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We've recently launched Soundbars 1.3! Read the R&D Article to learn more.

  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. Audio Latency: ARC
    6. Audio Latency: HDMI In
    7. Audio Latency: Optical
    8. Video Passthrough To TV
    9. Wireless Playback
    10. Connectivity - Subwoofer
    11. 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 7+ vs TCL Alto 8+

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

TCL Alto 7+
TCL Alto 8+

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Apr 17, 2024 02:54 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Apr 17, 2024 02:53 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
TCL Alto 7+ Picture
TCL Alto 8+ Picture

Variants

  • Alto 7 Plus
  • Alto 8+ (Black)

Our Verdict

TCL Alto 7+

TCL Alto 8+

The TCL Alto 7+ is a slightly better overall soundbar than the TCL Alto 8+, though depending on your listening habits, you may prefer one over the other. The 7+ feels better-built, and it comes with a dedicated subwoofer, whereas the 8+ has a subwoofer built into the bar. The 7+ has better center and surround performances, too. However, the 8+ comes with more features, including an auto-volume mode and access to Amazon Fire TV 4k media streamer.

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Notice: 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 soundbars test methodology.

Main Differences for

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

6.4
6.1

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

No
Yes

Center 
 

6.7
5.5

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

TCL Alto 7+ Style photo - bar
TCL Alto 8+ Style photo - bar

Show text

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

TCL Alto 7+ Style photo - sub
TCL Alto 8+ Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
No

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Integrated

Show text

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

TCL Alto 7+ Style photo - satellites
TCL Alto 8+ Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

No
No

Show text

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

TCL Alto 7+ Dimensions photo - bar
TCL Alto 8+ Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

36.1" (91.6 cm)
38.0" (96.5 cm)

Height  

2.5" (6.3 cm)
2.4" (6.0 cm)

Depth  

3.7" (9.5 cm)
4.1" (10.3 cm)

Show text

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

TCL Alto 7+ Dimensions photo - sub
TCL Alto 8+ Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

8.3" (21.1 cm)
N/A

Height  

12.9" (32.7 cm)
N/A

Depth  

9.8" (25.0 cm)
N/A

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Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

TCL Alto 7+ Dimensions photo - satellites
TCL Alto 8+ Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A

Show text

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

TCL Alto 8+ Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

TCL Alto 8+ 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  

TCL Alto 7+ Build quality photo
TCL Alto 8+ Build quality photo

Show text

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

TCL Alto 7+ In The Box photo
TCL Alto 8+ In The Box photo

HDMI Cable Length 
 

1.5 m (4.9 ft)

Digital Optical Cable Length 
 

1.5 m (4.9 ft)

Show text

Back - Bar  

Back photo - bar  

TCL Alto 7+ Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting 
 

Universal (holes on back)

Show text

Back - Subwoofer  

Back photo - sub  

TCL Alto 7+ Back photo - sub

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Integrated

Show text

Back - Satellites  

Back photo - satellites  

TCL Alto 7+ Back photo - satellites

Mounting 
 

No

Show text

Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.1
6.9

Stereo Setup  

TCL Alto 7+ Stereo Setup
TCL Alto 8+ 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

Channels 
 

2.1
2.1

Tested Preset 
 

Music
Music

Slope 
 

0.51
-0.82

Standard Error 
 

3.26 dB
3.56 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

55.0 Hz
55.8 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
18.0 kHz

Show text

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

7.1
6.9

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Music
Music

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

N/A
N/A

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

N/A
N/A

Slope 
 

0.51
-0.82

Standard Error 
 

3.26 dB
3.56 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

55.0 Hz
55.8 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
18.0 kHz

Stereo Soundstage 
 

6.5
7.0

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

2.69 dB
2.87 dB

Show text

Stereo Dynamics 
 

6.7
6.7

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

99.6 dB SPL
88.4 dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

N/A

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

5.30 dB
2.82 dB

Show text

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

8.0

THD  

See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.31

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.92

Show text

Center 
 

6.7
5.5

Center Setup  

TCL Alto 7+ Center Setup
TCL Alto 8+ Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom
Phantom

Slope 
 

-0.43
-1.88

Std. Err. 
 

3.06 dB
5.70 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

94.2 dB SPL
85.5 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.49
0.55

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.18
0.74

Show text

Surround 5.1 
 

4.2
3.0

Surround Setup  

TCL Alto 7+ Surround Setup
TCL Alto 8+ Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Stereo (Downmix)
Stereo (Downmix)

Slope 
 

-0.50
-1.91

Std. Err. 
 

3.20 dB
5.63 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

91.6 dB SPL
83.0 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.74
0.54

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.90
0.65

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No

Show text

Height (Atmos) 
 

0.0
0.0

Height Setup  

TCL Alto 7+ Height Setup
TCL Alto 8+ Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

TCL Alto 7+ H Frequency Response
TCL Alto 8+ 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
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

Show text

Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

TCL Alto 7+ Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
TCL Alto 8+ Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

TCL Alto 7+ Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
TCL Alto 8+ 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 
 

1

Show text

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

6.1
4.8

Dolby Atmos 
 

No
Not Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
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
6.5

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Supported

DTS 
 

No
Not Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0

Show text

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

Show text

Audio Latency: HDMI In 
 

7.7
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 
 

62 ms

Optical 
 

76 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

N/A

Audio Latency: Optical 
 

7.3

Optical Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

119 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

301 ms

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 7+ Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1  

TCL Alto 7+ Physical controls subwoofer photo 1

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
No

Show text

Connectivity - Satellites 
 

Physical inputs satellites photo 1  

TCL Alto 7+ Physical inputs satellites photo 1

Physical controls satellites photo 1  

TCL Alto 7+ Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless 
 

No
No

Show text

Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

TCL Alto 7+ Interface photo
TCL Alto 8+ Interface photo

Display 
 

No
Yes

Show text

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

TCL Alto 7+ Controls photo
TCL Alto 8+ Controls photo

Show text

Remote  

Remote photo  

TCL Alto 7+ Remote photo
TCL Alto 8+ Remote photo

Universal Remote 
 

No

Show text

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

No
Yes (Built-in)

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

No

Show text

App 
 

App image  

TCL Alto 7+ 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 
 

Standby

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control) 
 

Limited Support

Show text

TCL Alto 7+

TCL Alto 8+

Comments

  1. Comparison

TCL Alto 7+ vs TCL Alto 8+: Main Discussion

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