 0.5-point margin on how well speech cuts through a busy soundtrack. If that is what you are buying for, the Polk Audio Signa S4 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Surround & Height
The Samsung HW-Q990H leads clearly here, 9.8 against 7.0 — a 2.8-point margin on dolby Atmos height effect and how convincingly it places surround audio. If that is what you are buying for, the Polk Audio Signa S4 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Connectivity
The Samsung HW-Q990H leads clearly here, 9.8 against 4.5 — a 5.3-point margin on HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support. If that is what you are buying for, the Polk Audio Signa S4 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Features
The Samsung HW-Q990H leads clearly here, 9.5 against 5.5 — a 4.0-point margin on room calibration, TV-brand integration, app control and expandability. If that is what you are buying for, the Polk Audio Signa S4 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Design & Build
The Samsung HW-Q990H leads clearly here, 7.0 against 6.5 — a 0.5-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 Polk Audio Signa S4 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Polk Audio Signa S4 leads clearly here, 7.5 against 6.5 — a 1.0-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 Polk Audio Signa S4 if…
- • You want to spend less — it's $1,551 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is tv-upgrade.
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).
- • Features matters most to you — the Samsung HW-Q990H scores 9.5/10 here (room calibration, TV-brand integration, app control and expandability).
- • Surround & Height matters most to you — the Samsung HW-Q990H scores 9.8/10 here (dolby Atmos height effect and how convincingly it places surround audio).
- • 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
Polk Audio Signa S4
Pros
- +True up-firing height drivers rather than virtualised Atmos, which most bars at this price lack
- +VoiceAdjust genuinely helps with mumbled dialogue
- +Dolby Atmos Certified
- +Included wireless subwoofer
Cons
- −No Wi-Fi or smart features of any kind
- −No DTS:X support
- −Cannot be expanded with rear speakers
- −2022 hardware still selling at a 2022 price
- −42 inches wide, so it needs a wide TV stand
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 Polk Audio Signa S4 or Samsung HW-Q990H better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Samsung HW-Q990H 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 Connectivity, the Polk Audio Signa S4 or the Samsung HW-Q990H?+
The Samsung HW-Q990H scores higher on Connectivity (9.8/10 vs 4.5/10) — HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support.
Which is better for Features, the Polk Audio Signa S4 or the Samsung HW-Q990H?+
The Samsung HW-Q990H scores higher on Features (9.5/10 vs 5.5/10) — room calibration, TV-brand integration, app control and expandability.
Which is better for Surround & Height, the Polk Audio Signa S4 or the Samsung HW-Q990H?+
The Samsung HW-Q990H scores higher on Surround & Height (9.8/10 vs 7.0/10) — dolby Atmos height effect and how convincingly it places surround audio.
Which is better for Sound Quality, the Polk Audio Signa S4 or the Samsung HW-Q990H?+
The Samsung HW-Q990H scores higher on Sound Quality (9.5/10 vs 7.5/10) — overall tonal balance, clarity and detail.
Is the Polk Audio Signa S4 worth the price difference over the Samsung HW-Q990H?+
The Polk Audio Signa S4 is the cheaper option at $449 versus $1,999.99. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Connectivity.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Polk Audio Signa S4 is the better fit if you mainly care about tv-upgrade. The Samsung HW-Q990H is the better fit for gaming.
What's the warranty on the Polk Audio Signa S4 vs the Samsung HW-Q990H?+
The Polk Audio Signa S4 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
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) — $349.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.