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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. Mounting
    8. Build Quality
    9. In The Box
    10. Back - Bar
    11. Back - Subwoofer
    12. Back - Satellites
  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
    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

TCL Alto 3 vs Creative Stage

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

TCL Alto 3
Creative Stage

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Jan 25, 2024 04:47 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Apr 09, 2024 04:10 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
TCL Alto 3 Picture
Creative Stage Picture
Channels
2.0
Channels
2.1
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. Under $100

Variants

  • Alto 3 (Black)
  • Stage (Black)

Review

See TCL Alto 3 Review
See Creative Stage Review
0 
1 

Our Verdict

TCL Alto 3

Creative Stage

The TCL Alto 3 and the Creative Stage are both very affordable soundbars. The Creative has a dedicated subwoofer, so it can reproduce more low-bass. It also has a better stereo soundstage, along with bass and treble adjustments for greater sound customization. However, it doesn't support Dolby Digital content like the TCL.

0 

Check Price

Black
Alto 3
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Stage
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Amazon.com
Black
Alto 3
SEE PRICE
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Black
Stage
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B&H
Black
Alto 3
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Walmart.com
Black
Stage
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Black
Alto 3
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Black
Stage
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Read more

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

5.3
6.0

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

5.3
7.2

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
No

Stereo Soundstage 
 

5.5
6.5

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

TCL Alto 3 Style photo - bar
Creative Stage Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

TCL Alto 3 Style photo - sub
Creative Stage Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

No
No

Enclosure 
 

No Subwoofer
Ported
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

TCL Alto 3 Style photo - satellites
Creative Stage Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

TCL Alto 3 Dimensions photo - bar
Creative Stage Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

23.7" (60.2 cm)
21.7" (55.0 cm)

Height  

2.4" (6.2 cm)
2.8" (7.0 cm)

Depth  

3.6" (9.1 cm)
3.5" (9.0 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

TCL Alto 3 Dimensions photo - sub
Creative Stage Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

N/A
4.7" (12.0 cm)

Height  

N/A
16.6" (42.1 cm)

Depth  

N/A
9.8" (25.0 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

TCL Alto 3 Dimensions photo - satellites
Creative Stage Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Creative Stage Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Creative Stage Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Yes

Mountable Satellites 
 

No

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

No
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

7.0
6.5

Build quality photo  

TCL Alto 3 Build quality photo
Creative Stage Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

TCL Alto 3 In The Box photo
Creative Stage In The Box photo

HDMI Cable Length 
 

N/A

Digital Optical Cable Length 
 

1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Show Text 

Back - Bar  

Back photo - bar  

TCL Alto 3 Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting 
 

No
Show Text 

Back - Subwoofer  

Back photo - sub  

TCL Alto 3 Back photo - sub

Enclosure 
 

No Subwoofer
Ported
Show Text 

Back - Satellites  

Back photo - satellites  

TCL Alto 3 Back photo - satellites

Mounting 
 

No
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

5.3
7.2

Stereo Setup  

TCL Alto 3 Stereo Setup
Creative Stage 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 
 

Music
Music

Slope 
 

-0.25
-1.57

Std. Err. 
 

5.53 dB
4.65 dB

Channels 
 

2.0
2.1

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

92.4 Hz
41.8 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

12.4 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

5.3
7.4

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Music
Music

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

N/A
-5

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

N/A
5

Slope 
 

-0.25
-0.30

Std. Err. 
 

5.53 dB
3.20 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

92.4 Hz
46.9 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

12.4 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

5.5
6.5

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

3.12 dB
3.68 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

7.8
7.4

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

88.0 dB SPL
94.1 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

0.38 dB
2.45 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

7.9
6.5

THD  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.40
1.11

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.11
3.83
Show Text 

Center 
 

6.4
5.5

Center Setup  

TCL Alto 3 Center Setup
Creative Stage Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom
Phantom

Slope 
 

-0.65
-2.22

Std. Err. 
 

3.01 dB
6.03 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

82.8 dB SPL
89.5 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.34
0.72

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.70
2.77
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

4.0
3.0

Surround Setup  

TCL Alto 3 Surround Setup
Creative Stage Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Stereo (Downmix)
Stereo (Downmix)

Slope 
 

-0.67
-2.21

Std. Err. 
 

2.97 dB
5.98 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

82.7 dB SPL
86.7 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.33
0.52

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.69
2.57

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

0.0
0.0

Height Setup  

TCL Alto 3 Height Setup
Creative Stage Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

TCL Alto 3 H Frequency Response
Creative Stage 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 
 

1.8
2.4

Room Correction 
 

No
No

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
No

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

No
No

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Bass Adjustment 
 

No
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 
 

No
No
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

TCL Alto 3 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Creative Stage Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

TCL Alto 3 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Creative Stage Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
1

HDMI Out 
 

No
ARC

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

No

Full HDMI In 
 

No
No

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

1
1

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

1
1

Ethernet 
 

No
No

Subwoofer Output 
 

No

HDMI ARC 
 

No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

0.0
0.3

Dolby Atmos 
 

No
Not Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

No
Not Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

No
Not Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

No
Not Supported

DTS 
 

No
Not Supported

DTS:X 
 

No
Not Supported

eARC 
 

No

DTS-HD MA 
 

No
Not Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0

5.1 PCM (eARC only) 
 

No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

0.0
0.0

Dolby Atmos 
 

No
Not Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

No
Not Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

No
Not Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

No
Not Supported

DTS 
 

No
Not Supported

DTS:X 
 

No
Not Supported

DTS-HD MA 
 

No
Not Supported

PCM Channels 
 

Not Supported

5.1 PCM 
 

No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

6.0
2.0

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Not Supported

DTS 
 

No
Not Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
Show Text 

Latency 
 

8.2
7.1

Latency Video  

ARC 
 

N/A
45 ms

Optical 
 

53 ms
139 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

0.0
0.0

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported

4k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit 
 

Not Supported

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported

8k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

No
No

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

No

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

No

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

No

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough 
 

No

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

No

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

No

ALLM Passthrough 
 

No

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough 
 

No

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough 
 

No
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
Show Text 

Connectivity - Subwoofer 
 

Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1  

TCL Alto 3 Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1  

TCL Alto 3 Physical controls subwoofer photo 1

Sub Wireless 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Connectivity - Satellites 
 

Physical inputs satellites photo 1  

TCL Alto 3 Physical inputs satellites photo 1

Physical controls satellites photo 1  

TCL Alto 3 Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless 
 

No
No
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

TCL Alto 3 Interface photo
Creative Stage Interface photo

Display 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

TCL Alto 3 Controls photo
Creative Stage Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

TCL Alto 3 Remote photo
Creative Stage Remote photo

Universal Remote 
 

No
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

No
No

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

No

App 
 

App image  

TCL Alto 3 App image

App Name  

No App

iOS  

No

Android  

No

Acts As A Remote 
 

No

Controls Soundbar's Settings 
 

No

Casts Device Files 
 

No
Show Text 

Other Features 
 

Power Saving 
 

No

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control) 
 

No
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
Alto 3
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Stage
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Alto 3
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
Stage
SEARCH
B&H
Black
Alto 3
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
Stage
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
Black
Alto 3
SEARCH
B&H
Black
Stage
SEARCH
Walmart.com
Back to Top

TCL Alto 3

Creative Stage

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

TCL Alto 3 vs Creative Stage: Main Discussion

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