comparison between the JBL Bar 1300MK2 (Dual 8″ Sub version) and the Samsung HW-Q990D.
The “Killer” Difference: Gaming
If you own a PS5 or Xbox Series X, this is the most critical difference.
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Samsung Q990D: Supports HDMI 2.1. It can pass through 4K at 120Hz.1 This means you can plug your PS5 directly into the soundbar and still get the fastest frame rates on your TV.
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JBL Bar 1300MK2: Only supports HDMI 2.0.2 It limits you to 4K at 60Hz. If you plug a PS5 into this bar, you lose the 120Hz fluidity unless you plug the console into the TV first and use eARC (which can sometimes cause audio sync issues).
Sound Profile: “Fun” vs. “Precision”
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JBL Bar 1300MK2 (The “Fun” Choice):
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Bass: The new Dual 8-inch subwoofer is faster and punchier than the old single 10-inch, but it still prioritizes that signature JBL “club” sound.3 It hits hard and feels exciting for action movies and Afrobeat/Hip-hop.
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Warmth: JBL tends to tune their speakers with a “warm” mid-range, making vocals sound rich but sometimes slightly colored.
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Samsung Q990D (The “Precise” Choice):
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Bubble: Samsung’s 11.1.4 processing is currently the industry king. The “bubble” of sound is seamless; you often can’t tell where one speaker ends and the next begins.
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Clarity: It is surgically clean. If you watch a lot of dialogue-heavy shows or sci-fi with complex sound mixes (like Dune), the Samsung separates the layers better than the JBL.4
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Living Room Logistics (The “Wife Factor”)
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JBL (Flexibility): The detachable battery-powered rear speakers are JBL’s superpower.5 You can keep the bar tidy during the day, and only snap the rear speakers off and place them behind you for movie night. No power cables needed for the rear speakers.
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Samsung (Permanence): The rear speakers must be plugged into power outlets.6 You need to have sockets behind your sofa or run extension cables. However, because they are always plugged in, they are always ready—no battery degradation anxiety.
Price in Kenya (Nairobi Estimates)
Prices are currently very competitive between these two.
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Samsung Q990D: ~ KES 185,000 (Widely available)
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JBL Bar 1300MK2: ~ KES 178,000 – 230,000 (Price varies wildly depending on if it’s an official distributor or parallel import).7
Feature Breakdown
| Feature | JBL Bar 1300MK2 | Samsung HW-Q990D | Winner |
| Gaming | 4K @ 60Hz (HDMI 2.0) | 4K @ 120Hz (HDMI 2.1) | Samsung |
| Subwoofer | Dual 8-inch (Punchy, tight) | Single 8-inch (Clean, balanced) | JBL (for impact) |
| Rear Speakers | Detachable Battery (No wires) | Wired Power (Needs sockets) | JBL (for convenience) |
| Dialogue | PureVoice 2.0 (Great) | Active Voice Amp (Superior) | Samsung |
| Smart Features | AirPlay 2, Chromecast | AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Roon | Tie |
| App | JBL One (Simple, EQ) | SmartThings (Deep control) | Samsung |
Final Verdict for You
Choose the Samsung Q990D if:
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You are a Gamer: The 120Hz support is future-proof.
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You want “Reference” Sound: You want to hear the movie exactly as the director intended, with perfect object placement.
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You have Power Outlets near your Sofa: You don’t mind plugging in the rear speakers permanently.
Choose the JBL Bar 1300MK2 if:
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You hate cables: You want to put the rear speakers away when not using them.
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You love Music/Bass: You prefer a sound system that makes music feel “live” and energetic rather than flat and analytical.
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You want Bluetooth Flexibility: You want to detach the rear speaker and take it to the balcony or kitchen as a standalone Bluetooth speaker (Samsung rears cannot do this).