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  1. Home
  2. Soundbar
  3. Compare
  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Style - Bar
    2. Style - Subwoofer
    3. Style - Satellites
    4. Dimensions - Bar
    5. Dimensions - Subwoofer
    6. Dimensions - Satellites
    7. Back - Bar
    8. Back - Subwoofer
    9. Back - Satellites
    10. Build Quality
    11. In The Box
  5. Sound
    1. Stereo Frequency Response
    2. Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
    3. Stereo Soundstage
    4. Stereo Dynamics
    5. Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
    6. Center
    7. Surround 5.1
    8. Height (Atmos)
    9. Sound Enhancement Features
  6. Connectivity
    1. Physical Inputs - Bar
    2. Audio Format Support - ARC
    3. Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
    4. Audio Format Support - Optical
    5. Latency
    6. Wireless Playback
    7. Other Input Specifications
    8. Connectivity - Subwoofer
    9. Connectivity - Satellites
  7. Additional Features
    1. Interface
    2. Bar Controls
    3. Remote
    4. Voice Assistants Support
    5. App
    6. Other Features
  8. Comments

Roku Smart Soundbar vs TCL Alto 5

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Roku Smart Soundbar
TCL Alto 5

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Jan 10, 2024 02:07 PM

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Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Apr 09, 2024 02:08 PM

Unavailable
Missing store
Roku Smart Soundbar Picture
TCL Alto 5 Picture
Channels
2.0
Channels
2.0

Variants

  • Roku Smart Soundbar (Black)
  • Alto 5 (Black)

Review

See Roku Smart Soundbar Review
See TCL Alto 5 Review
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0 

Our Verdict

Roku Smart Soundbar

TCL Alto 5

The Roku Smart Soundbar and the TCL Alto 5 are very similar 2.0 setups. Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer one over the other. The TCL has a better build quality. Neither bar comes with a subwoofer, and neither bar can play Dolby Atmos content. However, the Roku has a companion app and an auto volume feature, which is good if you want to control the volume level between different programs and commercials.

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Black
Roku Smart Soundbar
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Black
Alto 5
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Black
Roku Smart Soundbar
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Black
Alto 5
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Black
Roku Smart Soundbar
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Black
Alto 5
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Black
Roku Smart Soundbar
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Black
Alto 5
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Roku Smart Soundbar
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Black
Alto 5
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

6.4
5.9

Audio Format Support - ARC 
 

6.1
0.0

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.0
6.7

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Yes
No

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Roku Smart Soundbar Style photo - bar
TCL Alto 5 Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Roku Smart Soundbar Style photo - sub
TCL Alto 5 Style photo - sub
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Roku Smart Soundbar Style photo - satellites
TCL Alto 5 Style photo - satellites
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Roku Smart Soundbar Dimensions photo - bar
TCL Alto 5 Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

32.1" (81.5 cm)
31.6" (80.2 cm)

Height  

2.8" (7.1 cm)
2.7" (6.8 cm)

Depth  

3.9" (9.8 cm)
3.0" (7.6 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Roku Smart Soundbar Dimensions photo - sub
TCL Alto 5 Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Roku Smart Soundbar Dimensions photo - satellites
TCL Alto 5 Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Back - Bar  

Back photo - bar  

Roku Smart Soundbar Back photo - bar
TCL Alto 5 Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting 
 

Universal (holes on back)
Proprietary
Show Text 

Back - Subwoofer  

Back photo - sub  

Roku Smart Soundbar Back photo - sub
TCL Alto 5 Back photo - sub

Enclosure 
 

No Subwoofer
No Subwoofer
Show Text 

Back - Satellites  

Back photo - satellites  

Roku Smart Soundbar Back photo - satellites
TCL Alto 5 Back photo - satellites

Mounting 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

7.0
7.5

Build quality photo  

Roku Smart Soundbar Build quality photo
TCL Alto 5 Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Roku Smart Soundbar In The Box photo
TCL Alto 5 In The Box photo

HDMI Cable Length 
 

1.5 m (4.9 ft)
N/A

Digital Optical Cable Length 
 

1.8 m (5.9 ft)
1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.0
6.7

Stereo Setup  

Roku Smart Soundbar Stereo Setup
TCL Alto 5 Stereo Setup

Raw Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Frequency Response Small  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Tested Preset 
 

Standard
Music

Slope 
 

-0.30
0.23

Std. Err. 
 

2.79 dB
3.80 dB

Channels 
 

2.0
2.0

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

56.6 Hz
62.6 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

13.5 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

7.0
6.7

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Standard
Music

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

0
N/A

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

0
N/A

Slope 
 

-0.30
0.23

Std. Err. 
 

