The TCL Alto 6 (also known as the TCL TS6100) is a budget-friendly standalone soundbar with a simple design. Its space-conscious design is ideal for those who don't have enough space in their setup for a dedicated subwoofer. Plus, the manufacturer advertises it as Roku TV Ready, making setup extra easy for those with a Roku TV. Given the price, it's little surprise that this soundbar lacks a lot of features and customization tools, but it may be worth the value for you if you don't plan to use these anyway.
Our Verdict
The TCL Alto 6 2.0 isn't bad for mixed usage. This 2.0 soundbar is ideal for stereo content, which includes most music and dialogue-focused TV shows. Voices and lead instruments are clearly reproduced, and a few EQ presets help you make the most of its sound. However, this simple bar doesn't support a lot of multichannel audio formats like DTS. The lack of low-bass results in a flat sound, too.
- Bluetooth compatible.
- Three EQ presets.
- Lacks low-bass.
- No DTS support.
The TCL Alto 6 2.0 is adequate for dialogue-centric TV shows and podcasts. This soundbar lacks a discrete center channel to improve vocal quality, and yet dialogue is still clearly reproduced thanks to its balanced mids. You can even use its TV preset to enhance dialogue in the mix. It lacks more robust customization tools like bass and treble adjustments, which is disappointing.
- Dialogue enhancement tool.
- Bluetooth compatible.
- No bass or treble adjustments.
- No auto-volume mode.
The TCL Alto 6 2.0 is acceptable for music. This standalone soundbar has a fairly even sound out-of-the-box, and vocals and lead instruments are clear and present in the mix. However, without a subwoofer, it struggles to reproduce a deep thump and rumble in the low-bass, resulting in a slightly flat sound. You can't customize its output with bass or treble adjustments, either.
- Bluetooth compatible.
- Three EQ presets.
- No bass or treble adjustments.
- Lacks low-bass.
The TCL TS6100 is middling for movies. Since it's a 2.0 soundbar, it has to downmix 5.1 surround sound formats like Dolby Digital into stereo to play them back, resulting in a less immersive sound. It doesn't support other common audio formats like DTS or Dolby Atmos. Dialogue is pretty clearly reproduced, though the lack of low-bass is evident in more action-packed scenes.
- Dialogue enhancement tool.
- Three EQ presets.
- Lacks low-bass.
- No DTS support.
Changelog
- Updated Feb 19, 2024: Added market comparison with the Hisense HS214 in the Sound Enhancement Features box.
- Updated Jan 12, 2024: Review published.
- Updated Jan 09, 2024: Early access published.
- Updated Jan 05, 2024: Our testers have started testing this product.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
This soundbar is available in Black, and you can see the label for the model we tested here.
Let us know in the comments if you come across another version of this soundbar.
Popular Soundbar Comparisons
The TCL Alto 6 is another budget-friendly offering from the manufacturer that provides a simple upgrade over your existing TV speakers. Unlike the TCL Alto 6+, it comes without a subwoofer, making it ideal for smaller or more compact living rooms. As with most cheaper soundbars, you won't find a ton of extra features or customization options, though.
See also our recommendations for the best soundbars under $100, the best budget soundbars, and the best all-in-one soundbars.
The Sony HT-S100F and the TCL Alto 6 are both budget-friendly standalone soundbars, and the Sony is a bit better overall. The Sony offers a better low-frequency extension, so you get a little more bass in the mix. Also, it comes with an auto-volume mode, which the TCL lacks. That said, the TCL's stereo soundstage is a little better.
The TCL Alto 6 is a better standalone soundbar than the TCL Alto 3. The 6 is a little wider, which isn't ideal for everyone but offers better sound quality. Notably, it has a better low-frequency extension, meaning that you get more bass in the mix. Also, this soundbar gets louder than the 3, and it offers a better stereo soundstage.
The TCL Alto 6 appears to be the same soundbar that comes with the TCL Alto 6+. However, the 6+ has a dedicated subwoofer, which noticeably improves its bass reproduction, especially with genres like EDM and hip-hop. Also, the 6+ offers lower latency over HDMI and Optical connections. The 6 may be a better alternative for those with smaller living rooms, though.
The Roku Streambar and the TCL Alto 6 are both budget-friendly standalone soundbars with different strengths. The Roku is smaller and better built. It comes with more sound enhancement features like bass and treble adjustments and supports more wireless playback options like Wi-Fi. However, its low-frequency extension isn't as impressive as the TCL, so this bar has less rumble in the bass.
Test Results
