TCL Upgrades Audio with New Headphones and Soundbar

TCL is already known for stellar televisions. At CES 2020 the company is pushing out a lot more audio gear, including some exciting Bluetooth headphones and a premium soundbar. They sound great, use some interesting design ideas, and are going to be priced to be accessible to more people.

ACTV200BT Headphones

These things are cool. They are Bluetooth headphones designed for active use that have a built-in heart-rate monitor. ActivHearts tech, as TCL named it, uses infrared LEDs and sensors to monitor blood flow in the ear for an accurate heart rate. This should help people who want to carry or wear fewer things when they work out. Quality 8.6mm drivers and passive noise isolation complete the audio package. They are IPX4 rated for being sweat and splash proof and have an ear hook for staying securely in place. It isn’t true wireless; there is a cable that is adjustable and has in-line controls. And, they will work with many third-party apps, including HomeKit.

TCL ACTV200BT Headphones

SOCL500TWS and ACTV500TWS True Wireless Earbuds

True wireless is having a huge moment at CES 2020. More and more companies are getting into the game and the best just keep getting better. TCL has two options coming, the SOCL500TWS and ACTV500TWS, or Social and Active, respectively. Targeting ergonomics and fit, these earbuds are designed to fit more securely in the ear. Also, they support Bluetooth 5.0 and sound quite good, in our limited test. Both are true wireless and function very well in this regard. The Social buds are designed for everyday carry, offering 26 hours of play time with the 5.8mm drivers and an IPX4 rating. The Active buds are a bit of an upgrade, with Comply foam tips, 6mm drivers, and an IPX7 rating for waterproofing. Also, the case supports wireless charging and they have a run time of up to 33 hours.