TCL TS8111 Series 2.1 Channel Sound Bar User Manual

1 Before you begin

• Carefully read and observe all safety instructions in the safety leaflet.
• This soundbar is intended for indoor use only. In case it accidentally gets in contact with small amounts of water, unplug immediately and use a dry cloth to remove the water.
• Unplug the soundbar if it is not used for long periods of time or during lightning storms.
• Make sure the soundbar is installed on a solid surface or solidly wall-mounted below your TV for the best experience.
• Only use AAA 1.5V non-rechargeable batteries for the remote control.
• In case any of the cables are visibly damaged or pinched, unplug the soundbar and replace the cable.
• Be careful not to sharply bend the HDMI and optical cable as they may affect the performance.
• Protect your hearing by adjusting to a proper volume. Predefined and customizable sound settings are available for your listening comfort.

2 Welcome

Congratulations on the purchase of your new TCL Sound Bar! After it is set up and connected, you can experience a superb sound quality and state-of-the-art design to best fit your home entertainment system. You are recommended to read through this user manual which helps you set up, connect and operate the product easily and properly.

Let's get started.

What's in the box

Illustration showing the contents of the box:

• Sound Bar: A long, slender speaker unit.
• Remote control: A handheld device with various buttons.
• AAA battery x 2: Two AAA batteries.
• AC power cord: A cord for connecting to mains power.
• Wall mount bracket x 2: Brackets for mounting the soundbar on a wall.
• Wall mounting screw x 2: Screws for wall mounting.
• HDMI cable: A cable for HDMI connection.
• Wall anchor x 2: Anchors for wall mounting screws.
• Quick Start Guide (QSG): A booklet for initial setup.
• Sleeve x 2: Sleeves, likely for wall anchors.
• Wall mount template: A paper template for marking drill holes.
• Safety leaflet: A document containing safety information.

Overview of the Sound Bar

Diagram showing the top panel of the soundbar with numbered controls and indicators:

• 1 ?️: Power button. Short press to enter Sleep or Standby mode. Long press to enter Standby mode.
• 2 ?: Source button. Press to switch the audio source among HDMI ARC/HDMI IN/OPT/BT/AUX/USB modes.
• 3 ?: Bluetooth button. Press to select the Bluetooth function. Press and hold to enter the pairing mode.
• 4 ➕ / ➖: Volume buttons. Press to increase or decrease the volume level.
• 5 LED indicator: Indicates the Sound Bar status (e.g., volume level, sound bar status).
• 6 White LED: Indicates standby/sleep mode.

Diagram showing the rear panel of the soundbar with numbered input connectors:

• 7 ~AC IN: AC input power connector.
• 8 HDMI IN: HDMI IN connector.
• 9 HDMI OUT (ARC): HDMI OUT (ARC) connector.
• 10 OPTICAL: Optical input connector.
• 11 AUX: AUX input connector.
• 12 USB: USB Type A connector (only for music playback).

3 Connect your Sound Bar system

After you have fixed the position of the Sound Bar, you can start connecting it to your TV or other devices and listen to the audio through your Sound Bar. Make sure you have muted the audio of your TV or device. For information, check the user manual of your TV or device.

Connect with the HDMI cable

Note: Make sure your TV or device supports the HDMI ARC feature. For information, check the user manual of your TV or device.

Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the HDMI ARC input connector on your Sound Bar and another end to the HDMI ARC output connector of your TV or device.

To get the best possible audio experience using the HDMI cable, follow below given steps:

1. Connect your Sound Bar to HDMI input marked (ARC) on your TCL TV.
2. Press the Settings button on your TCL TV remote.
3. Navigate to System options.
4. Set T-Link to On. (This feature may be called, Anynet+, SimpLink, BRAVIA Link, EasyLink or VIERA Link*.)

Diagram showing the connection of the soundbar to a TV via HDMI ARC.

* All technology names mentioned are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

Optional: Connect your Blu-ray player

For ease of use, you are advised to connect a Blu-ray player to the TV and enjoy the Sound Bar through HDMI-ARC. However, in order to enjoy Dolby TrueHD based Atmos content that not all TVs may support through HDMI-ARC, you can optionally connect your Blu-ray player directly to the Sound Bar using the HDMI-in port.

Notes: This product features an energy saving low-power standby mode which consumes <0.5W. This is enabled by default. In STANDBY mode, the HDMI loop-through function including AirPlay and Chromecast are disabled. If desired, a SLEEP mode can be enabled that activates HDMI loop-through when the sound bar is not in use. Power consumption in SLEEP mode is <4W and can vary based on actual use of the HDMI loop-through feature. It also allows for a faster startup of the sound bar.

