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TCL Alto 8i vs Vizio M Series M213ad-K8
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
TCL Alto 8i
Vizio M Series M213ad-K8
Tested using Methodology v1.1
Updated Sep 24, 2024 02:05 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Jan 17, 2024 03:07 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels2.1
Channels2.1
Variants
- Alto 8i (Black)
- M213ad-K8 (Black)
Our Verdict
TCL Alto 8i
Vizio M Series M213ad-K8
The TCL Alto 8i and the Vizio M Series M213ad-K8 are both 2.1 soundbars with Dolby Atmos support at a budget-friendly price. The Vizio is better overall, though. It offers more sound enhancement features, like dialogue enhancement, and supports eARC and DTS content, unlike the TCL soundbar. It has lower latency, too.
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Black
Alto 8i
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M213ad-K8
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Alto 8i
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M213ad-K8
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Alto 8i
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M213ad-K8
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Alto 8i
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M213ad-K8
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Alto 8i
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M213ad-K8
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Finding storeNotice: 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
Mixed Usage
6.8
7.1
Dialogue Enhancement
No
Yes
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
No
No
Enclosure
Integrated
Integrated
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
39.0" (99.0 cm)
35.9" (91.3 cm)
Height
2.6" (6.5 cm)
2.2" (5.7 cm)
Depth
5.2" (13.3 cm)
5.5" (13.9 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
N/A
N/A
Height
N/A
N/A
Depth
N/A
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
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
Yes
Mountable Satellites
No
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
No
Build Quality
7.0
7.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.3
7.1
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
2.1
2.1
Tested Preset
Music
Direct
Slope
-1.25
0.15
Standard Error
3.29 dB
3.59 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
49.0 Hz
50.4 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.4
7.1
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Music
Direct
Suggested Bass Setting
-2
0
Suggested Treble Setting
3
0
Slope
-0.15
0.15
Standard Error
2.67 dB
3.59 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
50.4 Hz
50.4 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.0
6.5
Crosstalk Error
2.82 dB
3.23 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.3
7.8
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
95.1 dB SPL
97.7 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
1.05 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
3.03 dB
4.00 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.2
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.61
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.64
Center
6.2
6.2
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom
Phantom
Slope
-1.55
-0.70
Std. Err.
3.96 dB
4.90 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
89.3 dB SPL
98.7 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.46
0.80
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.89
1.83
Surround 5.1
3.4
2.9
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
-2.24
-1.64
Std. Err.
4.75 dB
7.16 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
87.1 dB SPL
97.2 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.63
0.84
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.77
2.78
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
3.1
4.6
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
-2.55
0.33
Std. Err.
5.08 dB
3.36 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
81.5 dB SPL
211.5 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.81
1.78
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.97
0.69
Sound Enhancement Features
3.8
5.3
Room Correction
No
No
Dialogue Enhancement
No
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
No
No
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
Yes
Yes
EQ
Presets
Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
No
No
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
No
No
Virtual Surround
Yes
Yes
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI ARC
1 (shared)
HDMI Out
1 (shared)
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Full HDMI In
1
1
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
1
1
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
1
1
Ethernet
No
No
Subwoofer Output
No
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
7.4
10
Dolby Atmos
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
No
Supported
DTS
No
Supported
DTS:X
No
Supported
eARC
No
DTS-HD MA
No
Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
No
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
8.6
10
Dolby Atmos
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
No
Supported
DTS
No
Supported
DTS:X
No
Supported
DTS-HD MA
No
Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
5.1 PCM
Yes
Audio Format Support: Optical
6.0
10
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
DTS
No
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Audio Latency: ARC
9.1
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
48 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
46 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
72 ms
Dolby Digital
80 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
85 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
96 ms
Audio Latency: HDMI In
5.4
9.5
HDMI Latency Video
Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
50 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
50 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
72 ms
Dolby Digital
92 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
85 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
100 ms
ARC
158 ms
Optical
147 ms
Full HDMI In
94 ms
Audio Latency: Optical
6.8
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
129 ms
Dolby Digital
316 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
0.0
9.0
1080p Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
8k Max Refresh Rate
30Hz
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
Yes
HDR10+ Passthrough
Yes
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
Yes
FreeSync Passthrough
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
ALLM Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
Yes
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
No
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
No
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
No
Check Price
Black
Alto 8i
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Finding storeBlack
M213ad-K8
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Finding storeBlack
Alto 8i
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Finding storeBlack
M213ad-K8
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Finding storeBlack
Alto 8i
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Finding storeBlack
M213ad-K8
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Finding storeBlack
Alto 8i
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M213ad-K8
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Alto 8i
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M213ad-K8
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Finding store
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TCL Alto 8i
Vizio M Series M213ad-K8
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TCL Alto 8i vs Vizio M Series M213ad-K8: Main Discussion
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