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Yamaha YAS-209 vs TCL Alto 8+
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Yamaha YAS-209
TCL Alto 8+
Tested using Methodology v1.1
Updated Oct 23, 2024 07:59 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Apr 17, 2024 02:53 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels2.1
Channels2.1
Variants
- YAS-209 (Black)
- Alto 8+ (Black)
Our Verdict
Yamaha YAS-209
TCL Alto 8+
The Yamaha YAS-209 is a better overall soundbar than the TCL Alto 8+. The Yamaha is better-built, and it has a more neutral sound profile with a more extended low bass. The Yamaha also has a better-balanced sound on its center and surround channels. It also has more features, such as a virtual surround setting, and it supports 4k passthrough through its HDMI In port, which the TCL lacks. That said, the TCL comes with an auto-volume mode, unlike the Yamaha.
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Black
YAS-209
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Amazon.comBlack
Alto 8+
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Amazon.comBlack
YAS-209
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Walmart.comBlack
Alto 8+
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BestBuy.comBlack
YAS-209
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BestBuy.comBlack
Alto 8+
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Samsung.comBlack
Alto 8+
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Walmart.comMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
6.9
6.1
Stereo Frequency Response
8.1
6.9
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
No
Yes
Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
8.3
0.0
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
No
Enclosure
Ported
Integrated
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
36.4" (92.4 cm)
38.0" (96.5 cm)
Height
2.4" (6.2 cm)
2.4" (6.0 cm)
Depth
4.0" (10.2 cm)
4.1" (10.3 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
7.5" (19.0 cm)
N/A
Height
16.5" (42.0 cm)
N/A
Depth
15.8" (40.2 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
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
No
Yes
Mountable Satellites
No
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
No
Build Quality
7.0
6.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.1
6.9
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
2.1
2.1
Tested Preset
Stereo
Music
Slope
0.04
-0.82
Standard Error
2.87 dB
3.56 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
33.6 Hz
55.8 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
18.0 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.1
6.9
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Stereo
Music
Suggested Bass Setting
0
N/A
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
N/A
Slope
0.05
-0.82
Standard Error
2.90 dB
3.56 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
33.6 Hz
55.8 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
18.0 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.0
7.0
Crosstalk Error
2.71 dB
2.87 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.2
6.7
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
83.9 dB SPL
88.4 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
N/A
DRC @ Max Volume
0.65 dB
2.82 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.5
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.63
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.91
Center
6.4
5.5
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom
Phantom
Slope
0.04
-1.88
Std. Err.
2.86 dB
5.70 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
82.7 dB SPL
85.5 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.63
0.55
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.83
0.74
Surround 5.1
4.0
3.0
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
0.04
-1.91
Std. Err.
2.85 dB
5.63 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
82.6 dB SPL
83.0 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.62
0.54
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.82
0.65
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
0.0
0.0
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Not Supported
Not Supported
Slope
N/A
N/A
Std. Err.
N/A
N/A
SPL @ Max Volume
N/A
N/A
Weighted THD @ 80dB
N/A
N/A
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
N/A
N/A
Sound Enhancement Features
4.4
3.9
Room Correction
No
No
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
No
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Bass Adjustment
No
No
Treble Adjustment
No
No
EQ
Presets
Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
No
No
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
No
No
Virtual Surround
Yes
No
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)
ARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Full HDMI In
1
No
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
1
Ethernet
1
No
Subwoofer Output
No
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
7.1
4.8
Dolby Atmos
No
Not Supported
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
No
Not Supported
Dolby TrueHD
No
Not Supported
DTS
Yes
Not Supported
DTS:X
No
Not Supported
eARC
No
DTS-HD MA
No
Not Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
No
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
8.3
0.0
Dolby Atmos
No
Not Supported
Dolby Digital
Yes
Not Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
No
Not Supported
Dolby TrueHD
No
Not Supported
DTS
Yes
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
10
6.5
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
DTS
Yes
Not Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Audio Latency: ARC
8.8
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
49 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
N/A
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
N/A
Dolby Digital
87 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
N/A
Audio Latency: HDMI In
8.8
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
-41 ms
Optical
-36 ms
Full HDMI In
20 ms
Audio Latency: Optical
7.3
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
119 ms
Dolby Digital
301 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
8.0
6.0
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
No
Chromecast built-in
No
No
Apple AirPlay
No
No
Spotify Connect
Yes
No
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
No
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
Yes (Built-in)
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
Yes
No
Check Price
Black
YAS-209
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Alto 8+
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Amazon.comBlack
YAS-209
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
Alto 8+
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BestBuy.comBlack
YAS-209
SEARCH
BestBuy.comBlack
Alto 8+
SEARCH
Samsung.comBlack
Alto 8+
SEARCH
Walmart.com
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Yamaha YAS-209
TCL Alto 8+
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Yamaha YAS-209 vs TCL Alto 8+: Main Discussion
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