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Sony HT-S100F vs TCL Alto 5

Which Soundbar Is Better?

    Top
    Main Differences
    Design
      Style - BarStyle - SubwooferStyle - SatellitesDimensions - BarDimensions - SubwooferDimensions - SatellitesMountingBuild QualityIn The BoxBack - BarBack - SubwooferBack - Satellites
    Sound
      Stereo Frequency ResponseStereo Frequency Response With Preliminary CalibrationStereo SoundstageStereo DynamicsStereo Total Harmonic DistortionCenterSurround 5.1Height (Atmos)Sound Enhancement Features
    Connectivity
      Inputs/Outputs - BarAudio Format Support: ARC/eARCAudio Format Support: HDMI InAudio Format Support: OpticalAudio Latency: ARCAudio Latency: HDMI InAudio Latency: OpticalVideo Passthrough To TVWireless PlaybackConnectivity - SubwooferConnectivity - Satellites
    Additional Features
      InterfaceBar ControlsRemoteVoice Assistants SupportAppOther Features
    Comments

Products

Sony HT-S100F
TCL Alto 5

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Sep 04, 2025 03:57 PM

SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Jun 03, 2024 08:32 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Sony HT-S100F Picture
TCL Alto 5 Picture
Channels
Locked
Channels
Locked
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. Under $200

Our Verdict

Sony HT-S100F

TCL Alto 5

The Sony HT-S100F may be a better option for most people over the TCL Alto 5. The Sony has an HDMI ARC port, which makes it a bit more versatile to plug-in devices, while the TCL only supports surround content via optical. The Sony also gets noticeably louder than the TCL. However, the TCL soundbar feels a bit more premium, thanks to the front grille covering the speakers, and it even comes with wall-mounting brackets, which the Sony doesn't have. 

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Variants

  • HT-S100F (Black)
  • Alto 5 (Black)

Review

See Sony HT-S100F Review
See TCL Alto 5 Review
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Check Price

Black
HT-S100F
SEE PRICE
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Black
Alto 5
SEE PRICE
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Black
HT-S100F
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Black
Alto 5
SEE PRICE
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Black
HT-S100F
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Black
Alto 5
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HT-S100F
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Alto 5
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

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Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Sony HT-S100F Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Sony HT-S100F Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Sub Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

Enclosure 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Sony HT-S100F Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Satellite Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Sony HT-S100F Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Width  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Height  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Sony HT-S100F Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Sony HT-S100F Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Sony HT-S100F Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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Satellite Mounting Holes  

Sony HT-S100F Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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Mountable Bar 
 

Locked

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Locked

Mountable Satellites 
 

Locked

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Build quality photo  

Sony HT-S100F Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

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In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Sony HT-S100F In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 In The Box photo Sample

SAMPLE

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HDMI Cable Length 
 

N/A

Digital Optical Cable Length 
 

Lock m (Lock ft)
Show Text 

Back - Bar  

Back photo - bar  

Sony HT-S100F Back photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 Back photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Bar Mounting 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Back - Subwoofer  

Back photo - sub  

Sony HT-S100F Back photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 Back photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Enclosure 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Back - Satellites  

Back photo - satellites  

Sony HT-S100F Back photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 Back photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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Mounting 
 

Locked
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

N/A
N/A

Stereo Setup  

Sony HT-S100F Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Raw Frequency Response  

Sony HT-S100F Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Frequency Response Small  

Sony HT-S100F Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

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Channels 
 

Locked
Locked

Tested Preset 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Standard Error 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock kHz
Lock kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

N/A
N/A

Frequency Response Calibrated  

Sony HT-S100F Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

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Suggested Preset 
 

Locked
Locked

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

N/A
N/A

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

N/A
N/A

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Standard Error 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock kHz
Lock kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

N/A
N/A

Crosstalk  

Sony HT-S100F Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

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Crosstalk Error 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

N/A
N/A

Dynamic Range Compression  

Sony HT-S100F Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

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SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

Lock dB

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

N/A
N/A

THD  

Sony HT-S100F THD Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 THD Sample

SAMPLE

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Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Show Text 

