Home theater systems: Samsung Q990D vs. JBL Bar 1300X

Quick Verdict

Both the Samsung Q990D and JBL Bar 1300X are high-end soundbars offering immersive audio experiences with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support. The JBL Bar 1300X stands out with its higher power output, larger subwoofer, and detachable rear speakers, providing greater flexibility. The Samsung Q990D excels in audio format support and boasts well-integrated rear speakers. The choice depends on user preference for power, flexibility, and audio format compatibility.

Both soundbars offer 11.1.4 channel configuration with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support for immersive audio.
The JBL Bar 1300X has a significantly higher power output (1170W) compared to the Samsung Q990D (656W).
JBL Bar 1300X features a larger 12-inch subwoofer, while the Samsung Q990D has an 8-inch subwoofer.
The JBL Bar 1300X has detachable, battery-powered rear speakers, offering flexibility in placement, while the Samsung Q990D has included wireless rear speakers with front, side, and up-firing drivers.
Samsung Q990D supports a wider range of audio formats including FLAC and WAV, while JBL Bar 1300X primarily supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
Samsung Q990D has 2 HDMI 2.1 inputs, while JBL Bar 1300X has 3 HDMI inputs with 4K HDR10 and Dolby Vision passthrough.

Key features – Side-by-Side

Attribute	Samsung Q990D	JBL Bar 1300X
Number of channels	11.1.4	11.1.4
Total power output (watts)	656W	1170W
Subwoofer type	Wireless, 8-inch woofer	Wireless with a 12-inch driver
Dolby Atmos support	Yes, including wireless Dolby Atmos from compatible Samsung TVs	Yes
DTS:X support	Yes	Yes
HDMI inputs and outputs (with eARC)	2 HDMI 2.1 inputs, 1 HDMI 2.1 output with eARC, 4K/120Hz passthrough	3 HDMI inputs with 4K HDR10 and Dolby Vision passthrough, 1 HDMI output with eARC
Wireless connectivity	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast	Wi-Fi (with AirPlay, Alexa Multi-Room Music, and Chromecast built-in) and Bluetooth 5.0 or 5.2
Voice assistant compatibility	Amazon Alexa, Bixby, and Google Assistant	Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri
Rear speaker configuration	Included, wireless, with front, side, and up-firing drivers	Included, detachable, wireless, and battery-powered
Sound calibration technology	SpaceFit Sound Pro	Yes, easy sound calibration
Supported audio formats	Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS:X, DTS-HD HRA, DTS-HD MA, MP3, AAC, FLAC, WAV	Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
Dimensions of soundbar	48.5 x 2.7 x 5.4 inches	54.2" x 2.4" x 5.5" (Main soundbar: 39.4" x 2.4" x 5.5", Detachable surround speaker: 8" x 2.4" x 5.5")
Dimensions of subwoofer	8.6 x 16.2 x 16.1 inches	14.4" x 18.9" x 14.4"
Dimensions of rear speakers	5 x 7.9 x 5.5 inches	Not applicable (detachable)
Price	Not available	Not available

Overall Comparison

Samsung Q990D: 11.1.4 channels, 656W power, 8-inch subwoofer; JBL Bar 1300X: 11.1.4 channels, 1170W power, 12-inch subwoofer, detachable rear speakers.

Pros and Cons

Samsung Q990D

Pros:

Impactful, room-filling sound
Thumpy and punchy bass with deep impact
Excellent Dolby Atmos and DTS:X performance
Easy and quick setup
Clear and crisp dialogue reproduction with Active Voice Amplifier (AVA) Pro and AI-powered voice emphasis
Robust wireless connections
Voice control with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
Minimal compression at max volume
Well-integrated rear speakers for immersive surround sound
Balanced and neutral sound for movies, TV, and music
Good match for Samsung QLED TVs with Q-Symphony
HDMI 2.1 ports supporting 4K/120Hz and VRR
Supports various music streaming services
Multiple sound modes (Standard, Surround, Game Pro, Adaptive Sound)

Cons:

SpaceFit Sound effect may not always be noticeable

JBL Bar 1300X

Pros:

Immersive sound with MultiBeam technology and up-firing drivers
Thrilling and precise bass from the 12-inch wireless subwoofer
True Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support for enhanced 3D surround sound
Easy setup and calibration with JBL One App
PureVoice Dialogue Enhancement Technology for voice clarity
Seamless wireless connectivity with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and Chromecast built-in
Voice assistant integration with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri
Detachable, battery-powered surround speakers for an immersive audio experience
Sound calibration feature optimizes audio playback and surround sound quality

Cons:

Samsung HW-Q990C can get louder with less compression at max volume

User Experiences and Feedback

Samsung Q990D

What Users Love

Delivers impactful, room-filling sound.
Creates an outstanding immersive experience.
Subwoofer provides thumpy and punchy bass.
Adds deep bass impact to match the action.
Delivers Dolby Atmos and DTS:X in a way that very few soundbar packages can match.
Excels at creating an immersive experience with clear and accurate representation of sound objects.
Setup is generally easy and quick.
The system pairs immediately.
Wireless connections are robust, with no dropouts experienced during testing.
The rear speakers integrate well to create a surround sound experience.
They deliver immersive wraparound and overhead effects.
It has a balanced and neutral sound, making it suitable for movies, TV shows, and music.

Common Complaints

Some reviews indicate that the effect of SpaceFit Sound isn't always noticeable.

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.

User Recommendations

The bass levels are punchy yet refined.
AI-powered voice emphasis makes dialog clear and crisp.
It connects wirelessly via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi for a mess-free solution.
It can get loud with minimal compression at max volume.
SpaceFit Sound Pro calibrates audio settings based on your room.

JBL Bar 1300X

What Users Love

Fills a room with immersive sound using MultiBeam technology and up-firing drivers.
Delivers thrilling and precise bass.
Creates an enhanced 3D surround sound experience with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
Easy to set up and calibrate for optimal sound.
Optimizes voice clarity with PureVoice Dialogue Enhancement Technology.
Offers seamless wireless music streaming from compatible devices.
Allows voice control through Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri.
Detachable surround speakers create an immersive audio experience.
Sound calibration feature adjusts the soundbar's output to match the room's design.

Common Complaints

No major complaints reported.

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.