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  1. Home
  2. Soundbar
  3. Compare
  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Style - Bar
    2. Style - Subwoofer
    3. Style - Satellites
    4. Dimensions - Bar
    5. Dimensions - Subwoofer
    6. Dimensions - Satellites
    7. Mounting
    8. Build Quality
    9. In The Box
    10. Back - Bar
    11. Back - Subwoofer
    12. Back - Satellites
  5. Sound
    1. Stereo Frequency Response
    2. Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
    3. Stereo Soundstage
    4. Stereo Dynamics
    5. Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
    6. Center
    7. Surround 5.1
    8. Height (Atmos)
    9. Sound Enhancement Features
  6. Connectivity
    1. Inputs/Outputs - Bar
    2. Audio Format Support - ARC
    3. Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
    4. Audio Format Support - Optical
    5. Latency
    6. Wireless Playback
    7. Other Input Specifications
    8. Connectivity - Subwoofer
    9. Connectivity - Satellites
  7. Additional Features
    1. Interface
    2. Bar Controls
    3. Remote
    4. Voice Assistants Support
    5. App
    6. Other Features
  8. Comments

Yamaha YAS-209 vs TCL Alto 9+

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Yamaha YAS-209
TCL Alto 9+

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Oct 23, 2024 07:59 PM

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Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Apr 17, 2024 02:44 PM

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Yamaha YAS-209 Picture
TCL Alto 9+ Picture
Channels
2.1
Channels
3.1

Variants

  • YAS-209 (Black)
  • Alto 9+ (Black)

Review

See Yamaha YAS-209 Review
See TCL Alto 9+ Review
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Our Verdict

Yamaha YAS-209

TCL Alto 9+

The Yamaha YAS-209 is a better soundbar than the TCL Alto 9+. The Yamaha is a 2.1 setup with a better-balanced sound profile and a better stereo soundstage. However, the 3.1 TCL has a dedicated center channel, resulting in better center performance. It also supports Atmos content, unlike the Yamaha.

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Black
YAS-209
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Black
Alto 9+
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Black
YAS-209
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Alto 9+
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Black
YAS-209
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Black
Alto 9+
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YAS-209
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Alto 9+
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YAS-209
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Alto 9+
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

6.9
6.5

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.1
6.9

Stereo Soundstage 
 

7.0
5.0

Height (Atmos) 
 

0.0
3.6

Center 
 

6.4
8.1

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Yamaha YAS-209 Style photo - bar
TCL Alto 9+ Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Yamaha YAS-209 Style photo - sub
TCL Alto 9+ Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Yamaha YAS-209 Style photo - satellites
TCL Alto 9+ Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Yamaha YAS-209 Dimensions photo - bar
TCL Alto 9+ Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

36.4" (92.4 cm)
41.3" (105.0 cm)

Height  

2.4" (6.2 cm)
2.3" (5.9 cm)

Depth  

4.0" (10.2 cm)
4.4" (11.2 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Yamaha YAS-209 Dimensions photo - sub
TCL Alto 9+ Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

7.5" (19.0 cm)
9.5" (24.1 cm)

Height  

16.5" (42.0 cm)
16.3" (41.4 cm)

Depth  

15.8" (40.2 cm)
9.5" (24.1 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Yamaha YAS-209 Dimensions photo - satellites
TCL Alto 9+ Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Yamaha YAS-209 Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Yamaha YAS-209 Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

No

Mountable Satellites 
 

No

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

No

Build Quality 
 

7.0
7.0

Build quality photo  

Yamaha YAS-209 Build quality photo
TCL Alto 9+ Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Yamaha YAS-209 In The Box photo
TCL Alto 9+ In The Box photo

HDMI Cable Length 
 

1.5 m (4.9 ft)

Digital Optical Cable Length 
 

1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Show Text 

Back - Bar  

Back photo - bar  

TCL Alto 9+ Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting 
 

Proprietary
Show Text 

Back - Subwoofer  

Back photo - sub  

TCL Alto 9+ Back photo - sub

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported
Show Text 

Back - Satellites  

Back photo - satellites  

TCL Alto 9+ Back photo - satellites

Mounting 
 

No
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.1
6.9

Stereo Setup  

Yamaha YAS-209 Stereo Setup
TCL Alto 9+ Stereo Setup

Raw Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Frequency Response Small  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Tested Preset 
 

Stereo
Music

Slope 
 

0.04
-0.45

Std. Err. 
 

