TCL A65K Soundbar Review: Small Size, Big Sound

The TCL A65K soundbar is a compact device designed for smaller rooms and TVs. Measuring about 35 inches long and 2 inches high, it weighs only 2.5 pounds, making it easily portable. It includes a subwoofer weighing nearly 12 pounds. The soundbar delivers 460 watts of power and supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. It is priced at $499 on Amazon, with a list price of $699.

One standout feature is the TCL AI Sonic function, which uses a smartphone's microphone to adapt sound to room size. This noticeably improves fullness and spaciousness, though it cannot fully fill a large room. The soundbar has nine speakers, including center and side channels, as well as upward-firing drivers for height effects.

In movies and games, the surround sound is not as convincing as larger soundbars. For instance, in "Unbroken," planes and gunfire didn't fill the room, and in "Predator: Badlands," the spear tip clank didn't seem to come from the ceiling. However, given the price, audio quality is acceptable, especially with custom settings like boosting the center channel and enabling voice enhancement.

For music, the A65K performs well with acoustic tracks, such as Manchester Orchestra's live album, where songs sounded warm and clear. But more complex music, like Snail Mail's tracks, sounded muddy as instruments blended together. The subwoofer provides strong bass, as heard in Maggie Rogers' "Want Want."

In gaming, the soundbar struggled with spatial audio in "Forza Horizon 6" but performed better in "Halo: Infinite," where lasers and explosions came from different angles. Sports broadcasts had quiet crowd noise, while news programs were clear.

Overall, the TCL A65K is a good choice for those wanting to save space and money without sacrificing all sound quality. It is compact and feature-rich, but audiophiles should look elsewhere.