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TCL Alto 8+ vs TCL S55H
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
TCL Alto 8+
TCL S55H
Tested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Apr 17, 2024 02:53 PM
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Updated Feb 14, 2025 08:26 PM
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Channels2.1
Channels2.1
Variants
- Alto 8+ (Black)
- S55H (Black)
Our Verdict
TCL Alto 8+
TCL S55H
The TCL S55H is an improvement on the TCL Alto 8+ in most aspects. While both soundbars feature a 2.1 setup, the S55H features a more balanced default sound that's less dominated by bass frequencies. It can also get louder with less compression as you crank the volume, and its center and surrounds performances are a step up. Furthermore, the S55H also features Atmos compatibility and AI Sonic-Adaptation, which tunes the sound to your room's acoustics. The only thing in favor of the Alto 8+ is a slightly wider stereo soundstage.
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Black
Alto 8+
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S55H
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Alto 8+
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S55H
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Alto 8+
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S55H
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Alto 8+
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S55H
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Alto 8+
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S55H
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Finding storeMain Differences for
Threshold
Mixed Usage
6.1
7.1
Height (Atmos)
0.0
3.8
Stereo Frequency Response
6.9
7.4
Center
5.5
6.8
Stereo Dynamics
6.7
8.0
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
4.8
8.3
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
No
Yes
Enclosure
Integrated
Ported
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
38.0" (96.5 cm)
31.9" (81.1 cm)
Height
2.4" (6.0 cm)
2.3" (5.9 cm)
Depth
4.1" (10.3 cm)
3.8" (9.7 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
N/A
7.7" (19.5 cm)
Height
N/A
12.5" (31.7 cm)
Depth
N/A
7.7" (19.5 cm)
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
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
Yes
Mountable Satellites
No
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
No
Build Quality
6.5
7.0
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
6.9
7.4
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
2.1
2.1
Tested Preset
Music
Standard
Slope
-0.82
0.30
Standard Error
3.56 dB
3.28 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
55.8 Hz
46.2 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
18.0 kHz
16.5 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
6.9
7.8
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Music
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
N/A
2
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
0
Slope
-0.82
-0.03
Standard Error
3.56 dB
3.35 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
55.8 Hz
34.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
18.0 kHz
16.7 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.0
6.5
Crosstalk Error
2.87 dB
3.31 dB
Stereo Dynamics
6.7
8.0
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
88.4 dB SPL
92.3 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
N/A
0.78 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
2.82 dB
1.01 dB
Center
5.5
6.8
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom
Phantom
Slope
-1.88
1.04
Std. Err.
5.70 dB
3.24 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
85.5 dB SPL
96.1 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.55
0.67
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.74
1.67
Surround 5.1
3.0
4.4
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
-1.91
0.10
Std. Err.
5.63 dB
3.05 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
83.0 dB SPL
96.7 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.54
0.65
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.65
1.71
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
0.0
3.8
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Not Supported
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
N/A
0.00
Std. Err.
N/A
3.01 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
N/A
78.1 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
N/A
1.80
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
N/A
0.35
Sound Enhancement Features
3.9
6.8
Room Correction
No
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
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
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI Out
ARC
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
No
Full HDMI In
No
No
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
1
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
1
1
Ethernet
No
No
Subwoofer Output
No
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
4.8
8.3
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Not Supported
Not Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
Supported
DTS
Not Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Not Supported
Not Supported
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
Not Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
2.0
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
0.0
0.0
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
Not Supported
Dolby Digital
Not Supported
Not Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Not Supported
Not Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
Not Supported
DTS
Not Supported
Not Supported
DTS:X
Not Supported
Not Supported
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
Not Supported
PCM Channels
Not Supported
Not Supported
Audio Format Support: Optical
6.5
10
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
DTS
Not Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
2.0
Audio Latency: ARC
8.8
6.1
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
49 ms
55 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
N/A
N/A
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
N/A
89 ms
Dolby Digital
87 ms
146 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
N/A
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
N/A
N/A
Audio Latency: HDMI In
0.0
0.0
HDMI Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
N/A
N/A
PCM-5.1 ch
N/A
N/A
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
N/A
N/A
Dolby Digital
N/A
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus
N/A
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
N/A
N/A
Audio Latency: Optical
7.3
8.2
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
119 ms
110 ms
Dolby Digital
301 ms
168 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
0.0
0.0
1080p Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
Not Supported
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
Not Supported
4k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
Not Supported
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
Not Supported
8k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
Not Supported
HDR10 Passthrough
No
No
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
No
No
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
No
FreeSync Passthrough
No
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
No
ALLM Passthrough
No
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
No
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
Yes (Built-in)
No
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
No
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Alto 8+
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S55H
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Alto 8+
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TCL Alto 8+
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TCL Alto 8+ vs TCL S55H: Main Discussion
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