The Samsung HW-Q60C downmixes height content like Dolby Atmos into stereo to play it back. Of course, you don’t get the same clear and real feel as with setups with dedicated up-firing height drivers. Still, the frequency response is fairly even, so sound effects remain pretty clear in the mix.
Subjectively, we found that the bar’s height performance improved over traditional TV speakers, but not much more. It does little to replicate the sense of sound from the space above you or surrounding you, which makes sense given that it lacks surround or height drivers. The soundstage isn’t very wide, even compared to other bars of its size. Sound effects are concentrated in the space in front of you, so it just seems like audio is playing from a speaker rather than coming from all around you for a truly immersive feel.
