By: Dipin Sehdev

TCL, one of the world's top-selling television manufacturers, is taking a major leap forward in home audio flexibility with the announcement that its entire 2025 Precise Dimming Series of QD-Mini LED TVs—namely the QM8K, QM7K, and QM6K models—will support Dolby Atmos FlexConnect. Developed by Dolby Laboratories, this cutting-edge technology revolutionizes how consumers experience spatial sound, delivering an adaptive Dolby Atmos audio experience that molds itself to any room configuration and speaker layout, no matter how unconventional.

The collaboration signals a milestone moment in both audio innovation and user-centric home theater design. Not only does it eliminate the constraints of traditional speaker positioning, but it also lays the foundation for a new ecosystem of immersive, wireless home audio. Anchoring this vision is TCL’s new Z100 smart panoramic sound speaker, which pairs seamlessly with its Dolby Atmos FlexConnect-enabled TVs and brings newfound freedom and sophistication to living rooms and media spaces.

A Flexible Revolution in Spatial Audio

At the heart of this announcement is Dolby Atmos FlexConnect—a new audio technology that brings spatial sound to more homes by removing the rigid layout rules that previously defined Dolby Atmos setups. Instead of requiring speakers to be positioned in predefined locations, FlexConnect intelligently adapts audio output to each speaker’s real-world position. Whether your speakers are symmetrically arranged or scattered across shelves and side tables, Dolby Atmos FlexConnect calibrates the experience to ensure that every seat becomes the best seat in the house.

According to Dolby Laboratories, FlexConnect uses advanced room mapping and audio optimization to deliver a cohesive Dolby Atmos soundstage, regardless of physical layout. It compensates for speaker location, distance, room acoustics, and obstructions—all in real time. This allows users to enjoy the height, depth, and dimensionality of Dolby Atmos sound even in rooms where traditional speaker placement might not be feasible.

“With Dolby Atmos FlexConnect, consumers can unlock even more flexibility and adaptability in how they design their home entertainment systems, while removing the stress of whether their speakers are in the right location to get an incredible Dolby Atmos experience,” said John Couling, Senior Vice President of Entertainment at Dolby Laboratories.

TCL’s 2025 QD-Mini LED TV Lineup: FlexConnect-Ready

FlexConnect will debut in TCL’s flagship 2025 QD-Mini LED TV lineup under the Precise Dimming Series banner. These include:

• TCL QM8K

• TCL QM7K

• TCL QM6K

These three models represent the pinnacle of TCL’s Mini LED innovation, combining quantum dot color with thousands of dimming zones and high brightness panels for a stunning visual experience. The inclusion of Dolby Atmos FlexConnect ensures the audio is as cinematic and dynamic as the picture—no soundbar required (though it can be augmented with one).

All three TVs ship with native support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, solidifying TCL’s ongoing commitment to premium audiovisual technologies. The addition of FlexConnect not only elevates the audio game but also positions TCL as one of the earliest adopters of Dolby’s next-generation immersive audio platform.

Chris Hamdorf, Executive Vice President at TCL North America, emphasized the strategic importance of the move:

“TCL and Dolby share a long history of redefining home entertainment. TCL’s entire 2025 4K TV lineup supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. All of our full-feature sound bars use Dolby Atmos, and now, we’re proud to bring Dolby Atmos FlexConnect to our Precise Dimming Series. It empowers customers to enjoy a premium immersive audio experience that’s tailored to their unique preferences and spaces.”

Introducing the TCL Z100 Smart Panoramic Speaker

To complement the FlexConnect-enabled TV lineup, TCL is also introducing the Z100 Smart Panoramic Speaker—a sleek, wireless speaker designed to seamlessly integrate with the company’s 2025 TVs. Starting summer 2025, customers can pair up to four Z100 speakers with their TCL TVs to build a customized, room-aware Dolby Atmos sound environment without any messy wiring or calibration tools.

The Z100 isn’t just a standalone speaker—it’s an integral component in the FlexConnect experience. Together with the TV’s built-in speakers, the Z100 units collaborate to intelligently distribute sound throughout the room, filling it with nuanced effects, pinpoint-accurate dialogue, and thunderous bass, regardless of how the speakers are arranged.

By using the Z100s, viewers no longer have to compromise between interior design and audio quality. Speakers can be discreetly placed on bookshelves, tucked into corners, or suspended on wall mounts without compromising the sonic experience.

How Dolby Atmos FlexConnect Works

Dolby Atmos FlexConnect works by leveraging built-in microphones in TCL’s FlexConnect-compatible TVs to perform an acoustic analysis of the room. It evaluates speaker distance, delay, volume levels, and spatial positioning to optimize the Dolby Atmos rendering across all connected audio channels—including the TV speakers and any paired Z100 units.

