Samsung’s breaking the mold in 2025, and it’s about time. For years, their soundbar updates felt more like déjà vu, especially with the flagship Q990. But CES unveiled a genuine surprise: the QS700F ($700). Forget just another refresh; this is a reinvention. While it might not pack the room-shaking immersion of its pricier brother, the QS700F comes loaded with clever tricks, including a sonic chameleon that adapts to any orientation you throw at it. Finally, innovation we can hear.
Don’t let the “QS” fool you; the QS700F packs a punch, even if it’s not flexing the same sonic muscle as its beefier sibling, the Q990F. While the Q990F assaults your ears with an 11.1.4-channel behemoth of sound, the QS700F delivers Dolby Atmos in a refined 3.1.2 configuration. Eight drivers may seem modest compared to the Q990F’s arsenal, but consider this: the QS700F is half the price. If you’re rocking a cozy apartment or a modest living room, this adaptable soundbar provides immersive audio without overwhelming your space – or your wallet. It’s proof that sonic bliss doesn’t always require overkill.
Samsung
Samsung HW-QS700F
Forget incremental upgrades. The Samsung QS700F soundbar explodes onto the scene, a bold new contender in a market drowning in timid tweaks. It’s not flawless, but this striking blend of design and functionality delivers a knockout punch, challenging premium rivals without the premium price tag.
Pros
- Automatic orientation adjustment
- Crisp and balanced sound
- Refined design
- Easy setup
Cons
- 3.1.2-channel audio constrains movie sound
- Room calibration and other major features only work with Samsung TVs
Explore More Buying Options
$548 at Macy’s$700 at HSN
$548 at Macy’s$700 at HSN
$498 at Amazon
Design
Gone are the aggressive angles of Samsung’s Q990F. The QS700F embraces minimalist design. Its brick-like form melts into the background, a welcome change from soundbars demanding attention. Shorter in stature, it promises an unobstructed view, letting your TV take center stage.
Samsung cloaks its soundbar in a suit of sonic armor. The sides and back boast a rigid, circularly perforated grille, a 360-degree shield for the audio within. But peek at the top, and you’ll find a touch of elegance: a sleek, horizontal cover that whispers sophistication. Cleverly, this becomes the soundbar’s “face” when wall-mounted, ensuring visual appeal. As for the wireless subwoofer, function triumphs over form – a discreet, cube-like companion, measuring less than 10 inches, that humbly delivers the low-end rumble.
Samsung banished its logo to the sidelines, letting the soundbar’s sleek facade speak for itself. Onboard controls remain elegantly simple, a godsend for wall-mounted setups where visibility is key. Source, volume, and power icons melt seamlessly into the design, discreetly present yet never intrusive. Around the back, a trio of wired connections awaits: HDMI input (eARC-enabled), HDMI output, and an optical port, ensuring compatibility with a range of devices.
The QS700F soundbar, like many, employs front-facing LEDs to signal volume adjustments and setting changes. However, Samsung’s execution veers into the realm of distracting theatrics. Instead of subtle feedback, volume adjustments trigger an overzealous mini light show that feels more like a rave than a refined user interface. A simple, single blink per button press would be infinitely preferable. The persistent, blinking mute indicator light suffers from the same “too much” affliction. Thinking wall-mounting might offer respite from this LED onslaught? Think again. Flip the QS700F, and you’re greeted byanotherset of LEDs embedded on the top, ensuring your visual annoyance is inescapable.
Software and features
Billy Steele for Engadget
Forget fiddling with sound settings. The QS700F boasts “Convertible Fit,” a game-changing feature that adapts to your setup. Whether you lay it flat or mount it on the wall, this soundbar knows the difference. An internal accelerometer cleverly detects its orientation, instantly remapping the front- and up-firing channels for optimal sound. Clever driver placement ensures those up-firing speakers always hit the sweet spot. In my tests, Convertible Fit performed flawlessly. The sound remained remarkably consistent in both orientations. While the center channelmighthave gotten a slight boost in wall-mount mode, it was a subtle shift, not a sonic earthquake.
Beyond its sonic prowess, the QS700F boasts wireless Dolby Atmos when paired with compatible TVs. Its Wi-Fi smarts unlock a world of streaming possibilities: AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Roon Service, and Tidal Connect are all at your fingertips. One surprise? While Bixby takes a backseat, Google Assistant steps in via Google Home, putting voice control at your command.
Samsung throws in some exclusive features for its TV owners, and these are hard to ignore. Q-Symphony, for example, promises a sonic tapestry woven from both your TV’s speakers and the soundbar itself. Samsung boasts this creates a richer, more detailed soundscape, and certain AI-powered TVs can even sharpen dialogue. Alas, lacking a Samsung TV, I couldn’t experience this firsthand. But honestly, who would argue against more speakers adding to the audio experience?
Samsung’s SpaceFit Sound Pro, the holy grail of room calibration, is locked behind a walled garden. No Samsung TV with a built-in mic? Kiss personalized audio goodbye on the QS700F. Prepare to be underwhelmed with the stock tuning. Forget crystal-clear dialogue, too. The QS700F’s “Voice Enhance Mode” is a pale shadow of the Active Voice Amplifier Pro, reserved for Samsung’s microphone-equipped elites. And wireless Dolby Atmos? That’s another exclusive club, only accessible with specific 2022-2025 Samsung TVs. It’s a proprietary playground where only Samsung loyalists get to fully play.
The QS700F stumbles where Samsung’s Q990F soars: video passthrough. While the Q990F flaunts silky-smooth 4K at 120Hz, the QS700F lags behind at a mere 60Hz. For casual viewers, this might be a blip on the radar. But for discerning gamers craving every frame and cinephiles demanding visual perfection, it’s a frustrating compromise.
