Home theater audio has come a long way from complex receiver-based systems. Today's premium soundbars deliver immersive, room-filling sound without requiring professional installation or multiple speaker wires running through your walls. Let's compare two compelling options: the $269.85 Polk Audio Signa S4 and the $599.99 TCL Q85H, which represent different approaches to delivering theater-quality sound.
Before diving into specifics, it's worth understanding what makes today's soundbars special. Dolby Atmos technology creates a three-dimensional sound field by adding height channels to traditional surround sound. This means you can hear raindrops above you or helicopters flying overhead, creating a more immersive experience than standard surround sound.
The Polk Signa S4 and TCL Q85H take different approaches to room-filling sound. The Polk uses a 3.1.2 channel configuration, meaning three front channels (left, right, center), one subwoofer, and two upward-firing speakers for height effects. The TCL steps up to a 7.1.4 setup, adding four surround channels and doubling the height speakers.
Released in early 2022, the Polk Signa S4 represents a value-focused approach to Atmos sound. The TCL Q85H, launched more recently, showcases how far soundbar technology has advanced, incorporating features like AI-powered room calibration and advanced acoustic reflectors.
Both systems handle movies admirably, but with distinct characteristics. The Polk Signa S4 excels at dialogue clarity through its dedicated center channel and VoiceAdjust technology, which lets you boost dialogue without affecting other sounds. This proves especially useful during late-night viewing when you want to keep overall volume low but still catch every word.
The TCL Q85H creates a more expansive soundstage thanks to its RayDanz technology, which uses acoustic reflectors to widen the sound field. With four additional surround channels, it better replicates the theater experience, particularly noticeable during action scenes where sounds move around the room.
For music, the differences become more pronounced. The Polk Signa S4 delivers clean, balanced sound that works well for casual listening. Its subwoofer integrates smoothly with the main speakers, avoiding the boomy effect that plagues some systems.
The TCL Q85H offers superior instrument separation and a wider soundstage, making it easier to pick out individual instruments in complex arrangements. Its more powerful subwoofer provides deeper bass extension, particularly noticeable in electronic music and movie soundtracks.
This is where the price difference becomes apparent. The Polk offers basic sound modes (Movie, Music, Night) and adjustable voice levels. The TCL includes AI Sonic calibration, which uses microphones to analyze your room's acoustics and adjust accordingly. This makes a notable difference in rooms with challenging acoustics or unusual layouts.
Both soundbars include HDMI eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel), which allows for high-quality audio transmission from your TV with a single cable. The TCL adds an additional HDMI input, useful for connecting gaming consoles or streaming devices directly.
The TCL's Bluetooth 5.1 implementation offers better range and stability compared to the Polk's Bluetooth 4.2. Both support popular audio codecs, though neither includes Wi-Fi connectivity for direct streaming services.
In practical use, both systems prove capable, but serve different needs. The Polk Signa S4 delivers impressive performance for its price point, particularly in smaller to medium-sized rooms up to about 350 square feet. Its dialogue enhancement features and night mode make it especially suitable for apartment dwellers or those who watch a lot of TV shows and movies.
The TCL Q85H justifies its higher price through superior surround sound implementation and more powerful output. In larger rooms (400+ square feet), the additional channels and power make a noticeable difference in creating an immersive sound field. Its advanced room calibration helps maintain optimal sound quality regardless of room layout.
Your choice between these systems should consider several factors:
Both systems support firmware updates, though the TCL's app-based interface makes this process smoother. The TCL's additional HDMI input and more advanced processing suggest better longevity as content continues to evolve.
The Polk Signa S4 represents an excellent value proposition, delivering convincing Dolby Atmos sound and clear dialogue at an accessible price point. For many users, especially those in smaller spaces or on tighter budgets, it provides everything needed for an engaging home theater experience.
The TCL Q85H justifies its premium price through superior technical capabilities and more immersive sound. Its advanced room calibration and additional channels create a more theater-like experience, particularly beneficial in larger spaces or for discerning listeners.