Here’s a breakdown of how FlexConnect transforms the listening experience:

• Room-Aware Optimization: Automatically calibrates sound to match the room’s shape, dimensions, and acoustic characteristics.

• Freeform Speaker Placement: No need to position speakers in fixed locations. Place them anywhere in the room.

• Intelligent Audio Mapping: Maps each speaker’s position in 3D space and dynamically adjusts the output to maintain Dolby Atmos immersion.

• Scalable Audio: Supports 1 to 4 external Z100 speakers in any combination with the TV’s internal speakers.

• No External AV Receiver Required: The TV acts as the central hub, eliminating the need for complicated multi-device setups.

This level of integration is especially valuable for consumers who want a simplified yet powerful home theater experience—no calibration discs, no running wires behind the furniture, no complicated menus.

The Ecosystem Effect: Content Meets Capability

The timing of TCL’s Dolby Atmos FlexConnect integration aligns with a content boom in Dolby Atmos audio across film, streaming, music, and gaming.

Films and TV Shows

Dolby reports that 98 of the top 100 box office films from the past five years were released in Dolby Atmos, and all major Hollywood studios now support Atmos for both theatrical and home releases. With streamers like Netflix, Disney+, Max, and Apple TV+ regularly offering Dolby Atmos soundtracks, the demand for compatible hardware has never been greater.

Music

The rise of spatial audio in music is another driver. According to Dolby, 93% of Billboard’s 2024 Year-End Top 100 Artists released tracks in Dolby Atmos. Major labels and independent artists alike are embracing the format across more than 20 streaming services, including Apple Music, Amazon Music, and TIDAL.

Gaming

Dolby Atmos has also gained traction in the gaming world. Modern consoles like the Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 support Dolby Atmos playback in select titles, providing gamers with a competitive edge and a more immersive playing field.

Sports

Even live sports broadcasts are getting the Dolby Atmos treatment. Major games and tournaments, including the Super Bowl, are now produced and streamed with object-based audio to bring stadium-like sound into living rooms.

With Dolby Atmos content proliferating across every major entertainment vertical, TCL’s adoption of FlexConnect becomes more than a hardware update—it’s a full ecosystem play.

A Premium Experience Without the Premium Hassle

Historically, achieving Dolby Atmos at home has required a carefully calibrated 5.1.2 or 7.1.4 system, often involving an AV receiver, multiple wired speakers, ceiling speakers or upfiring modules, and a lot of trial and error. Dolby Atmos FlexConnect turns that model on its head, offering the following benefits:

• No Calibration Discs or Mics Needed: Auto-optimization is handled by the TV.

• No Receiver Required: Everything runs from the TV and the Z100 speakers.

• Wireless Operation: Clean installation, minimal clutter.

• Custom-Tailored Audio: Whether you have a dedicated theater or a cramped living room, FlexConnect adapts to your space.

It’s a significant democratization of home theater technology, allowing more people to enjoy premium Dolby Atmos experiences without the traditional hurdles or budget constraints.

Competitive Positioning and Industry Impact

With FlexConnect, TCL is staking a claim not only in picture quality but also in adaptive audio leadership. Competing brands have offered wireless surround sound systems and some degree of auto-calibration, but Dolby Atmos FlexConnect stands apart due to its seamless ecosystem integration, Dolby-verified optimization, and support for variable speaker configurations.

The move also reaffirms TCL’s positioning as a brand that delivers flagship-level features at accessible prices. While the exact pricing and launch dates for the QM8K, QM7K, QM6K, and Z100 speaker are yet to be announced, TCL is expected to remain aggressive in maintaining value leadership in the high-performance TV segment.

With a strong foothold in global markets and rising brand perception in North America, TCL’s push into personalized Dolby Atmos is both a strategic defense and a growth play. As more consumers expect smart, simplified, and immersive home theater systems, FlexConnect becomes a powerful differentiator.

Final Thoughts: Home Theater Made Effortless

TCL’s integration of Dolby Atmos FlexConnect into its 2025 QD-Mini LED TV lineup marks a turning point for home entertainment. For years, Dolby Atmos has been the pinnacle of immersive sound, but the barrier to entry—complicated setups, ideal speaker placement, and high equipment costs—kept it out of reach for many. Now, with FlexConnect, TCL is redefining what a home theater can be: adaptable, accessible, and deeply immersive.

As more consumers seek minimalist setups that don’t sacrifice performance, TCL’s 2025 strategy is well-aligned with broader trends in connected living, smart audio, and wireless freedom. With the QM8K, QM7K, QM6K, and Z100 speaker, the company is signaling its commitment to making world-class entertainment available to everyone—on their own terms, in their own rooms.

The Dolby Atmos experience has never been this easy—or this flexible.