We’ve been hearing about Dolby FlexConnectfor several years since its announcement in 2023, andDolby and TCL have presented demonstrations Dolby and TCL have showcased previews Dolby and TCL have conducted trials Dolby and TCL have provided exhibitions Dolby and TCL have carried out displays Dolby and TCL have offered showcases Dolby and TCL have made presentations Dolby and TCL have conducted demonstrations Dolby and TCL have given previews Dolby and TCL have organized exhibitionsRegarding past technology, we are now at a stage where the technology is reaching the consumer market. The first speakers to include FlexConnect are the TCL Z100 and its accompanying Z100-SW subwoofer.
I had the chance to listen to the speakers at Interscope Records in Santa Monica on a bright LA day (is there any other kind?) in early August. The demonstration was impressive for a first product release, although it had some shortcomings. More importantly, I took away the impression that FlexConnect and speakers such as the TCL Z100 are set to surpass the ordinary.best soundbarssimplifying and accelerating the process of setting up a home theater speaker system like never before.
The event was a collaborative effort (similar to the speaker) between TCL and Dolby. Following introductions, there was a demonstration and short Q&A regarding Dolby Atmos mixing, after which attendees moved to a room featuring three TCL Z100 speakers and a Z100-SW subwoofer setup.
The Atmos mix showcase included Nick Rives, the Audio Engineering Director at Universal Music Group, who is also a highly skilled and exceptionally talented Dolby Atmos music mixer. Seriously, take the time to listen to his Atmos version of Billie Eilish’s “bury a friend” to see a fantastic example of what a Dolby Atmos music mix can achieve.
I’ll stay. Okay, back? It’s really great, isn’t it?
During the meeting, Mr. Rives described how Atmos and its mixing approach vary from conventional surround sound techniques. In essence, Atmos goes beyond simply incorporating overhead effects.
For a brief overview, when working with surround sound, the audio is linked to a particular speaker to establish its position. For instance, if a car skids to a stop offscreen to the right, the sound engineer places the tire screech in the right front channel, likely adding some reverb that carries it into the right surround speaker to create a sense of space and depth. However, this implies that if the right front speaker is positioned more widely than it should be, the sound will also appear wider.
Dolby Atmos, on the other hand, utilizes object-based mixing. Every distinct sound is treated as an individual object, meaning that when a sound like a tire screech is mixed by the re-recording engineer, it isn’t linked to a particular speaker but rather assigned to a specific location in space. As a result, regardless of the Atmos setup or number of speakers—whether it’s 5.1.2 in your living room or multiple speakers in an Atmos cinema—when the Atmos audio is decoded, the sound will be accurately positioned in its correct relative place.
Even with Atmos, there remains an expectation of correct speaker positioning in conventional locations for optimal sound quality. FlexConnect, however, elevates this concept to the speaker level. So, what exactly is FlexConnect?
What is FlexConnect?
Dolby FlexConnect enables you to position any speaker equipped with the technology wirelessly throughout your room. This might be in a conventional surround sound speaker spot, but the advantage of the technology is that it’s not restricted to such positions. Following a simple automated setup that informs the system about each speaker’s placement, the speaker is adjusted to provide Atmos audio no matter where it’s located.
One of the major challenges that surround sound and Dolby Atmos have encountered is the necessity for speakers to be positioned correctly in order for the audio experience to be effective. Over time, modifications have been introduced to accommodate more practical setups — such as soundbars, which eliminate the need for separate left and right speakers that occupy floor space. However, if you’re looking for more than just TV audio, you’ve typically needed a soundbar or traditional left and right speakers, along with proper placement of surround speakers to achieve true immersion.
FlexConnect speakers can, in theory, be positioned anywhere within a room, with their location identified during a brief setup procedure. The most appealing aspect is that the speakers operate wirelessly, meaning the only limitation is being close to a power source. In reality, it’s advisable to place the speakers near conventional speaker positions, although this isn’t strictly required.