Beyond the remote, Samsung’s SmartThings app unlocks the QS700F’s true potential. Dive deep into a world of sonic customization: sculpt your soundstage with individual channel tweaks, achieve perfect lip-sync precision, and seamlessly juggle inputs. Consider the app your audio command center, a realm we’ll explore further as we dissect the QS700F’s performance prowess.
Sound quality
Billy Steele for Engadget
Unleash a wave of sound with the QS700F – a true 3.1.2-channel audio experience. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking realism of Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X, delivered by dedicated up-firing drivers. Forget simulated surround sound; the QS700F delivers the real deal. Eight strategically placed speakers, including three main channels and two sky-high drivers, work in concert with the booming wireless subwoofer (“the ‘1’ that ties it all together”) to envelop you in rich, dimensional audio. Get ready to hear sound like never before.
The QS700F delivers crisp, articulate sound, a sonic tapestry woven with enough detail to satisfy both film buffs and music aficionados. And don’t let its compact form fool you – the subwoofer packs a serious punch.Top Gun: Maverickexploded with thunderous bass, rattling the room with every afterburner blast. The soundbar navigated the roaring engines and hairpin turns ofFormula 1: Drive to Survivewith impressive directional accuracy. While the QS700F couldn’t quite match the immersive, wraparound audio of the Sonos Arc Ultra (a predictable outcome given the 3.1.2 channel setup), its limitations were most apparent in less-than-ideal spaces. Think smaller rooms with clean, right angles – the QS700F thrives there. But for soaring ceilings and uniquely shaped rooms, a more robust, multi-channel system with rear speakers is the key to truly engulfing sound.
Vocals take center stage, perhaps a bit too forcefully for some ears, though the app offers a quick fix if needed. I found the balance appealing, with crisp highs, full mids, and a subwoofer that thumps with satisfying authority when the track demands it. Forget needing a separate music system the QS700F doubles as a fantastic soundbar and a killer audio hub. Plus, lounging on the couch doesn’t mean sacrificing control; effortlessly stream music from your phone through multiple convenient methods.
Dive into sound with the QS700F’s array of modes, each crafted to elevate your listening experience. From the immersive depth of Surround to the pinpoint accuracy of Game Pro, and the virtual 3D soundscapes of DTS Virtual:X, finding the perfect sonic profile is a breeze. But for those who prefer a “set it and forget it” approach, Adaptive mode is a revelation. It intelligently analyzes and optimizes audio in real-time, ensuring that whether you’re watching a blockbuster or listening to your favorite playlist, the QS700F’s impressive audio capabilities always shine through, effortlessly.
Dive into the QS700F’s “Advanced Sound Settings” and unearth a treasure trove of audio tweaks. Tame unruly bass with “Night Mode,” perfect for late-night listening without waking the house. Craving more thump? Unleash “Moderate Bass” for a deep, rich sonic experience. No rear speakers? No problem! “Virtual” mode conjures a wider soundstage, filling the room with immersive audio. Each preset and mode audibly reshapes the sound, offering a personalized sonic landscape tailored to your environment and preferences. The QS700F doesn’t just play sound; it sculpts it.
The competition
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
(Devindra Hardawar for Engadget)
The 2025 soundbar battle is heating up, with Samsung and Sony unleashing their 3.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos contenders. While Samsung’s QS700F flaunts a clever orientation trick, Sony’s Theater Bar 6 punches back with raw audio power. Both pack a subwoofer and boast immersive sound modes, but Sony elevates Dolby Atmos and DTS:X with up-firing speakers and virtual surround wizardry. Like Samsung, Sony locks some features, like the AI-driven Voice Zoom 3, behind the walls of its own TV ecosystem. The kicker? At $650, the Bar 6 barely undercuts the QS700F. Is Sony betting on brand loyalty, or does it have a sonic secret weapon?
Sonos’ Beam (Gen 2) positions itself as a rival to the QS700F, but hold on there are wrinkles. While the Beam boasts impressive sound, its Atmos experience is purely digital wizardry, lacking true up-firing speakers. The Ace headphones’ TV Audio Swap is a plus, yet you’ll wrestle with the frustrating Sonos app revamp. The Beam’s $499 price tag seems appealing until you factor in the inevitable subwoofer purchase. Prepare to shell out an extra $429 for the Sub Mini or a hefty $700 for the Sub 4. Suddenly, the Beam’s total cost eclipses the QS700F, making you rethink your audio strategy.
Wrap-up
Forget incremental upgrades. The Samsung QS700F soundbar arrives like a sonic boom, a genuine innovation amidst a sea of subtle tweaks. While the flagship Q990 merely sipped from the fountain of improvement, the QS700F gulps it down. Yes, you’ll unlock its full potential with a Samsung TV think seamless synergy and intuitive control but that’s the price of admission to Samsung’s walled garden. The real casualty if you stray? Room calibration. Unleash the QS700F in an acoustically challenging space, and you might find its audio brilliance slightly…dimmed. High ceilings and quirky angles beware.
Despite its few drawbacks, the soundbar’s automatic orientation adjustment is a game-changer. Think of it as future-proofing your setup – relocate your TV, re-imagine your space; this soundbar adapts. Plus, let’s be honest, it looks good doing it – a rare feat in the often-clunky world of audio devices. Ultimately, the QS700F strikes a compelling balance of features, aesthetics, and sound. If you can accept a slightly less immersive Dolby Atmos experience in 3.1.2, you’ve got a serious contender for the top spot in the midrange.
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