Samsung Unveils AI-Enhanced Soundbars at CES 2025: HW-Q990F and HW-QS700F

Samsung's new flagship soundbars have improved designs and AI features I'd actually use

Samsung's latest HW-Q990F and HW-QS700F lineup debuts with the latest audio technologies and AI-powered dialogue features. CES 2025 is still in its early days, but home audio giant Samsung has already announced two new soundbars to complement its new line of TVs. The soundbars debut with refreshed designs, the latest home audio technologies, and AI-powered dialogue enhancement features. According to Samsung, the flagship Samsung HW-Q990F soundbar can render an 11.1.4-channel Dolby Atmos listening experience, complete with 11 front-facing speakers, one subwoofer, and four upfiring audio channels. Also: CES 2025: What to expect and how to watch The HW-Q990F has the same amount of audio channels as its predecessor, but Samsung asserts that the HW-990F's subwoofer is half the size and produces more powerful audio output. The improved subwoofer should deliver clearer and more immersive sound. Samsung also announced a midrange soundbar, the HW-QS700F. The company touts its ability to be mounted or placed flat, making it more flexible to fit your space. The new soundbars are equipped with Eclipsa Audio, a new spatial audio format created through a partnership between Samsung and Google. This open-source audio format is expected to rival Dolby Atmos and will not require manufacturers to pay licensing fees. However, the feature is only available on compatible Samsung TVs and soundbars released in the company's 2025 lineup. Also: Samsung and Google will unveil their open-source Dolby Atmos alternative at CES 2025 Additionally, Samsung announced Active Voice Amplifier Pro, the company's latest AI-powered dialogue enhancement software. This software builds on Active Voice Amplifier, which automatically increases dialogue volume when it detects background noise. We can assume Samsung has improved the algorithm that powers this feature to make it more reliable. Samsung also improved its surround sound feature Q-Symphony, which engages both your compatible Samsung TV and soundbar's speakers to enhance your listening experience. According to the company, Q-Symphony Pro will use AI to analyze the audio through a compatible Samsung TV to provide even more detailed surround sound.

Samsung debuts the QS700F soundbar and updates the Q990 at CES 2025

Both models will support Samsung's recently announced Eclipsa Audio. Samsung has new soundbars and updates to an existing model to show off at CES 2025. First, the HW-QS700F is an all-new speaker that's designed to sit on a shelf or TV stand, but it can also be mounted at 90 degrees flat on a wall under a TV. The QS700F can optimize the sound based on how you've situated it for the best performance. It will come with a wireless subwoofer, but it's unclear if rear satellite speakers are part of the package. The company's flagship soundbar returns for 2025 with a significant tweak. The HW-Q990F will remain an all-in-one package with wireless subwoofer and rear satellite speakers included and retains the same angular look. But, the company says it reduced the size of the sub to less than half of the previous version. What's more, Samsung explains that it did so while providing even more powerful audio performance from the unit. As someone who reviewed both the Q990D and Q990C, I can tell you the previous subwoofer was enormous, so this is a great update. The Q990F remains an 11.1.4-channel speaker with "clearer, richer and more effortless sound" and Dolby Atmos support. The included rear surround speakers also pack in up-firing drivers, which enhances the overall effect of the immersive audio. And as I've noted before, having everything in one package is convenient and saves you from having to make extra purchases on top of a pricey soundbar. Samsung will use AI to boost sound quality on its soundbars in 2025. Two features, Active Voice Amplifier Pro and Q-Symphony Pro, use artificial intelligence to enhance dialog over background noise and analyze sound with a Samsung TV's processor respectively. The company says Q-Symphony Pro will also be available on two new B-series soundbars, the HW-B750F and HW-B650F, which will arrive in 2025. Another item Samsung is keen to discuss at CES is its Eclipsa Audio platform it's developing in collaboration with Google. Details are scarce on the new 3D audio standard for now, but Samsung has already said its 2025 TVs and soundbars will support it. According to the press release, Eclipsa Audio enables content creators to adjust sound data and location for spatial audio. It sounds like Samsung and Google are developing their own take on Dolby Atmos. What's more, Samsung says creators will be able to upload videos with Eclipsa Audio to YouTube later this year, but there's no word on support for other platforms yet. Samsung first announced plans to develop 3D spatial audio in 2023 when it collaborated with Google on Immersive Audio Model and Formats (IAMF). IAMF was adopted by the Alliance for Open Media (AOM), which lists Amazon, Apple and Netflix among its members. This also isn't the first time Samsung has shunned Dolby as it has opted for HDR10+ over Dolby Vision for its TVs. There's no word on pricing and availability on any of the new soundbar models just yet. That info is likely to arrive closer to launch. For reference, the Q990D is $2,000, but once again, it includes a subwoofer and rear speakers. Sony's Bar 9 is $1,400 just for the soundbar itself.