TCL's latest soundbar strives to raise a house theatre on a price range

Key Takeaways

The 2 new collection sit at each finish of TCL’s soundbar lineup.
S45H is an entry-level soundbar out there for $180 with Dolby Atmos.
Its Q collection soundbars are a premium improve with true multichannel sound.

TCL is well-known for its budget-minded TVs and audio solutions. At CES this yr, the corporate introduced a brand new lineup of soundbars, together with two new collection, the budget-focused S Class and extra premium Q Class. On the time, we knew that every mannequin would function Dolby Atmos, however not a lot detailed info was out there past that. Now, extra particulars in regards to the new lineup can be found, together with the truth that you’ll be able to decide up the brand new S45H entry-level soundbar for under $180.

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TCL TVs supply extra options than simply inexpensive costs and retail comfort. There may be loads of selection to cater to your viewing habits.

Earlier than diving into every speaker’s specifics, there are a handful of options that apply throughout the board. TCL says that it designed the brand new soundbars to enhance its latest TVs, which incorporates styling that pairs with the look of its TVs. Past seems, in addition they function a brand new TCL TV Prepared function that permits a “TV as Middle Channel Mode.” This mode permits a TCL TV to ship middle channel content material via its built-in audio system, leading to clearer dialogue that looks as if it is coming via the display. Sony affords an analogous function, however TCL’s model does not require an analog connection from the TV to the soundbar.

TCL says that it designed the brand new soundbars to enhance its latest TVs, which incorporates styling that pairs with the look of its TVs

Moreover, all the brand new soundbar fashions are Roku TV Prepared, so should you personal a Roku TV (whatever the TV producer), you’ll be able to management the soundbar utilizing the TV’s distant and see extra settings within the Roku TV interface. Plus, all will work with Dolby Atmos-capable TVs and include a wall-mount equipment, HDMI cable, and distant management.

The S collection affords premium options at a price range worth

$180 for a soundbar is a steal

The S45H soundbar on a built-in shelf in a living room with a TV displaying a snowboarder above it. — Picture Credit score: TCL

Kicking issues off, the S45H sits on the very entry level to the corporate’s soundbar lineup. It’s a 2.0-channel Dolby Atmos soundbar with 100 watts. This price range speaker is 31.8 inches lengthy and affords HDMI ARC/eARC, optical enter, 3.5mm analog enter, and Bluetooth. If that is not sufficient, there is a USB-A port to play digital music information from a storage gadget.

TCL S45H

The TCL S45H is a price range soundbar that provides Dolby Atmos, DTS 5.1, computerized room calibration, and loads of connectivity choices.

Connectivity: Bluetooth
Ports: HDMI eARC, Optic Digital Audio, 3.5mm AUX
Dimensions: 31.89″ x 2.36″ x 3.86″
Buttons: On/Off, Enter, Bluetooth, Vol-, Vol+

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Dolby Atmos, app management, and extra from prime manufacturers like Bose, Samsung and Sennheiser.

The S45H incorporates a built-in bass reflex port to spice up low-end frequencies. Past Dolby Atmos, it additionally helps DTS 5.1, which is not typical for soundbars. There’s additionally a DTS Digital:X mode for upmixing non-surround audio. The S45H has two front-firing audio system, which suggests it is going to depend on virtualization — the software program sign processing that mimics further audio system.

Surprisingly, the S45H (and S55H) supply computerized room calibration by way of the TCL Dwelling cellular app. This function used to solely be out there for the top-of-the-line Q collection, so it is thrilling to see that trickle all the way down to the entry-level lineup. We’ve not listened to the S45H but, however $180 for a soundbar with Dolby Atmos and computerized room calibration is sort of spectacular. It ought to enable for a way more immersive, high quality sound in your house theater with out spending a fortune, which is all the time appreciated.

The TCL S55H soundbar in a living room. — Picture Credit score: TCL

The S55H is a slight step up from the S45H. The soundbar itself is similar, although you get an extra wi-fi subwoofer with a 5.5-inch driver for $40 extra. That subwoofer makes a distinction in acquiring a top quality cinematic expertise, so for these eager to equipment out their residence theater, spending the additional $40 is probably going a sensible transfer.

TCL S55H

The TCL S55H soundbar incorporates a separate wi-fi subwoofer, Dolby Atmos, and computerized room calibration.

Connectivity: Bluetooth
Ports: HDMI eARC, Optic Digital Audio, 3.5mm AUX
Dimensions: 31.89″ x 2.36″ x 3.86″
Buttons: On/Off, Enter, Bluetooth, Vol-, Vol+
Drivers: 5.5-inch driver in subwoofer

The TCL Q collection soundbars supply a soar in worth and options

The Q collection sits on the prime finish of TCL’s lineup

The TCL Q75H soundbar and subwoofer in a living room. — Picture Credit score: TCL

The Q collection is a major improve from the extra price range S collection of soundbars. Each the Q75H and Q85H function true multichannel sound due to a number of drivers in the primary soundbar. Each include a separate subwoofer and supply Dolby Atmos. Additionally they work with DTS:X, which is an object-based {surround} sound format that has been gaining recognition due to the help of IMAX Enhanced by Disney+.

TCL Q75H

The TCL Q75H is a 620-watt Dolby Atmos soundbar with 5.1.2 channels and 11 drivers. It comes with a wi-fi subwoofer with a 6.5-inch driver.

Connectivity: Bluetooth, Apple Airplay
Ports: HDMI, HDMI eARC, Optical Digital Audio, USB, 3.5mm AUX
Dimensions: 41.50″ x 4.86″ x 2.68″
Buttons: On/Off, Enter, Bluetooth, Vol -, Vol+
Drivers: 6.5-inch driver in subwoofer

Each Q soundbars present an HDMI enter, so you’ll be able to plug in exterior gadgets like gaming consoles and Blu-ray gamers, and the soundbar will ship the video sign again to the TV. The Q soundbars don’t help DMI 2.1 codecs equivalent to variable refresh fee (VRR) or excessive body charges, although, so critical avid gamers might need to look elsewhere for his or her soundbar wants.

When it comes to specifics, the S75H is a $900, 5.1.2-channel, 620-watt soundbar with 11 drivers. That features two devoted items for bouncing Atmost heigh channel audio off the ceiling and again to you. There are additionally TCL’s Ray Danz side-firing acoustic reflectors, which perform in an analogous method, although they bounce sound outward. It comes with a wi-fi subwoofer with a 6.5-inch driver.

The TCL Q85H soundbar in a living room with blue graphics showing the surround sound. — Picture Credit score: TCL

The S85H steps issues as much as $1,000. That further $100 ends in an 860-watt, 7.1.4-channel soundbar that’s similar to Samsung, LG, and Vizio flagship methods. 4 of these channels are housed within the included wi-fi satellite tv for pc audio system for a real {surround} sound expertise.

TCL Q85H

The TCL Q85H is a premium 860-watt, 7.1.4-channel soundbar that comes with a wi-fi subwoofer and two wi-fi satellite tv for pc audio system for a real {surround} sound expertise.

Connectivity: Bluetooth, Apple Airplay
Ports: HDMI, HDMI eARC, Optical Digital Audio, USB, 3.5mm AUX
Dimensions: 41.50″ x 4.86″ x 2.68″
Buttons: On/Off, Enter, Bluetooth, Vol -, Vol+
Drivers: 6.5-inch driver in wi-fi subwoofer