It can be enabled as follows:

• Ensure the product is in STANDBY mode.
• Hold the ▶️/OK button on the remote control for 5 seconds until the display shows WAIT.
• After a short while, SLEEP MODE is shown. Now select with ▶️/OK button to disable this function. You will be asked to confirm.
• Now exit the settings menu by using VOL+/VOL- key to select EXIT and leave the menu.

The HDMI input supports UHD (4K) and that it can also be used for game console to enjoy Dolby Atmos audio.

Diagram showing a Blu-ray player connected to the soundbar's HDMI IN port.

Connect with the optical cable

1. Remove the protective caps from the optical cable (sold separately) when necessary.
2. Connect one end of the optical cable to the optical input connector on your Sound Bar and another end to the optical output connector of your TV or device.

Diagram showing the connection of the soundbar to a TV via an optical cable.

Note: If there is no sound output from the Sound Bar, try to activate the PCM signal output on your TV or device. PCM is used to convert analog audio signals into digital audio signals in most devices. For more information of how to activate the PCM signal output, check the user manual of your TV or device.

Direction for setting up your Sound Bar using an optical cable

⚠️ Do not bend or kink the optical cable (SPDIF) as it is fragile and can easily get damaged and broken.

Illustration showing an optical cable connecting to the soundbar and TV.

To get the best possible audio experience using the optical cable:

1. Press the Settings button on your TCL TV remote.
2. Navigate to Audio options.
3. Set TV speakers to Off.

Connect with the 3.5mm-to-3.5mm audio cable

You can either:

• Connect one end of the 3.5mm-to-3.5mm audio cable (sold separately) to the AUX input connector on your Sound Bar and another end to the headphone or audio output connector on your TV or device. This will disable the sound of your TV built-in speakers; or
• Connect one end of an RCA-to-3.5mm audio cable (sold separately) to the AUX input connector on your Sound Bar and other ends to the TV's audio output connectors.

Diagram showing the soundbar's AUX input connected to a TV's audio output or headphone jack.

Connect your Sound Bar to power supply

1. Make sure that you have completed all other connections before connecting the Sound Bar to power supply.
2. Make sure the power supply voltage complies with your country's safety standards (see 'Specifications' on page 31).
3. Connect one end of a supplied AC power cord to the AC input connector on your Sound Bar and another end to the power socket on the wall.

Diagram showing the AC power cord connecting the soundbar to a wall socket.

Connect the Sound Bar with your Bluetooth device

Notes: Make sure your wireless device supports the Bluetooth function. The operational range between the Sound Bar and your Bluetooth device is approximately 10m (without any obstacle between the Bluetooth device and the Sound Bar).

1. Press ?️ on the top panel of your Sound Bar or remote control to power on the Sound Bar.
2. Press and hold ? on the top panel of your Sound Bar or remote control. PAIR is flashes on the LED display. The Sound Bar is ready to pair.
3. Power on your Bluetooth device and activate its Bluetooth function.
4. Select TCL 8111 on the pairing list of your Bluetooth device. You hear distinct double beep sound.

Diagram illustrating the Bluetooth pairing process, showing the soundbar, remote, and phone.

Tip: If you cannot find the model name TCL 8111 on your Bluetooth device, press and hold ? on the remote control. You will see PAIR. Now the Sound Bar is entering the pairing mode.

Your Sound Bar system is now set up and ready to be used.

To disconnect the Bluetooth function, you can:

• Press ? on the Sound Bar or remote control to switch to another source; or
• Disable the Bluetooth function on your device; or
• Press and hold ? on the remote control for 3 seconds.

4 Use your Sound Bar system

Use your Sound Bar with the top panel or remote control

1. Make sure the Sound Bar is properly connected to the power supply and sources.
2. Press ? at the top panel of your Sound Bar main unit or remote control to switch to the correct source.

LED behaviors under different source modes

Note: After powering on your Sound Bar, if there is no operation performed on either the Sound Bar or remote control within 10 seconds, all LED indicators on the Sound Bar will turn off and light up again when the operation is resumed.

Tip: You can use more advanced functions on the remote control (see 'Overview of the remote control' on page 14).

Listen to music from your Bluetooth device

1. Make sure that your device supports A2DP and/or AVRCP. For information, check the specification of your device.
2. Pair your Bluetooth device with the Sound Bar (see 'Connect the Sound Bar with your Bluetooth device' on page 24).
3. Start listening to music stored in your Bluetooth device through the Sound Bar.
   • If your Bluetooth device supports A2DP, you can listen to music, but you cannot control the playback.
   • If your Bluetooth device supports AVRCP, you can listen to music and control music playback with the remote control. Press ▶️/⏸️ to pause or resume music playback. Press ◀️ / ▶️ to skip to the previous/next track.

