Sony HT-A5000 vs Samsung Q990B

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

HT-A5000 vs Q990B comparison chart

Overall
Sony HT-A5000
7.8
Samsung Q990B
9.8
4
9
Multichannel surround
10
10

Sony HT-A5000 vs Samsung Q990B review

Sony HT-A5000
vs
Samsung Q990B

Comparison of Sony HT-A5000 and Samsung Q990B will reveal the best features offered by the devices. Q990B is a better soundbar than the HT-A5000. Its sound profile is well-balanced and stereo performance is better. According to the results of our comparison, HT-A5000 received 7.8 points out of 10 possible, and Q990B was rated 9.8 points.

Advantages Sony HT-A5000 over Samsung Q990B

  • Has an integrated subwoofer

Advantages Samsung Q990B over Sony HT-A5000

  • Comes with 2 separate speakers
  • Separate subwoofer provided
  • Voice control supports
  • App for remote control
  • Built-in microphone

Audio features

The HT-A5000 is rated 8 of 10 against 10 for the Q990B according to the audio features rating.

HT-A5000
8
Q990B
10

It worth understanding the difference between the two types of amplification: a passive soundbar does not have its own amplifier and receives amplification from the signal source, while an active soundbar has a built-in amplifier. The same active type of amplification is used in the HT-A5000 and the Q990B.

There are stereo soundbars and multichannel ones. It is with the help of multichannel devices that you can get volumetric sound. It is worth noting one of the main differences, the HT-A5000 has 5.1.2 channels, while the Q990B has 11.1.4 channels. Also, the output power of the soundbars under consideration is different, Sony HT-A5000 has 450 (overall) W, and 656 (overall) W has the competitor.

HT-A5000 Q990B
Built-in channels5.1.211.1.4
Amplification typeactiveactive
Output power, W450 (overall)656 (overall)
Separate speaker (in package)02
Separate speaker connectionshas notwireless

Subwoofers

Soundbars can have a built-in or external subwoofer. The first type is inseparable from the soundbar body, but for the second, you can choose a good location for deep bass. A built-in subwoofer is only present in the HT-A5000. The Q990B comes with an external subwoofer.

HT-A5000 Q990B
Built-in subwoofer
Separate subwoofer (in package)
Separate subwoofer connectionswireless

Multichannel surround

Unlike stereo, when reproducing multichannel sound, each specific direction of sound corresponds to its dedicated channel with a separate independent loudspeaker, which creates a three-dimensional sound stage. The multichannel sound reproduction capabilities of the soundbars were rated 10 out of 10.

HT-A5000
10
Q990B
10

The peculiarity of Dolby Atmos is that this format is object-oriented, that is, each object of the audio signal is sounded separately and linked to its spatial location. If we consider the models in terms of support for Dolby Atmos, then both soundbars can work with this technology.

DTS:X is an algorithm for processing sound scenes by the processor, linking directly to objects, rather than channels, and calculating the optimal distribution of sound output in a room. This ability to reproduce surround sound with DTS:X technology is included in each of these soundbars.

HT-A5000 Q990B
Dolby Atmos
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital, Dolby Dual mono, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital plus, Dolby TrueHDDolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos Music
DTS:X
DTS (other)DTS HD High Resolution Audio, DTS HD Master Audio, DTS ESDTS-HD HRA, DTS-HD MA, DTS Express, DTS 5.1ch

Streaming services

The possibility to listen online to millions of songs from one device has become a reality thanks to streaming services. The streaming services category rating is the same - 10 out of 10 points.

HT-A5000
10
Q990B
10

The popular Spotify service is available on both soundbars. The streaming audio from Pandora, SoundCloud, it is possible to listen to each of soundbars.

HT-A5000 Q990B
Apple Music (AirPlay)
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming servicesPandora, SoundCloudPandora, SoundCloud

Connectivity

The existence of a sufficient number of current connectors significantly expands the functionality of the device. For example, only through HDMI is it possible to implement the transfer of object-oriented formats, and the presence of a Bluetooth connection will allow remote control, etc. The devices received different ratings for connectivity: Sony HT-A5000 was rated 7 out of 10, and Samsung Q990B was rated 10 out of 10.

HT-A5000
7
Q990B
10

The presence of Wi-Fi in the soundbar allows you to get rid of wires when connected to a sound source and get minimal audio latency when playing content from streaming services. Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible on both devices.

Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for speaker systems, which provides excellent quality and minimal audio latency. The availability of Bluetooth protocol, we can see in both models. The HT-A5000 has 1/1 HDMI inputs/outputs, but the Q990B got 2/1 HDMI inputs/outputs from the manufacturer.

HDMI ARC is a very usefull technology that creates a two-way communication channel between a TV and another device. This is convenient since there is no need to use optical and other cables in the system. HDMI ARC is basic for both soundbars. Connecting external devices via USB can be done on both models.

HT-A5000 Q990B
WI-FI
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)10
NFC
HDMI input/output1/12/1
HDMI ARC
HDMI eARC
HDMI CEC
Optical digital input/output1/01/0
USB1 (USB 2.0)1 (USB 2.0)
Coaxial digital input/output0/00/0
Analog audio input/output (RCA)0/00/0
Headphone output00
Subwoofer output00

Features

Voice control is designed to make operating the device more convenient. This allows you to control basic soundbar functions from anywhere in the room.

Proprietary applications allow you to control your soundbars remotely. This is possible both via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The Q990B has its own remote control application. Only Samsung Q990B has a built-in microphone.

Some soundbars can be part of a multi-room system and it is an affordable solution for sounding the whole house. However, it is impossible to create a multiroom system based on each of these soundbars.

HT-A5000 Q990B
Voice control
App control
Microphone
Remote control
Multi-room

Dimensions

HT-A5000 Q990B
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in121x6.7x1.4/47.5x2.5x5.5123.1x6.8x13.7/48.5x2.7x5.4
Weight, kg/pounds6.1/13.17.7/17
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