Samsung is refreshing its SUHD meta-series of ultra high-definition (UHD, or 4K) televisions with several new KS models. The company just announced pricing and availability for the KS8000, KS8500, KS9000, and KS9800 lines. All five lines, each of which have multiple screen sizes, are SUHD TVs. Samsung distinguishes SUHD TVs from standard UHD televisisions as its top tier, featuring support for high dynamic range (HDR) content and Samsung's Quantum Dot Color.
The flagship model is the KS9800, the only television with a 10-bit Quantum Dot display. Samsung claims the KS9800 can show up to one billion colors. A 78-inch KS9800 model will be available in May for $9,999, and 65- and 88-inch KS9800 televisions will ship in early June with respective $4,499 and $19,999 retail prices.
A step below, the KS9000 and KS9500 are, respectively, flat and curved high-end UHD televisions. They feature non-10-bit Quantum Dot color, Supreme UHD Dimming, and Supreme Motion Rate 240 image processing. Incidentally, Samsung seems to have settled on "supreme" to be the S in SUHD. 55- and 65-inch KS9000 and KS9500 televisions are available now, with the flat televisions priced at $2,299 and $3,499 and the curved screens priced at $2,499 and $3,699. A 75-inch KS9000 and a 78-inch KS9500 will ship in early June for $6,499 and $7,999.
The KS8000 and KS8500 lack the Supreme UHD Dimming and Supreme Motion Plus 240 features, but are still SUHD TV models and feature Quantum Dot color and non-Supreme Motion Rate 240 image processing. The KS8000 is a flat television and the KS8500 is curved, but both otherwise sport the same feature sets. 55- and 65-inch KS8000 and KS8500s are available now, with the flat models retailing for $1,799 and $2,799, and the curved models retailing fo4r $1,999 and $2,999. 49-inch versions of both televisions will ship in May for $1,499 and $1,699, along with a $2,299 60-inch KS8000.
Samsung also announced details regarding its two newest high-end soundbars, the HW-K850 and HW-K950. These speaker systems feature Dolby Atmos, Dolby's newest surround sound technology which incorporates reflective audio to produce sounds that seem to come from overhead, and is supported by Ultra HD Blu-ray discs playable on the Samsung UBD-K8500. The soundbars featurea dditional, upward-facing drivers to create those additional directional sound sources. The HW-K850 consists of a soundbar and wireless subwoofer for 3.1.2-channel sound, while the HW-K950 adds two wireless rear speakers with upward-firing drivers for 5.1.4-channel sound.
The HW-K850 and HW-K950 will both be available early summer, for $899 and $1,499, respectively.