TCL Z100 and Z100-SW: initial glimpse
The last segment of the afternoon at Interscope featured a showcase of the latest TCL speakers. The TCL Z100 is a wireless 1.1.1 cylindrical speaker wrapped in fabric. It stands 11.87 inches tall, is 5.42 inches wide, and 5.22 inches deep, with a weight of 5.62 pounds. Four buttons are located on the top near the up-firing speaker grille for power, volume control, and switching the source between Wi-Fi (for connecting to the TV) and Bluetooth 5.3 for streaming music from a device.
The Z100-SW is a 130-Watt vented wireless subwoofer featuring a 5.25-inch driver. It closely resembles the Z100 in appearance, boasting a fabric-covered design, but it is larger and has a more hexagonal shape. The Z100-SW measures 13.15 inches in height, 9.61 inches in width, and 8.87 inches in depth, and weighs 9.59 pounds.
For the presentation, the configuration consisted of aTCL QM8KA television with its internal speakers activated and adding to the audio, along with three Z100 speakers and a Z100-SW subwoofer. Two of the Z100 speakers were placed on the sides of the room, near the front, but not in the standard left and right positions that are typically located on either side of the TV. The third Z100 was positioned a few feet behind the seating area, to the right.
The sub was positioned to the right of the TV, and there were no speakers located in the back left corner of the room. This is one of the constraints of the Z100 FlexConnect system (though not of the FlexConnect technology itself): A maximum of four speakers, including a subwoofer, can be connected simultaneously, meaning the system we tested couldn’t be expanded further. If you wished to add a speaker to the back left, you would have to remove the subwoofer.
The setup process was unexpectedly quick. After entering your seating distance, the speakers will play a 10-second pleasant sound, and the TV’s microphone will detect the speaker positions. Upon completion, the speakers will display their placement on a room map shown on the TV, which appears to be very precise.
There’s no requirement for an additional microphone configuration, which is typical with an AVR, or the need to use an application on a separate device. Everything is managed directly on the TV. In fact, ithasTo be used with the TV — specifically, a TCL QM9K, QM8K, QM7K, or QM6K. Dolby enables companies utilizing FlexConnect technology to employ an app for configuration and calibration, but for the Z100 system, one of these three TCL TVs is mandatory (future TCL models will also support FlexConnect and be compatible with the Z100 system). There may be additional calibration options from TCL in the future, but not at the initial launch.
In terms of the demos for Hollywood movies, the FlexConnect system effectively occupied the space and provided a realistic Atmos experience. The Z100-SW produced more bass than I anticipated from its 5.25-inch woofer – a reflection of the enclosure’s design.
Missiles zooming around the room were effectively managed by the Atmos-enabled up-firing speakers on the Z100. As previously noted, the back of the room had only one Z100 positioned on the right side. There was a slight gap in the sound coverage toward the back left, as no speaker was placed there, but the audio wasn’t entirely missing, and it didn’t disrupt my immersion when sounds moved into that area. Nevertheless, if I had the chance to reposition the speaker and there was a suitable location, I would place a single rear speaker behind the listening area rather than on one of the sides.
Connect-ing the dots
Despite certain constraints in its present configuration, the TCL Z100 Dolby FlexConnect speaker demonstration showcased it as a remarkable and user-friendly option. It appears to be ideally suited for individuals seeking enhanced audio for their TCL QM series television without needing a soundbar or separate Atmos speaker setup driven by an AVR.
The cost is similar to other systems. One Z100 speaker will set you back $399.99 (approximately £295), with an anticipated retail price of about $300 (around £220). Packages are also offered, including two Z100s for $799.98 (roughly £590), two speakers along with a subwoofer for $1,299.97 (approximately £960), and three speakers with a sub for $1,699.96 (about £1,300). Once more, these are all manufacturer’s suggested retail prices, so actual prices at the store will likely be less, as is typical with TCL products.
In addition to the TCL Z100 FlexConnect speaker, Dolby’s technology appears very promising by overcoming some of the limitations we have grown used to with home theater audio. By removing these obstacles, there is potential for more individuals to be motivated to introduce the Atmos experience into their homes for both films and music. The TCL Z100 FlexConnect speaker is not just a new product from TCL; it marks the start of a fresh approach to home theater.
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