TCL released the A65K, a 3.1.2 channel soundbar with up-firing speakers, a wireless subwoofer, and tuning by Bang & Olufsen. The main bar is 50mm thick, and the suggested US price is $699.99.
What the manufacturer claims:
- 3.1.2 configuration, nine drivers, a separate center channel, and up-firing speakers
- Wireless subwoofer with a 6.5″ driver
- Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
- Frequency range is stated from 40 Hz to 20 kHz (no tolerance specified)
- HDMI eARC, USB, Bluetooth 5.3; plays MP3/FLAC/WAV from USB drive
- 8 sound modes; TCL AI Sonic-Adaptation calibration via smartphone microphone; channel and EQ settings via the TCL Home app
- Beosonic interface from Bang & Olufsen
- Panel 880 × 52 × 50 mm, 1.15 kg; subwoofer 350 × 354.5 × 120 mm, 5.35 kg
Why it’s interesting. Audio by Bang & Olufsen here means real involvement from the second company: B&O says its engineers participated in acoustic design, DSP tuning, and final checks — the product only gets the label after their approval. At the same time, TCL managed to fit a physical 3.1.2 configuration with upward-firing drivers into a panel just 50 mm thick.
What’s confusing. Official TCL documents differ on power: the US press release states 240W peak power, while the official spec sheet says up to 460W total power. TCL doesn’t explain if the difference is due to revised specs or different measurement methods, so I’m not taking either number as the final word. For the claimed 40Hz, no tolerance is listed. The published spec sheet doesn’t list optical and analog inputs, AirPlay, or separate rear speakers — only HDMI eARC, USB, and Bluetooth.
Price and where to buy. The recommended price for the TCL A65K in the USA is $699.99. The model is already presented on the global and Russian-language TCL websites, but the official price for the Russian market has not been published.
What we’ll check in the test. The lower limit of the range and at what roll-off the system actually reaches 40 Hz, the effect of Dolby Atmos upper channels, and dialogue clarity. We’ll compare the sound before and after AI Sonic-Adaptation calibration and assess what the Bang & Olufsen tuning actually provides.
Does the Bang & Olufsen tuning add value or is it just a pretty logo? Write in the comments.
