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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
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.1
Updated Sep 24, 2024 02:05 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels2.1
Channels2.1
Variants
- HT-X8500
- Alto 8i (Black)
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.
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Standard
HT-X8500
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Amazon.comBlack
Alto 8i
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Amazon.comStandard
HT-X8500
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
Alto 8i
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BestBuy.comStandard
HT-X8500
SEARCH
B&HBlack
Alto 8i
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Walmart.comStandard
HT-X8500
SEARCH
BestBuy.comBlack
Alto 8i
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B&HNotice:
Two or more of the products selected have been tested with different test methodologies, so some of the results below aren't directly comparable.
Learn how our test benches and scoring system work, and read more about the latest changes to our
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Main Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
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
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
No
No
Enclosure
Integrated
Integrated
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
No
Dimensions - Bar
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)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
N/A
N/A
Height
N/A
N/A
Depth
N/A
N/A
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
N/A
Height
N/A
N/A
Depth
N/A
N/A
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
No
Yes
Mountable Satellites
No
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
No
Build Quality
7.0
7.0
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
6.8
7.3
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
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
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
6.8
7.4
Frequency Response Calibrated
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
Stereo Soundstage
6.0
7.0
Crosstalk Error
1.99 dB
2.82 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.4
7.3
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
92.6 dB SPL
95.1 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
2.19 dB
3.03 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.5
7.2
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.57
0.61
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.32
2.64
Center
6.7
6.2
Center Setup
Frequency Response
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
Surround 5.1
3.3
3.4
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
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
Height (Atmos)
4.8
3.1
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
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
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
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
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
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
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
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
6.0
Dolby Digital
Supported
Yes
DTS
Supported
No
PCM Channels
2.0
Latency
7.5
5.4
Latency Video
ARC
-23 ms
158 ms
Optical
5 ms
147 ms
Full HDMI In
-126 ms
94 ms
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
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
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
No
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
No
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
No
Check Price
Standard
HT-X8500
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Alto 8i
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comStandard
HT-X8500
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
Alto 8i
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comStandard
HT-X8500
SEARCH
B&HBlack
Alto 8i
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comStandard
HT-X8500
SEARCH
BestBuy.comBlack
Alto 8i
SEARCH
B&H
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Sony HT-X8500
TCL Alto 8i
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Sony HT-X8500 vs TCL Alto 8i: Main Discussion
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