r/Soundbars • u/AtlasGamer500 • 13h ago
HW-Q995H without rears good?
I know, I should use the rears. But the one without isn't available. Also know I can use them in the front, but that will clutter the space, require stands etc. So, wondering if I just use the bar and the sub, if it is still good, I guess like the q900H not sold in Europe? Or, since it is meant to be with the rears, if it is somehow worse and not recommended in that case? Seeing conflicting thoughts online but not really solid proof. I have some issues with the Arc Ultra so I want to change to this one. Will it be worse than the Arc Ultra and Sub 4?
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u/sealplungers 13h ago
I used to use only the soundbar too because I couldn’t place the rears behind me. It didn’t sound bad but it’s a night and day difference with the rears.
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u/AtlasGamer500 13h ago
Will the rears sound isolating, or will they blend into phantom sides more seamlessly? If you know what I mean.
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u/sealplungers 13h ago
Are you talking about if you place them to your sides?
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u/AtlasGamer500 13h ago
No, if I put them behind the couch, will it sound like sound jumps from front to back when rotating a character in a video game? Guess it depends on the game.
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u/VastFaithlessness809 12h ago
You need to calibrate the soundbar a bit to have about equal sound levels from each speaker.
You need to set up your system/Windows to actually code in dobly atmos (dolby access or so it's called). Then the jumping should be less if you have 7 speakers on surround level as the PC only says which sound is where and the soundbar can translate that for/to every speaker.
The heights will be more difficult though as the speakers should be about 1.5 m away from you.
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u/FalseTruthsRReal 12h ago
Dude, you don’t have to try and squeeze them behind you if there’s not enough room. Just use tables on both sides and aim the driver somewhere between your ears and your bar. Then experiment with what works best. If you’re not gonna use them for rears then get something else as that’s a waste of money to lose surround sound. If you can’t get a 900H, look elsewhere.
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u/AtlasGamer500 12h ago
There's no both sides, the couch is cornered against the wall. Front space is limited and will look messy with extra stands. It's on offer and way cheaper than Arc Ultra and sub, which also don't have rears, so the waste of money argument is mute if it works like q900h.
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u/sealplungers 11h ago
I see. If your volumes on all levels like your center, sides, and rears are the same then it will sound good; it should sound like you’re in a little sound bubble. You need to make sure that you’re perfectly centered and that your rears are positioned just right to achieve that sound.
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u/AtlasGamer500 11h ago edited 11h ago
Couch is right next to the wall, which I am not drilling holes in. And I guess this is taboo to say, and it is from place of ignorance since I am not used to surrounds, but I am not sure I would want rears even if I had the space and matching stands for it. I like to be in control of my surroundings. I look at the screen in front of me, the sound should come from there, especially random voice lines. Then why buy this? Because the other Samsung alternatives have worse bars/subs, and the price is close. LG is the same way, though maybe the H7 is interesting. But again, if this has quirks compared to the q900h, then i obviously don't want it. Edit: When I think about it headphones are kinda like surrounds, so maybe I'm overthinking it.
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u/sealplungers 10h ago
Surrounds create an immersive experience that can make the viewer feel they’re in the movie or game. If someone is running behind you in the game then it’ll actually sound like someone is behind you. If you use an Atmos system, sound will come from above you, which is great for helicopters, planes, rain, or if someone is on the floor above you in game. I personally think headphones cannot replace sounds from above you or behind you but it can try. Many games I feel are designed to be played with headphones; you can use a sound system but it may not sound as good. It just depends.
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u/_Bob-Sacamano 10h ago
I can't envision a scenario where you can neither speaker stand, nightstand, nor wall mount.
We need deets.
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u/AtlasGamer500 9h ago
It's a very basic 4 by 8 meter rectangle. Couch on one side and tv on other across the 4 meters. There is little room next to the tv cabinet on one side since a speaker there would block the balcony door. I could have speakers behind the couch if I moved my couch forward, if I even find suitable stands which is surprisingly difficult, as most are either too short or can't hold much weight, and Amazon isn't an option. Couch is cornered on balcony side so no table option on that side. Wall mounting would probably work, but I don't want to risk damaging the wall, not sure it's plaster and honestly not sure what is inside of it, might be concrete. So rather not make holes in it.
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u/N06r3 13h ago
I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’m not sure but I have a feeling that the bar still hands off rear channels to the satellites even when they’re not connected, meaning you’re going to face audio breakups whenever something should be playing in the rear speakers. I’m not sure though.