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TCL Alto 5+ vs TCL Alto 8i
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
TCL Alto 5+
TCL Alto 8i
Tested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Apr 17, 2024 02:48 PM
SEE PRICE
B&HTested using Methodology v1.1
Updated Sep 24, 2024 02:05 PM
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B&H
Channels2.1
Channels2.1
Variants
- Alto 5 Plus
- Alto 8i (Black)
Our Verdict
TCL Alto 5+
TCL Alto 8i
The TCL Alto 8i is a better soundbar than the TCL Alto 5+. The 8i has a better soundstage and supports Dolby Atmos content. Also, it has more physical inputs, including a Full HDMI In port that supports 4k passthrough. However, the 5+ comes with a dedicated sub and is better built.
Check Price
Standard
Alto 5 Plus
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B&HBlack
Alto 8i
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B&HBlack
Alto 8i
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Amazon.comBlack
Alto 8i
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BestBuy.comBlack
Alto 8i
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LG.comBlack
Alto 8i
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Walmart.comNotice: 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
6.3
6.8
Audio Format Support - ARC
0.0
7.4
Height (Atmos)
0.0
3.1
Stereo Frequency Response
7.7
7.3
Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
0.0
8.6
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
No
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
No
Yes
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
No
Enclosure
Ported
Integrated
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
31.6" (80.2 cm)
39.0" (99.0 cm)
Height
2.7" (6.8 cm)
2.6" (6.5 cm)
Depth
3.0" (7.6 cm)
5.2" (13.3 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
5.9" (15.1 cm)
N/A
Height
12.7" (32.3 cm)
N/A
Depth
8.7" (22.1 cm)
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
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
Mountable Satellites
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
Build Quality
7.5
7.0
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
HDMI Cable Length
N/A
Digital Optical Cable Length
1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Back - Bar
Back photo - bar
Bar Mounting
Proprietary
Back - Subwoofer
Back photo - sub
Enclosure
Ported
Integrated
Back - Satellites
Back photo - satellites
Mounting
No
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.7
7.3
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
Music
Music
Slope
-1.03
-1.25
Std. Err.
3.66 dB
3.29 dB
Channels
2.1
2.1
Low-Frequency Extension
38.9 Hz
49.0 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.7
7.4
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Music
Music
Suggested Bass Setting
N/A
-2
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
3
Slope
-1.03
-0.15
Std. Err.
3.66 dB
2.67 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
38.9 Hz
50.4 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
6.5
7.0
Crosstalk Error
3.41 dB
2.82 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.6
7.3
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
92.0 dB SPL
95.1 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
1.67 dB
3.03 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
6.9
7.2
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.86
0.61
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.23
2.64
Center
5.3
6.2
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom
Phantom
Slope
-2.16
-1.55
Std. Err.
6.67 dB
3.96 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
89.8 dB SPL
89.3 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.49
0.46
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.34
2.89
Surround 5.1
2.8
3.4
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
-2.24
-2.24
Std. Err.
6.85 dB
4.75 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
89.8 dB SPL
87.1 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.54
0.63
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.41
2.77
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
0.0
3.1
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Not Supported
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
N/A
-2.55
Std. Err.
N/A
5.08 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
N/A
81.5 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
N/A
1.81
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
N/A
0.97
Sound Enhancement Features
1.8
3.8
Room Correction
No
No
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
No
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
No
Yes
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
Yes
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI ARC
No
1 (shared)
HDMI Out
No
1 (shared)
Full HDMI In
No
1
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
1
1
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
1
1
Ethernet
No
No
Subwoofer Output
No
Audio Format Support - ARC
0.0
7.4
eARC
No
No
Dolby Atmos
No
Yes
Dolby Digital
No
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
No
Yes
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
Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
0.0
8.6
Dolby Atmos
No
Yes
DTS:X
No
No
Dolby Digital
No
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
No
Yes
DTS
No
No
Dolby TrueHD
No
No
DTS-HD MA
No
No
5.1 PCM
No
Yes
Audio Format Support - Optical
6.0
6.0
Dolby Digital
Yes
Yes
DTS
No
No
Latency
8.6
5.4
Latency Video
ARC
N/A
158 ms
Optical
41 ms
147 ms
Full HDMI In
N/A
94 ms
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
Other Input Specifications
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
No
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
No
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
No
Yes
HDR10 Passthrough
No
Yes
Connectivity - Subwoofer
Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1
Physical controls subwoofer photo 1
Sub Wireless
Yes
No
Connectivity - Satellites
Physical inputs satellites photo 1
Physical controls satellites photo 1
Sat Wireless
No
No
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
No
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Universal Remote
No
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
No
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
App
App image
App Name
No App
iOS
No
Android
No
Acts As A Remote
No
Controls Soundbar's Settings
No
Casts Device Files
No
Other Features
Power Saving
Standby
HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)
No
Check Price
Standard
Alto 5 Plus
SEE PRICE
B&HBlack
Alto 8i
SEE PRICE
B&HBlack
Alto 8i
SEARCH
Amazon.comBlack
Alto 8i
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
Alto 8i
SEARCH
LG.comBlack
Alto 8i
SEARCH
Walmart.com
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TCL Alto 5+
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TCL Alto 5+ vs TCL Alto 8i: Main Discussion
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