2.87 dB
3.06 dB

Channels 
 

2.1
3.1

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

33.6 Hz
49.0 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
4.2 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

8.1
6.9

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Stereo
Music

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

0
0

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

N/A
0

Slope 
 

0.05
-0.45

Std. Err. 
 

2.90 dB
3.06 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

33.6 Hz
49.0 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
4.2 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

7.0
5.0

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

2.71 dB
2.09 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

7.2
7.0

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

83.9 dB SPL
88.1 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

0.65 dB
2.02 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

7.5
7.0

THD  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.63
0.70

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.91
2.56
Show Text 

Center 
 

6.4
8.1

Center Setup  

Yamaha YAS-209 Center Setup
TCL Alto 9+ Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom
Discrete

Slope 
 

0.04
-0.25

Std. Err. 
 

2.86 dB
2.89 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

82.7 dB SPL
85.8 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.63
1.33

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.83
3.13
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

4.0
3.7

Surround Setup  

Yamaha YAS-209 Surround Setup
TCL Alto 9+ Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Stereo (Downmix)
Stereo (Downmix)

Slope 
 

0.04
-1.19

Std. Err. 
 

2.85 dB
3.76 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

82.6 dB SPL
85.8 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.62
0.97

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.82
3.42

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

0.0
3.6

Height Setup  

Yamaha YAS-209 Height Setup
TCL Alto 9+ Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

Yamaha YAS-209 H Frequency Response
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Not Supported
Stereo (Downmix)

Slope 
 

N/A
-1.61

Std. Err. 
 

N/A
4.18 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

N/A
84.7 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

N/A
0.38

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

N/A
2.26
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

4.4
3.0

Room Correction 
 

No
No

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

No
No

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Bass Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Treble Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

EQ 
 

Presets
Presets

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Height Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Virtual Surround 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Yamaha YAS-209 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
TCL Alto 9+ Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Yamaha YAS-209 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
TCL Alto 9+ 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) 
 

No
1

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

No
1

Ethernet 
 

1
No

Subwoofer Output 
 

No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support - ARC 
 

7.1
7.4

eARC 
 

No
No

Dolby Atmos 
 

No
Yes

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

No
Yes

DTS 
 

Yes
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
Show Text 

Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In 
 

8.3
8.7

Dolby Atmos 
 

No
Yes

DTS:X 
 

No
No

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

No
Yes

DTS 
 

Yes
No

Dolby TrueHD 
 

No
Yes

DTS-HD MA 
 

No
No

5.1 PCM 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Audio Format Support - Optical 
 

10
6.0

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Yes

DTS 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Latency 
 

8.8
6.0

Latency Video  

ARC 
 

-41 ms
136 ms

Optical 
 

-36 ms
134 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

20 ms
83 ms

Wireless Playback 
 

8.0
10

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
Yes

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

Yes
Yes

Chromecast built-in 
 

No
Yes

Apple AirPlay 
 

No
Yes

Spotify Connect 
 

Yes
Show Text 

Other Input Specifications 
 

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough 
 

Yes
Yes

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough 
 

Yes
Yes

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough 
 

Yes
Yes

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Connectivity - Subwoofer 
 

Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1  

TCL Alto 9+ Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1  

TCL Alto 9+ Physical controls subwoofer photo 1

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Connectivity - Satellites 
 

Physical inputs satellites photo 1  

TCL Alto 9+ Physical inputs satellites photo 1

Physical controls satellites photo 1  

TCL Alto 9+ Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless 
 

No
No
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Yamaha YAS-209 Interface photo
TCL Alto 9+ Interface photo

Display 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Yamaha YAS-209 Controls photo
TCL Alto 9+ Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

Yamaha YAS-209 Remote photo
TCL Alto 9+ Remote photo

Universal Remote 
 

No
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

Yes (Built-in)
No

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

Yes

App 
 

App image  

TCL Alto 9+ App image

App Name  

No App

iOS  

No

Android  

No

Acts As A Remote 
 

No

Controls Soundbar's Settings 
 

No

Casts Device Files 
 

No
Show Text 

Other Features 
 

Power Saving 
 

No

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control) 
 

Yes
Show Text 

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Black
YAS-209
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Alto 9+
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YAS-209
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Alto 9+
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YAS-209
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Alto 9+
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YAS-209
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Alto 9+
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YAS-209
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Alto 9+
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Yamaha YAS-209

TCL Alto 9+

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Yamaha YAS-209 vs TCL Alto 9+: Main Discussion

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