TCL North America is launching an upgraded range of soundbars in 2024 including a high-end Dolby Atmos model to compete with LG, Samsung and Sony's premium soundbars.
Soundbars are not as hot as they once were and new form factors are emerging to offer improved TV audio and music performance, such as Sony's 360 speakers and Apple's HomePod.
Still, TCL's foray into the premium soundbar segment could prove interesting if the Chinese company maintains the value-for-money positioning that has made its TV models popular alternatives to the more established South Korean brands' products.
Room calibration, TV center mode
The range spans soundbars with 2.0 to 7.1.4 channels, meaning up-firing units in both the soundbar and rear speakers in addition to side- and front-firing units.
They will be called S45 (2.0), S55 (2.1), Q75 (5.1.2) and Q85 (7.1.5).
The flagship Q85 supports Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X, and features the company's 'Ray Danz' acoustic wave-guide reflector technology. It will automatically do room calibration and there is a new 'TV as Center Channel Mode', mirroring what Sony has done for a few years now. This mode works together with a compatible TCL TV by sending dialog to the TV speakers.
TCL Q85 soundbar. Photo: TCL
The step-down Q75 model is in essence a Q85 without rear speakers, while S55 and S45 are more conventional stereo soundbars with or without a wireless subwoofer, but still with the new room calibration and TV center channel features. They all support Dolby Atmos but obviously the effect be very limited on cheaper soundbars.
Pricing and availability details will be announced later.
2024 TCL soundbars – specifications
| TCL S45
2.0 channels with built-in bass reflex port
Dolby Atmos
DTS Virtual:X
Auto Room Calibration
TV as Center Channel Mode
S-class design
TCL S55
2.1 channels with wireless subwoofer
Dolby Atmos
DTS Virtual:X
Auto Room Calibration
TV as Center Channel Mode
S-class design
TCL Q75
5.1.2 channels with wireless subwoofer, side-firing and up-firing units
Ray-Danz acoustic wave-guide reflectors
Dolby Atmos
DTS Virtual:X
Auto Room Calibration
TV as Center Channel Mode
Q-class design
TCL Q85
7.1.4 channels with wireless subwoofer, side-firing and up-firing units + rear speakers with up-firing units
Ray-Danz acoustic wave-guide reflectors
Dolby Atmos
DTS Virtual:X
Auto Room Calibration
TV as Center Channel Mode
Q-class design |
FlatpanelsHD
