There has been a What Hi-Fi? Awards soundbars category since way back in 2013, but Samsung has never appeared in it – until now. The soundbar package (a soundbar, wireless surround speakers and a wireless subwoofer) isn't new as a concept, but this is the first time we have felt compelled to add it as a sub-category in our Awards. That's partly because of its burgeoning popularity, although it's more down to the sheer excellence of Samsung's HW-Q990D. This thing demanded an Award, even if it meant us creating a new one to accommodate it.
The Q990D is a complete Dolby Atmos home cinema system in a box, but that isn't what makes it special. What makes it special is how close it gets to recreating the experience of listening to an AV receiver and a complete Atmos speaker package with about 10 per cent of the fuss, much less mess and a significantly smaller price tag.
