Samsung HT-C9950W Pro Reviews

Obviously, price is a major factor here – but not in the way you might expect. It’s true that £1800 can buy you a heck of a home cinema separates system – but it’s equally true that if you’re interested in something that looks like the Samsung, separates kit is unlikely to appeal to you. No, what’s far more relevant is that Samsung’s stylish, very well specified and very-nearly-as-capable HT-C6930W system will cost you at least £1000 less. The HT-C9950W is better than its sibling, both aesthetically and technically, but it is certainly not that much better.

Three-dimensional picture quality is excellent, issues with crosstalk on certain 3DTVs notwithstanding. Monsters Vs Aliens' image composition is spot-on, with crisply rendered objects in the foreground and superbly layered backgrounds. The pictures are vibrant and razor-sharp, even through tinted glasses. It chalks up further Brownie points with crystal clear dialogue, smooth effect steering and tight integration between the sub and sats. Combine this impressive sound quality with its other attributes and you get a stunning one-box cinema system that justifies its lofty price tag.

With its astonishingly stylish design, superb performance and cavalcade of features – surely the most comprehensive line-up ever seen on an all-in-one – the HT-C9950W is a very special home cinema system. It’s the sort of product that could restore your faith in one-box systems, or home cinema in general, and with its 3D and network functionality it’s as cutting-edge as they come. It’s not perfect though, as there are a few operational issues and minor sonic shortcomings that might be sidestepped with separates, plus at close to £2k it’s a hugely expensive proposition by typical one-box system standards – luckily the glorious design and features go most of the way to justifying it. If that’s too pricey, then check out the HT-C6930W as a cheaper but less glamorous alternative.