subwoofermania
Today I am reviewing a soundbar from the popular Chinese company TCL. The TCL C935U and TCL X937U was launched in November 2023. Both models feature unique sound design, RAY-DANZ technology, a wireless subwoofer, and support for popular voice assistants with affordable prices. If you are looking for a soundbar in affordable price with great sound then TCL X937U is right choice for you without wasting more time lets get straight to the TCL X937U Review.
Like I told you before If you’re looking for a high-end soundbar that won’t break the bank, look no further than the TCL X937U. At this price It even includes rear satellite speakers, a must-have for many users . This soundbar features Ray-Danz sound projection technology, but in a new design that blends classic and modern. With this review, let’s see how it stacks up as a soundbar with rear speakers while also being one of the most affordable soundbars available on the market.
A brief introduction to the TCL X937U
TCL X937U 7.1.4 channels Soundbar transform your home into a movie theater. With its 1020 watts of power and Dolby Atmos technology that will immerse you in the heart of a movie with 7.1.4 channel surround sound. With its subwoofer and wireless satellites accompanied by its sound bar, you will never miss a moment of action during your intensive viewing moments! With its discreet but effective look, you will have the opportunity to improve your sound experience today with this complete home theater system from TCL.
In addition, the various connectors made available on this model complete all the work and details put in place by the brand. HDMI UHD 4K, optical port, USB, all connections are possible! Enough to reassure users with an old television model at home. To finish this presentation, nothing better than being able to talk about models with a price like this. Finally a product that fits everyone’s budget , not like some brands that we will not mention here… Overview of its characteristics:
Design TCL X937U
TCL won a Reddot award for the design of the X937U model , and this is justified by its elegance. As for the bar itself, it measures one meter wide and 5.8 cm high, making it easy to integrate into any space in your living room. The fabric covering that is of high quality covers all the parts visible from your sofa, giving the bar a sleek and modern look . The control buttons as well as the Dolby Atmos logo are discreetly integrated into the fabric.
On each rear speaker, the TCL logo is subtly embedded through the fabric. They are compact and discreet, which makes them easy to install in any living room. The subwoofer has a more classic look with a black finish and grainy texture. The speaker is positioned on the side, on the right, and is protected by a soundproof fabric.
The subwoofer is wider than it is deep, which gives the advantage of being able to direct the speaker towards the ideal listening direction. The weight of the different products in the kit further confirms its practicality on a daily basis.
Remote control with screen
The TCL X937U is ready to use right out of the box thanks to its remote control and front display. For more advanced settings, simply download the TCL app , which gives you access to settings, including automatic audio calibration. Until you have performed this calibration, a small LED flashes on the front of the bar. As a result, setting up the wireless home theater is simple, almost like all current bars. Once it is connected, you will find it under the generic name “Play-Fi Device” accompanied by several numbers that will serve as an identifier number. Do not hesitate to customize this name using the DTS Play-Fi application for more user-friendliness.
The TCL application offers two main pages:
- The first displays essential information such as the current audio mode, the current source and the title of the song currently playing, if you are currently listening to one.
- The second page is dedicated to audio settings , where you can choose from different sound modes and effects, as well as adjust the bass and treble tone settings.
What really sets this X937U soundbar apart is its remote control with a display, a rare innovation in the world of soundbars. This remote is your ultimate control tool. However, while the settings are numerous, they are displayed in a summary manner. For example, if you want to adjust the bass levels, you will simply see “Bass+” or “Bass-” on the screen , with no indication of the exact level. To do this, you will have to consult the front display of the bar. It is worth noting that if you are listening to music, for example via Play-Fi, and you want to switch to the TV, the bar will not do so automatically. You will have to use the app or the remote to make this transition to HDMI ARC.
Sound:
Let’s start by breaking down the audio rendering with the TCL X937U soundbar. First of all, when you get started, it’s important to note that your first listen takes place without performing any calibration, for an authentic experience right from the start. And the first impression is positive! The sound levels are well balanced, creating an open and immersive scene that reveals TCL’s distinct signature for this X937U model.
For those who like to fine-tune their settings, the product offers automatic calibration using AI Sonic technology. This requires the use of your smartphone’s microphone, a method similar to that of Sonos speakers or subwoofers of certain brands. The calibration process involves two measurements: one taken in the immediate vicinity of the bar, less than 5 cm away, and another from your listening position. You have the option of memorizing up to 3 different calibrations , ideal if you listen from different locations. You can easily switch between these memorized settings using the remote control.
However, you may find that the results of automatic calibration are not always satisfactory. Although it adds a dimension of openness and reverberation to the audio, it can alter the naturalness of the midrange frequencies . Disabling calibration allows for a more natural and balanced sound quality. Everyone will see the rendering obtained with this tool differently, do your own test, or a future update may correct these problems. However, for your listening sessions, it is probably better to disable this function.
As for music, the “Standard” and “Music” modes are the most suitable for achieving a satisfactory overall audio balance. However, it must be taken into account that the soundstage remains strongly centered on the bar , giving the impression that the majority of the sound comes from it. Of course, there is a certain opening of the sound on the sides, thanks to the satellites that remain active even at a relatively low volume.
