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  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. Mounting
    8. Build Quality
    9. 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. Inputs/Outputs - Bar
    2. Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
    3. Audio Format Support: HDMI In
    4. Audio Format Support: Optical
    5. Latency
    6. Video Passthrough To TV
    7. Wireless Playback
  7. Additional Features
    1. Interface
    2. Bar Controls
    3. Remote
    4. Voice Assistants Support
  8. Comments

Sony HT-X8500 vs TCL Alto 8i

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Sony HT-X8500
TCL Alto 8i

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Apr 09, 2024 01:57 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Sep 24, 2024 02:05 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Sony HT-X8500 Picture
TCL Alto 8i Picture
Channels
2.1
Channels
2.1

Variants

  • HT-X8500
  • Alto 8i (Black)

Review

See Sony HT-X8500 Review
See TCL Alto 8i Review
0 
1 

Our Verdict

Sony HT-X8500

TCL Alto 8i

The Sony HT-X8500 and the TCL Alto 8i are both 2.1 soundbars that support Dolby Atmos, but the Sony has a better performance. The Sony has a more balanced sound profile, and its center, surrounds, and height channels perform better. It also comes with a dialogue enhancement feature and supports DTS content, unlike the TCL. However, the TCL has a better soundstage performance.

0 

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Standard
HT-X8500
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Black
Alto 8i
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Standard
HT-X8500
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Black
Alto 8i
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Standard
HT-X8500
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Black
Alto 8i
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Standard
HT-X8500
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Black
Alto 8i
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HT-X8500
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Alto 8i
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

6.8
6.8

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

6.8
7.3

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
No

Stereo Soundstage 
 

6.0
7.0

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Sony HT-X8500 Style photo - bar
TCL Alto 8i Style photo - bar
Show text

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Sony HT-X8500 Style photo - sub
TCL Alto 8i Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

No
No

Enclosure 
 

Integrated
Integrated
Show text

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Sony HT-X8500 Style photo - satellites
TCL Alto 8i Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

No
No

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Sony HT-X8500 Dimensions photo - bar
TCL Alto 8i Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

34.9" (88.7 cm)
39.0" (99.0 cm)

Height  

2.5" (6.3 cm)
2.6" (6.5 cm)

Depth  

3.9" (9.8 cm)
5.2" (13.3 cm)
Show text

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Sony HT-X8500 Dimensions photo - sub
TCL Alto 8i Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Sony HT-X8500 Dimensions photo - satellites
TCL Alto 8i Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Sony HT-X8500 Bar Mounting Holes
TCL Alto 8i Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Sony HT-X8500 Satellite Mounting Holes
TCL Alto 8i Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes
Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

No
Yes

Mountable Satellites 
 

No
No

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

No
No
Show text

Build Quality 
 

7.0
7.0

Build quality photo  

Sony HT-X8500 Build quality photo
TCL Alto 8i Build quality photo
Show text

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Sony HT-X8500 In The Box photo
TCL Alto 8i In The Box photo
Show text
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

6.8
7.3

Stereo Setup  

Sony HT-X8500 Stereo Setup
TCL Alto 8i 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 
 

-0.52
-1.25

Std. Err. 
 

3.31 dB
3.29 dB

Channels 
 

2.1
2.1

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

59.9 Hz
49.0 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

17.2 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show text

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

6.8
7.4

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Standard
Music

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

-1
-2

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

N/A
3

Slope 
 

-0.48
-0.15

Std. Err. 
 

3.44 dB
2.67 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

59.9 Hz
50.4 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

18.0 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show text

Stereo Soundstage 
 

6.0
7.0

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

1.99 dB
2.82 dB
Show text

Stereo Dynamics 
 

7.4
7.3

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

92.6 dB SPL
95.1 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

2.19 dB
3.03 dB
Show text

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

7.5
7.2

THD  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.57
0.61

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.32
2.64
Show text

Center 
 

6.7
6.2

Center Setup  

Sony HT-X8500 Center Setup
TCL Alto 8i Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom
Phantom

Slope 
 

-0.82
-1.55

Std. Err. 
 