Note: The operational range between the Sound Bar and your Bluetooth device is approximately 10 meters (without any obstacle between the Bluetooth device and Sound Bar).

Use the USB cable or device for music playback

• Press ▶️/OK on the remote control to listen to/pause/resume the music.
• Press ◀️ or ▶️ on the remote control to skip to the previous or next track.
• Press ⬆️ or ⬇️ to increase or decrease the volume level.

Diagram showing a USB device plugged into the soundbar's USB port.

Tip: This Sound Bar can support USB devices of up to 64GB memory and the supported file format are MP3 and FLAC.

5 Specifications

Sound Bar

• Power adapter: AC~100-240V, 50/60Hz
• Power consumption: 40W
• Power consumption at standby mode: ≤ 0.5W
• Impedance: 6 Ω
• Frequency response: 40 Hz-20 kHz
• Dimensions (WxHxD): 1000x65x128mm
• Weight: 2.9 kg
• Operating temperature: 0°C - 45°C

Bluetooth

• Bluetooth version: 4.2, Bluetooth profile - Bluetooth stereo supported (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile - A2DP; Audio Video Remote Control Profile - AVRCP)
• Frequency range: 2402 Mhz – 2480 Mhz
• Max transmitting power: 8.5dBm

Remote control

• Distance/Angle: 6m/ 30°
• Battery type: 1.5V AAA battery x 2, user replaceable.

6 Notice

Declaration of conformity

Hereby, TCL Overseas Marketing Limited declares that his product is in compliance with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of Directive 2014/53/EU. You can find the Declaration of Conformity on www.tcl.com.

Disposal of your old product and battery

Your product is designed and manufactured with high quality materials and components, which can be recycled and reused.

Symbol indicating compliance with European Directive 2012/19/EU (WEEE).

Symbol indicating that the product contains a battery covered by European Directive 2013/56/EU.

This symbol means that the product contains a battery covered by European Directive 2013/56/EU which cannot be disposed of with normal household waste. Inform yourself about the local separate collection system for electrical and electronic products and batteries. Follow local rules and never dispose of the product and batteries with normal household waste. Correct disposal of old products and batteries helps prevent negative consequences for the environment and human health.

Remove the disposable battery

To remove the disposable batteries, see the section 'Replace the remote control battery'.

Environmental protection and sustainability

We have omitted all unnecessary packaging and make sure it is eco-friendly and sustainable.

Trademarks

Bluetooth®

The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by TTE Corporation is under license. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.

Dolby Atmos

Dolby, Dolby Atmos, and the double-D symbol are registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation. Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories. Confidential unpublished works. Copyright © 2012-2020 Dolby Laboratories. All rights reserved.

HDMI

The Adopted Trademarks HDMI, HDMI High-Definition Multimedia Interface, and the HDMI Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing Administrator, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

7 FAQ

No power

• Make sure the AC power cord and AC input connector are connected properly.
• Make sure there is power supply.
• Make sure the Sound Bar has turned on.

No sound

• Make sure the audio cable is connected to the Sound Bar and your device.
• Make sure you have selected the correct source.
• Press ⬆️ to increase the volume level.
• Make sure the Sound Bar is not muted.

Low voice

• Use the remote control to adjust the volume.
• May opend Night mode, please press ☀️ for 3 seconds to exit the Night mode.

* Other EQs cannot be selected in Night Mode.

The remote control does not work.

• Make sure you have selected the correct source.
• Make sure the distance of remote control and the Sound Bar is within operational range.
• Make sure the battery is correctly inserted and is working.
• Make sure the remote control is close to the remote control sensor of the Sound Bar.

I hear distorted sound.

• Make sure all cables are properly connected.
• Make sure you have selected the correct source.
• Make sure the TV is muted if you play audio from the TV.

I cannot find the Bluetooth name of this Sound Bar on my Bluetooth device.

• Make sure the Bluetooth function is activated on your Bluetooth device.
• Make sure the Sound Bar has paired with your Bluetooth device.

WE ARE READY TO HELP

contact us first with any questions

TCL SUPPORT: www.tcl.com

⚠️ TAKE CARE WHEN REMOVING THE SOUNDBAR

2020 © TCL Overseas Marketing Limited. All rights reserved. This product has been manufactured by and is sold under the responsibility of TCL Overseas Marketing Limited.

TS8111_EU_EN_UM_V0.6

70-TS81NA-DFUB1