Sound quality: Samsung's HW-Q6CB has Very Good overall sound quality - although it has some noticeable sonic quirks, this model reproduces music and dialog very well. In the Standard sound mode with the tone controls set to provide the most even tonal balance the bass has good impact and goes fairly deep, but is a bit prominent and boomy. Midrange is even, but is a bit grainy and hazy. Treble is extended, but is a touch smeared and sizzly. Does a good job of recovering room ambience, but is a bit congested. The two channel sound field extends somewhat above and a bit to the sides of the speaker enclosure and lacks front to back depth. The various sound modes, voice enhancement, virtual, and night mode have a noticeable effect on the sound field and/or tonal balance. When 5.1 channel program material is played back in the Standard sound mode the sound field may extend somewhat past the sides and well above the soundbar, but still lacks depth. The various sound modes, voice enhancement, virtual, and night mode have a noticeable effect on the sound field and/or tonal balance. When playing Dolby Atmos material in the Surround mode with Dolby Virtual turned on, the width and height of the sound stage expands and depending on the program material can fill the front end of the room; the sound stage can extend up and above from the front of the room to almost directly overhead, but there was no rear surround effect, and sounds that should have been in the rear come from the front. The various sound modes, voice enhancement, virtual, and night mode have a noticeable effect on the sound field and/or tonal balance when Dolby Atmos material is played back. There was no significant difference in sound quality between the HDMI, Optical, USB, and Bluetooth inputs. Dolby Atmos program material can only be played through the HDMI input and through the HDMI ARC/eARC input when it is connected to a TV that has a HDMI ARC connection that supports Dolby Digital+ or a HDMI eARC connection that supports Dolby Digital+ or Dolby Digital TrueHD. The system can provide satisfying volume in a medium sized room.
TV setup and ease of use: very good overall.
Features setup and ease of use: good overall.
