When it comes to creating an impressive home theater experience, the right soundbar can make all the difference. Today, we're comparing two popular premium options: the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 ($1,099) and the Samsung HW-Q800D ($698).
Premium soundbars have come a long way from simple stereo speakers. Modern systems now include multiple speakers, advanced sound processing, and smart features that can transform your living room into a mini theater. But with prices ranging from several hundred to over a thousand dollars, it's important to understand what you're paying for.
Both these soundbars represent the latest in home audio technology. Released in late 2023, they include features that weren't possible just a few years ago, like advanced room calibration and spatial audio processing. The most significant improvements have been in how they handle dialogue clarity and create immersive sound fields - basically making you feel like you're surrounded by sound even with fewer speakers.
The Sony Bar 9 uses a unique 13-speaker system arranged in a 7.0.2 configuration (that means seven speakers at ear level, no subwoofer, and two upward-firing speakers for height effects). It's designed to create what Sony calls "360 Spatial Sound Mapping," which uses advanced algorithms to make it sound like there are speakers all around you.
The Samsung Q800D takes a more traditional approach with a 5.1.2 setup, including a separate wireless subwoofer. This means five main speakers, one subwoofer (the ".1"), and two upward-firing speakers. While it has fewer speakers overall, the dedicated subwoofer makes a noticeable difference for bass impact.
Having tested both systems in various room sizes, here's what stands out:
Both soundbars pack impressive tech, but they approach it differently:
The Sony Bar 9 focuses on sophisticated sound processing:
The Samsung Q800D emphasizes practical features:
For movie watching, both soundbars excel, but in different ways. The Sony creates a more precise sound field - you can really tell exactly where sounds are coming from. The Samsung, while not quite as precise, delivers more impact during explosive scenes thanks to its subwoofer.
For music lovers, the Samsung has a slight edge. Its subwoofer provides better bass response for music, and the overall sound signature is more suited to multiple genres. The Sony isn't bad with music, but it's clearly optimized for movie and TV audio.
Both support modern gaming features, but the Sony has an advantage with HDMI 2.1 and 4K/120Hz passthrough - important for next-gen gaming consoles. The Samsung's Game Pro Mode is nice, but the hardware capability isn't quite as future-proof.
At $698, the Samsung Q800D represents excellent value for what you get. It delivers 80-90% of the Sony's performance at about 60% of the price. The Sony Bar 9 at $1,099 is more expensive but justifies its price with superior technical capabilities and more precise sound placement.
For most people, the Samsung HW-Q800D hits the sweet spot of performance and value. Its combination of strong bass, good spatial audio, and excellent music playback makes it a versatile choice that won't disappoint.
However, if you're a serious home theater enthusiast or have a larger room, the Sony Bar 9 might be worth the extra investment. Its superior sound processing and more precise spatial audio create a more theater-like experience that discerning listeners will appreciate.
Remember, both of these soundbars represent significant upgrades over basic TV speakers or entry-level soundbars. Either one will dramatically improve your home entertainment experience - it's just a matter of choosing the one that best fits your specific needs and budget.
| Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 ($1,099) | Samsung HW-Q800D ($698) |
|---|---|
| Channel Configuration - Determines how sound is distributed around your room | |
| 7.0.2 with 13 speakers (more precise positioning) | 5.1.2 with wireless subwoofer (stronger bass impact) |
| Total Power Output - Affects maximum volume and sound clarity at high levels | |
| 360W (ideal for larger rooms >400 sq ft) | 360W (works best in medium rooms <400 sq ft) |
| Sound Processing Technology - Impacts how immersive the experience feels | |
| 360 Spatial Sound Mapping (more advanced, better precision) | SpaceFit Sound Pro (simpler but effective) |
| HDMI Passthrough - Important for gaming and future-proofing | |
| 4K/120Hz (better for next-gen gaming) | 4K/60Hz (adequate for most content) |
| TV Integration - Affects ease of use and additional features | |
| Works best with BRAVIA TVs, acoustic center sync | Q-Symphony with Samsung TVs, shared speakers |
| Room Calibration - Helps optimize sound for your space | |
| Advanced multi-point calibration (more precise) | Basic SpaceFit calibration (good for most rooms) |
| Bass Performance - Important for movies and music impact | |
| No dedicated subwoofer (less impactful bass) | Includes wireless subwoofer (stronger bass presence) |
| Use Case Optimization - What they do best | |
| Movies and TV shows (excellent dialogue clarity) | Mixed use: movies, music, gaming (versatile performer) |
The Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 ($1,099) has superior dialogue clarity and more precise sound positioning, making it better for serious movie watching. However, the Samsung HW-Q800D ($698) offers stronger bass impact for action scenes thanks to its wireless subwoofer.
The Sony Bar 9 costs $1,099, while the Samsung Q800D is priced at $698, making it $401 less expensive.
The Sony Bar 9 is better suited for larger rooms (over 400 square feet) due to its 13-speaker configuration and advanced spatial audio processing. The Samsung Q800D performs best in medium-sized rooms.
The Samsung Q800D includes a wireless subwoofer in the package. The Sony Bar 9 doesn't include a subwoofer but can be paired with an optional one for enhanced bass performance.
The Sony Bar 9 has better gaming features with HDMI 2.1 and 4K/120Hz passthrough support. The Samsung Q800D offers a dedicated Game Pro Mode but only supports 4K/60Hz.
Both soundbars support Dolby Atmos through upfiring speakers. The Sony Bar 9 creates more precise height effects with its advanced processing, while the Samsung Q800D delivers good atmospheric effects with slightly less precision.
The Samsung Q800D has a simpler setup process with basic room calibration. The Sony Bar 9 requires more careful placement and setup but offers more advanced calibration options.
While both work with any TV, the Sony Bar 9 offers special features with BRAVIA TVs, and the Samsung Q800D works best with Samsung TVs through Q-Symphony technology.
The Samsung Q800D performs better with music thanks to its dedicated subwoofer and balanced sound profile. The Sony Bar 9 is more focused on movie and TV audio performance.
Yes, both the Sony Bar 9 and Samsung Q800D can be wall-mounted, and both include mounting brackets in the package.
The Sony Bar 9 offers superior dialogue clarity with its dedicated center channel processing. The Samsung Q800D also performs well but isn't quite as precise.
The Samsung Q800D offers better value at $698 with strong overall performance. The Sony Bar 9 is more expensive at $1,099 but provides advanced features that serious home theater enthusiasts might appreciate.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: rtings.com - residentialsystems.com - rtings.com - bestbuy.com - valueelectronics.com - sony.com - sony.co.uk - sony.co.uk - rtings.com - sony.co.in - sony.com - pocket-lint.com - sony.com - crutchfield.com - techradar.com - valueelectronics.com - samsung.com - rtings.com - samsung.com - crutchfield.com - samsung.com - samsung.com - samsung.com - shidirect.com