Both systems demonstrate how far soundbar technology has advanced, offering compelling alternatives to traditional surround sound systems while requiring minimal setup and maintenance.
| Polk Audio Signa S4 | TCL Q85H Q Class |
|---|---|
| Price - Total investment including all components | |
| $269.85 | $599.99 |
| Channel Configuration - Determines surround sound capability and immersion | |
| 3.1.2 channels (basic Atmos setup) | 7.1.4 channels (full surround with four height channels) |
| Total Power Output - Impacts maximum volume and room-filling capability | |
| Not specified by manufacturer | 860W total system power |
| Speaker Array - More drivers typically mean better sound separation | |
| 7 drivers total (including up-firing) | 15 speakers total across system |
| Subwoofer Size - Larger drivers generally produce deeper bass | |
| 5.9375" driver | 6.5" driver |
| Room Calibration - Helps optimize sound for your specific space | |
| Basic sound modes only | Advanced AI Sonic room calibration |
| Connectivity Options - More inputs enable flexible setup | |
| HDMI eARC, optical, Bluetooth 4.2 | HDMI eARC, HDMI in, optical, Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Additional Features - Extra capabilities beyond basic audio | |
| VoiceAdjust technology, Night mode | RayDanz acoustic technology, TCL/Roku TV integration |
| Dimensions (Soundbar) - Consider your TV stand space | |
| 41.2" x 3.7" x 2.4" | 41.5" x 4.86" x 2.68" |
| Recommended Room Size - Based on power and channel configuration | |
| Small to medium rooms (up to 350 sq ft) | Medium to large rooms (350+ sq ft) |
| Audio Format Support - Determines compatibility with content | |
| Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, DTS Virtual:X |
| Control Options - Ways to adjust settings and volume | |
| Basic remote only | Remote plus smartphone app control |
The $599.99 TCL Q85H provides a more immersive movie experience with its 7.1.4 channel configuration compared to the Polk Signa S4's 3.1.2 setup. However, both support Dolby Atmos and deliver excellent movie performance for their respective price points.
If you have a larger room or prioritize maximum surround sound immersion, the TCL Q85H justifies its higher price through additional channels, better room calibration, and more powerful output. For smaller rooms or budget-conscious buyers, the $269.85 Polk Signa S4 offers excellent value.
Both perform well, but the Polk Signa S4 has an edge with its VoiceAdjust technology specifically designed for dialogue enhancement. The TCL Q85H offers good dialogue clarity through its center channel but doesn't have specialized voice enhancement features.
The TCL Q85H offers a more immersive gaming experience with its 7.1.4 setup and additional HDMI input for direct console connection. The Polk Signa S4 works well for casual gaming but lacks the surround precision of the TCL.
The Polk Signa S4 offers simpler setup with fewer components. The TCL Q85H requires more setup time due to its additional speakers and room calibration process, but provides guided setup through its app.
The TCL Q85H delivers superior music performance with better stereo separation and deeper bass. The Polk Signa S4 provides good musical performance but with less detailed separation and bass extension.
The Polk Signa S4 is more apartment-friendly with its Night Mode feature and compact subwoofer. It's also less likely to disturb neighbors while still delivering engaging sound.
Both work with any TV with HDMI ARC or optical connections. The TCL Q85H offers additional features when paired with TCL and Roku TVs, but this isn't required for basic operation.
Yes, both the Polk Signa S4 and TCL Q85H can be wall-mounted, with mounting hardware available separately. Both are designed to work either mounted or placed on a TV stand.
Both support Bluetooth streaming, but the TCL Q85H offers better range and stability with Bluetooth 5.1 compared to the Polk Signa S4's Bluetooth 4.2. Neither includes Wi-Fi streaming.
The TCL Q85H is better suited for larger rooms (350+ sq ft) with its higher power output and additional channels. The Polk Signa S4 performs best in small to medium rooms (up to 350 sq ft).
The TCL Q85H offers better future-proofing with its additional HDMI input, app updates, and more advanced processing capabilities. The Polk Signa S4 covers the basics but has fewer upgrade paths.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: soundandvision.com - audioholics.com - crutchfield.com - cnet.com - richersounds.com - crutchfield.com - rtings.com - polkaudio.com - walmart.com - polkaudio.com - crutchfield.com - youtube.com - profx.com - gamerant.com - bestbuy.com - tcl.com - bestbuy.com - tcl.com - tcl.com - nfm.com - tcl.com - electronicexpress.com - tcl.com - tcl.com - digitaltrends.com
