Watching your favorite show but can’t hear the dialogue over the music? You’re not alone — and you don’t need to spend $300 to fix it.

The TCL S45H S Class 2.0 Channel Sound Bar offers a wallet-friendly way to upgrade the often “tinny” audio of modern flat-screen TVs. Priced around $100, this compact bar punches above its weight with premium features like Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X.

Connectivity is versatile, ensuring broad compatibility across TV brands. While the system is optimized with features like “TCL TV Ready,” it connects seamlessly to most sets via HDMI eARC, optical, or auxiliary inputs, and also supports Bluetooth for music streaming.

Note: This analysis synthesizes hundreds of customer reviews on Amazon and community feedback to provide a balanced verdict on what this soundbar delivers and where its budget price tag is evident.

Full disclosure: This article contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it helps keep the site running. Thanks for the support! Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

→Related: Under $100 2.0ch Soundbars – Vizio V20x-J8 vs. Sony HT-S100F

Table of Contents

• Before You Buy: The Bass Decision
• TCL S45H Soundbar Specs
• Is the TCL S45H Worth Buying?
  • Pros and Cons
    • Pros
    • Cons
• How Does the TCL S45H Sound? Clarity, Volume & Bass
  • When Bass Really Matters to You
• Is the TCL S45H Easy to Set Up and Connect?
  • Troubleshooting Common Issues
• Key Features at a Budget Price: Spatial Audio and Calibration
  • 1. Virtualization vs. Physical Drivers
  • 2. Other Notable Features
• TCL S45H Design: What Are the Usability Issues?
• Included Accessories
• Should You Buy the TCL S45H Soundbar?

Before You Buy: The Bass Decision

The biggest question isn’t whether the S45H is good — it’s whether you need a subwoofer. Here’s the choice:

• TCL S45H (2.0 Channel) – Currently $64.99. Perfect if dialogue clarity is your #1 priority. No subwoofer, but great for voices and small-medium rooms. → Check current S45H price on Amazon
• TCL S55H (2.1 Channel) – Currently $129.99. Same soundbar + wireless subwoofer for typically just $65 more. Adds real bass punch for movies and music. → Check current S55H price on Amazon

Why this matters: The S45H has no subwoofer output — you cannot add one later. If bass is important to you, the S55H’s small price jump delivers a dramatically better experience.

TCL S45H Soundbar Specs

Feature	Details
Channel Configuration	2.0 Channel
Bass System	Built-in Bass Ports (No Separate Wireless Subwoofer)
Max. Output Power (Peak)	100 W
Continuous Power (RMS)	40 W
Audio Decoders	DTS:X, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby MAT, Dolby Surround, Dolby TrueHD
Connectivity	HDMI eARC, Optical, AUX, Bluetooth 5.2, USB
Dimensions (W×H×D)	31.89″ x 2.36″ x 3.86″ (810 x 60 x 98 mm)
Weight	4.4 lbs (2 kg)
Included Accessories	Remote + batteries, HDMI cable, power cord, wall-mount kit
Amazon Price	Check current price on Amazon

Understanding Soundbar Power: Peak vs. Continuous

When you see two power numbers like 100W and 40W, here’s the difference:

• 100W (Peak Power): The marketing number. Maximum power for a split second (like an explosion). Looks great on the box but doesn’t reflect daily performance.
• 40W (Continuous/RMS Power): The real number. How much power the soundbar handles consistently without distorting. This is what matters for clear listening volume.

Bottom line: The TCL S45H’s 40W RMS is plenty for clear, loud audio in an average living room without pushing into distortion.

Is the TCL S45H Worth Buying?

The TCL S45H delivers strong value for its price, providing a clear improvement over standard TV speakers with better voice clarity and adequate volume.

However, expectations must be managed — this is a simple 2.0-channel system. Its compromises (mainly weak bass, a flawed indicator light design, and occasional software quirks) are typical trade-offs at this price point.

Buy the S45H if you:

• Struggle to hear dialogue clearly (your #1 reason to upgrade)
• Have a small to medium-sized room
• Don’t need powerful bass
• Want a simple plug-and-play setup

Skip it if you:

• Want room-filling bass (get the S55H instead)
• Have a premium TV with advanced built-in speakers
• Need a soundbar for a large living space

If you need an affordable boost in volume and dialogue clarity, this soundbar is a solid budget choice.

Pros and Cons

How Does the TCL S45H Sound? Clarity, Volume & Bass

For many users, the TCL soundbar delivers robust and noticeably improved sound. Voices and dialogue are consistently described as loud, clear, and crisp — ideal for those who struggle to hear dialogue in movies. The volume capability is high, with many users noting they never need to push the bar beyond half volume.

