The catch
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
Buying the subwoofer and rear pair costs extra.
Side by side
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 vs Samsung HW-Q990F compared: Sony leaves bass and rears as later purchases, Samsung includes the surround kit
Quick verdict
Bar 9 is the choice if you want to start with one bar and pick compatible Sony bass and rear speakers afterward. The Q990F is the choice when this purchase should already include the subwoofer and rear pair, or when two HDMI inputs are essential. Compare complete systems, because the linked packages hold very different amounts of hardware.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Four speaker enclosures need placing in the Q990F package
That makes four physical positions for the bar, subwoofer and two rear speakers, against one for the Bar 9 package. Going wireless with the audio still leaves power and safe placement to plan, particularly behind the sofa.
Where this comes from
The reviewed Sony package has the bar without optional speakers. 1 bar + 1 subwoofer + 2 rear speakers = 4 enclosures.
The catch
Samsung HW-Q990F
You must plan positions and power for four speaker enclosures.
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
- Why pick it
- You begin with no separate subwoofer or rear speakers
- You pick the compatible Sony subwoofer and rear speakers one by one
- The catch
- Buying the subwoofer and rear pair costs extra.
Samsung HW-Q990F
- Why pick it
- The selected package should hold the subwoofer and rear pair
- Two compatible HDMI source devices need a direct connection
- The catch
- You must plan positions and power for four speaker enclosures.
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What this page compares
Included rear speakers, two HDMI sources, console width and a complete system budget are the points of comparison between Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 and Samsung HW-Q990F.
Bar 9 is the choice if you want to start with one bar and pick compatible Sony bass and rear speakers afterward. The Q990F is the choice when this purchase should already include the subwoofer and rear pair, or when two HDMI inputs are essential. Compare complete systems, because the linked packages hold very different amounts of hardware.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
I want this purchase to cover rear speakers and a subwoofer
Q990F includes them, and for Sony they are optional additions.
- Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
- Caution
- Samsung HW-Q990F
- Better fit
I’d like to start with just a single speaker enclosure
The selected Q990F package contains four enclosures, whereas Bar 9 is sold alone.
- Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
- Better fit
- Samsung HW-Q990F
- Caution
Two 4K120 sources of mine need a direct connection
Check the full video chain. Sony has one source input and Samsung has two.
- Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
- Caution
- Samsung HW-Q990F
- Better fit
I have 50 inches of clear width
Published body widths come to about 51.18 inches and 48.5 inches.
- Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
- Not suitable
- Samsung HW-Q990F
- Better fit
I’ll pick Sony rear speakers at a later point
Samsung will not accept Sony rear speakers, while Bar 9 supports documented compatible Sony expansions.
- Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
- Better fit
- Samsung HW-Q990F
- Not suitable
In practice
Differences you will notice
Four speaker enclosures need placing in the Q990F package
That makes four physical positions for the bar, subwoofer and two rear speakers, against one for the Bar 9 package. Going wireless with the audio still leaves power and safe placement to plan, particularly behind the sofa.
How we worked this out
The reviewed Sony package has the bar without optional speakers. 1 bar + 1 subwoofer + 2 rear speakers = 4 enclosures.
Samsung takes two direct consoles, which is more than Sony can
Q990F’s two inputs can be filled by a pair of compatible 4K120 consoles. Bar 9 can host one directly, which leaves the other to a TV input or an external switching path.
How we worked this out
Q990F lists 2 inputs and 4K120 video passthrough. For Bar 9, 2 source devices - 1 input = 1 source needing another path.
Only Samsung’s stated body width fits a clear span of 50 inches
In that span, Q990F has 1.5 inches of width margin. Bar 9’s 1300 mm width is about 51.18 inches, which overshoots by about 1.18 inches. Extra placement clearance is still needed.
How we worked this out
Convert 1300 / 25.4 = 51.18 inches. Then 50 - 48.5 = 1.5 inches and 51.18 - 50 = 1.18 inches.
Plug in your numbers
Is there room for the soundbar under your TV?
Measure the clear space under your TV. Count only the devices you will plug into the soundbar. Leave out the ones already connected to the TV. The numbers below are placeholders until you enter yours.
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
Fails these checksIt takes 51.18 inches of width, more than your 48 inches.
Samsung HW-Q990F
Fails these checksIt takes 48.5 inches of width, more than your 48 inches.
