TCL Q85H vs Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806

Which Soundbar Is Better?

Products

TCL Q85H
Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Jun 17, 2025 03:12 PM

SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Dec 02, 2025 02:16 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
  1. Recommended in 3 articles:
  2. Subwoofer
  3. Dolby Atmos
  4. Movies
  1. Recommended in 2 articles:
  2. Vizio
  3. 5.1

Our Verdict

TCL Q85H

Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806

The TCL Q85H is a better soundbar for most people than the Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806. The TCL has a more balanced frequency response, better Atmos performance, and more inputs, including Optical and full HDMI in. It also offers lower latency performance than the Vizio when connected via eARC. But some people might appreciate the Vizio's stripped back, simplistic approach. Fewer options can mean fewer moments of frustration while hooking up your system. 

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Variants

  • Q85H (Black)
  • SL512X-0806 (Black)

Check Price

Black
SL512X-0806
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
SL512X-0806
B&H
Black
SL512X-0806
BestBuy.com
Black
Q85H
B&H
Black
SL512X-0806
Walmart.com

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

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Mixed Usage 

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Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

TCL Q85H Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

TCL Q85H Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Sub Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

Enclosure 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

TCL Q85H Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Satellite Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

TCL Q85H Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Width  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Height  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)
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Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

TCL Q85H Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Width  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Height  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

TCL Q85H Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Width  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Height  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)
Show Text 

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

TCL Q85H Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 Bar Mounting Holes Sample

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Satellite Mounting Holes  

TCL Q85H Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

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Mountable Bar 
 

Locked
Locked

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Locked
Locked

Mountable Satellites 
 

Locked
Locked

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Build quality photo  

TCL Q85H Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 Build quality photo Sample

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In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

TCL Q85H In The Box photo  Sample

SAMPLE

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Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 In The Box photo  Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

N/A
N/A

Stereo Setup  

TCL Q85H Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Raw Frequency Response  

TCL Q85H Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Frequency Response Small  

TCL Q85H Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

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Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

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Channels 
 

Locked
Locked

Tested Preset 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Standard Error 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock kHz
Lock kHz
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Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

N/A
N/A

Frequency Response Calibrated  

TCL Q85H Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

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Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

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Suggested Preset 
 

Locked
Locked

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

Lock
Lock

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

Lock
Lock

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Standard Error 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock kHz
Lock kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

N/A
N/A

Crosstalk  

TCL Q85H Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

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Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

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Crosstalk Error 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

N/A
N/A

Dynamic Range Compression  

TCL Q85H Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

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Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

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SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Center 
 

N/A
N/A

Center Setup  

TCL Q85H Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Frequency Response  

TCL Q85H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Localization 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Lock
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

N/A
N/A

Surround Setup  

TCL Q85H Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Frequency Response  

TCL Q85H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Localization 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Lock

7.1 Rears 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

N/A
N/A

Height Setup  

TCL Q85H Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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H Frequency Response  

TCL Q85H H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Localization 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Lock
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

N/A
N/A

Room Correction 
 

Locked
Locked

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Locked
Locked

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Locked
Locked

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Bass Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Treble Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

EQ 
 

Locked
Locked

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Height Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Virtual Surround 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

TCL Q85H Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

TCL Q85H Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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Optical Audio In 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI Out 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

Locked
Locked

Full HDMI In 
 

Locked
Locked

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

Locked
Locked

RCA In 
 

Locked
Locked

USB for Files 
 

Locked
Locked

Ethernet 
 

Locked
Locked

Subwoofer Output 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Atmos 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS:X 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS-HD MA 
 

Locked
Locked

PCM Channels 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Atmos 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS:X 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS-HD MA 
 

Locked
Locked

PCM Channels 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

PCM Channels 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Audio Latency: ARC 
 

N/A
N/A

ARC Latency Video  

TCL Q85H ARC Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 ARC Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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PCM-2.0 ch 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Dolby Digital 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms
Show Text 

Audio Latency: HDMI In 
 

N/A
N/A

HDMI Latency Video  

TCL Q85H HDMI Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 HDMI Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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PCM-2.0 ch 
 

Lock ms
N/A

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

Lock ms
N/A

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

Lock ms
N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

Lock ms
N/A

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Lock ms
N/A

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

Lock ms
N/A
Show Text 

Audio Latency: Optical 
 

N/A
N/A

Optical Latency Video  

TCL Q85H Optical Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 Optical Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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PCM-2.0 ch 
 

Lock ms
N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

Lock ms
N/A
Show Text 

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

N/A
N/A

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

4k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit 
 

Locked
Locked

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

8k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked
Locked

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

ALLM Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Wireless Playback 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth 
 

Locked
Locked

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

Locked
Locked

Chromecast built-in 
 

Locked
Locked

Apple AirPlay 
 

Locked
Locked

Spotify Connect 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

TCL Q85H Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Display 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

TCL Q85H Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Remote  

Remote photo  

TCL Q85H Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806 Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

Locked
Locked

Google Assistant 
 

Locked
Locked

Apple Siri 
 

Locked
Locked

Microphone Mute 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
SL512X-0806
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
SL512X-0806
B&H
Black
SL512X-0806
BestBuy.com
Black
Q85H
B&H
Black
SL512X-0806
Walmart.com

TCL Q85H

Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806

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  1. Comparison

TCL Q85H vs Vizio Elevate SE SL512X-0806: Main Discussion

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