The TCL Alto 9+ is a 3.1 setup that's designed to be compatible with TCL's Roku TVs, so you can use a Roku TV remote to control the bar. It also has TCL's RAY-DANZ technology, with vent-like openings on the side of the bar that the manufacturer claims create a wider, more immersive soundstage. Even though it comes with a dedicated subwoofer, it's lacking a touch of low-bass, and its sound profile is also a bit dark and dull. On the upside, it supports Atmos content, and it has lots of wireless connectivity options.
Our Verdict
The TCL Alto 9+ is alright for mixed usage. Its sound profile is a bit dark, and it's also lacking low-bass, which is disappointing for fans of bass-heavy music genres. It supports surrounds and Atmos content, but it has to downmix it into stereo, which isn't very immersive. Fortunately, its dedicated center channel can reproduce voices clearly and accurately, and it has lots of wireless playback options, too.
- Four EQ presets.
- Lots of wireless playback options.
- Doesn't get very loud.
- Downmixes Atmos and surrounds content into stereo.
The TCL Alto 9+ is decent for dialogue-heavy content like TV shows. Thanks to its dedicated center channel and balanced mid-range, it can reproduce dialogue pretty clearly. However, its dark sound profile can make voices sound a bit muffled, too. You can stream audio wirelessly to the bar via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay, and Chromecast built-in. Unfortunately, the bar doesn't get very loud.
- Dialogue enhancement feature.
- Doesn't get very loud.
The TCL Alto 9+ is okay for music. Its sound profile is a bit dark, and it also lacks the low-bass that adds thump and rumble to music, which can be disappointing for fans of bass-heavy genres like EDM. Even though it comes with TCL's RAY-DANZ technology, its soundstage is diffused and not very wide. It doesn't get very loud, either, but fortunately, there are a few sound customization options.
- Four EQ presets.
- Doesn't get very loud.
The TCL Alto 9+ is mediocre for movies. It supports surrounds and Atmos content, but it has to downmix it into stereo, which doesn't provide the most immersive listening experience. Its sound profile is somewhat dark, and it's lacking the low-bass that provides thump and rumble to action-packed scenes. It also doesn't get very loud, which may be disappointing for some listeners.
- Supports Atmos content.
- Four EQ presets.
- Doesn't get very loud.
- Downmixes Atmos and surrounds content into stereo.
Changelog
- Updated Mar 19, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Feb 23, 2021: Updated HDR10 Passthrough from "No" to "Yes".
- Updated Jan 13, 2021: Due to a change in our methodology, we updated DTS support via ARC to 'No'.
- Updated Nov 20, 2020: Review published.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The TCL Alto 9+ only comes in one color: 'Black'. You can see the label for the model we tested here.
If you come across another variant of this soundbar, let us know in the discussions.
Popular Soundbar Comparisons
The TCL Alto 9+ is a 3.1 setup that supports Dolby Atmos content. Even though it comes with TCL's RAY-DANZ technology, which the manufacturer claims create a wider soundstage, it has a disappointing soundstage performance. It has lots of physical inputs and wireless connectivity options, and it also supports 4k passthrough. If you're looking for more soundbars, see our recommendations for the best soundbars, the best soundbars under $300, and the best soundbars for music.
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.
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.
The TCL Alto 9+ is a bit better for mixed usage than the TCL Alto 8+. The 9+ is a 3.1 setup with a dedicated subwoofer that can reproduce a more extended low-bass. It's better built, and it supports Dolby Atmos content. It also has a better center channel performance. That said, the 8+ has a better soundstage.
The TCL Alto 9+ is a better soundbar than the TCL Alto 8i. The 9+ is a 3.1 setup with a dedicated subwoofer, and its default sound profile is better balanced. It also has more wireless playback options and a better center channel performance. However, the 2.1 8i has a better soundstage.
Test Results
