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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

Samsung HW-R550 vs TCL Alto 5+

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Samsung HW-R550
TCL Alto 5+

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Mar 28, 2022 12:13 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Apr 17, 2024 02:48 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Samsung HW-R550 Picture
TCL Alto 5+ Picture
Channels
2.1
Channels
2.1

Variants

  • HW-R550
  • Alto 5 Plus

Review

See Samsung HW-R550 review

See TCL Alto 5+ review

0
0

Our Verdict

Samsung HW-R550

TCL Alto 5+

The Samsung HW-R550 is a better 2.1 soundbar than the TCL Alto 5+. It sounds better, has more sound enhancement features that let you slightly customize the way it sounds to your preference, has more inputs, and supports DTS. If you're looking for a budget soundbar, the price difference between these two won't be high enough to make the TCL a better option; the Samsung is a better overall soundbar.

0

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Standard
HW-R550
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Standard
Alto 5 Plus
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Standard
HW-R550
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Alto 5 Plus
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HW-R550
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Standard
Alto 5 Plus
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HW-R550
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Alto 5 Plus
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HW-R550
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Alto 5 Plus
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HW-R550
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Main Differences for

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

7.1
6.3

Audio Format Support - ARC 
 

7.1
0.0

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Yes
No

Center 
 

6.4
5.3

Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In 
 

7.4
0.0

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Samsung HW-R550 Style photo - bar
TCL Alto 5+ Style photo - bar

Show text

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Samsung HW-R550 Style photo - sub
TCL Alto 5+ Style photo - sub

Show text

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-R550 Style photo - satellites
TCL Alto 5+ Style photo - satellites

Show text

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Samsung HW-R550 Dimensions photo - bar
TCL Alto 5+ Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

35.6" (90.5 cm)
31.6" (80.2 cm)

Height  

2.1" (5.4 cm)
2.7" (6.8 cm)

Depth  

3.2" (8.2 cm)
3.0" (7.6 cm)

Show text

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Samsung HW-R550 Dimensions photo - sub
TCL Alto 5+ Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

7.9" (20.0 cm)
5.9" (15.1 cm)

Height  

13.8" (35.0 cm)
12.7" (32.3 cm)

Depth  

11.4" (29.0 cm)
8.7" (22.1 cm)

Show text

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-R550 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  

Samsung HW-R550 Back photo - bar
TCL Alto 5+ Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting 
 

Universal (holes on underside)
Proprietary

Show text

Back - Subwoofer  

Back photo - sub  

Samsung HW-R550 Back photo - sub
TCL Alto 5+ Back photo - sub

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported

Show text

Back - Satellites  

Back photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-R550 Back photo - satellites
TCL Alto 5+ Back photo - satellites

Mounting 
 

No
No

Show text

Build Quality 
 

7.5
7.5

Build quality photo  

Samsung HW-R550 Build quality photo
TCL Alto 5+ Build quality photo

Show text

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Samsung HW-R550 In The Box photo
TCL Alto 5+ In The Box photo

HDMI Cable Length 
 

N/A
N/A

Digital Optical Cable Length 
 

1.5 m (4.9 ft)
1.5 m (4.9 ft)

Show text

Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.6
7.7

Stereo Setup  

Samsung HW-R550 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 
 

-0.63
-1.03

Std. Err. 
 

2.77 dB
3.66 dB

Channels 
 

2.1
2.1

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

44.3 Hz
38.9 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz

Show text

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

7.6
7.7

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 
 

-0.63
-1.03

Std. Err. 
 

2.77 dB
3.66 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

44.3 Hz
38.9 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz

Stereo Soundstage 
 

6.5
6.5

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

3.04 dB
3.41 dB

Show text

Stereo Dynamics 
 

8.3
7.6

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

93.9 dB SPL
92.0 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

0.70 dB
1.67 dB

Show text

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

7.6
6.9

THD  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.39
0.86

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

2.73
2.23

Show text

Center 
 

6.4
5.3

Center Setup  

Samsung HW-R550 Center Setup
TCL Alto 5+ Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom
Phantom

Slope 
 

-1.55
-2.16

Std. Err. 
 

