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TCL Alto 9+ vs Samsung HW-A650
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
TCL Alto 9+
Samsung HW-A650
Tested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Apr 17, 2024 02:44 PM
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BestBuy.comTested using Methodology v1.1
Updated Jan 30, 2024 04:32 PM
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BestBuy.com
Channels3.1
Channels3.1
Variants
- Alto 9+ (Black)
- HW-A650 (Black)
Our Verdict
TCL Alto 9+
Samsung HW-A650
The Samsung HW-A650 is a better soundbar than the TCL Alto 9+ for most uses. The Samsung is better-built, with a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box and more sound enhancement features. It gets louder and also has a better soundstage performance. However, the TCL supports Dolby Atmos content, offers more wireless playback options, and can passthrough the highest bandwidth signals.
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Black
Alto 9+
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HW-A650
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Alto 9+
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-A650
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Walmart.comBlack
Alto 9+
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HW-A650
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Amazon.comMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
6.5
7.4
Stereo Frequency Response
6.9
7.9
Stereo Soundstage
5.0
7.0
Height (Atmos)
3.6
0.0
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
No
Yes
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
Yes
Enclosure
Ported
Ported
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
41.3" (105.0 cm)
38.6" (98.0 cm)
Height
2.3" (5.9 cm)
2.3" (5.8 cm)
Depth
4.4" (11.2 cm)
4.1" (10.5 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
9.5" (24.1 cm)
8.0" (20.4 cm)
Height
16.3" (41.4 cm)
13.9" (35.3 cm)
Depth
9.5" (24.1 cm)
11.9" (30.3 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
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
Mountable Satellites
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
Build Quality
7.0
8.0
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
HDMI Cable Length
1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Digital Optical Cable Length
1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Back - Bar
Back photo - bar
Bar Mounting
Proprietary
Back - Subwoofer
Back photo - sub
Enclosure
Ported
Ported
Back - Satellites
Back photo - satellites
Mounting
No
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
6.9
7.9
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
Music
Standard
Slope
-0.45
-0.34
Std. Err.
3.06 dB
2.10 dB
Channels
3.1
3.1
Low-Frequency Extension
49.0 Hz
41.8 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
4.2 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
6.9
7.9
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Music
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
0
-1
Suggested Treble Setting
0
2
Slope
-0.45
-0.07
Std. Err.
3.06 dB
2.05 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
49.0 Hz
41.8 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
4.2 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
5.0
7.0
Crosstalk Error
2.09 dB
2.45 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.0
7.8
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
88.1 dB SPL
93.0 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
2.02 dB
1.49 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.0
7.3
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.70
0.46
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.56
3.87
Center
8.1
8.1
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.25
-0.98
Std. Err.
2.89 dB
3.26 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
85.8 dB SPL
87.9 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.33
0.41
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
3.13
2.70
Surround 5.1
3.7
3.7
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
-1.19
-1.43
Std. Err.
3.76 dB
4.43 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
85.8 dB SPL
89.9 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.97
0.48
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
3.42
2.48
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
3.6
0.0
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Not Supported
Slope
-1.61
N/A
Std. Err.
4.18 dB
N/A
SPL @ Max Volume
84.7 dB SPL
N/A
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.38
N/A
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.26
N/A
Sound Enhancement Features
3.0
7.4
Room Correction
No
No
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
No
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
Yes
Yes
EQ
Presets
Graphic + Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
No
No
Rear Level Adjustment
No
Yes
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 (shared)
HDMI Out
1 (shared)
1 (shared)
Full HDMI In
1
1
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
1
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
1
1
Ethernet
No
No
Subwoofer Output
No
Audio Format Support - ARC
7.4
7.1
eARC
No
No
Dolby Atmos
Yes
No
Dolby Digital
Yes
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
No
DTS
No
Yes
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
8.7
7.4
Dolby Atmos
Yes
No
DTS:X
No
No
Dolby Digital
Yes
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
No
DTS
No
Yes
Dolby TrueHD
Yes
No
DTS-HD MA
No
No
5.1 PCM
Yes
No
Audio Format Support - Optical
6.0
10
Dolby Digital
Yes
Yes
DTS
No
Yes
Latency
6.0
7.1
Latency Video
ARC
136 ms
80 ms
Optical
134 ms
84 ms
Full HDMI In
83 ms
102 ms
Wireless Playback
10
6.0
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
No
Chromecast built-in
Yes
No
Apple AirPlay
Yes
No
Spotify Connect
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
Connectivity - Subwoofer
Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1
Physical controls subwoofer photo 1
Sub Wireless
Yes
Yes
Connectivity - Satellites
Physical inputs satellites photo 1
Physical controls satellites photo 1
Sat Wireless
No
No
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Universal Remote
No
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
No
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
App
App image
App Name
No App
iOS
No
Android
No
Acts As A Remote
No
Controls Soundbar's Settings
No
Casts Device Files
No
Other Features
Power Saving
No
HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)
Yes
Check Price
Black
Alto 9+
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
HW-A650
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BestBuy.comBlack
Alto 9+
SEARCH
Amazon.comBlack
HW-A650
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
Alto 9+
SEARCH
B&HBlack
HW-A650
SEARCH
Amazon.com
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TCL Alto 9+
Samsung HW-A650
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TCL Alto 9+ vs Samsung HW-A650: Main Discussion
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