• Loudness and Clarity: The soundbar reaches volumes equal to or louder than many built-in TV speakers. Crucially, even when pushed to max volume, it exhibits very little audio compression or distortion in the mid- and high-ranges, meaning it stays clear and clean when you crank it up.
• The Bass Reality: The most common complaint is weak bass. While the built-in reflex port provides some punch, it’s not the room-shaking thump of a dedicated 2.1 system. Users expecting massive low-end presence will be disappointed. Several mentioned that adjusting the bass and treble controls made little to no noticeable difference in voice tone or quality. → If bass matters, see the S55H price difference on Amazon.
• Known Audio Issues: Some users found that sound occasionally stopped working. In rare instances, dialogue suddenly fell out of sync with actors’ lips or disappeared entirely while background music continued. These issues appear software-related and often resolve with a factory reset (see troubleshooting below).

Important Note: A few users felt the soundbar was barely an improvement over their existing TV speakers. This outcome is common when pairing a $100 soundbar with a new, high-end TV (especially premium OLEDs/QLEDs).

Modern premium TVs often feature complex, multi-driver acoustic systems that can offer superior sound quality and tonal balance compared to a very cheap soundbar. Almost any soundbar will upgrade a basic budget TV, but expectations should be tempered with expensive displays.

When Bass Really Matters to You

The lack of strong bass is the S45H’s most consistent drawback. With no subwoofer output or official expansion options, deep low-end simply isn’t available.

Many reviewers who prioritize bass recommend the closely related TCL S55H S Class 2.1 Channel Sound Bar instead. It pairs the same soundbar with a wireless subwoofer, making it a proper 2.1-channel system (220W peak vs. the S45H’s 100W peak). The extra low-end significantly improves movies, gaming, and music.

If deeper bass isn’t essential and budget is the main concern, the S45H still performs well for dialogue-focused content.

→ Compare S45H vs S55H prices on Amazon

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Is the TCL S45H Easy to Set Up and Connect?

Setup is generally quick and uncomplicated. Most users connect via the included HDMI cable and are up and running in minutes.

HDMI eARC integration allows volume control through the TV remote and works reliably across brands, with particularly seamless performance on TCL and Roku TVs.

Bluetooth music streaming is equally straightforward.

Key Features at a Budget Price: Spatial Audio and Calibration

The S45H’s biggest selling point is the inclusion of Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X, features typically reserved for more expensive sound systems.

1. Virtualization vs. Physical Drivers

It’s important to understand that the S45H is a 2.0 channel soundbar, meaning it contains only two forward-facing speaker drivers and no dedicated subwoofer or height drivers. It achieves the overhead and surround effects of Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X through virtualization technology.

• How it Works: Instead of physically bouncing sound off your ceiling (which requires up-firing drivers), the soundbar uses advanced psychoacoustic processing. This technology manipulates how sound reaches your ears, tricking the brain into perceiving sounds as coming from the sides, rear, or above.
• Managing Expectations: This creates a much wider, more immersive soundstage compared to traditional stereo, especially in front of the listener. However, it will not deliver the discrete, object-based height effects (like the distinct pitter-patter of rain overhead or footsteps creaking in an attic) that true multi-speaker Atmos systems provide. This bar offers an enhanced, wide stereo experience.

2. Other Notable Features

The bar also includes Ai Sonic Auto Room Calibration, a sophisticated feature that actively analyzes and adjusts the bar’s sound output to match the unique acoustic properties of your room (note: this requires using the TCL Home companion app for setup). Other valuable features include Bluetooth streaming for mobile devices, a useful Night Mode for late-night viewing, and USB Audio Playback.

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TCL S45H Design: What Are the Usability Issues?

The compact, sleek, and minimalist design of the S45H generally receives praise for fitting well under the TV, with many owners appreciating that its size doesn’t compromise performance.

One notable usability flaw emerged in the feedback: the single-row indicator light is located on top of the bar, making it impossible to see from a couch. Users have no visual feedback when changing inputs, volume, or sound modes. This lack of visibility is worsened by the volume control itself, which some users found imprecise — jumping quickly from quiet to loud — making accurate adjustments difficult.

For an entry-level device, the reliance on the TCL Home app for setting confirmation and calibration adds a layer of complexity. Additionally, some wall-mounted users reported the included hardware was slightly poor quality, resulting in the bar not being held tightly against the wall.

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Included Accessories

Users appreciate the comprehensive package. The S45H is ready to use immediately as it includes:

• Remote with batteries (2x AA)
• HDMI cable (59-inch / 1.5 m)
• Power cable (59-inch / 1.5 m)
• Wall-mounting kit and template

The inclusion of an HDMI cable is a small but welcome detail that emphasizes the product’s focus on user-friendly, out-of-the-box convenience, further contributing to its value.

→Related: 4 Affordable Must-Have Accessories for Your TCL S45H Soundbar

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Should You Buy the TCL S45H Soundbar?

The TCL S45H S Class 2.0 Channel Sound Bar is a good solution for the most common audio problem: poor TV speakers. For its price, it offers clear dialogue, adequate volume, and a simple setup process for the vast majority of users.

It won’t impress serious audiophiles or fill larger rooms well. But for the low price, it brings life, clarity, and immersion to TV shows and movies more effectively than built-in TV speakers.

→See how the S55H stacks up against the Hisense HS2100.

→ For another great budget soundbar, check out our Samsung HW-B550F review.