At CES 2025, Samsung presented two new premium soundbars, one in 3.1.2 (the HW-QS700F)the other in 11.1.4 channels (referenced HW-Q990F). The latter inaugurates a brand new dual-speaker subwoofer. But they will also be the first to reproduce immersive sound in the new Eclipsa Audio multichannel format. It is intended to compete with Dolby Atmos.
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The elegant Samsung HW-QS700F
This ultra-flat format bar has a modern design to match the latest generation screens. It has an elegant style, especially when mounted on the wall, which gives it the appearance of a large center speaker. The HW-QS700F can also be installed flat on a piece of furniture positioned under the television. Samsung has equipped the soundbar with a gyroscope allowing it to automatically adapt the playback mode according to the chosen positioning.
This model works in 3.1.2 channels; it therefore manages three front channels and two elevation channels to reproduce sound objects and effects coming from the ceiling. The HW-QS700F decodes both DTS:X and Dolby Atmos.
The powerful Samsung HW-Q990F
Soundbars whose reference begins with 900 correspond to Samsung’s standard bearers. The HW-Q990F is no exception with its 11.1.4 channels. It is accompanied by a pair of active wireless surround speakers to help it reproduce the fifteen announced channels, on the front, on the sides, at the rear and towards the ceiling. It has Neural Processing Unit and Active Voice Amplifier Pro processing aimed at extracting and bringing out dialogue in all situations. The Q-Symphony system remains present to combine the sound of the bar with that of the television so that the sound always fits the image. It would even be possible to combine additional surround speakers such as the Samsung Music Frame, but this remains to be confirmed.
The HW-Q990F introduces an all-new subwoofer. Previously, the Samsung 900 bars were accompanied by an imposing vertical box with a 20 or 25 cm speaker positioned on the edge. From now on, it becomes more compact by incorporating two 20 cm speakers installed back to back. This will surely make you think of the KEF KC62 and KC92 compact subwoofers operating on the same principle. This type of assembly has the advantage of reducing body vibrations, and therefore noise, to zero, to deliver a cleaner sound. This subwoofer is associated with Dynamic Bass Control technology.
The prices of these two bars are not yet known.
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Eclipsa Audio to compete with Dolby Atmos
Samsung is accustomed to this: the brand prefers to develop its own standards rather than apply those of others. This is why you never find Dolby Vision on Samsung televisions. The Korean manufacturer actually participated in the development of the HDR10+ competitor. Here is the same operation for immersive sound. These new soundbars, like the previous ones, are Dolby Atmos and DTS:X compatible. Here again, Samsung found that it would be preferable to develop its own standard.
In collaboration with Google, here is Eclipsa Audio. The operation is similar to Dolby Atmos, with little extras such as the possibility of independent and dynamic channel adjustment depending on the scene. Eclipsa Audio can accommodate up to 28 channels. It is compatible with binaural sound for headphone listening. Google and Samsung define this new format as “revolutionary 3D audio technology (…) bringing consumers truly captivating 3D audio and visual experiences, closer than ever before“.
Eclipsa Audio will be compatible with Samsung televisions and soundbars from the 2025 collection. On Google’s side, YouTube will be the first media to host programs mixed in Eclipsa Audio. In order to ensure rapid development, this format is open source, both in terms of tools and license. Anyone will be able to create videos with Eclipsa sound and publish them on YouTubee. The two partners on This project hopes that these advantages will convince the competition to adopt the Eclipsa Audio format for free. Remember that both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X require manufacturers to pay for a license on each device produced.
YouTube could be a significant advantage in favor of the development of this new format. The level of penetration of YouTube in homes is constantly increasing: more than 80% of French and Americans were using it in 2023. Some predict that the platform could even become the universal television hub, completely replacing linear programs. Many TV channels already broadcast their exclusive programs there for free. And then YouTube is not Dolby Atmos compatible! We should therefore not bury Eclipsa Audio too quickly.