Good news! The “Surround Enhanced” mode tries to improve immersion by elevating voices and projecting the sound outwards. However, and despite its efforts, the resulting sound effects can seem artificial and sometimes cause the sensation of auditory numbness, similar to that felt when climbing in altitude. As for stereo sources, the upmixer does not seem to have any noticeable effect.
Now let’s move on to the subwoofer, which should be kept at a neutral setting. In music mode, it offers punch and liveliness, reminiscent of the quality found in good bookshelf speakers , even if it doesn’t reach the depths of the lowest bass frequencies. This can be a positive for some listeners, although others may wish for a more pronounced rendering. Once switched to cinema mode with an Atmos audio track, dialogue is better positioned and higher, moving closer to the screen for better synchronization with the image .
However, you may eventually notice that the volume of dialogue seems slightly recessed, requiring adjustment to make it stand out from the rest of the scene. Despite various adjustments, the quality of the midrange frequencies remains behind competing bars. They seem slightly absent, which affects the clarity and presence of the vocals.
Audio Modes TCL X937U
The audio modes mainly influence the frequency response. They adjust the subwoofer level as well as the mid and high frequencies to strengthen or attenuate the impact of dialogues. In terms of immersive audio, the front and rear speakers are well used, creating sound effects that move around the room, thanks to those behind them. However, it can sometimes seem like there is a bit of a rest time, as each rear speaker quickly draws the attention of your ears when a sound moves to the left or right rear.
The sound effects are well distributed from front to rear, creating a total immersive experience, although the majority of the sound is contained in a large triangle formed by the bar and the two satellites.
TCL X937U Wireless Subwoofer
The subwoofer, on the other hand, does its job well, delivering deep and powerful bass without distortion at normal volume. However, it can be localized in the room depending on the sound frequencies. Take your time to find the right position for it in your listening space to get this little adjustment. Regardless, the X937U system can deliver a high volume , which is appreciable, even in large rooms.
Price and competitors: TCL X937U
The TCL X937U soundbar is currently available for €667 on the Amazon marketplace . At this price, there is currently no other set including a soundbar, a subwoofer and satellite speakers. However, you can definitely find offers including soundbars with their subwoofers, and also with optional satellite speakers from brands like Samsung or Sony. You could thus create a similar configuration in the same price range. It can be complex to compare an all-in-one soundbar with a soundbar associated with physical rear speakers. In terms of real immersion, systems with physical speakers have an undeniable advantage. However, not everyone has the space or the desire to have these small additional speakers.
However, if you are looking for a simple and effective option, especially if you are migrating from an outdated 5.1 home theater system, then the TCL X937U is a good choice. It is unique in its class and offers true surround speakers with its price which is very competitive. As for competing high-end models such as the Yamaha YAS-306 OR Sony HT-A7000, they can offer better sound effects management and spatialization, a more powerful subwoofer or more refined sound performance.
Conclusion:
In our opinion, the TCL X937U soundbar is a very interesting compromise! If you like all-in-one systems that virtualize sound, you will be delighted to discover the TCL product with real surround speakers. It also stands out for its affordable price in this category. From a connectivity point of view, the X937U offers a full range of options , including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for playing your songs. The screen found on the remote control is a bonus that can be practical in your daily life. However, you have to be prepared to accept certain limits regarding the quality of the rendering, which necessarily corresponds to the small budget that you will have to spend to obtain it.
Pros And Cons of TCL X937U
Pros:
- The different sound effect modes
- Spatialization of sound
- Dolby Atmos and DTS
- Ergonomic and easy to use
- Ultra connected with sound thanks to wifi and bluetooth
Cons:
- Mid-range frequencies a little behind
- The subwoofer could be even more efficient
- Automatic sound calibration to improve
Specifications: TCL X937U
| Dimensions (L×H×D) | Soundbar: 104 × 5.8 × 11 cm Subwoofer: 42 × 24 × 36.5 cm Satellites: 9.7 × 12 × 16.1 cm |
| Weight | Soundbar: 2.60 kg Subwoofer: 5.50 kg Satellites: 0.97 kg |
| Number of channels | 7.1.4 |
| Number of speakers | 14 |
| Power | 1020 watts |
| Subwoofer Type | Wireless |
| Wireless rear speaker | Yes, a pair |
| Audio/video connection | 2 HDMI inputs (HDMI 2 ARC) 1 HDMI output (eARC/ARC) CEC compatible 1 optical 1 USB |
| Wireless communication | Bluetooth and Wifi |
| Connectivities | DTS Play-Fi Apple AirPlay Spotify Connect Chromecast Built-in Alexa Google Assistant |
| Color and finish | Black and gray |
| Audio technologies | Dolby Atmos, DTS-X, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby MAT, DTS HD Master Audio, Dolby Surround upmix |
| Video Features | UHD 4K, Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+ |
| Sound modes | Standard, Movie, Music, Games, Voice, Sport |
| Sound effects | Surround, Dialogue, Ambient Correction, Neural:X, Night, DRC |
