Samsung isn't just bringing out its new TV toys to play at CES 2026. The consumer tech company also has a lot to offer in the home audio space.
The Korean giant has announced its 2026 sound device lineup, and it's a pretty comprehensive refresh. We're talking flagship soundbars, a pair of designer Wi-Fi speakers, and those Sound Towers that were teased late last year.
The headline act is the HW-Q990H, Samsung's new flagship soundbar, building on the Q990F from last year and the Q990D before it.
The standout feature this year is something called Sound Elevation, which "lifts" dialogue towards the centre of your screen for more natural-sounding audio. There's also Auto Volume, which should stop you reaching for the remote every time you switch between streaming services or jump between shows.
This is an 11.1.4-channel beast with a 7.0.2-channel main bar, 4.0.2-channel rear speakers, and dual 8-inch subwoofers. Samsung's promising the kind of scale you'd usually associate with a proper home theatre setup.
Samsung has confirmed the HW-Q990H will be coming locally, though we're still waiting on pricing and availability details.
Designer speakers for your living room
Perhaps a more intriguing announcement is the launch of the Music Studio series. These are two new Wi-Fi speakers designed by Erwan Bouroullec.
The Music Studio 7 is the bigger sibling, offering 3.1.1-channel spatial audio with left, front, right, and top-firing speakers. Samsung's Audio Lab Pattern Control Technology apparently reduces signal overlap for cleaner directionality, while AI Dynamic Bass Control delivers deep bass without the usual distortion you get when smaller speakers try to go low.
You can use it as a standalone speaker, pair multiple units together, or connect it to a Samsung TV via Q-Symphony for a full surround sound setup.
The Music Studio 7 is confirmed for Australia in both black and white, though again, pricing and availability are still under wraps.
The Music Studio 5 is the smaller, more décor-focused option. It uses a 4-inch woofer and dual tweeters with a built-in waveguide, and Samsung's tuned it specifically for homes where aesthetics matter as much as sound quality.
Q-Symphony gets smarter
Samsung's also upgrading Q-Symphony, the technology that lets Samsung TVs, soundbars, and Wi-Fi speakers work together as a unified sound system.
In 2026, you'll be able to pair up to five sound devices with a Samsung TV, and the new SpaceFit Sound Pro feature will analyse your room layout and device placement to optimise channel distribution.
Through the SmartThings app, you'll be able to control sound settings, manage group playback, and access streaming services and voice assistants from one interface.
"Almost a decade ago, Samsung introduced the concept of lifestyle TVs, combining revolutionary yet highly sophisticated designs with powerful performance to elevate home theatre experiences," said Simon Howe, Director of AV at Samsung Australia. "Today, Samsung is bringing a new series of lifestyle audio devices, offering Australians diversity in design, performance, and intelligent connectivity that extend music and entertainment experiences."
Samsung's research shows that almost two-thirds of Australians relax by listening to music, so the company's clearly betting that there's appetite for audio gear that doesn't look like traditional black boxes.
The Sound Tower series (ST50F and ST40F models) that Samsung announced late last year will also be joining the 2026 lineup locally, though we're still waiting on details there, too.
We'll hopefully get more concrete Australian pricing and availability details soon.
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