Samsung's new Wi-Fi speakers may be the sleeper hit for audio at CES 2026 - here's why
Alongside a new flagship and all-in-one soundbar, Samsung has debuted a duet of Wi-Fi-enabled smart speakers.
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ZDNET's key takeaways
- Samsung announces two Wi-Fi speakers and two soundbars for CES 2026.
- The Music Studio 7 Wi-Fi speaker and HW-QS90H all-in-one soundbar are among the most interesting in the lineup.
- Pricing and availability are not yet available.
CES 2026 is almost here, and Samsung is already announcing its plans for the show. Aside from the expected exhibitions of smart home appliances, TVs, and the latest generation of soundbars, the company unveiled a new product category: Wi-Fi-enabled smart speakers.
Also: CES 2026 trends to watch: 5 biggest topics we're expecting at the world's biggest tech show
The Samsung Music Studio 7 and 5 are compatible with the HW-Q990F and HW-QS90H soundbars in Samsung's 2026 home audio lineup. I'm sure I'll encounter all of these models on the ground at CES next week, but for now, here's what we know about the products.
Meet the Music Studio Series
The Music Studio Series comprises the Music Studio 7 (LS70H) and the Music Studio 5 (LS50H). The Music Studio 7 is the premium and immersive model, equipped with a 3.1.1-channel spatial audio speaker configuration, featuring left, center, right, and upfiring speakers.
According to Samsung, this speaker features an AI-powered Dynamic Bass Control, which minimizes distortion, and is compatible with audio playback at up to 24-bit/96kHz resolution. The Music Studio 7 can also connect to Wi-Fi-compatible Samsung soundbars and TVs, acting as rear speakers.
The Music Studio 5 is the smaller speaker in the lineup, featuring one 4-inch woofer, dual tweeters, and a built-in waveguide that enhances sound clarity and controls dispersion. The Music Studio 5 also features AI Dynamic Bass Control and is compatible with Wi-Fi casting, streaming services, voice control, and Bluetooth connectivity.
Samsung's 2026 Q-Series soundbars
We tested the Samsung HW-Q990F earlier this year and found it to be a reliable, immersive-sounding speaker system.
Kerry Wan/ZDNET
The Samsung HW-Q990H is the flagship soundbar in the company's 2026 lineup, succeeding last year's HW-Q990F. The HW-Q99H comprises a 7.0.2-channel main bar, 4.0.2-channel rear speakers, and an external subwoofer with dual 8-inch drivers.
Also: LG's new Dolby Atmos system promises immersive sound no matter where your speakers are
Altogether, the HW-Q990H features the same 11.1.4-channel configuration as last year's system, but debuts with more AI-powered features, including Sound Elevation and Auto Volume. According to Samsung, Sound Elevation directs dialogue to the center of the screen for natural-sounding audio, while Auto Volume maintains consistent volume across channels and content.
The 2026 soundbar lineup introduces the Samsung HW-QS90H, an all-in-one soundbar featuring a 7.1.2-channel configuration complete with 13 drivers and an integrated subwoofer. The HW-QS90H debuts with an internal gyro sensor, similar to last year's HW-QS700F, for flexible placement, supporting both tabletop and wall-mounted orientations without compromising sound quality.
Samsung hasn't disclosed pricing and availability for the new products; hopefully, that information will be finalized in time for CES 2026.