Research was required to get surround sound in your house. To replicate the cinema-like sound at home, you would need to search forums and enthusiast magazines. These days everything is much cheaper and easier. Samsung's HWQ950A soundbars are high-end and come with all the necessary components, except for power outlets. A single HDMI ARC cable is included that plugs directly into your TV to give you instant movie madness.While there are many high-end bars that attempt to bridge the gap between standalone A/V systems and receivers and speaker cables with receivers, very few can match the success of this Samsung soundbar. If you close your eyes and look up in a small to medium-sized living space with a flat ceiling, you'll think you have rented a private viewing area. It's a match made in Heaven for apartment owners and aesthetes who don't mind staring at unattractive speakers.Functional FormThe HWQ950A replaces Samsung's HWQ950T flagship. It sounded amazing. The new model is almost identical. The new model features a long, cloth-coated metal bar along with a rectangular subwoofer, rear surrounds, and subwoofer. They're all black and blend in with the background, but they're not unattractive.Let's start with some basic surround sound terminology: What does numbers such as 5.1, 7.1.1, and 5.1.4 actually mean? These numbers are the total number of drivers. The first number refers to the number of surround and front drivers. The second number refers to how many subwoofers are available. Finally, the third number, if any, is how many channels you have. The height channels can be directed down from the ceiling using physical speakers, or bounced off the ceiling by angled drivers in soundbars and surrounds.With what many call the traditional surround-sound setup of 5.1 surround sound, five drivers are available (two front and two back) and one subwoofer. Samsung's new standard goes beyond the 9.1.4 channel mark. It now has 11.1.4 channels. These extra channels are used to enhance the audio experience. Additional upgrades include Apple's AirPlay 2 standard support and an auto-room correction EQ mode that adjusts the EQ to match your room's acoustics using a microphone embedded in the subwoofer.When activated (more details later), these extra drivers mean that the HWQ950A physically pushes more sound in all directions than other soundbars. Theater sound is best when there are more drivers.It is easy to set up the soundbar by plugging in the surrounds, subwoofer and main bar into the power outlets. If you don't have many plugs, keep an extension cord handy. Simply plug the HDMI cable you got from the eARC (enhanced audio returns) HDMI port onto your TV. This is a lot easier than when I used to hide cables under the floor or in the walls. It took me 15 minutes to unbox the HW-Q950A and get it ready to make hissing vampire sounds.The included remote control and built-in LED display allow you to easily change the sound to your preference. This display is a great invention by Samsung. I don't like having to use color-coded messages or dots to find out what Im doing on a soundbar or what input I am using. This screen uses actual words so I'm never confused.True Surround SoundPhotograph: SamsungI have yet to test a soundbar or speaker system that bounces sound off walls and ceilings, but the HWQ950A is closer than most.
