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  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
  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
  7. Additional Features
    1. Interface
    2. Bar Controls
    3. Remote
    4. Voice Assistants Support
  8. Comments

TCL Alto 8+ vs TCL Alto 8i

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

TCL Alto 8+
TCL Alto 8i

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Apr 17, 2024 02:53 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Sep 24, 2024 02:05 PM

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

Variants

  • Alto 8+ (Black)
  • Alto 8i (Black)

Our Verdict

TCL Alto 8+

TCL Alto 8i

The TCL Alto 8+ and the TCL Alto 8i have similar overall performances, and depending on your listening habits, you may prefer one over the other. The 8+ is better for dialogue-centric content because it has a dialogue enhancement feature. It also offers built-in access to the Amazon Fire TV player. However, the 8i is better built and better for movies because it supports Dolby Atmos content. The 8i also supports 4k passthrough.

0 

Check Price

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Black
Alto 8i
B&H
 
Black
Alto 8i
B&H
 
Black
Alto 8i
B&H
 
Black
Alto 8i
B&H
 
Black
Alto 8i
B&H
 
Black
Alto 8i
BestBuy.com
 
Black
Alto 8i
BestBuy.com
 
Black
Alto 8i
BestBuy.com
 
Black
Alto 8i
BestBuy.com
 
Black
Alto 8i
BestBuy.com
 
Black
Alto 8i
LG.com
 
Black
Alto 8i
LG.com
 
Black
Alto 8i
LG.com
 
Black
Alto 8i
LG.com
 
Black
Alto 8i
LG.com
 
Black
Alto 8i
Target.com
 
Black
Alto 8i
Target.com
 
Black
Alto 8i
Target.com
 
Black
Alto 8i
Target.com
 
Black
Alto 8i
Target.com
Read more

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

6.1
6.8

Height (Atmos) 
 

0.0
3.1

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

6.9
7.3

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

0.0
8.6

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
No

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

TCL Alto 8+ Style photo - bar
TCL Alto 8i Style photo - bar
Show text

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

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

Sub Wireless 
 

No
No

Enclosure 
 

Integrated
Integrated
Show text

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

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

Satellite Wireless 
 

No
No
Show text

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

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

Width  

38.0" (96.5 cm)
39.0" (99.0 cm)

Height  

2.4" (6.0 cm)
2.6" (6.5 cm)

Depth  

4.1" (10.3 cm)
5.2" (13.3 cm)
Show text

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

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

Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A
Show text

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

TCL Alto 8+ Dimensions photo - satellites
TCL Alto 8i 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
TCL Alto 8i Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

TCL Alto 8+ Satellite Mounting Holes
TCL Alto 8i Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes
Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Yes
Yes

Mountable Satellites 
 

No
No

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

No
No

Build Quality 
 

6.5
7.0

Build quality photo  

TCL Alto 8+ Build quality photo
TCL Alto 8i Build quality photo
Show text

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

TCL Alto 8+ In The Box photo
TCL Alto 8i In The Box photo
Show text
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

6.9
7.3

Stereo Setup  

TCL Alto 8+ Stereo Setup
TCL Alto 8i 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 
 

-0.82
-1.25

Standard Error 
 

3.56 dB
3.29 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

55.8 Hz
49.0 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

18.0 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show text

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

6.9
7.4

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Music
Music

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

N/A
-2

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

N/A
3

Slope 
 

-0.82
-0.15

Standard Error 
 

3.56 dB
2.67 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

55.8 Hz
50.4 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

18.0 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show text

Stereo Soundstage 
 

7.0
7.0

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

2.87 dB
2.82 dB
Show text

Stereo Dynamics 
 

6.7
7.3

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

88.4 dB SPL
95.1 dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

N/A

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

2.82 dB
3.03 dB
Show text

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

7.2

THD  

See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.61

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

2.64
Show text

Center 
 

5.5
6.2

Center Setup  

TCL Alto 8+ Center Setup
TCL Alto 8i Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom
Phantom

Slope 
 

-1.88
-1.55

Std. Err. 
 

5.70 dB
3.96 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

85.5 dB SPL
89.3 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.55
0.46

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.74
2.89
Show text

Surround 5.1 
 

3.0
3.4

Surround Setup  

TCL Alto 8+ Surround Setup
TCL Alto 8i Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Stereo (Downmix)
Stereo (Downmix)

Slope 
 

-1.91
-2.24

Std. Err. 
 

5.63 dB
4.75 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

83.0 dB SPL
87.1 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.54
0.63

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.65
2.77

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No
Show text

Height (Atmos) 
 

0.0
3.1

Height Setup  

TCL Alto 8+ Height Setup
TCL Alto 8i Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

TCL Alto 8+ H Frequency Response
See details on graph tool

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
Show text

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

3.9
3.8

Room Correction 
 

No
No

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
No

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Yes
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
Show text
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

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

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

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

Optical Audio In 
 

1
1

HDMI ARC 
 

1 (shared)

HDMI Out 
 

ARC
1 (shared)

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

No

Full HDMI In 
 

No
1

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

No
1

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

1
1

Ethernet 
 

No
No

Subwoofer Output 
 

No
No
Show text

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

4.8
7.4

Dolby Atmos 
 

Not Supported
Yes

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Not Supported
Yes

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Not Supported
No

DTS 
 

Not Supported
No

DTS:X 
 

Not Supported
No

eARC 
 

No

DTS-HD MA 
 

Not Supported
No

PCM Channels 
 

2.0

5.1 PCM (eARC only) 
 

No
Show text

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

0.0
8.6

Dolby Atmos 
 

Not Supported
Yes

Dolby Digital 
 

Not Supported
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Not Supported
Yes

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Not Supported
No

DTS 
 

Not Supported
No

DTS:X 
 

Not Supported
No

DTS-HD MA 
 

Not Supported
No

PCM Channels 
 

Not Supported

5.1 PCM 
 

Yes
Show text

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

6.5
6.0

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Yes

DTS 
 

Not Supported
No

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 
 

0.0
5.4

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 
 

158 ms

Optical 
 

147 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

94 ms
Show text

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
Yes

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

No

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

No

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
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
No
Show text
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

TCL Alto 8+ Interface photo
TCL Alto 8i Interface photo

Display 
 

Yes
Yes
Show text

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

TCL Alto 8+ Controls photo
TCL Alto 8i Controls photo
Show text

Remote  

Remote photo  

TCL Alto 8+ Remote photo
TCL Alto 8i Remote photo
Show text

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

Yes (Built-in)
No

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

No
No

Check Price

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Black
Alto 8i
B&H
 
Black
Alto 8i
B&H
 
Black
Alto 8i
B&H
 
Black
Alto 8i
B&H
 
Black
Alto 8i
B&H
 
Black
Alto 8i
BestBuy.com
 
Black
Alto 8i
BestBuy.com
 
Black
Alto 8i
BestBuy.com
 
Black
Alto 8i
BestBuy.com
 
Black
Alto 8i
BestBuy.com
 
Black
Alto 8i
LG.com
 
Black
Alto 8i
LG.com
 
Black
Alto 8i
LG.com
 
Black
Alto 8i
LG.com
 
Black
Alto 8i
LG.com
 
Black
Alto 8i
Target.com
 
Black
Alto 8i
Target.com
 
Black
Alto 8i
Target.com
 
Black
Alto 8i
Target.com
 
Black
Alto 8i
Target.com

TCL Alto 8+

TCL Alto 8i

Comments

  1. Comparison

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

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