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TCL Alto 9+ vs Samsung HW-Q950A
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
TCL Alto 9+
Samsung HW-Q950A
Tested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Apr 17, 2024 02:44 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Jan 12, 2024 07:39 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels3.1
Channels11.1.4
Variants
- Alto 9+ (Black)
- HW-Q950A (Black)
Our Verdict
TCL Alto 9+
Samsung HW-Q950A
The Samsung HW-Q950A and the TCL Alto 9+ are two very different soundbar setups. The Samsung is much better overall, and it's an 11.1.4 setup with discrete satellites. It's better-built, and its soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances are better. Unlike the TCL, it supports DTS content. It also has more sound enhancement features, like room correction. The 3.1 TCL is a simpler, more affordable setup that's still a fair choice for dialogue-centric content like TV shows. If you want a bar for mixed usage, however, the Samsung is a better choice.
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Black
Alto 9+
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q950A
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Amazon.comBlack
Alto 9+
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Walmart.comBlack
HW-Q950A
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Amazon.comBlack
Alto 9+
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B&HBlack
Alto 9+
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BestBuy.comMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
6.5
8.4
Stereo Frequency Response
6.9
8.2
Stereo Soundstage
5.0
7.5
Surround 5.1
3.7
8.3
Stereo Dynamics
7.0
8.8
Height (Atmos)
3.6
6.6
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
Yes
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
41.3" (105.0 cm)
48.4" (123.0 cm)
Height
2.3" (5.9 cm)
2.8" (7.0 cm)
Depth
4.4" (11.2 cm)
5.4" (13.8 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
9.5" (24.1 cm)
8.2" (20.9 cm)
Height
16.3" (41.4 cm)
15.8" (40.2 cm)
Depth
9.5" (24.1 cm)
15.9" (40.3 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
4.9" (12.4 cm)
Height
N/A
8.0" (20.2 cm)
Depth
N/A
5.5" (14.0 cm)
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
Mountable Satellites
Yes
Satellite Brackets Included
No
Build Quality
7.0
7.5
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
8.2
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
Music
Standard
Slope
-0.45
0.30
Std. Err.
3.06 dB
2.65 dB
Channels
3.1
11.1.4
Low-Frequency Extension
49.0 Hz
33.2 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
4.2 kHz
19.1 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
6.9
8.4
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Music
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
0
2
Suggested Treble Setting
0
0
Slope
-0.45
0.01
Std. Err.
3.06 dB
2.19 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
49.0 Hz
30.4 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
4.2 kHz
19.6 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
5.0
7.5
Crosstalk Error
2.09 dB
2.24 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.0
8.8
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
88.1 dB SPL
98.8 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
2.02 dB
1.08 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.0
8.4
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.70
0.18
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.56
1.27
Center
8.1
8.8
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.25
0.28
Std. Err.
2.89 dB
2.19 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
85.8 dB SPL
96.6 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.33
0.17
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
3.13
0.86
Surround 5.1
3.7
8.3
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Discrete
Slope
-1.19
-0.36
Std. Err.
3.76 dB
2.92 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
85.8 dB SPL
89.8 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.97
0.52
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
3.42
2.31
7.1 Rears
No
Yes
Height (Atmos)
3.6
6.6
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Slope
-1.61
-0.28
Std. Err.
4.18 dB
4.20 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
84.7 dB SPL
90.5 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.38
0.54
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.26
1.03
Sound Enhancement Features
3.0
9.5
Room Correction
No
Yes
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
Yes
Rear Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Height Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Virtual Surround
Yes
Yes
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI Out
1 (shared)
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Full HDMI In
1
2
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
1
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
1
No
Ethernet
No
No
Subwoofer Output
No
HDMI ARC
1 (shared)
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
8.7
10
Dolby Atmos
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Yes
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
Latency
6.0
7.7
Latency Video
ARC
136 ms
80 ms
Optical
134 ms
60 ms
Full HDMI In
83 ms
59 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
0.0
8.5
1080p Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
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
10
9.0
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
Yes
No
Apple AirPlay
Yes
Yes
Spotify Connect
Yes
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
Yes
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Universal Remote
No
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
Yes
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+
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q950A
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Amazon.comBlack
Alto 9+
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Walmart.comBlack
HW-Q950A
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Amazon.comBlack
Alto 9+
SEARCH
B&HBlack
Alto 9+
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
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TCL Alto 9+
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TCL Alto 9+ vs Samsung HW-Q950A: Main Discussion
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