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TCL wants to strengthen its presence in the high-end soundbar market and is expanding its collaboration with Bang & Olufsen. The company has unveiled three new models, the Q75K, Q85K and Q95K, which are based on a similar design but differ in the number of additional speakers. The most advanced, the Q95K, offers an 11.1.4 system with support for Dolby Atmos and DTS. The manufacturer positions it directly against Samsung’s flagship offerings, including the Q990H. The new soundbars will reach Europe in October, but TCL has not yet announced their European prices.
TCL Q95K offers 11.1.4 channels
The base model of the new series is the TCL Q75K, which functions as a standalone soundbar in a 7.1.2 configuration. The design includes, among others, front, centre and side channels, plus two upward-firing speakers responsible for overhead spatial effects. TCL states the system's maximum total power is 580 W. The Q85K uses the same 7.1.2 configuration but the set is supplemented by an external subwoofer. Thanks to this, the declared maximum power rises to 1180 W. The most advanced Q95K also adds two rear speakers. Each of these is also fitted with an upward-firing driver. This allows the Dolby Atmos configuration to be expanded to 11.1.4 channels. The system therefore gains two additional rear channels and two further channels for height. The total power of the Q95K is said to be 1420 W. The soundbar can be placed on the unit beneath the TV or mounted on the wall. TCL emphasises, however, that wall mounting is a compromise because of the upward-firing drivers. Connection to the TV is via HDMI eARC. The subwoofer supplied with the set is relatively compact and uses a design with two drivers operating in a force-cancelling arrangement. The system can also upmix audio to a larger number of channels when the source material does not contain a Dolby Atmos or DTS track. TCL also offers a Tutti Choral feature that allows a compatible TCL TV to use its own speakers together with the soundbar, further widening the soundstage.
Bang & Olufsen helps TCL take on Samsung
The new devices use the Audio by Bang & Olufsen programme, which is a form of licensing collaboration between B&O and hardware manufacturers. Under the programme Bang & Olufsen helps, among other things, with choosing components at the design stage and tuning the final audio system. However, this does not mean that the new TCL soundbars contain physical components manufactured by B&O. The company's audio technology and expertise are used primarily to optimise the sound of the devices. TCL hopes to combine its own hardware solutions with a recognisable audio brand. In particular, the Q95K is aimed at Samsung's top soundbars. TCL points to a similar 11.1.4-channel configuration to that of Samsung's Q990H. The design of both devices is also similar in terms of layout and additional speakers. So the Q85K and Q95K will directly compete with Samsung's top models. TCL has not yet announced the European prices for the new devices. In China the Q95K is expected to cost the equivalent of around €1,000, which is less than the Samsung Q990H. The European launch is scheduled for October, while the new soundbars will not be available in the United States for now.
TCL has unveiled three new soundbars from the Q75K, Q85K and Q95K series, which differ mainly in the inclusion of additional speakers. The flagship Q95K offers an 11.1.4 system with a subwoofer and rear speakers fitted with upward-firing drivers. Through its collaboration with Audio by Bang & Olufsen, TCL aims to compete with Samsung's top-tier soundbars. The European launch will take place in October, with exact prices to be announced later.
source: flatpanelshd
