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TCL Alto 5+ vs TCL Alto 8+
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
TCL Alto 5+
TCL Alto 8+
Tested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Apr 17, 2024 02:48 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Apr 17, 2024 02:53 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels2.1
Channels2.1
Variants
- Alto 5 Plus
- Alto 8+ (Black)
Our Verdict
TCL Alto 5+
TCL Alto 8+
The TCL Alto 8+ is a better overall soundbar than the TCL Alto 5+. Both are 2.1 soundbars that don't support Dolby Atmos or DTS content. The 5+ has a muddy sound profile compared to the 8+, so its sound isn't as neutral or well-balanced. The 8+ also has more features, including an integrated Amazon Fire TV 4k streaming platform, an auto volume feature, and an HDMI ARC port. That being said, the 5+ feels slightly better-built than the 8+.
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Standard
Alto 5 Plus
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Alto 8+
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Alto 5 Plus
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Alto 8+
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Alto 5 Plus
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Alto 8+
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Alto 5 Plus
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Alto 8+
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Alto 5 Plus
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Alto 8+
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Two or more of the products selected have been tested with different test methodologies, so some of the results below aren't directly comparable.
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soundbars test methodology.
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Main Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
6.3
6.1
Stereo Frequency Response
7.7
6.9
Audio Format Support - ARC
0.0
4.8
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)
38.0" (96.5 cm)
Height
2.7" (6.8 cm)
2.4" (6.0 cm)
Depth
3.0" (7.6 cm)
4.1" (10.3 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
6.5
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
6.9
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
2.1
2.1
Tested Preset
Music
Music
Slope
-1.03
-0.82
Standard Error
3.66 dB
3.56 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
38.9 Hz
55.8 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
18.0 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.7
6.9
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Music
Music
Suggested Bass Setting
N/A
N/A
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
N/A
Slope
-1.03
-0.82
Standard Error
3.66 dB
3.56 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
38.9 Hz
55.8 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
18.0 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
6.5
7.0
Crosstalk Error
3.41 dB
2.87 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.6
6.7
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
92.0 dB SPL
88.4 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
N/A
DRC @ Max Volume
1.67 dB
2.82 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
6.9
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.86
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.23
Center
5.3
5.5
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom
Phantom
Slope
-2.16
-1.88
Std. Err.
6.67 dB
5.70 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
89.8 dB SPL
85.5 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.49
0.55
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.34
0.74
Surround 5.1
2.8
3.0
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
-2.24
-1.91
Std. Err.
6.85 dB
5.63 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
89.8 dB SPL
83.0 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.54
0.54
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.41
0.65
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
0.0
0.0
Height Setup
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
Sound Enhancement Features
1.8
3.9
Room Correction
No
No
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
No
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
No
No
Bass Adjustment
No
No
Treble Adjustment
No
No
EQ
Presets
Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
No
No
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
No
No
Virtual Surround
No
No
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
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
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
1
1
Ethernet
No
No
Subwoofer Output
No
HDMI ARC
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
0.0
4.8
Dolby Atmos
No
Not Supported
Dolby Digital
No
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
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
Audio Format Support: Optical
6.0
6.5
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
DTS
No
Not Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Audio Latency: ARC
8.8
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
49 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
N/A
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
N/A
Dolby Digital
87 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
N/A
Audio Latency: HDMI In
8.6
0.0
HDMI Latency Video
Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
N/A
PCM-5.1 ch
N/A
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
N/A
Dolby Digital
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
N/A
ARC
N/A
Optical
41 ms
Full HDMI In
N/A
Audio Latency: Optical
7.3
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
119 ms
Dolby Digital
301 ms
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
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
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
Yes (Built-in)
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
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Standard
Alto 5 Plus
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Alto 8+
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Alto 5 Plus
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Alto 8+
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Alto 5 Plus
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Alto 8+
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Alto 5 Plus
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Alto 8+
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Alto 5 Plus
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Alto 8+
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TCL Alto 5+
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TCL Alto 5+ vs TCL Alto 8+: Main Discussion
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