The JBL Bar 1000 and Samsung Q990D are both powerful Dolby Atmos soundbars but they deliver different sound performance and surround sound features. The JBL Bar 1000 feels more flexible and easy to deploy —it comes with detachable, battery-powered rear speakers that you can place anywhere without worrying about wires, making setup super easy. Its 10-inch subwoofer hits hard, and the soundstage is wide and immersive, especially for movies.
On the other hand, the Samsung Q990D is more of a fully-immersive premium home theater setup. It delivers a fuller 11.1.4 channel experience with fixed rear speakers, tighter and more controlled bass, and HDMI 2.1 ports for high-frame-rate gaming, which is a big deal if you’re into PS5 or Xbox. It also integrates beautifully with Samsung TVs due to the built-in Q-Symphony and SpaceFit Sound Pro.
Essentially, the JBL Bar 1000 is designed more like a portable home theater soundbar system while the Samsung Q990D requires some setup and rear speaker placement. Personally after testing both setups I prefer the Samsung Q990D in terms of surround sound performance, but you might want to get the JBL Bar 1000 if you have space constraints and want a simpler setup.
Specs Comparison
The JBL Bar 1000 is built around a 7.1.4 channel system with a total power output of around 880 watts. What I like about it is the detachable rear speakers that run on battery power, which makes it really convenient to place them wherever I want without worrying about cables. The 10-inch subwoofer is large and powerful, giving me that deep rumble during action scenes, and it supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. It also has room calibration and supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, so streaming and adjusting the sound feels pretty straightforward.
The Samsung Q990D, on the other hand, is an 11.1.4 setup with about 656 watts of total power, and while the number might seem lower, the channel layout is far more complex. It comes with fixed rear speakers that are fully powered, and the system uses a total of 22 drivers spread across the main bar, subwoofer, and surrounds. It includes dual HDMI 2.1 inputs that support 4K at 120Hz, which is something I’d seriously consider if I’m gaming on a PS5 or Xbox. It also has Samsung’s room tuning tech and works especially well with Samsung TVs because of Q-Symphony. To me, the JBL Bar 1000 is more about ease and punch, while the Q990D is for someone who wants that layered, spacious audio and doesn’t mind a bit more setup.
Table Comparison
| Category | JBL Bar 1000 | Samsung HW-Q990D |
| Channel Configuration | 7.1.4 (main bar + wireless sub + detachable rear speakers) | 11.1.4 (main bar + wireless sub + powered rear speakers) |
| Total Power Output | 880W total (440W bar, 300W subwoofer, 2 x 70W rear speakers) | 656W total (exact breakdown not specified, but sub and rears are powered) |
| Subwoofer | 10-inch wireless subwoofer | 8-inch wireless subwoofer |
| Rear Speakers | Battery-powered, detachable wireless surrounds with up-firing drivers | Fixed-position, powered rear speakers with side and up-firing drivers |
| Up-firing Drivers | 4 total (2 on bar, 1 on each rear speaker) | 4 total (2 on bar, 2 on rear speakers) |
| Sound Formats | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X |
| Room Calibration | Yes (via JBL One App) | Yes (SpaceFit Sound Pro auto calibration) |
| Voice Enhancement | PureVoice technology | Active Voice Amplifier |
| Smart Features | JBL One App, Chromecast, AirPlay 2, Alexa MRM, Spotify Connect | Q-Symphony, SmartThings App, Tap Sound, Adaptive Sound, Game Mode Pro |
| HDMI Inputs | 3x HDMI 2.0 inputs + 1x HDMI eARC output (4K @ 60Hz passthrough) | 2x HDMI 2.1 inputs + 1x HDMI eARC output (4K @ 120Hz passthrough) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (Wi-Fi 6) | Yes (Wi-Fi 5) |
| Streaming Support | Chromecast, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect | Chromecast, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect |
| Dimensions (Main Bar) | Approx. 88 cm wide | Approx. 123 cm wide |
| Dimensions (Subwoofer) | Approx. 44 cm high (10” driver) | Approx. 40 cm high (8” driver) |
The JBL Bar 1000 is a more flexible setup with its detachable, battery-powered surrounds and larger subwoofer, which gives it a more physical presence during movies and bass-heavy scenes. It’s easier to set up in smaller or shared spaces. Meanwhile, the Samsung Q990D is technically more advanced with a true 11.1.4 layout, better gaming support via HDMI 2.1, and tighter integration if you use a Samsung TV.
