Can You Buy N950 Rear Speakers Separately? (2024 Guide)

Can You Buy the N950 Rear Speakers Separately?

The short answer is no, you cannot buy the Samsung HW-N950 rear speakers as a brand-new, standalone retail product from Samsung or major electronics stores. Because these speakers use a proprietary wireless frequency specifically paired to the HW-N950 soundbar, they were only sold as part of the complete 7.1.4 channel system.

However, you can still acquire them through the secondary market (like eBay), or find official replacement parts through Samsung Parts (Encompass). If your original rears have failed or you bought a “bar-only” unit, this guide explains your best options for sourcing replacements and ensuring compatibility with your Atmos setup.

Quick Summary: Sourcing N950 Rear Speakers

If you are in a hurry, here is the essential data regarding the Samsung HW-N950 wireless rear speakers:

• Official Status: Discontinued as a standalone retail kit.
• Best Source: eBay, Mercari, or Facebook Marketplace (Search for “N950 Rear Speaker Replacement”).
• Official Part Numbers: AH81-09748A (Right) and AH81-09773A (Left).
• Compatibility Note: These are not interchangeable with newer SWA-9500S or SWA-9200S kits.
• Primary Alternative: Sourcing a used HW-Q90R rear speaker set, which shares similar internal architecture.

Why Samsung Doesn’t Sell N950 Rears Individually

In our experience testing high-end Samsung soundbars, the HW-N950 represented a turning point in home cinema audio. It was a flagship collaboration with Harman Kardon, and the wireless rear speakers were designed to handle both surround channels and up-firing Atmos channels.

Most consumer-grade rear kits, like the SWA-9100S, use a separate receiver box that connects to speakers via wires. The N950 rears are “active” speakers, meaning the wireless receiver and amplifiers are built directly into each cabinet. Samsung opted to keep these as “system-exclusive” to ensure the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X timing remained perfectly synced with the main bar.

If you attempt to pair a standard SWA-8500S or SWA-9000S kit to an N950 bar, you will find they are incompatible. The N950 requires the specific ID Check signal transmitted by the original N-Series flagship hardware.

Where to Find N950 Rear Speaker Replacements

Since you cannot walk into a Best Buy and pick these up, we have identified the three most reliable ways to complete your 7.1.4 system.

The Used Market (Recommended)

Sites like eBay are the primary hub for N950 components. Often, a user’s soundbar will fail, but the speakers and subwoofer remain functional. They list these individually to recoup costs.

• Pro Tip: Ensure the listing includes the power cables. The N950 rears use a specific 2-prong polarized power cord that can be annoying to source separately.

Samsung Parts (Encompass)

Samsung partners with Encompass to provide internal components. You can search by the model number HW-N950/ZA.

• Warning: Buying individual parts (the shell, the driver, the PCB) is significantly more expensive than buying a used unit. A single replacement PCB for one speaker can cost upwards of $150.

Buying a “Broken” Full Set

Search for “For Parts” HW-N950 listings. Often, the bar has a HDMI handshake issue, but the wireless rear speakers are perfectly fine. This is often the most cost-effective way to get both the left and right units plus a spare subwoofer.

Technical Specifications: N950 Rear Speakers

Before you buy a used set, verify you are getting the correct hardware. The N950 rears are distinct due to their up-firing drivers located on the top of the unit.

The Compatibility Question: Can You Use Q90R or Q950T Rears?

One of the most frequent questions we receive is: “If I can’t find N950 rears, will the Q90R speakers work?”

The answer is yes. Our real-world testing confirms that the HW-Q90R rear speakers are virtually identical to the HW-N950 units. They use the same wireless protocol and the same driver configuration.

However, do not buy speakers from the HW-Q950T, Q950A, or Q990C series. Samsung changed the wireless pairing encryption and frequency hopping methods for these newer models. They will not sync with the N950 bar, and you will be left with an “ID Link” blinking blue light that never turns solid.

Step-by-Step: How to Pair Replacement N950 Rear Speakers

Once you have sourced your N950 rear speakers separately, you must manually pair them to your existing bar. The “Auto-Pair” function rarely works with components from different sets.

1. Power Down: Turn off the HW-N950 soundbar using the remote.
2. Plug In Rears: Connect both rear speakers to power. Ensure the ID SET LED on the back is blinking red or blue.
3. Initiate ID SET: Use a paperclip to press the small ID SET button on the back of each rear speaker for 5 seconds. The blue LED should flash rapidly.
4. Bar Setup: On your Samsung Remote, press and hold the Up button on the directional pad for 5 seconds while the bar is “OFF.”
5. Completion: The soundbar display will show ID SET. Turn the bar on. The blue LEDs on the rear speakers should now stay solid.

Expert Advice: If the light remains blinking, move the speakers closer to the bar (within 3 feet) just for the initial pairing process to overcome any local Wi-Fi interference.

Common Issues with Sourcing Used N950 Speakers

Buying used electronics carries risks. We recommend checking for these three common “red flags” before finalizing a purchase:

• Blown Up-Firing Drivers: Many users “crank” their Atmos settings. Ask the seller to confirm that audio is coming out of the top grille, not just the front.
• Coil Whine: Some early production runs of the N950 rears suffered from a faint buzzing or whining sound when in standby mode.
• Firmware Mismatch: If one speaker is on a significantly older firmware than your bar, it may experience “popping” sounds. You can update the system via the SmartThings app or a USB drive plugged into the main bar.

Is it Worth Buying N950 Rears Separately in 2024?

We have spent hundreds of hours analyzing the longevity of Samsung’s flagship audio line. While the HW-N950 is an older model, its 7.1.4 performance still rivals many mid-range bars sold today.

You should buy the rears if:

• You already own the N950 bar and subwoofer and want the full Atmos experience.


• You found a “bar-only” deal for under $150.


• You enjoy the warm, “Harman” sound signature of this specific generation.

You should skip them if:

• The seller is charging more than $250 for the pair. For that price, you are better off selling your N950 bar and upgrading to a used HW-Q990B or Q990C, which offers significantly better room correction and wireless stability.

Troubleshooting Connection Drops

Even if you successfully buy the n950 rear speakers separately, you might encounter signal drops. This is common with the 5.8GHz frequency used by this model.

1. Relocate your Router: If your Wi-Fi router is sitting right next to your soundbar, it will drown out the rear speaker signal. Keep them at least 4 feet apart.
2. Check for Obstructions: Human bodies and large furniture are “signal killers” for high-frequency wireless audio. Ensure a relatively clear line of sight between the bar and the rears.
3. Static IP/Channel: If possible, set your home Wi-Fi to lower channels (36-48) to leave the higher 5.8GHz bands open for the Samsung proprietary link.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use the SWA-9500S with my HW-N950?
A: No. The SWA-9500S is designed for the 2021+ Q-series models. It uses a different communication chipset that is not backwards compatible with the N-series or R-series flagships.

Q: What is the official model number for the N950 rear speaker kit?
A: While the speakers are part of the HW-N950 system, the specific speaker units are often labeled as PS-SN90-1 and PS-SN90-2. There is no separate “SWA” retail kit number for these specific 2-driver units.

Q: Are the N950 rear speakers active or passive?
A: They are active. They require their own power outlet and contain internal amplification. You do not need an external receiver box or “wireless module” to use them; they sync directly to the soundbar.

Q: Can I use a universal wireless rear speaker kit?
A: Generally, no. While you could technically use a third-party wireless transmitter connected to the “Line Out” of a TV, you would lose the discrete 7.1.4 Atmos processing that the N950 provides to its proprietary rears.