Dolby Atmos FlexConnect Lets You Place Speakers Anywhere

While Dolby imposes nary difficult limit connected nan number aliases type of speakers (or subwoofers) you tin usage successful a azygous FlexConnect system, each manufacturer’s prime of processor determines what’s feasible.

What you can’t do is usage immoderate different company’s wireless speakers—whether they’re FlexConnect-compatible aliases not. Naturally, this raises nan mobility of compatibility. When different companies yet make their ain FlexConnect TVs, speakers, aliases soundbars, will they only activity wrong that brand’s family of products? Dolby says this benignant of marque lock-in isn’t built into Dolby Atmos FlexConnect, but neither does it require compatibility betwixt FlexConnect products.

Wireless Dolby Atmos

Unfortunately for now, TCL’s implementation of FlexConnect is proprietary. During the event, I asked Dolby’s reps which different companies person signed up to beryllium a portion of nan Atmos FlexConnect world, but they refused to comment, choosing alternatively to fto TCL ain nan limelight during nan first launch. Afterward, however, I received a follow-up email letting maine cognize that Dolby had collaborated pinch Hisense connected FlexConnect extracurricular of nan North American market. No connection connected whether Hisense's type will beryllium similar.

As acold arsenic nan TCL setup, each TCL Z100 is rated astatine 170 watts RMS, which is delivered via 3 front-facing drivers (woofer, midrange, and tweeter) positive an up-firing driver for tallness effects. TCL says it uses a 1.1.1-channel layout, which intends it tin person and reproduce 1 front/surround/rear channel, positive tallness and low-frequency effects (LFE) channels.

TCL doesn’t opportunity really debased nan Z100’s woofer tin go, saying only that “low frequencies are optimized and gained, lowering nan hold wave to present much thrilling and powerful bass performance.”

You can’t configure nan Z100 to beryllium portion of a multiroom audio setup for illustration you tin with a Sonos aliases Bose soundbar, but you tin move it to Bluetooth mode for nonstop audio streaming from a phone. Two Z100s tin beryllium stereo-paired. Unfortunately, nan Bluetooth mode isn’t managed by Dolby Atmos FlexConnect, truthful you whitethorn want to deliberation cautiously astir speaker position if you usage it frequently.

Flexin’

Unlike soundbars and AV receivers, which typically override a TV’s soul speakers, Dolby Atmos FlexConnect incorporates them, channeling contented and frequencies successful a measurement that useful pinch nan remainder of nan speakers successful nan system. Presumably, astir of that contented will beryllium halfway transmission (dialog, cardinal sound effects), pinch nan wireless speakers filling successful arsenic needed.