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TCL Alto 9+ vs Sonos Arc
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
TCL Alto 9+
Sonos Arc
Tested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Apr 17, 2024 02:44 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Nov 28, 2024 02:21 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels3.1
Channels5.0.2
Variants
- Alto 9+ (Black)
- Arc (Black)
- Arc SL (Shadow Edition)
- Arc (White)
Our Verdict
TCL Alto 9+
Sonos Arc
The standalone Sonos Arc is better than the TCL Alto 9+. The Sonos is a 5.0.2 setup that's better built and offers better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. Unlike the TCL, it has built-in voice assistant support and a room correction feature. Some users may also prefer its more neutral sound profile out of the box. That said, unlike the Sonos, the TCL has a Full HDMI In port that supports high-quality passthrough.
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Black
Alto 9+
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Amazon.comBlack
Arc
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Alto 9+
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Amazon.comShadow Edition
Arc SL
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Alto 9+
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Amazon.comWhite
Arc
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Alto 9+
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Amazon.comBlack
Alto 9+
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Amazon.comMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
6.5
7.4
Stereo Soundstage
5.0
8.0
Height (Atmos)
3.6
6.1
Stereo Frequency Response
6.9
7.2
Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
8.7
0.0
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
No
Yes
Surround 5.1
3.7
5.7
Stereo Dynamics
7.0
8.1
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
No
Enclosure
Ported
No Subwoofer
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
41.3" (105.0 cm)
44.9" (114.1 cm)
Height
2.3" (5.9 cm)
3.4" (8.7 cm)
Depth
4.4" (11.2 cm)
4.7" (12.0 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
9.5" (24.1 cm)
N/A
Height
16.3" (41.4 cm)
N/A
Depth
9.5" (24.1 cm)
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
Bar Brackets Included
No
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
No Subwoofer
Back - Satellites
Back photo - satellites
Mounting
No
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
6.9
7.2
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
3.1
5.0.2
Tested Preset
Music
No Preset
Slope
-0.45
0.37
Standard Error
3.06 dB
3.33 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
49.0 Hz
51.1 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
4.2 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
6.9
7.2
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Music
No Preset
Suggested Bass Setting
0
0
Suggested Treble Setting
0
-3
Slope
-0.45
-0.09
Standard Error
3.06 dB
3.08 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
49.0 Hz
51.1 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
4.2 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
5.0
8.0
Crosstalk Error
2.09 dB
2.28 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.0
8.1
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
88.1 dB SPL
91.6 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
0.28 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
2.02 dB
0.75 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.0
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.70
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.56
Center
8.1
7.8
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.25
-0.40
Std. Err.
2.89 dB
2.94 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
85.8 dB SPL
76.5 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.33
0.32
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
3.13
1.56
Surround 5.1
3.7
5.7
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)
Slope
-1.19
0.01
Std. Err.
3.76 dB
3.27 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
85.8 dB SPL
75.1 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.97
0.39
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
3.42
0.98
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
3.6
6.1
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Slope
-1.61
0.55
Std. Err.
4.18 dB
2.91 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
84.7 dB SPL
62.0 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.38
1.07
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.26
0.18
Sound Enhancement Features
3.0
5.7
Room Correction
No
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
No
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
No
No
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
Yes
Yes
EQ
Presets
No
Surround Level Adjustment
No
No
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Virtual Surround
Yes
No
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
Adapter into HDMI ARC
HDMI Out
1 (shared)
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Full HDMI In
1
No
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
1
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
1
No
Ethernet
No
1
Subwoofer Output
No
HDMI ARC
1 (shared)
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
7.4
9.6
Dolby Atmos
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
No
Supported
DTS
No
Supported
DTS:X
No
Not Supported
eARC
No
DTS-HD MA
No
Not Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
No
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
8.7
0.0
Dolby Atmos
Yes
Not Supported
Dolby Digital
Yes
Not Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Yes
Not Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Yes
Not Supported
DTS
No
Not Supported
DTS:X
No
Not Supported
DTS-HD MA
No
Not Supported
PCM Channels
Not Supported
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
8.5
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
42 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
41 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
59 ms
Dolby Digital
92 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
101 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
101 ms
Audio Latency: HDMI In
6.0
0.0
HDMI Latency Video
Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
N/A
PCM-5.1 ch
N/A
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
N/A
Dolby Digital
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
N/A
ARC
136 ms
Optical
134 ms
Full HDMI In
83 ms
Audio Latency: Optical
9.0
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
99 ms
Dolby Digital
129 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
0.0
0.0
1080p Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
4k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
8k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
No
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
No
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
Yes
FreeSync Passthrough
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
ALLM Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
Yes
Wireless Playback
10
3.0
Bluetooth
Yes
No
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
No
Connectivity - Satellites
Physical inputs satellites photo 1
Physical controls satellites photo 1
Sat Wireless
No
No
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
No
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Universal Remote
No
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
No
Yes (Built-in)
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+
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Arc
Searching
Finding storeBlack
Alto 9+
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comShadow Edition
Arc SL
Searching
Finding storeBlack
Alto 9+
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comWhite
Arc
Searching
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Alto 9+
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Alto 9+
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
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TCL Alto 9+
Sonos Arc
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TCL Alto 9+ vs Sonos Arc: Main Discussion
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