In depth
At a glance
The TCL S55H combines a small front bar and wireless subwoofer with unusually useful setup tools for a basic 2.1 system. Its main attractions are app-assisted room calibration, several ways to connect a source and direct control over dialogue and tonal balance.
Dolby Atmos compatibility is part of the package, but the physical speakers remain at the front of the room. The S55H is best considered a practical TV sound upgrade, with its processing judged against that simple layout.
The S55H divides playback between left and right front speakers and a separate bass enclosure. There is no dedicated center speaker. Voices are created between the two front channels, making the position of the bar relative to the screen and main seat worth getting right.
RTINGS found a broadly balanced midrange and useful bass weight, with recessed upper frequencies and relatively little compression at louder levels.1 That supports its role as an everyday system, though a muted treble balance may make some speech details less distinct.
Start with a familiar program and a moderate bass level. The supplied subwoofer has its own power connection, and its location can alter the balance substantially. It is easier to judge adjustments after settling on a sensible position than while moving it between corners.
The S55H accepts Atmos content without having physical upfiring speakers. Its sound field is created from the front arrangement, so the Atmos label describes compatibility rather than a set of ceiling-directed channels.
RTINGS found the height and surround presentation unconvincing compared with more elaborate systems.1 The processing can still change the sense of space, but it should be compared with ordinary playback at a similar volume. Choose the version that keeps dialogue and effects easiest to follow.
DTS Virtual:X is another processing option. It is distinct from a promise to decode every DTS:X soundtrack. Readers who rely on a particular disc format should check the complete TV-and-player audio path; the confirmed optical formats include Dolby Digital and conventional DTS.1
AI Sonic-Adaptation uses the phone and its microphone to measure the listening area. Follow the app’s instructions from the seat being calibrated, with the bar and subwoofer already in their final positions. The remote can then select among the saved positions.
This is useful when the usual listening seat changes or the room imposes awkward placement. Calibration cannot create rear speakers or a separate dialogue driver, but it gives the owner another way to address the balance after installation.
Manual bass and treble adjustments remain available alongside the sound presets. Change one setting at a time and compare it with the default; applying several enhancements at once makes it harder to identify which one helps.
Voice Enhance offers a direct route to more prominent speech, while Night mode is intended for quieter viewing. These controls are more useful when chosen for the program than treated as permanent improvements to every soundtrack.
The current US manual also describes adjusting or disabling spoken prompts. That is a practical detail for a bedroom or late-night setup. The LEDs can be dimmed or switched off, although they remain useful when learning how the inputs and settings are indicated.
Most everyday functions are available from the supplied remote. The TCL Home app adds calibration and software updates. An app-supported control system should not be confused with a built-in music-streaming platform: Bluetooth and the physical inputs are the documented music routes here.
Connect the soundbar to the TV’s audio-return HDMI port, with source devices connected to the television. There is no spare HDMI input on the bar for a console or streaming box. Whether a particular soundtrack reaches the speaker correctly depends partly on the TV’s output settings.
The original RTINGS test found elevated delay over HDMI and no soundbar AV-sync adjustment.1 That test predates the current manual. No later independent result was established here, so check dialogue synchronization with the actual TV and sources during setup rather than assuming an update has resolved it.
Optical is an alternative for suitable television audio, and the analog input can accept an appropriate headphone or line output. The package includes an HDMI cable; optical and analog cables should be treated as separate purchases. A direct analog connection also means checking the source’s output level.
A paired phone can supply music over Bluetooth, leaving the television out of the routine. The current US manual specifies Bluetooth 5.3, while the product page still says 5.2. That documentation discrepancy is not evidence of a meaningful sound-quality difference between boxes.
USB playback is a useful alternative for a local music collection. TCL documents drives up to 64 GB and files within five directory levels, with play, pause and track navigation from the remote. It is a simple player, so preparing a manageable folder structure is more practical than treating it like a large searchable library.
The short, low bar fits more easily on smaller furniture than many cinema-oriented models. Allow room behind it for plugs and check that the TV’s feet leave a stable surface. The subwoofer adds a second enclosure and power lead even though its audio link is wireless.
Tutti Choral can use the speakers of a compatible TCL TV alongside the soundbar. Compatibility is model-specific; owning a TCL television alone does not establish it. A television from another brand can still use the ordinary HDMI or optical connection.
TCL supplies wall-mount hardware and a template. Use fixings appropriate to the wall and follow the installation diagram. The US warranty provides one year of parts and labor for new products bought through authorized channels for home use.
The S45H is the related all-in-one option, omitting the separate subwoofer. It is the more convenient choice where there is nowhere sensible to put a bass enclosure. The S55H instead reserves space and an outlet for that separate unit.
TCL’s larger Q85H adds dedicated rear speakers and physical upward-facing drivers. That is a different installation commitment, but a more meaningful change for someone seeking sound behind and above the seat. An owner of an earlier basic soundbar should weigh the S55H’s calibration and connections against the existing system, rather than expecting Atmos compatibility alone to transform the room.
The S55H is a versatile compact package whose calibration and connection options matter more than its immersive-format branding. It suits straightforward television and occasional music, provided the two-piece layout fits the room and audio synchronization works with the intended sources.
This is a research-based review. The Fasit has not physically tested this product.
Independent sources cited in this article.
Original black S55H testing, methodology 1.3, published September 2024; subsequent public corrections do not establish a test of 2026 firmware.