2.79 dB
3.80 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

56.6 Hz
62.6 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

13.5 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

6.5
6.0

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

3.20 dB
3.40 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

6.6
6.7

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

90.2 dB SPL
91.5 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

3.09 dB
3.32 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

7.6
6.8

THD  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.40
0.82

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

2.89
3.03
Show Text 

Center 
 

6.2
6.1

Center Setup  

Roku Smart Soundbar Center Setup
TCL Alto 5 Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom
Phantom

Slope 
 

-1.61
-1.33

Std. Err. 
 

4.00 dB
4.31 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

88.1 dB SPL
89.8 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.72
0.64

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

2.28
2.22
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

3.6
3.7

Surround Setup  

Roku Smart Soundbar Surround Setup
TCL Alto 5 Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Stereo (Downmix)
Stereo (Downmix)

Slope 
 

-1.72
-1.36

Std. Err. 
 

4.35 dB
4.34 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

87.4 dB SPL
89.8 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

1.18
0.61

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

2.52
2.23

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

0.0
0.0

Height Setup  

Roku Smart Soundbar Height Setup
TCL Alto 5 Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

Roku Smart Soundbar H Frequency Response
TCL Alto 5 H Frequency Response

Localization 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

Slope 
 

N/A
N/A

Std. Err. 
 

N/A
N/A

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

N/A
N/A

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

N/A
N/A

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

4.6
1.8

Room Correction 
 

No
No

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Yes
No

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Bass Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Treble Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

EQ 
 

Presets
Presets

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Height Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Virtual Surround 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 
Connectivity

Physical Inputs - Bar 
 

Physical inputs bar photo 1  

Roku Smart Soundbar Physical inputs bar photo 1
TCL Alto 5 Physical inputs bar photo 1

Physical inputs bar photo 2  

Roku Smart Soundbar Physical inputs bar photo 2
TCL Alto 5 Physical inputs bar photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
1

HDMI ARC 
 

1
No

HDMI Out 
 

No
No

Full HDMI In 
 

No
No

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

No
1

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

1
1

Ethernet 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support - ARC 
 

6.1
0.0

eARC 
 

No
No

Dolby Atmos 
 

No
No

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
No

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

No
No

DTS 
 

No
No

DTS:X (eARC only) 
 

No
No

Dolby TrueHD (eARC only) 
 

No
No

DTS-HD MA (eARC only) 
 

No
No

5.1 PCM (eARC only) 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In 
 

0.0
0.0

Dolby Atmos 
 

No
No

DTS:X 
 

No
No

Dolby Digital 
 

No
No

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

No
No

DTS 
 

No
No

Dolby TrueHD 
 

No
No

DTS-HD MA 
 

No
No

5.1 PCM 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support - Optical 
 

6.0
6.0

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Yes

DTS 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Latency 
 

6.9
9.9

Latency Video  

ARC 
 

91 ms
N/A

Optical 
 

95 ms
5 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Wireless Playback 
 

8.0
6.0

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
Yes

Wi-Fi 
 

Yes
No

Chromecast built-in 
 

No
No

Apple AirPlay 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Other Input Specifications 
 

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough 
 

No
No

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough 
 

No
No

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough 
 

No
No

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Connectivity - Subwoofer 
 

Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1  

Roku Smart Soundbar Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1
TCL Alto 5 Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1  

Roku Smart Soundbar Physical controls subwoofer photo 1
TCL Alto 5 Physical controls subwoofer photo 1

Sub Wireless 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Connectivity - Satellites 
 

Physical inputs satellites photo 1  

Roku Smart Soundbar Physical inputs satellites photo 1
TCL Alto 5 Physical inputs satellites photo 1

Physical controls satellites photo 1  

Roku Smart Soundbar Physical controls satellites photo 1
TCL Alto 5 Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless 
 

No
No
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Roku Smart Soundbar Interface photo
TCL Alto 5 Interface photo

Display 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Roku Smart Soundbar Controls photo
TCL Alto 5 Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote 
 

Remote photo  

Roku Smart Soundbar Remote photo
TCL Alto 5 Remote photo

Universal Remote 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

No
No

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No
Show Text 

App 
 

App image  

Roku Smart Soundbar App image
TCL Alto 5 App image

App Name  

Roku - Official Remote Control
No App

iOS  

Yes
No

Android  

Yes
No

Acts As A Remote 
 

Yes
No

Controls Soundbar's Settings 
 

All
No

Casts Device Files 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Other Features 
 

Power Saving 
 

No
Standby

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control) 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
Roku Smart Soundbar
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Black
Alto 5
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Black
Roku Smart Soundbar
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Black
Alto 5
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Black
Roku Smart Soundbar
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Finding store
Black
Alto 5
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Black
Roku Smart Soundbar
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Black
Alto 5
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Black
Roku Smart Soundbar
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Black
Alto 5
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Roku Smart Soundbar

TCL Alto 5

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 2 years ago

Roku Smart Soundbar vs TCL Alto 5: Main Discussion

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