The TCL Alto 6+ is a simple, budget-friendly 2.1 setup from 2020. This soundbar is advertised to work seamlessly with TCL Roku TVs, allowing you to use this TV's remote to control the soundbar and access controls. It has a decent, although somewhat dark, sound profile, and it comes with three EQ presets so you can customize its sound. It can also get loud enough to fill a large or crowded room, and streaming your favorite audio to the bar is easy as it supports Bluetooth. While it doesn't offer many extra features, it's an alright bar for those on a budget.
Our Verdict
The TCL Alto 6+ is okay for mixed usage. It's a decent choice for dialogue-centric content since its balanced mid-range reproduces voices clearly and accurately. That said, its sound profile can also sound a bit dark and flat due to the recessed treble and lack of low-bass. There's no Atmos support, and its surround sound performance is poor. Also, there's a lack of sound enhancement features, especially compared to other budget setups.
- Three EQ presets available.
- Can get loud with few thumping and compression artifacts.
- Doesn't support Atmos.
- Poor surround performance.
The TCL Alto 6+ is decent for dialogue-centric content like TV shows. Thanks to its balanced mid-range, voices are clear and accurately reproduced, although they may sound a bit dark. You can enhance dialogue with the 'TV' preset, too. However, this 2.1 setup doesn't have a discrete center, so voices aren't anchored to a pinpoint location in the soundstage, which isn't very immersive-sounding.
- Can get loud with few thumping and compression artifacts.
- No auto-volume mode.
The TCL Alto 6+ is alright for music. Its balanced mid-range reproduces voices and lead instruments pretty clearly, though they can also sound a bit flat and dark. It struggles to reproduce an extended low-bass, so you don't feel the thump in bass-heavy music genres like EDM. While it can get loud, unfortunately, there aren't a lot of sound customization features available.
- Three EQ presets available.
- Can get loud with few thumping and compression artifacts.
- No bass and treble adjustments.
- Lacks low-bass.
The TCL Alto 6+ is mediocre for movies. It lacks some low-bass, so you don't feel the low rumble in action-packed scenes. It doesn't support Dolby Atmos content, either. Due to its 2.1 setup, it has to downmix surround content into stereo to play it, which isn't very immersive-sounding.
- Three EQ presets available.
- Can get loud with few thumping and compression artifacts.
- Doesn't support Atmos.
- Poor surround performance.
Changelog
- Updated Jan 25, 2024: Added market comparison with the Creative Stage to the Sound Enhancement Features box.
- Updated Jan 12, 2024: Added market comparison for the TCL Alto 6 in the Style - Subwoofer box.
- Updated Jun 19, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 1.2. Updated the results for audio format support via ARC/eARC, HDMI In, and Optical. Added Video Passthrough to TV results as well.
- Updated Apr 06, 2023: Added cable lengths to In The Box.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The TCL Alto 6+ is also known as the TCL TS6110. It comes in one variant: 'Black'. You can see its label here.
If you come across a TCL Alto 6+ that's differently equipped than our test unit, let us know in the forums, and we'll update our review.
Popular Soundbar Comparisons
The TCL Alto 6+ is a budget-friendly 2.1 setup from 2020. It's a decent choice for listening to dialogue-centric content like TV shows and podcasts. It's designed to be compatible with TCL Roku TVs so that you can use that TV remote to control the soundbar. However, compared to other bars in its price range, it lacks sound enhancement features. Also, it doesn't support Dolby Atmos content, which is disappointing.
Check out our recommendations for the best budget soundbars, the best soundbars under $200, and the best small soundbars.
The Sony HT-S200F and the TCL Alto 6+ are both 2.1 setups with different strengths and you may prefer one over the other. The TCL is better-balanced and can get louder, although with a bit more compression artifacts. Its surround performance is better too. However, the Sony has a better center performance, and it offers more sound enhancement features. It also has a shared HDMI ARC and Out port.
The TCL Alto 6+ is a better overall performing soundbar than the TCL Alto 9+. The Alto 6+ is a smaller 2.1 setup, has a better-balanced sound profile, and can get significantly louder with fewer compression artifacts. However, the Alto 9+ has a better performing center, surround, and height channels. It also has a Full HDMI In port, supports Dolby Atmos, and has outstanding wireless connectivity options.
The Vizio V Series V21-H8 is a better soundbar for music and movies than the TCL Alto 6+. The Vizio can produce a thumpier, boomy sound, and its center, as well as surround performances, are better. It offers more sound enhancement features.
The Sonos Arc is a much better soundbar than the TCL Alto 6+. The Sonos is a better-built 5.0.2 soundbar that supports Dolby Atmos content. It has better soundstage, center, and surround performances. There are also more sound enhancement features available, including room correction. Even though it doesn't come with a dedicated sub like the TCL, it can still reproduce a similar amount of low-bass.
Test Results
