Samsung is kicking off the CES news cycle early, unveiling a 2026 audio lineup that leans heavily into spatial sound and cross-device integration. The new Q-Series soundbars and Music Studio speakers are designed to work together rather than in isolation, pushing an ecosystem strategy that will feel familiar to anyone using Apple’s HomePod and Apple TV.
At the high end, the new HW-Q990H soundbar leads the pack. It is an 11.1.4-channel system built around a compact active subwoofer with dual 8-inch drivers and rear speakers designed to blanket a room in sound. The standout feature here is Sound Elevation, a technology designed to lift dialogue so it appears to come from the center of the screen rather than the bar beneath it, a clever fix for a common home theater annoyance.
There …
Samsung is kicking off the CES news cycle early, unveiling a 2026 audio lineup that leans heavily into spatial sound and cross-device integration. The new Q-Series soundbars and Music Studio speakers are designed to work together rather than in isolation, pushing an ecosystem strategy that will feel familiar to anyone using Apple’s HomePod and Apple TV.
At the high end, the new HW-Q990H soundbar leads the pack. It is an 11.1.4-channel system built around a compact active subwoofer with dual 8-inch drivers and rear speakers designed to blanket a room in sound. The standout feature here is Sound Elevation, a technology designed to lift dialogue so it appears to come from the center of the screen rather than the bar beneath it, a clever fix for a common home theater annoyance.
There is also the new HW-QS90H, a slimmer 7.1.2-channel unit that ditches a separate subwoofer in favor of a built-in Quad Bass Woofer. Samsung designed this model for flexibility. A built-in gyro sensor detects whether the soundbar is mounted on a wall or placed on a table, automatically adjusting the audio profile to match its orientation.
The company is also expanding its standalone lineup with the Music Studio series. The Music Studio 7 (LS70H) delivers 3.1.1-channel spatial audio with top-firing speakers and support for high-resolution playback, while the smaller Music Studio 5 (LS50H) is designed to fit discreetly into a bookshelf or gallery-style setup. Both support Q-Symphony, Samsung’s proprietary technology that syncs audio across compatible TVs, soundbars, and speakers. The 2026 update allows users to pair up to five devices at once, creating a surround-style setup that rivals hardwired systems without the cable clutter.
This audio push is just one part of Samsung’s aggressive roadmap for the coming year. We are already tracking reports of a Wide Fold smartphone designed to preempt Apple’s future foldable, alongside the debut of its first 2nm mobile chip. You can expect to see these new speakers in person when CES kicks off in Las Vegas on January 6.