4.11 dB
6.67 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

92.8 dB SPL
89.8 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.28
0.49

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.50
2.34

Show text

Surround 5.1 
 

3.8
2.8

Surround Setup  

Samsung HW-R550 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 
 

-1.59
-2.24

Std. Err. 
 

4.24 dB
6.85 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

90.2 dB SPL
89.8 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.33
0.54

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.20
2.41

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No

Show text

Height (Atmos) 
 

0.0
0.0

Height Setup  

Samsung HW-R550 Height Setup
TCL Alto 5+ Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

Samsung HW-R550 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 
 

6.7
1.8

Room Correction 
 

No
No

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Yes
No

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Bass Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Treble Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

EQ 
 

Graphic + 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  

Samsung HW-R550 Physical inputs bar photo 1
TCL Alto 5+ Physical inputs bar photo 1

Physical inputs bar photo 2  

Samsung HW-R550 Physical inputs bar photo 2
TCL Alto 5+ Physical inputs bar photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
1

HDMI ARC 
 

1 (shared)
No

HDMI Out 
 

1 (shared)
No

Full HDMI In 
 

1
No

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

1
1

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

1
1

Ethernet 
 

No
No

Show text

Audio Format Support - ARC 
 

7.1
0.0

eARC 
 

No
No

Dolby Atmos 
 

No
No

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
No

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

No
No

DTS 
 

Yes
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 
 

7.4
0.0

Dolby Atmos 
 

No
No

DTS:X 
 

No
No

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
No

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

No
No

DTS 
 

Yes
No

Dolby TrueHD 
 

No
No

DTS-HD MA 
 

No
No

5.1 PCM 
 

No
No

Show text

Audio Format Support - Optical 
 

10
6.0

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Yes

DTS 
 

Yes
No

Show text

Latency 
 

8.0
8.6

Latency Video  

ARC 
 

41 ms
N/A

Optical 
 

51 ms
41 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

-63 ms
N/A

Wireless Playback 
 

6.0
6.0

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
Yes

Wi-Fi 
 

No
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  

Samsung HW-R550 Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1
TCL Alto 5+ Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1  

Samsung HW-R550 Physical controls subwoofer photo 1
TCL Alto 5+ Physical controls subwoofer photo 1

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes

Show text

Connectivity - Satellites 
 

Physical inputs satellites photo 1  

Samsung HW-R550 Physical inputs satellites photo 1
TCL Alto 5+ Physical inputs satellites photo 1

Physical controls satellites photo 1  

Samsung HW-R550 Physical controls satellites photo 1
TCL Alto 5+ Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless 
 

No
No

Show text

Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Samsung HW-R550 Interface photo
TCL Alto 5+ Interface photo

Display 
 

Yes
No

Show text

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Samsung HW-R550 Controls photo
TCL Alto 5+ Controls photo

Show text

Remote 
 

Remote photo  

Samsung HW-R550 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

App 
 

App image  

Samsung HW-R550 App image
TCL Alto 5+ App image

App Name  

Samsung Audio Remote
No App

iOS  

Yes
No

Android  

Yes
No

Acts As A Remote 
 

Yes
No

Controls Soundbar's Settings 
 

Some
No

Casts Device Files 
 

Yes
No

Show text

Other Features 
 

Power Saving 
 

Auto-off
Standby

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control) 
 

Yes
No

Show text

Check Price

Standard
HW-R550
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Standard
Alto 5 Plus
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Standard
HW-R550
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Alto 5 Plus
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HW-R550
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Alto 5 Plus
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HW-R550
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Alto 5 Plus
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HW-R550
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Alto 5 Plus
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HW-R550
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Samsung HW-R550

TCL Alto 5+

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 2 years ago

Samsung HW-R550 vs TCL Alto 5+: Main Discussion

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