TCL made a grand entrance at CES 2024, unveiling a completely overhauled soundbar lineup that boasts Dolby Atmos compatibility across all models, including their new top-of-the-line 7.1.4 Q Class flagship. We now have a wealth of information on the two new series (S Class and Q Class), including details on an unexpected feature: the S Class now offers automatic room calibration via the TCL Home mobile app, a feature previously exclusive to the Q Class.
2024 TCL S Class Soundbars
The entry-level S45H comes in at $180, while the top-of-the-line Q85H has been priced at $1,000. The two S Class models are available immediately, while the two Q Class soundbars will be released during the summer, but exact timing remains unknown.
The new S Class models sport an updated cabinet design with rounded corners and a brushed-metal look. These speakers are designed to effortlessly enhance your TV’s audio experience. They come equipped with Dolby Atmos, Auto Room Calibration, DTS Virtual:X, HDMI ARC/eARC, and Bluetooth 5.2.
TCL’s S45H is a 2.0-channel, 100-watt Dolby Atmos soundbar measuring 31.8 inches in width and featuring a built-in bass reflex port for enhanced low-end frequencies. It offers connectivity options such as HDMI ARC/eARC, Bluetooth, optical input, 3.5mm analog input, and a USB-A port for playing digital music files from external storage devices. Supported file formats include MP3, WMA, FLAC, and WAV.
The S55H takes the S45H’s soundbar and adds a separate wireless subwoofer with a 5.5-inch driver for a more immersive and cinematic low-end experience, all for an additional $40.
2024 TCL Q Class Soundbars
TCL’s Q Class soundbars represent a significant step up from their S Class counterparts. They deliver genuine multichannel sound through multiple drivers in the main soundbar. The Q85H model even includes dedicated surround speakers. Along with Dolby Atmos, they also support DTS:X, a lesser-known object-based surround sound format that has gained traction recently due to IMAX Enhanced support from Disney+.
These soundbars also feature an HDMI input, allowing you to connect external devices like streaming media players, Blu-ray players, or game consoles. The soundbar will then pass the video signal back to your TV. Q Class soundbars can passthrough 4K video with Dolby Vision, but they lack support for advanced HDMI 2.1 features like variable refresh rate (VRR) and high frame rates like 120Hz. Gamers who prioritize these features may want to keep this in mind.
Q Class soundbars offer Wi-Fi connectivity, but it is limited to two functions: Apple’s AirPlay 2 media streaming and software update delivery. Like the S Class, the Q Class soundbars provide optical, analog, and USB inputs, as well as Bluetooth streaming, albeit using the slightly older Bluetooth 5.1 specification.
The TCL S75H is a 620-watt, 5.1.2-channel soundbar with a 41.5-inch width. Concealed beneath its metal and fabric exterior are 11 distinct drivers, including two dedicated up-firing units designed to bounce Atmos height channel audio off the ceiling and back to your listening position. It also employs TCL’s Ray Danz side-firing acoustic reflectors, which function similarly by directing sound outward to bounce off side walls, creating the illusion of surround channels. For added low-end impact, the S75H comes with a dedicated wireless subwoofer featuring a 6.5-inch driver.
For an additional $100, the S85H takes the S75H’s capabilities to the next level. It boasts 7.1.4 channels and an impressive 860 watts of power, making it a potential budget-friendly alternative to flagship systems from Samsung, LG, and Vizio. The extra four channels are delivered through included wireless satellite speakers, providing dedicated left/right rear surround and left/right rear height audio channels.
