TCL Q85HFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 34 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment41%
PROS 41%
CONS 59%

Rank based on 34 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You own a compatible TCL TV for Tutti Choral/AI Sonic integration
  • You want loud, bass-heavy sound at a budget-to-mid price ($300-600)
  • You mainly watch Atmos/DTS content where the system performs best

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need strong, clear rear-surround output for 5.1 content
  • You want a mature EQ/app experience without firmware quirks
  • You're comparing directly against Samsung Q800F/Q990 series for surround performance

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1
Samsung HW-S60B
Multiple Sound ModesHigh Audio QualityAdaptive Sound Feature
Samsung HW-S60B
Multiple Sound Modes
High Audio Quality
Adaptive Sound Feature
2Mid
Samsung HW-Q800F
Great Overall SoundPowerful BassExpandable Surround SetupBass Called Weak by SomeNo HDMI Cable Included
Samsung HW-Q800F
Great Overall Sound
Powerful Bass
Expandable Surround Setup
Bass Called Weak by Some
No HDMI Cable Included
Best value
3Mid
Samsung HW-Q800A
Immersive Dolby Atmos surround experienceGood value when discountedLoud, room-filling volumeAlexa bugs after firmware updateExpensive rear speaker add-onInconsistent bass at moderate volume
Samsung HW-Q800A
Immersive Dolby Atmos surround experience
Good value when discounted
Loud, room-filling volume
Alexa bugs after firmware update
Expensive rear speaker add-on
Inconsistent bass at moderate volume
4Mid
Samsung HW-B650D
Clear AudioCinematic Movie ExperienceOverall SatisfactionLimited Maximum LoudnessLacks Bass Depth
Samsung HW-B650D
Clear Audio
Cinematic Movie Experience
Overall Satisfaction
Limited Maximum Loudness
Lacks Bass Depth
5Premium
Bose SoundTouch 300
Clear, high-quality soundPowerful, deep bassGreat as a standalone soundbarReliability and connection problemsHigh price, especially add-onsLimited inputs and HDMI ARC issues
Bose SoundTouch 300
Clear, high-quality sound
Powerful, deep bass
Great as a standalone soundbar
Reliability and connection problems
High price, especially add-ons
Limited inputs and HDMI ARC issues
6Mid
Sonos Beam Gen 2
Ecosystem ExpandabilityStrong Sound Quality for Its SizeClear Dialogue and Detailed SoundExpensive Sub Add-onNarrow Soundstage Without ExtrasNo Bluetooth Support
Sonos Beam Gen 2
Ecosystem Expandability
Strong Sound Quality for Its Size
Clear Dialogue and Detailed Sound
Expensive Sub Add-on
Narrow Soundstage Without Extras
No Bluetooth Support
7Budget
TCL S55H
Automatic Dolby Atmos detectionPowerful compact subwooferAppealing surround system upgradeIncomplete app controlLimited language options
TCL S55H
Automatic Dolby Atmos detection
Powerful compact subwoofer
Appealing surround system upgrade
Incomplete app control
Limited language options
8Premium
Bose Smart Soundbar 900
Excellent sound qualityStrong bass with subwooferImpressive standalone performanceReliability and connectivity issuesHigh price overallOverpriced surround speakers
Bose Smart Soundbar 900
Excellent sound quality
Strong bass with subwoofer
Impressive standalone performance
Reliability and connectivity issues
High price overall
Overpriced surround speakers
9Mid
Sonos Beam
Expandable, flexible ecosystemClear dialogue and sound qualityEasy app and room correctionFull experience requires costly add-onsSoftware and connectivity issuesAndroid users miss TruePlay
Sonos Beam
Expandable, flexible ecosystem
Clear dialogue and sound quality
Easy app and room correction
Full experience requires costly add-ons
Software and connectivity issues
Android users miss TruePlay
10Premium
Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar
Excellent sound quality and musicalityGood pairing with external subwoofersStrong bass performanceHigh price and heavy weightLimited true rear/overhead immersionLip sync/latency complaints
Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar
Excellent sound quality and musicality
Good pairing with external subwoofers
Strong bass performance
High price and heavy weight
Limited true rear/overhead immersion
Lip sync/latency complaints
You are here
31Mid
TCL Q85H
Loud, powerful bassStrong value for priceCompetitive with Samsung soundbarsWeak or silent rear surround speakersHissing/wind noise and subwoofer poppingLimited EQ and volume controls
TCL Q85H
Loud, powerful bass
Strong value for price
Competitive with Samsung soundbars
Weak or silent rear surround speakers
Hissing/wind noise and subwoofer popping
Limited EQ and volume controls

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Loud, bass-forward sound impresses many owners. Multiple commenters emphasize how loud and bass-filled the system is, with one filling a large 6x6.5m room and another needing to turn it down because it was too loud. Some directly compare it favorably to Samsung Q930D/Q990D soundbars, saying the TCL sounds better or has a woofer that feels like 12 inches. Several bought it specifically to pair with TCL's QM8 TVs and describe the resulting sound as impressive for the price.

Rear surround speakers are a recurring weak point. Several users report the rear satellite speakers produce little or no sound, especially with non-7.1 or non-Atmos content, sometimes sounding muffled or 'underwater.' One compares it unfavorably to a cheaper 5.1.2 Vizio bar for handling a wider range of content. TCL's support was described as unhelpful when troubleshooting this issue, leading at least one buyer to consider returning the unit entirely.

Firmware, calibration, and app issues frustrate some buyers. Owners mention wind/hissing noises, subwoofer popping during quiet bass, and a WiFi firmware update process that is not automatic and requires an obscure button combo. The TCL Home app is called finicky, lacks a real EQ or mid-range slider, and doesn't allow firmware updates from Android devices for some users. TCL has issued updates that improved wind noise over time, but not all issues seem resolved for every owner.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?