Soundbars / Samsung HW-Q990H vs Hisense HS2100
Samsung HW-Q990H vs Hisense HS2100
Samsung HW-Q990H
23 drivers, 11.1.4, rears and sub included — the most complete system here.
Wins overall by 3.0 points
Quick Verdict
The Samsung HW-Q990H is the stronger all-round pick, ahead by 3.0 points. 23 drivers, 11.1.4, rears and sub included — the most complete system here.
The Samsung HW-Q990H and Hisense HS2100 are both closely matched soundbar models, and the Hisense HS2100 is $1,870 cheaper than the Samsung HW-Q990H ($129.99 vs $1,999.99). On Surround & Height, the Samsung HW-Q990H leads (9.8 vs 4.0/10) — dolby Atmos height effect and how convincingly it places surround audio. On Connectivity, the Samsung HW-Q990H leads (9.8 vs 4.0/10) — HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support. On Features, the Samsung HW-Q990H leads (9.5 vs 4.5/10) — room calibration, TV-brand integration, app control and expandability. Overall, the Samsung HW-Q990H scores 8.8/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 5.8/10 for the Hisense HS2100. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Samsung HW-Q990H | Hisense HS2100 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1999.99 | $129.99 |
| Release Year | 2026 | 2023 |
| Channels | 11.1.4 (23 drivers: 7.0.2 main bar, 4.0.2 rears, dual 8-inch subwoofer) | 2.1 |
| Total Power (W) | Samsung does not publish wattage for this model | 240 |
| Subwoofer | Included (wireless) — a 25cm cube with two 8-inch woofers in push/pull | Included (wireless), 120W, 11cm slim cabinet |
| Rear Speakers | Included (wireless, with up-firing drivers) | None |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | No |
| DTS:X | Yes, plus Eclipsa Audio | No |
| HDMI Ports (ports) | 3✓ | 1 |
| HDMI Passthrough | 4K/120Hz with VRR and ALLM, HDR10, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision on both inputs | None |
| eARC | Yes | No |
| Wi-Fi & Streaming | Yes — AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and Roon Ready | None |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Voice Assistant | Alexa built in; also works with Google Assistant | None |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black | Black |
Category Scores
Sound Quality
The Samsung HW-Q990H leads clearly here, 9.5 against 6.0 — a 3.5-point margin on overall tonal balance, clarity and detail. If that is what you are buying for, the Hisense HS2100 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Bass
The Samsung HW-Q990H leads clearly here, 9.5 against 7.0 — a 2.5-point margin on low-end weight and extension, with or without a separate subwoofer. If that is what you are buying for, the Hisense HS2100 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Dialogue Clarity
The Samsung HW-Q990H leads clearly here, 8.5 against 6.5 — a 2.0-point margin on how well speech cuts through a busy soundtrack. If that is what you are buying for, the Hisense HS2100 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Surround & Height
The Samsung HW-Q990H leads clearly here, 9.8 against 4.0 — a 5.8-point margin on dolby Atmos height effect and how convincingly it places surround audio. If that is what you are buying for, the Hisense HS2100 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Connectivity
The Samsung HW-Q990H leads clearly here, 9.8 against 4.0 — a 5.8-point margin on HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support. If that is what you are buying for, the Hisense HS2100 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Features
The Samsung HW-Q990H leads clearly here, 9.5 against 4.5 — a 5.0-point margin on room calibration, TV-brand integration, app control and expandability. If that is what you are buying for, the Hisense HS2100 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 Hisense HS2100 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Hisense HS2100 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 Samsung HW-Q990H if…
- • 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).
- • 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).
- • 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).
Choose the Hisense HS2100 if…
- • You want to spend less — it's $1,870 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is tv-upgrade or compact.
Pros & Cons
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
Hisense HS2100
Pros
- +240W published power is a lot for the money
- +The slim subwoofer actually fits under a sofa or cabinet
- +Roku TV Ready means one remote controls everything on a Roku TV
- +Bluetooth 5.3
Cons
- −No Dolby Atmos — Dolby Digital only
- −DTS Virtual:X is a virtualiser, not true DTS:X
- −Plain ARC rather than eARC, which limits the audio formats a TV can send it
- −No Wi-Fi
- −It announces itself audibly at startup with no way to disable it
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Samsung HW-Q990H or Hisense HS2100 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 Surround & Height, the Samsung HW-Q990H or the Hisense HS2100?+
The Samsung HW-Q990H scores higher on Surround & Height (9.8/10 vs 4.0/10) — dolby Atmos height effect and how convincingly it places surround audio.
Which is better for Connectivity, the Samsung HW-Q990H or the Hisense HS2100?+
The Samsung HW-Q990H scores higher on Connectivity (9.8/10 vs 4.0/10) — HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support.
Which is better for Features, the Samsung HW-Q990H or the Hisense HS2100?+
The Samsung HW-Q990H scores higher on Features (9.5/10 vs 4.5/10) — room calibration, TV-brand integration, app control and expandability.
Which is better for Sound Quality, the Samsung HW-Q990H or the Hisense HS2100?+
The Samsung HW-Q990H scores higher on Sound Quality (9.5/10 vs 6.0/10) — overall tonal balance, clarity and detail.
Is the Samsung HW-Q990H worth the price difference over the Hisense HS2100?+
The Hisense HS2100 is the cheaper option at $129.99 versus $1,999.99. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Surround & Height.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Samsung HW-Q990H is the better fit if you mainly care about home-theater or dolby-atmos. The Hisense HS2100 is the better fit for tv-upgrade or compact.
What's the warranty on the Samsung HW-Q990H vs the Hisense HS2100?+
The Samsung HW-Q990H ships with a 12-month warranty; the Hisense HS2100 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.
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.