Samsung will introduce the QS700F soundbar and update the Q990 at CES 2025

Samsung has new soundbars and updates to an existing model to show at CES 2025. First, the HW-QS700F is a completely new speaker that is designed to sit on a shelf or TV stand, but can also be mounted at 90 degrees on a wall under a TV. The QS700F can optimize the sound based on how you position it for the best performance. It will come with a wireless subwoofer, but it is not clear if rear satellite speakers are part of the package.

The company’s flagship soundbar returns for 2025 with a significant tweak. The HW-Q990F will remain an all-in-one package with wireless subwoofer and rear satellite speakers included and retains the same angular look. But, the company says it has reduced the size of the sub to less than half of the previous version. In addition, Samsung explains that it has done so while providing even more powerful audio performance from the unit. As someone who has reviewed both the Q990D and Q990CI can tell you that the previous subwoofer was huge, so this is a big upgrade.

The Q990F remains an 11.1.4-channel speaker with “clearer, richer and more effortless sound” and Dolby Atmos support. The included surround back speakers also include up-firing drivers, which increases the overall effect of immersive audio. And as I noted before, having everything in one package is convenient and saves you from having to make extra purchases on top of an expensive soundbar.

Samsung will use AI to enhance the sound quality in its soundbars in 2025. Two features, Active Voice Amplifier Pro and Q-Symphony Pro, use artificial intelligence to enhance dialogue over background noise and analyze the sound with a Samsung TV processor respectively. The company says that Q-Symphony Pro will also be available on two new B-series soundbars, the HW-B750F and HW-B650F, which will arrive in 2025.

Another item that Samsung is willing to discuss at CES is its Eclipse Audio platform that develops in collaboration with Google. Details are scarce on the new 3D audio standard for now, but Samsung has already said that its 2025 TVs and soundbars will support it. According to the press release, Eclipsa Audio allows content creators to adjust sound data and location for spatial audio. It looks like Samsung and Google are developing their own version of Dolby Atmos. Additionally, Samsung says creators will be able to upload videos using Eclipsa Audio to YouTube later this year, but there’s no word on support for other platforms.

Samsung first announced plans to develop 3D spatial audio in 2023 when he collaborated with Google on Immersive Audio Models and Formats (IAMF). IAMF was adopted by the Alliance for Open Media (AOM), which lists Amazon, Apple and Netflix among its members. This is also not the first time that Samsung has avoided Dolby as it has opted for HDR10+ over Dolby Vision for its TVs.

There’s no word on pricing and availability of the new soundbar models yet. This information is likely to arrive closer to the launch. For reference, the Q990D is $2,000, but once again, it includes a subwoofer and rear speakers. Sony’s Bar 9 it’s $1,400 just for the soundbar itself.