soundbars · Head-to-head
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) vs Samsung HW-Q990F/ZA
The short answer
At current verified prices, the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) costs about $509.00 less.
- Choose the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) if: Narrow-cabinet TV audio
- Choose the Samsung HW-Q990F/ZA if: Surround with predecessor-generation features
Specifications
| Spec | Sonos Beam (Gen 2) | Samsung HW-Q990F/ZA |
|---|---|---|
| Exact evaluated bar, subwoofer and surround configuration | Standalone Beam (Gen 2) soundbar only; no subwoofer or surround speakers included. | Samsung HW-Q990F/ZA 11.1.4-channel complete system: soundbar, one subwoofer, and two rear speakers. |
| Workflow type | Standalone Soundbar | Complete Surround |
| Exact US model and regional suffix | Sonos Beam (Gen 2), US product identifier BEAM2US1 (black: BEAM2US1BLK). | HW-Q990F/ZA |
| Soundbar width | 651 mm | 1,232 mm |
| Soundbar height | 68 mm | 70.9 mm |
| Soundbar depth | 100 mm | 138 mm |
| Meets editorial 800-mm width and 80-mm height filter | Yes | No |
| Rear-speaker audio connection, mains wiring and charging | — | The two rear speakers connect to the soundbar system wirelessly for audio; each rear speaker requires its own mains/power cord. No battery charging requirement is specified. |
| Verified decoding and transport support | Stereo PCM; Dolby Digital; DTS; Dolby Digital Plus; Dolby Atmos (Dolby Digital Plus); Dolby Atmos; Dolby TrueHD; Dolby Atmos (TrueHD); Multichannel PCM; Dolby Multichannel PCM. Formats marked with * by Sonos require eARC. | Decoding: Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby 5.1ch, DTS:X, DTS 5.1ch, DTS-HD HRA, and DTS Express. HDMI eARC/ARC is supported; the manual documents HDMI audio input and TV-return connections. Samsung’s US spec sheet lists DTS-HD MA as N/A, so DTS-HD MA decoding is not claimed. |
| Full HDMI source inputs excluding ARC/eARC return port | 0 ports | 2 ports |
| Verified resolution, refresh rate and HDR passthrough | — | 4K passthrough up to 120 Hz; HDR10+ passthrough is listed by Samsung. RTINGS’ exact-model retest states that 8K passthrough is not supported. |
| ARC/eARC, optical, TV-specific and adapter requirements | Connect to the TV's HDMI eARC/ARC port with the included HDMI cable; eARC is required for specified lossless/advanced formats. If the TV has optical output only, use the included Sonos Optical Audio Adapter. | For wired TV audio, connect the TV’s HDMI ARC/eARC port to the soundbar’s HDMI TO TV (eARC/ARC) port; eARC/ARC is supported. Optical input is also provided. The manual calls for a High Speed HDMI cable for eARC/ARC; no TV-specific adapter requirement is established in the reviewed documentation. |
| Included calibration, device requirements and paid upgrades | Trueplay room calibration is included; setup and control use the Sonos app. Trueplay tuning requires a compatible iOS device; no paid calibration upgrade is stated. | SpaceFit Sound Pro Plus is included and uses sensors embedded in the soundbar to adapt sound to the room. Samsung’s materials describe it as a built-in feature; no separate calibration license or paid upgrade is specified. A paid upgrade is not established by this evidence. |
| Physical remote, TV remote, account and app requirements | On-bar touch controls; compatible TV remote can control the bar. Sonos app is required for setup and app-based control; Sonos account is required for setup. | A physical remote is included. The manual describes onboard soundbar controls and SmartThings app setup/control; app and Samsung-account use are needed for SmartThings functions, but the manual also provides remote-based operation. An account or app is not established as a prerequisite for basic playback. |
| Compatible named optional subwoofer and surround configuration | Optional expansion: one Sonos Sub or Sub Mini, plus two compatible Sonos speakers as surrounds (for example, Era 100 or One SL); sold separately. | — |
| Current verified retailer price for evaluated configuration | — | 1,597.99 USD |
| Listing, indexed listing, cart, delivery or conflicting-render status | Sonos US product listing for Beam (Gen 2) is indexed and lists the product; the displayed price varies by color (black listing showed $359; white listing showed $499). Listing display only; delivery/cart availability was not verified. | As observed October 12, 2026, Samsung’s exact-model product page showed delivery and in-store pickup as unavailable and an inconsistent render: a $0.00 one-time payment alongside a $1,999.99 displayed product total and an Add to cart control. The page does not establish a currently purchasable direct-store price. |
| Tested firmware, modes, protocol and substantive retest date | — | RTINGS review: initially reviewed April 25, 2025; its listed retest is August 17, 2026, using Methodology v1.3. The August 2026 frequency-response update specifically reports room-correction testing on firmware 1100.4; the page does not identify one sound mode or audio protocol as the condition for every review result. Required conditions: firmware 1100.4 for the August 2026 room-correction frequency-response update. |
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
Pros
- Corroborated speech usefulness
- Narrow footprint for constrained furniture
- Reported wide soundstage
Cons
- No convincing overhead localization in the cited listening account
- TV-return connection and format constraints
- App dependence
Conditionally recommended for narrow-cabinet TV listening when your TV-return connection and audio formats are compatible and app dependence is acceptable. Corroborated listening evidence supports speech usefulness, but its wide presentation should not be mistaken for convincing overhead localization.
Full Sonos Beam (Gen 2) review →Samsung HW-Q990F/ZA
Pros
- Corroborated speech performance
- Supported balanced reproduction
- Supported immersive playback in the complete configuration
Cons
- Bass compression near maximum output
- Streaming findings have firmware-specific limits
- Multiple powered components require installation planning
Conditionally recommended alongside Q990H within one complete-surround choice. Corroborated speech, balanced reproduction, and immersive playback support its fit without assuming a discount or preferring its successor. Buyers should accept near-maximum bass compression and keep streaming findings tied to the tested firmware context.
Full Samsung HW-Q990F/ZA review →Both products are part of our guide Best Soundbars for US Buyers: Choose by Setup and Listening Needs, where you can see every pick, how we score and current prices from each retailer.