Soundbars · owner-verdict comparison

Samsung HW-Q990F vs Sonos Beam Gen 2: what real owners say

Real owners rate these about evenly: 68% of 141 Samsung HW-Q990F owners recommend it, vs 67% of 280 for the Sonos Beam Gen 2.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Samsung HW-Q990F

68%of 141 owners recommend
68% recommend · 16% neutral · 16% don't
Owners praise
  • Immersive surround and Atmos sound stage
  • Cleaner, more refined, balanced bass than prior gens
  • Excellent value, beats pricier systems
Owners complain about
  • New sub is underwhelming versus previous generations; weak bass that needs cranking
Full owner report →

Sonos Beam Gen 2

67%of 280 owners recommend
67% recommend · 18% neutral · 15% don't
Owners praise
  • Punches well above its size and price
  • Huge upgrade over built-in TV speakers
  • Clear, crisp dialogue and vocal reproduction
Owners complain about
  • Lacks bass and underwhelms on its own; needs a sub and surrounds to shine
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Samsung HW-Q990F if
  • ✓Movie and gaming fans wanting immersive Atmos surround
  • ✓Viewers who value crisp, clear dialogue
  • ✓Buyers wanting Sonos-level sound for far less
  • ✓Small-room owners needing a compact, easy-hide sub
Skip it if
  • Bass-heads wanting deep, floor-shaking rumble
  • People who mostly watch at low volumes
Get the Sonos Beam Gen 2 if
  • ✓Small rooms, bedrooms, apartments, and offices
  • ✓TV-speaker upgraders who want clear dialogue and vocals
  • ✓Buyers wanting an expandable system (add sub and surrounds later)
  • ✓Best-value Sonos seekers who also enjoy music
Skip it if
  • Large or wide open-plan rooms
  • Those wanting strong bass or real Atmos from the bar alone

What Samsung HW-Q990F owners say

“I bought the Q990F refurbished on prime for 1K. Fantastic.”
— @rockyroad6000 on YouTube
“I just Purchased the Q990f yesterday and maaan let me tell you. My whole house vibrates when I watch movies in Dolby Atmos!”
— @john7587 on YouTube
“Last update bricked a lot of soundbars.”
— @fredm4197 on YouTube

What Sonos Beam Gen 2 owners say

“I’m very happy with my Beam gen2 with 2 One’s as rears. Great sound for my living room!”
— @jeroenpost78 on YouTube
“It’s an amazing soundbar, coming from Sony HT-Z9F soundbar set. Wide soundstage with 5 directions, excellent detail and center channel with really good bass.”
— @StrikerXL_BE on YouTube
“no bluetooth? no thanks”
— @bbbf09 on YouTube

Samsung HW-Q990F vs Sonos Beam Gen 2: frequently asked questions

Is the Samsung HW-Q990F or the Sonos Beam Gen 2 better?

Real owners rate these about evenly: 68% of 141 Samsung HW-Q990F owners recommend it, vs 67% of 280 for the Sonos Beam Gen 2.

Who should get the Samsung HW-Q990F?

Owners point the Samsung HW-Q990F at movie and gaming fans wanting immersive Atmos surround, and viewers who value crisp, clear dialogue.

Who should get the Sonos Beam Gen 2?

Owners point the Sonos Beam Gen 2 at small rooms, bedrooms, apartments, and offices, and tV-speaker upgraders who want clear dialogue and vocals.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Samsung HW-Q990F is new sub is underwhelming versus previous generations; weak bass that needs cranking. For the Sonos Beam Gen 2, it's lacks bass and underwhelms on its own; needs a sub and surrounds to shine.