Having already taken the wraps off its 2020 soundbar lineup at CES back in January, Samsung says it’s about to start shipping its new and improved soundbar models, including a high-end version with upfiring drivers and the ability to complement your Samsung TV’s speakers.
Samsung’s latest soundbars, including its high-end Q series, its entry-to-mid level T series, and its new “music-centric” S series, will start to go on sale “throughout the spring,” starting in May.
Among the Samsung soundbars that are slated to arrive soon is the Q800T, a 2020 CES Best of Innovation award winner with 3.1.2-channel audio, a wireless subwoofer, and support for Q-Symphony, a feature that allows the soundbar to sync up with the “object-tracking” sound in Samsung’s latest, six-speaker 8K TV sets. Other soundbars in the Q series will also support Samsung’s new Q-Symphony feature.
Besides its Q-Symphony support, the Q800T (which Samsung now says will retail for $900) will also boast Samsung’s Acoustic Beam Technology for more “panoramic” audio, along with upfiring drivers that allow for 3D object-based Dolby Atmos and DTS:X sound, and eARC support for lossless audio via HDMI (assuming your TV is also compatible with the eARC standard). A wireless surround speaker kit will let you upgrade the Q800T’s 3.1.2-channel audio to a 5.1.2 configuration.
Another Q series soundbar that’s set to arrive soon is the $700 Q70T, which shares the Q800T’s Q-Symphony, upfiring drivers, and eARC functionality. Samsung has yet to detail the differences between the Q800T and the Q70T, although it’s a safe bet that the Q70T’s feature set is pared back compared to the pricier Q800T.
Samsung
The new S60T is one of the models in Samsung’s new S series of “music-centric” soundbars.
Besides its Q series, Samsung is also touting its new “music-focused” S series soundbars, including the $330 S60T, which features (according to Samsung) a “wide-range tweeter attached to the horn-shaped speaker.” The new S series soundbars will come with the same Acoustic Beam technology as Samsung’s Q series models, along with “pretty deep” bass, although you’ll be able to up the low-frequency response by adding an optional wireless subwoofer.
Also shipping soon is Samsung’s T series of entry-to-mid level soundbars, which will range in price from $200 to $700. At least two of Samsung’s T series models—the 3.1.2-channel T650 and the T550—will feature DTS Virtual:X, a virtualized 3D audio mode that simulates surround and height effects without the need for upfiring drivers. The T650 and the T550 will retail for $400 and $280 respectively.
Samsung previously revealed that its 2020 soundbars will boast shorter and narrower form factors, making them easier to fit beneath the legs of a TV, while a “number” of its new soundbars (including the Q800T and the S60T) will come with Alexa onboard.