With few exceptions, even the best TVs offer mediocre sound. Thin dialog, constricted dynamic range, weak bass — the thinner a TV gets, the harder it is to offer great sound quality. This is why major TV makers like Sony, LG, Samsung – even Vizio and Hisense – offer high-quality Dolby Atmos-capable sound bar options with up-firing drivers and discrete rear speakers for immersive surround sound.
TCL may be late to the game, but they finally got there, and they’re playing for keeps. This year, the company has introduced the Q Class Q85H sound bar. And it’s not just some virtual surround trickster or your basic 5.1.2-channel solution. With front-firing, upward-firing and side-firing drivers on the sound bar itself and front-firing and up-firing drivers on the included wireless rear-channel speakers as well as a powered wireless subwoofer (also included), the Q85H system offers a full 7.1.4-channel sound system which can handle both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive surround.
I got to hear the new sound bar-based Q85H surround system at TCL’s spring preview event in New York City last week and I was intrigued by what I heard. For best effect, you’ll want to install the bar in a regularly shaped (rectangular) room with flat, reflective ceilings that aren’t too high (up to about 9 feet in an average sized room). This allows the various drivers to reflect sound from side walls and ceiling right into the main viewing/listening positions. But even in an open space or irregularly shaped room, you’ll get effective surround sound, thanks to the built-in AI Sonic room calibration system. It also includes DTS:Virtual X processing to create an immersive surround soundstage from stereo or 5.1-channel material.
The “suggested retail price” of the Q85H system is $999.99 but actual street price will likely be much lower (it in now available on Amazon.com).
The Q85H supports Bluetooth wireless streaming from a phone, laptop or tablet as well as Apple AirPlay2 so it plays nice within an Apple-based ecosystem. The speakers use Ray Danz acoustic reflector technology to provide a wider more expansive soundstage, compared to traditional speaker drivers. For inputs, you’ll find HDMI eARC for connection to a compatible TV plus an additional HDMI input, fiberoptic digital input, analog aux input and a USB port for digital music playback.
The Q85H even comes with a free wall-mount kit and an HDMI cable for connection to any TV with an eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) HDMI port. It comes with a remote control and is compatible with the TCL Home App for advanced set-up and calibration. The rear surround speakers and powered subwoofer are both “wireless” but they do require a power plug so keep that in mind when determining placement. The Q85H is “Roku-ready” for seamless operation and control from a Roku remote.
Q75H – the “5.1.2” Version
If you don’t have a good place for rear speakers in your room, you can get the same soundbar and subwoofer, without the rear channel speakers, as the Q75H for $100 less ($899 suggested retail price). TCL calls this a “5.1.2-channel” system as it uses up-firing drivers for the height channels and side-firing drivers for the surrounds. Other features are identical to the Q85H (and no, you can’t buy the Q75H and add the rear speakers later, I asked).
We hope to get one in for review later this year as it looks like a good affordable option for immersive surround. The Q85H and Q75H will be available at Amazon and other TCL authorized retailers this summer.
Where to Buy:
Q75H 5.1.2-channel Soundbar, with subwoofer (no rear surround speakers)
- Not yet available to pre-order
Q85H 7.1.4-channel Soundbar, with subwoofer and rear surround speakers
- Amazon.com (listed at $699.99 as of August 15)
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