A Rare Early Reveal from Samsung

Samsung is not waiting for CES 2026 to begin shaping the conversation around next year’s soundbars. The company has officially confirmed two new flagship models, even though it has not yet released product images, pricing, or exact availability.

That makes this announcement less about final specifications and more about direction. Based on what Samsung has shared so far, the focus is clearly on refining Dolby Atmos performance, improving dialogue clarity, and addressing everyday listening frustrations rather than chasing radical redesigns.

The two models serve different types of listeners. One is a full surround system designed for maximum immersion. The other is a premium all-in-one soundbar meant to deliver strong Atmos effects without external speakers or a subwoofer.

Samsung HW-Q990H: Evolution of a Reference Dolby Atmos System The HW-Q990H is the next generation of Samsung’s flagship surround soundbar system and follows a formula that has proven extremely successful.

It remains a four-piece setup consisting of a main soundbar, two wireless rear speakers, and a wireless subwoofer. The system delivers an 11.1.4 channel Dolby Atmos configuration, with the main soundbar handling the majority of front soundstage duties and the rear speakers adding both surround and height effects.

Each rear speaker includes angled drivers for surround effects along with an upward-firing driver for Atmos height information. This approach has consistently produced one of the most convincing Atmos bubbles available from a soundbar-based system.

Samsung is again using a compact subwoofer design with dual eight-inch drivers. This keeps the footprint manageable while still delivering strong bass output that integrates well with the rest of the system.

New Audio Processing Focused on Real-World Listening

Rather than reinventing the hardware layout, Samsung is introducing new processing features aimed at improving how the system behaves in everyday use.

Sound Elevation is designed to place dialogue more naturally at screen level. Voices should feel better anchored to on-screen action, especially with larger TVs where dialogue can sometimes feel disconnected from the image.

Auto Volume is arguably the more practical addition. This feature is intended to keep volume levels consistent across different sources and types of content. In theory, this means fewer sudden jumps during commercials, fewer overly quiet older films, and less manual volume adjustment overall.

Samsung has not yet shared detailed technical explanations for these features, but the intent is clear. The company is targeting common pain points rather than headline specs.

Samsung HW-QS90H: A Premium All-In-One Soundbar

The HW-QS90H represents Samsung’s high-end all-in-one option for 2026. This model is designed to operate without rear speakers or a separate subwoofer, appealing to users who want a cleaner setup without giving up Atmos performance.

Samsung describes the configuration as a 7.1.2 channel system with 13 total drivers. Four of those drivers are dedicated to bass reproduction, forming what Samsung calls a quad bass woofer system. The goal is to produce convincing low-frequency impact from a single enclosure.

One standout feature is physical flexibility. The soundbar can be placed horizontally on a console or rotated vertically for wall mounting. Samsung has used this design approach before, and it allows the soundbar to adapt to different installations while maintaining a coherent soundstage.

Positioning Against Other Premium All-In-One Soundbars

From a market perspective, the HW-QS90H is clearly aimed at premium all-in-one soundbars such as the Sonos Arc Ultra.

Samsung’s approach prioritizes multiple dedicated bass drivers and flexible mounting, while competitors often focus on advanced driver technology or ecosystem integration. Final comparisons will depend heavily on features Samsung has not yet confirmed, including HDMI passthrough options and support for formats like DTS.

It is also not yet known whether the QS90H will include the same Sound Elevation or Auto Volume processing introduced on the Q990H. If those features carry over, they would be especially valuable in an all-in-one design.

What This Says About Samsung’s 2026 Strategy

The most notable takeaway from this early announcement is Samsung’s emphasis on refinement rather than reinvention.

Both soundbars build on proven designs. Improvements focus on dialogue clarity, volume consistency, and installation flexibility. These are areas that directly impact daily use and long-term satisfaction.

The HW-Q990H continues to target listeners who want the most immersive soundbar-based surround experience possible. The HW-QS90H is for those who want premium performance with fewer boxes and cables.

The Audio Advice Take

From our perspective at Audio Advice, this direction makes sense. Many soundbars already measure well on paper, but real-world usability is where the experience is won or lost.

Features like consistent volume behavior and better dialogue placement matter just as much as channel count. If Samsung executes these improvements as well as it has in previous generations, both of these soundbars could set the tone for the premium soundbar category in 2026.

We will have a clearer picture once CES arrives and we can see and hear these models in person. Until then, the HW-Q990H and HW-QS90H are shaping up to be two of the most important soundbars to watch heading into next year.