Sound Comparison
The first thing I noticed when watching Dune: Part Two was how differently the JBL Bar 1000 and Samsung Q990D handled spacious sound. On the JBL, the bass from the 10-inch sub had real weight during the sandworm scenes—it filled the room in a way that felt physical without being overwhelming. The detachable rear speakers (which I placed just behind my couch) created a nice wraparound effect during the quieter desert moments, and the up-firing drivers added a sense of height that worked well with the Atmos mix. Dialogue was generally clear, although sometimes I had to tweak the volume slightly during busy scenes. The JBL’s sound felt open and cinematic, especially when the score swelled, though the overall layering of effects didn’t always feel pinpoint accurate.
The Samsung Q990D, on the other hand, came alive when I played The Batman. The atmosphere in the rain-soaked Gotham scenes felt dense and layered—there’s a moment early in the movie when Batman walks through a hallway and you can actually sense footsteps echoing around you. The 11.1.4 layout gave a stronger sense of separation, especially between overhead effects and dialogue. The rear speakers, being fully powered, pushed more detailed side imaging than I got from the JBL. The sub is only 8 inches but it’s tighter and a bit more controlled—it rumbled during the car chase without muddying the midrange. Dialogue was very sharp without being harsh, and I didn’t need to make adjustments during dynamic scenes.
When I watched Interstellar back to back on both systems, the Q990D pulled ahead slightly in clarity and depth. I could hear individual string elements in Zimmer’s score floating above me more precisely, and the transitions between loud and quiet moments were smoother. The JBL still gave a satisfying experience—it’s fun and powerful, and those detachable rears really helped with immersion—but the Samsung felt more refined. It handled quiet tension and loud explosions with a bit more balance. If I had to choose based on movie watching alone, I’d lean toward the Q990D for its detail and surround precision, but I’d still consider the JBL for its ease of setup.
To cut the long story short, if you want pure cinematic Dolby Atmos sound in its full glory, the Samsung Q990D is the system that delivers the best value (but of course requires more setup and has space constraints).
Design Comparison
The JBL Bar 1000 has a sleek design which measures about 94 cm wide, 5.6 cm high, and 12.6 cm deep, so it fits neatly under most TVs (especially 55″ models) without blocking the screen. Its detachable rear speakers are lightweight (about 0.7 kg each) and snap magnetically into the bar to recharge, which I found clever and practical. Those surrounds have little endcaps included to protect the connectors when removed, and charging them via USB‑C is easy. The sub is pretty substantial at 12″ square and 17 inches tall and feels solid—there’s no wobble or rattling when it’s pushing out low frequencies. The whole system uses a mix of hard plastics and metal grilles which all feel sturdy and well-made.
The Samsung Q990D has a different design philosophy. The main bar stretches nearly 123 cm across but remains low profile at around 7.8 cm in height and 14 cm depth so it clears most displays. The enclosure is a smooth matte plastic shell with metal grilles protecting the drivers and top buttons that have satisfying tactile feedback. Each of the powered rear speakers is about 13 × 20 × 14 cm—bulky but easy to mount or stand on a shelf—and the sub is similarly hefty. Nothing feels cheap or flimsy. It also comes with wall‑mount brackets for both the bar and satellites right in the box which I thought added real value. The build feels premium overall and I like how easy it is to install these speakers around the living room.
Comparing both surround sound systems, the JBL feels more modular and flexible because I can move the surrounds freely and charge them easily which suits a casual living space. The Q990D is more solidly built and integrates easily between the TV, speakers and subwoofer. The added heft of the Samsung components gives an impression of durability and long‑term resilience. Neither design feels overbuilt—they’re both well‑balanced between practical and premium—but if I wanted something portable and fuss‑free I’d go JBL, and for a fixed centrepiece that’s made to stay in place I’d pick Samsung.
The Verdict?
After testing both the JBL Bar 1000 and the Samsung Q990D, I would say that the JBL Bar 1000 gives you a lot of power (880W), a big 10-inch sub that fills the room, and detachable rear speakers that make setup really flexible, especially in a living room where you don’t want to deal with power cables running across the floor. The build feels solid, the Atmos effects are convincing, and the system sounds full and exciting, especially during action-heavy movies like Dune: Part Two. It’s a great pick if you want something easy to live with that still delivers serious performance. In fact, the JBL Bar 1000 is second to none except to the JBL Bar 1300X which gives more power and bass.
That said, personally I would go with the Samsung Q990D. It may not have detachable speakers or the raw wattage numbers of the JBL, but in actual use, the 11.1.4 layout sounds more refined and immersive. The detail I got while watching The Batman and Interstellar was just better balanced, and the rear speakers—being powered—offered more consistent surround performance. Plus, with HDMI 2.1 support and tighter integration with Samsung TVs through Q-Symphony, it’s a more future-proof option if you’re gaming or already in the Samsung ecosystem. I think the Q990D delivers a more polished home theater experience overall, and for me, that’s worth the extra cost.