Samsung Neo QLED 4K 55QN90D (2024) + Soundbar

With the Samsung Neo QLED 55QN90D (2024), I also enjoy clear images in a lit room. The combination of the Neo QLED screen with the anti-reflection layer ensures that images are clearly visible when the sun shines on the screen. Few reflections Thanks to the thousands of mini LED lights that illuminate and dim individually, I enjoy a strong contrast. I'm watching a documentary and see a lot of color details in shadows and bright parts. The anti-reflection layer and the high brightness reduce reflections on the screen, so I can still see the images clearly even with a lot of sunlight in the room. In addition, this TV has the Ultra Viewing Angle technology. This gives the TV a wide viewing angle and I can easily watch an exciting sports match with all my friends and family. Spatial sound To test the sound of this TV, I set up a racing match. What immediately struck me is that the TV produces a spacious sound. The TV has 8 speakers of 60 watts each. In addition, Object Tracking Sound+ provides a realistic sound experience, because the sound moves with the movements on the screen. This means I can literally hear the racing cars speeding by. The Dolby Atmos technology sends the sound back to my viewing position via the platform. As a result, I also hear the sound passing by above me. I do miss the deep bass tones in the sound, because a subwoofer is missing. Clear smart menu I open the Tizen smart menu via the supplied Solar One Remote. The remote control charges itself with artificial and daylight, making batteries unnecessary. I easily navigate through the smart menu to my favorite apps such as Netflix and Disney+. The remote control also has smart buttons that allow me to quickly access these apps. I can also easily open films and series that I am currently watching. A clear and user-friendly smart platform.

The TV is certainly excellent in terms of picture and sound. The input for the optical cable for a sound bar, for example, is very difficult to reach; so bad that the cable enters at a bit of an angle due to lack of space, resulting in the cover in front of the input breaking off and falling into the TV. Some functions are deeply hidden: turning subtitles on and off requires quite a few clicks and search movements. In addition, the subtitle settings are a bit confusing. I couldn't find one simple button to turn this on and off; not even in the Smarthings app. This also applies to the Bluetooth connections. Bluetooth is an unfriendly technology: sound to the soundbar via Bluetooth is much better than via the optical cable, but when switching on the TV it must be confirmed every time that the sound must go that way. Turning off a Bluetooth connection is sometimes necessary and then a lot of clicking has to be done to get to the point in question. The slot for the Ci module is supplied separately and is simply sloppily designed; dangles slightly from the back of the TV; does not fall off, but that impression is given. That should be better for a TV costing 1600 euros (43 inches).

The TV works fine. Picture excellent. Sound mediocre but the soundbar makes the sound fine. The TV has way too much bling in the interface on the screen and only a very limited remote control. Everything goes with up/down/left/right... not really handy. Fortunately... after starting up, it goes straight to what you were doing last (like looking at input on HDMI1 for example) after a while. The soundbar only has a wireless connection to the subwoofer, via bluetooth. That connection is a bit difficult to set up (the limited manual is not clear). Once it works, this connection causes interference on the wifi network or other bluetooth connections (such as between a phone and headset). It would have been good if the product information had clearly stated that the subwoofer can only be connected to the soundbar *wirelessly*. (Real audiophiles will never use bluetooth for an audio connection.)