3.14 dB
3.96 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

91.4 dB SPL
89.3 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.44
0.46

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.27
2.89
Show text

Surround 5.1 
 

3.3
3.4

Surround Setup  

Sony HT-X8500 Surround Setup
TCL Alto 8i Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Stereo (Downmix)
Stereo (Downmix)

Slope 
 

-0.76
-2.24

Std. Err. 
 

5.33 dB
4.75 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

89.5 dB SPL
87.1 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.52
0.63

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.32
2.77

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No
Show text

Height (Atmos) 
 

4.8
3.1

Height Setup  

Sony HT-X8500 Height Setup
TCL Alto 8i Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Surround (Downmix)
Stereo (Downmix)

Slope 
 

-0.19
-2.55

Std. Err. 
 

5.82 dB
5.08 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

80.0 dB SPL
81.5 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

2.65
1.81

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.60
0.97
Show text

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

4.7
3.8

Room Correction 
 

No
No

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
No

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Yes
Yes

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Bass Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Treble Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

EQ 
 

Presets
Presets

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Height Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Virtual Surround 
 

Yes
Yes
Show text
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Sony HT-X8500 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
TCL Alto 8i Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Sony HT-X8500 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
TCL Alto 8i Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
1

HDMI ARC 
 

1 (shared)

HDMI Out 
 

eARC
1 (shared)

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

No

Full HDMI In 
 

1
1

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

No
1

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

No
1

Ethernet 
 

No
No

Subwoofer Output 
 

No
No
Show text

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

10
7.4

Dolby Atmos 
 

Supported
Yes

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Supported
Yes

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Supported
No

DTS 
 

Supported
No

DTS:X 
 

Supported
No

eARC 
 

No

DTS-HD MA 
 

Supported
No

PCM Channels 
 

Up To 7.1

5.1 PCM (eARC only) 
 

No
Show text

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

10
8.6

Dolby Atmos 
 

Supported
Yes

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Supported
Yes

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Supported
No

DTS 
 

Supported
No

DTS:X 
 

Supported
No

DTS-HD MA 
 

Supported
No

PCM Channels 
 

Up To 7.1

5.1 PCM 
 

Yes
Show text

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

10
6.0

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Yes

DTS 
 

Supported
No

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
Show text

Latency 
 

7.5
5.4

Latency Video  

ARC 
 

-23 ms
158 ms

Optical 
 

5 ms
147 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

-126 ms
94 ms
Show text

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

6.6
0.0

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz

4k Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit 
 

Not Supported

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz

8k Max Refresh Rate 
 

30Hz

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Yes
Yes

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

No

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

Yes

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

No

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough 
 

Yes

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

No

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

No

ALLM Passthrough 
 

No

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough 
 

Yes

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough 
 

Yes
Show text

Wireless Playback 
 

6.0
6.0

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
Yes

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

No
No

Chromecast built-in 
 

No
No

Apple AirPlay 
 

No
No

Spotify Connect 
 

No
No
Show text
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Sony HT-X8500 Interface photo
TCL Alto 8i Interface photo

Display 
 

No
Yes
Show text

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Sony HT-X8500 Controls photo
TCL Alto 8i Controls photo
Show text

Remote  

Remote photo  

Sony HT-X8500 Remote photo
TCL Alto 8i Remote photo
Show text

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

No
No

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

No
No

Check Price

Standard
HT-X8500
Searching
Finding store
Black
Alto 8i
Searching
Finding store
Standard
HT-X8500
Searching
Finding store
Black
Alto 8i
Searching
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Standard
HT-X8500
Searching
Finding store
Black
Alto 8i
Searching
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Standard
HT-X8500
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Finding store
Black
Alto 8i
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Standard
HT-X8500
Searching
Finding store
Black
Alto 8i
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Sony HT-X8500

TCL Alto 8i

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Sony HT-X8500 vs TCL Alto 8i: Main Discussion

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