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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 share a similar design but differ in the number of additional drivers. The most advanced, the Q95K, offers an 11.1.4 configuration with support for Dolby Atmos and DTS. The manufacturer positions it directly against Samsung's flagship models, including the Q990H. The new soundbars will arrive in Europe in October, but TCL has not yet announced their European prices.
TCL Q95K offers 11.1.4 channels
The basic model of the new series is the TCL Q75K, which functions as a standalone soundbar in a 7.1.2 configuration. The design includes front, center and side channels, plus two upward-firing speakers responsible for overhead spatial effects. TCL says the system's total maximum power is 580 W. The Q85K uses the same 7.1.2 setup but adds an external subwoofer, raising the claimed maximum power to 1180 W. The most elaborate Q95K also adds two rear speakers, each fitted with an upward-firing driver. That boosts the Dolby Atmos configuration to 11.1.4 channels, adding two extra rear channels and two additional height channels. Q95K's total power is said to be 1420 W. The soundbar can be placed on furniture under the TV or wall-mounted, though TCL notes wall mounting is a compromise because of the upward-firing drivers. Connection to the TV is via HDMI eARC. The included subwoofer is relatively compact and uses a design with two drivers operating in a force-canceling arrangement. The system can also upmix audio to more channels when the source material doesn't contain a Dolby Atmos or DTS track. TCL also offers a Tutti Choral feature that lets a compatible TCL TV 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 program, a licensing collaboration between B&O and equipment manufacturers. Under the program, Bang & Olufsen helps with things like selecting components during the design phase and tuning the final audio system. That does not mean the new TCL soundbars contain physical components made by B&O. The company’s audio technology and expertise are used mainly to optimize the devices’ sound. TCL intends to combine its own hardware solutions with a recognizable audio brand. The Q95K in particular is aimed at Samsung’s top soundbars. TCL points to a similar 11.1.4-channel configuration to the Samsung Q990H. The design of both devices is also similar in terms of concept and additional speakers. The Q85K and Q95K are therefore set to compete directly with Samsung’s flagship models. TCL has not yet announced European prices for the new devices. In China the Q95K will cost the equivalent of about 1,000 euros, 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 introduced three new soundbars in the Q75K, Q85K, and Q95K series, which mainly differ 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 Audio by Bang & Olufsen partnership, TCL aims to compete with Samsung’s top-tier soundbars. The European launch will take place in October, and exact prices will be announced later.
source: flatpanelshd
