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TCL Alto 8i vs Hisense HS218
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
TCL Alto 8i
Hisense HS218
Tested using Methodology v1.1
Updated Sep 24, 2024 02:05 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.1
Updated Apr 17, 2024 03:01 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Channels2.1
Channels2.1
Variants
- Alto 8i (Black)
- HS218 (Black)
Our Verdict
TCL Alto 8i
Hisense HS218
Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the TCL Alto 8i or the Hisense HS218. The Hisense is better built and comes with a dedicated subwoofer. It also has a better surround performance. However, the TCL has a better soundstage. Unlike the Hisense, it supports Dolby Atmos content and has a Full HDMI In port.
Main Differences for
Threshold
Mixed Usage
6.8
6.7
Height (Atmos)
3.1
0.0
Stereo Frequency Response
7.3
7.6
Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
8.6
0.0
Dialogue Enhancement
No
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
No
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
39.0" (99.0 cm)
37.8" (96.0 cm)
Height
2.6" (6.5 cm)
2.4" (6.0 cm)
Depth
5.2" (13.3 cm)
3.6" (9.2 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
N/A
6.7" (17.0 cm)
Height
N/A
13.5" (34.3 cm)
Depth
N/A
13.1" (33.4 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
7.0
7.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.3
7.6
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
Music
Music
Slope
-1.25
-0.88
Std. Err.
3.29 dB
3.10 dB
Channels
2.1
2.1
Low-Frequency Extension
49.0 Hz
40.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
17.7 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.4
7.7
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Music
Music
Suggested Bass Setting
-2
-3
Suggested Treble Setting
3
4
Slope
-0.15
-0.04
Std. Err.
2.67 dB
2.58 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
50.4 Hz
43.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.0
6.5
Crosstalk Error
2.82 dB
2.52 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.3
7.1
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
95.1 dB SPL
95.7 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
3.03 dB
3.43 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.2
8.0
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.61
0.35
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.64
1.23
Center
6.2
6.6
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom
Phantom
Slope
-1.55
-0.57
Std. Err.
3.96 dB
3.47 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
89.3 dB SPL
93.1 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.46
0.39
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.89
1.24
Surround 5.1
3.4
4.2
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
-2.24
-0.63
Std. Err.
4.75 dB
3.44 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
87.1 dB SPL
93.1 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.63
0.40
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.77
1.18
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
3.1
0.0
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Not Supported
Slope
-2.55
N/A
Std. Err.
5.08 dB
N/A
SPL @ Max Volume
81.5 dB SPL
N/A
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.81
N/A
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.97
N/A
Sound Enhancement Features
3.8
4.1
Room Correction
No
No
Dialogue Enhancement
No
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
No
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)
1
HDMI Out
1 (shared)
No
Full HDMI In
1
No
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
7.4
6.1
eARC
No
No
Dolby Atmos
Yes
No
Dolby Digital
Yes
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
No
DTS
No
No
DTS:X (eARC only)
No
No
Dolby TrueHD (eARC only)
No
No
DTS-HD MA (eARC only)
No
No
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
No
No
Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
8.6
0.0
Dolby Atmos
Yes
No
DTS:X
No
No
Dolby Digital
Yes
No
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
No
DTS
No
No
Dolby TrueHD
No
No
DTS-HD MA
No
No
5.1 PCM
Yes
No
Audio Format Support - Optical
6.0
6.0
Dolby Digital
Yes
Yes
DTS
No
No
Latency
5.4
9.0
Latency Video
ARC
158 ms
32 ms
Optical
147 ms
24 ms
Full HDMI In
94 ms
N/A
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
Other Input Specifications
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
Yes
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
Yes
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
Yes
No
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
No
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
Yes
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
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TCL Alto 8i
Hisense HS218
Comments
TCL Alto 8i vs Hisense HS218: Main Discussion
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