Center 
 

N/A
N/A

Center Setup  

Sony HT-S100F Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Frequency Response  

Sony HT-S100F Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Localization 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Lock
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

N/A
N/A

Surround Setup  

Sony HT-S100F Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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Frequency Response  

Sony HT-S100F Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Localization 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Lock

7.1 Rears 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

N/A
N/A

Height Setup  

Sony HT-S100F Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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H Frequency Response  

Sony HT-S100F H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Localization 
 

Locked
Locked

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
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

N/A
N/A

Room Correction 
 

Locked
Locked

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Locked
Locked

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Locked
Locked

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Bass Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Treble Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

EQ 
 

Locked
Locked

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Height Level Adjustment 
 

Locked
Locked

Virtual Surround 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Sony HT-S100F Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Sony HT-S100F Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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Optical Audio In 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI Out 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

Locked

Full HDMI In 
 

Locked
Locked

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

Locked
Locked

RCA In 
 

Locked
Locked

USB for Files 
 

Locked
Locked

Ethernet 
 

Locked
Locked

Subwoofer Output 
 

Locked

HDMI ARC 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Atmos 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS:X 
 

Locked
Locked

eARC 
 

Locked

DTS-HD MA 
 

Locked
Locked

PCM Channels 
 

Locked

5.1 PCM (eARC only) 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Atmos 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS:X 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS-HD MA 
 

Locked
Locked

PCM Channels 
 

Locked

5.1 PCM 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

PCM Channels 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Audio Latency: ARC 
 

N/A
N/A

ARC Latency Video  

Sony HT-S100F ARC Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 ARC Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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PCM-2.0 ch 
 

Lock ms

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

Lock ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

Lock ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

N/A
Show Text 

Audio Latency: HDMI In 
 

N/A
N/A

HDMI Latency Video  

Sony HT-S100F HDMI Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 HDMI Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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Latency Video  

Sony HT-S100F Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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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 
 

N/A

Optical 
 

Lock ms

Full HDMI In 
 

N/A

Audio Latency: Optical 
 

N/A
N/A

Optical Latency Video  

Sony HT-S100F Optical Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 Optical Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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PCM-2.0 ch 
 

Lock ms

Dolby Digital 
 

Lock ms
Show Text 

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

N/A
N/A

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked

4k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit 
 

Locked

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked

8k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Locked

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

Locked

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

Locked

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

Locked

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough 
 

Locked

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

Locked

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

Locked

ALLM Passthrough 
 

Locked

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough 
 

Locked

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Wireless Playback 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth 
 

Locked
Locked

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

Locked
Locked

Chromecast built-in 
 

Locked
Locked

Apple AirPlay 
 

Locked
Locked

Spotify Connect 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Connectivity - Subwoofer 
 

Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1  

Sony HT-S100F Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Physical controls subwoofer photo 1  

Sony HT-S100F Physical controls subwoofer photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 Physical controls subwoofer photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Sub Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Connectivity - Satellites 
 

Physical inputs satellites photo 1  

Sony HT-S100F Physical inputs satellites photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 Physical inputs satellites photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Physical controls satellites photo 1  

Sony HT-S100F Physical controls satellites photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 Physical controls satellites photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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Sat Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Sony HT-S100F Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Display 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Sony HT-S100F Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

Sony HT-S100F Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Universal Remote 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

Locked
Locked

Google Assistant 
 

Locked
Locked

Apple Siri 
 

Locked
Locked

Microphone Mute 
 

Locked
Show Text 

App 
 

App image  

Sony HT-S100F App image Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 5 App image Sample

SAMPLE

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App Name  

Locked

iOS  

Locked

Android  

Locked

Acts As A Remote 
 

Locked

Controls Soundbar's Settings 
 

Locked

Casts Device Files 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Other Features 
 

Power Saving 
 

Locked

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control) 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
HT-S100F
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
Alto 5
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HT-S100F
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Alto 5
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
HT-S100F
SEE PRICE
B&H
Black
Alto 5
SEARCH
B&H
Black
HT-S100F
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
Alto 5
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
Back to Top

Sony HT-S100F

TCL Alto 5

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Sony HT-S100F vs TCL Alto 5: Main Discussion

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