Measure the top of an open shelf. This check does not cover enclosed cubbies. Detachable speakers count toward the docked width. Leave extra depth for cables and the TV stand. This checks size and port count only. Dolby Atmos, 4K/120Hz passthrough and the audio formats your TV supports are outside it.
Option A
Sony, HT-A9000
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
The bar alone is just over 51 inches wide, so measure your cabinet first. The Bar 9 is meant for a wide TV setup where you want a direct high-refresh HDMI connection and plan to choose the subwoofer and rear speakers separately.
- Best for
- You begin with no separate subwoofer or rear speakers
Facts we checked
- Supplied speaker package: Soundbar only
- HDMI source inputs: 1
- 4K120 path: Supported with appropriate HDMI signal setting
- Bar width: 1300 mm, about 51.18 inches
Option B
Samsung, HW-Q990F/ZA
Samsung HW-Q990F
With the Q990F, the subwoofer and two rear speakers come in the same box, and two 4K 120 Hz sources can plug straight in. It is the one to pick if you have room under the TV and also have spots ready for the rear speakers.
- Best for
- The selected package should hold the subwoofer and rear pair
Facts we checked
- Supplied speaker package: Soundbar, subwoofer and two rear speakers
- HDMI source inputs: 2
- 4K120 path: 4K120 passthrough documented
- Bar width: 48.5 inches
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 | Samsung HW-Q990F | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supplied speaker package | Soundbar only | Soundbar, subwoofer and two rear speakers | With Bar 9 the rear and bass hardware costs extra, and Q990F includes it. |
| HDMI source inputs | 1 | 2 | One more direct source fits on the Q990F. |
| 4K120 path | Supported with appropriate HDMI signal setting | 4K120 passthrough documented | Compatible sources, displays and cables are needed. The number of sockets still differs. |
| Bar width | 1300 mm, about 51.18 inches | 48.5 inches | The main bar from Samsung comes in about 2.68 inches narrower. |
| Later speaker purchases | Compatible Sony sub and surrounds optional | Rear pair and subwoofer supplied | Opening offer prices do not compare like-for-like speaker packages. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
- The setup is limited by one HDMI input and a body of roughly 51.18 inches.
With Samsung HW-Q990F
- If a standalone bar is all you want, the bundled hardware may be more than you need.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
The subwoofer and rear pair have to be part of the purchase
Go with Samsung HW-Q990F. Both come in the selected Q990F package.
For now I want one bar, with Sony accessories to follow
Go with Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9. Bar 9 is where you start alone, with compatible speakers as optional extras.
Two source devices need a direct connection to the bar
Go with Samsung HW-Q990F. Bar 9 has one HDMI input, and Q990F has two.
Decision guide
How to decide
Bar 9 is for starting with one bar and picking compatible Sony bass and rear speakers later. Q990F is for a purchase that already includes the subwoofer and rear pair, or one where two HDMI inputs are essential. The linked packages contain very different amounts of hardware, so compare the complete systems.
Set like-for-like packages side by side
A Bar 9 offer covers a standalone bar, whereas the Q990F package includes dedicated rear speakers and a subwoofer. If you already plan on those additions, add the compatible Sony accessories before comparing cost. If one enclosure is all you want for now, the Sony package matches that narrower requirement.
HDMI capability is one thing and HDMI capacity another
With the correct setup, both document a 4K120 route, but Bar 9 has only one source input, so a second console must take another path. Check the Sony Enhanced format setting, the television's ports and its supported audio passthrough. Samsung's second socket can make that wiring simpler, though it does not prove better picture or sound quality.
Let the physical speakers shape your room plan
Included rear speakers help only if they can be placed and powered sensibly. The Q990F also needs a spot for the subwoofer, whereas Sony lets you put off those decisions. Either way, keep the paths above and beside the soundbar clear, and follow the manufacturer's calibration procedure once the final positions are set.
What this page can’t tell you
- Spatial imaging, bass output and dialogue performance have not been measured by us. Published channel counts do not prove that one package sounds better in every room.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the soundbars we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 |
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| Samsung HW-Q990F |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9
You begin with no separate subwoofer or rear speakers
See price & reviews on AmazonSamsung HW-Q990F
The selected package should hold the subwoofer and rear pair
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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