The battle for home theater supremacy has reached new heights with TCL's latest offerings. Today we're comparing two massive TVs that blur the line between traditional displays and projector setups: the flagship TCL 115" QM8 Series ($16,999) and the more accessible TCL 98" QM7 Series ($2,299). Both were announced at CES 2024 and represent TCL's push into the premium large-format TV market.
Remember when a 65" TV seemed enormous? Those days are long gone. Modern manufacturing has made massive TVs not just possible, but increasingly practical. These 90"+ displays bring true theater-scale viewing to your home, but they come with unique considerations.
Large format TVs offer several advantages over projectors: they work well in bright rooms, require no warmup time, and need less maintenance. However, they're heavy, expensive, and sometimes tricky to install. Let's dig into how these two models tackle these challenges.
Both TVs use Mini-LED technology, which places thousands of tiny LED lights behind the screen for precise brightness control. Think of it like having thousands of tiny spotlights that can dim or brighten independently. This is where we see our first major difference between the models.
The TCL 115" QM8 packs an astounding 20,000 local dimming zones and can reach 5,000 nits of peak brightness. For context, most high-end TVs hover around 1,000-2,000 nits. This extra brightness helps deliver stunning HDR content and makes the TV visible even in bright rooms.
The TCL 98" QM7 isn't exactly dim, with 2,400 nits peak brightness and 1,500 dimming zones. For most viewers, this is still exceptionally bright and offers excellent contrast. Unless you're watching in a sun-filled room or demanding absolute perfect HDR performance, the difference might not justify the price gap.
Here's where reality sets in. The 115" QM8 is massive - you'll need professional installation and a very sturdy wall. Make sure to measure your space carefully and consider viewing distance. For optimal viewing, you'll want to sit between 11-15 feet away.
The 98" QM7 is more manageable but still requires planning. At this size, you'll want at least 9-13 feet of viewing distance. Both TVs benefit from proper mounting height - aim to have the center of the screen at eye level when seated.
Both models support next-gen gaming features:
Input lag is similar on both sets, making them equally suitable for gaming. However, the QM8's higher brightness and contrast might give it an edge in HDR games.
As someone who's spent considerable time with both projectors and large TVs, I can say these displays offer a compelling alternative to traditional home theater setups. The QM8 particularly shines here with its built-in Onkyo audio system, featuring up-firing speakers for Dolby Atmos.
The QM7's audio is good but not exceptional - you'll want a dedicated sound system. Both TVs support eARC for connecting to modern audio equipment, making them equally capable as the centerpiece of a proper home theater.
Both TVs run Google TV and use TCL's AIPQ processors. The interface is snappy and user-friendly, offering access to all major streaming services. The QM8 includes a backlit voice remote and hands-free control, while the QM7 sticks to a standard voice remote.
Let's talk about the elephant in the room: price. At $16,999, the 115" QM8 costs more than seven times as much as the 98" QM7 at $2,299. Is it worth it?
The QM8 offers:
The QM7 delivers:
If money is no object and you want the ultimate home theater display, the QM8 is impressive. Its brightness and contrast are class-leading, and the size is truly cinematic.
However, the QM7 represents a sweet spot of performance and practicality. You get 90% of the experience at a fraction of the cost. For most buyers, this is the more sensible choice.
Consider these factors:
Both TVs represent impressive technological achievements. The TCL 115" QM8 pushes the boundaries of what's possible in a consumer TV, while the TCL 98" QM7 brings cinema-scale viewing to a more accessible price point.
For most buyers, the QM7 offers the better value proposition. It delivers an exceptional viewing experience without requiring a second mortgage. However, if you're building the ultimate home theater and have the budget, the QM8's extra size and performance might be worth the premium.
Remember: proper installation and room setup matter more than raw specs. Whichever model you choose, take time to plan the installation and optimize your viewing space. A well-set-up QM7 will provide a better experience than a poorly installed QM8.
| TCL 115" QM8 Series ($16,999) | TCL 98" QM7 Series ($2,299) |
|---|---|
| Screen Size - Impacts immersion and required viewing distance | |
| 115" (requires 11-15 ft viewing distance) | 98" (requires 9-13 ft viewing distance) |
| Peak Brightness - Critical for HDR impact and bright room viewing | |
| 5,000 nits (class-leading, almost excessive) | 2,400 nits (excellent for most situations) |
| Local Dimming Zones - More zones mean better contrast and less blooming | |
| 20,000 zones (exceptional contrast control) | 1,500 zones (very good for most content) |
| Audio System - Built-in sound quality matters if not using external speakers | |
| Onkyo 6.2.2 with up-firing speakers | Basic 2.1 system (40W total) |
| Gaming Features - Important for next-gen console gaming | |
| 144Hz VRR, ALLM, FreeSync Premium Pro | 144Hz VRR, ALLM, FreeSync Premium Pro |
| Processing - Affects upscaling quality and motion handling | |
| AIPQ ULTRA Processor | AIPQ PRO Processor |
| Smart Platform - Determines ease of use and app availability | |
| Google TV with hands-free control | Google TV with basic voice remote |
| Installation Requirements - Consider professional installation costs | |
| Requires professional install, extremely heavy | Professional install recommended, very heavy |
| Value Proposition - Consider total cost vs performance gain | |
| Premium price for ultimate performance | Better value for most users |
The TCL 115" QM8 ($16,999) is superior for dedicated home theaters due to its larger size, 20,000 local dimming zones, and premium Onkyo 6.2.2 audio system. However, the TCL 98" QM7 ($2,299) still delivers excellent home theater performance at a fraction of the cost.
Yes, professional installation is strongly recommended for both models. The 115" QM8 absolutely requires professional installation due to its extreme size and weight, while the 98" QM7 is more manageable but still benefits from professional mounting.
The TCL 115" QM8 has superior brightness at 5,000 nits versus the QM7's 2,400 nits. However, both TVs are more than bright enough for most rooms - the QM7's brightness is still excellent for typical viewing conditions.
For the 115" QM8, you need 11-15 feet viewing distance and a large wall space. The 98" QM7 requires 9-13 feet viewing distance. Both need significant wall space and ceiling height consideration.
Both TVs offer identical gaming features including 144Hz VRR, ALLM, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. They're equally capable for gaming, though the QM8's higher brightness may provide better HDR gaming performance.
Both TVs offer superior brightness and contrast compared to most projectors, with no maintenance or lamp replacement needed. They work better in bright rooms but cost more than comparable-sized projector setups.
Yes, both can be wall-mounted but require sturdy walls and professional installation. The 115" QM8 is particularly challenging due to its size and weight, while the 98" QM7 is more manageable but still requires careful planning.
Both TVs use Google TV and support Wi-Fi 6, but your existing high-speed internet should work fine. We recommend at least 25Mbps for 4K streaming, though faster is better.
For most users, the TCL 98" QM7 offers the better value at $2,299. The TCL 115" QM8 at $16,999 is primarily for enthusiasts who demand the absolute best and largest TV available, regardless of cost.
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: rtings.com - pcrichard.com - valueelectronics.com - cnet.com - youtube.com - rcwilley.com - greentoe.com - tcl.com - ezown.net - kingsgreatbuys.com - romomattressfurniture.com - abt.com - bestbuy.com - youtube.com - business.walmart.com - avsforum.com - tcl.com - circuitworldonline.com - tcl.com - bestbuy.com/6580694) - rtings.com - bestbuy.com - displayspecifications.com - tcl.com
