TCL Alto 7+ vs Alto 8i

Which Soundbar Is Better?

Products

TCL Alto 7+
TCL Alto 8i

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Apr 17, 2024 02:54 PM

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Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Sep 24, 2024 02:05 PM

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Amazon.com

Our Verdict

TCL Alto 7+

TCL Alto 8i

The TCL Alto 7+ and the TCL Alto 8i are very similarly performing 2.1 soundbars, so depending on your listening habits, you may prefer one over the other. The 7+ is better built and comes with a dedicated subwoofer. Its sound profile is more neutral, though it also lacks low-bass. However, the 8i has a better soundstage. It also supports Dolby Atmos content and supports 4k passthrough thanks to its Full HDMI In port.

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Variants

  • Alto 7 Plus
  • Alto 8i (Black)

Check Price

Standard
Alto 7 Plus
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Alto 8i
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Standard
Alto 7 Plus
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
Alto 8i
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Standard
Alto 7 Plus
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
Alto 8i
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Standard
Alto 7 Plus
B&H
Black
Alto 8i
B&H
Read more

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

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Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

TCL Alto 7+ Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i Style photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

TCL Alto 7+ Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i Style photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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Sub Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

Enclosure 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

TCL Alto 7+ Style photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i Style photo - satellites Sample

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Satellite Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

TCL Alto 7+ Dimensions photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i Dimensions photo - bar 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)
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Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

TCL Alto 7+ Dimensions photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i Dimensions photo - sub Sample

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Width  

Lock" (Lock cm)
N/A

Height  

Lock" (Lock cm)
N/A

Depth  

Lock" (Lock cm)
N/A
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Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

TCL Alto 7+ Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i Dimensions photo - satellites Sample

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Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A
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Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

TCL Alto 7+ Bar Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i Bar Mounting Holes Sample

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Satellite Mounting Holes  

TCL Alto 7+ Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i Satellite Mounting Holes Sample

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Mountable Bar 
 

Locked

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Locked

Mountable Satellites 
 

Locked

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

Locked

Build Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Build quality photo  

TCL Alto 7+ Build quality photo Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i Build quality photo Sample

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In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

TCL Alto 7+ In The Box photo  Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i In The Box photo  Sample

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HDMI Cable Length 
 

Lock m (Lock ft)

Digital Optical Cable Length 
 

Lock m (Lock ft)
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Back - Bar  

Back photo - bar  

TCL Alto 7+ Back photo - bar Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i Back photo - bar Sample

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Bar Mounting 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Back - Subwoofer  

Back photo - sub  

TCL Alto 7+ Back photo - sub Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i Back photo - sub Sample

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Enclosure 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Back - Satellites  

Back photo - satellites  

TCL Alto 7+ Back photo - satellites Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i Back photo - satellites Sample

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Mounting 
 

Locked
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

N/A
N/A

Stereo Setup  

TCL Alto 7+ Stereo Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i Stereo Setup Sample

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Raw Frequency Response  

TCL Alto 7+ Raw Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i Raw Frequency Response Sample

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Frequency Response Small  

TCL Alto 7+ Frequency Response Small Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i Frequency Response Small Sample

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Tested Preset 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Channels 
 

Locked
Locked

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock kHz
Lock kHz
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Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

N/A
N/A

Frequency Response Calibrated  

TCL Alto 7+ Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i Frequency Response Calibrated Sample

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Suggested Preset 
 

Locked
Locked

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

N/A
Lock

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

N/A
Lock

Slope 
 

Lock
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

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  

TCL Alto 7+ Crosstalk Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i Crosstalk Sample

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Crosstalk Error 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

N/A
N/A

Dynamic Range Compression  

TCL Alto 7+ Dynamic Range Compression Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i Dynamic Range Compression Sample

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SPL @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB SPL
Lock dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
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Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

N/A
N/A

THD  

TCL Alto 7+ THD Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i THD Sample

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Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

Lock
Lock
Show Text 

Center 
 

N/A
N/A

Center Setup  

TCL Alto 7+ Center Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i Center Setup Sample

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Frequency Response  

TCL Alto 7+ Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i Frequency Response 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  

TCL Alto 7+ Surround Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i Surround Setup Sample

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Frequency Response  

TCL Alto 7+ Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i Frequency Response 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  

TCL Alto 7+ Height Setup Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i Height Setup Sample

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H Frequency Response  

TCL Alto 7+ H Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i H Frequency Response Sample

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Localization 
 

Locked
Locked

Slope 
 

N/A
Lock

Std. Err. 
 

N/A
Lock dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

N/A
Lock dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

N/A
Lock

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

N/A
Lock
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  

TCL Alto 7+ Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i Physical Connections Bar Photo 1 Sample

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Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

TCL Alto 7+ Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i Physical Connections Bar Photo 2 Sample

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Optical Audio In 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI ARC 
 

Locked
Locked

HDMI Out 
 

Locked
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
Show Text 

Audio Format Support - ARC 
 

N/A
N/A

eARC 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Atmos 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS:X (eARC only) 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby TrueHD (eARC only) 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS-HD MA (eARC only) 
 

Locked
Locked

5.1 PCM (eARC only) 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Atmos 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS:X 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS-HD MA 
 

Locked
Locked

5.1 PCM 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Audio Format Support - Optical 
 

N/A
N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

Locked
Locked

DTS 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Latency 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency Video  

TCL Alto 7+ Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i Latency Video Sample

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ARC 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Optical 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Full HDMI In 
 

N/A
Lock ms
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 

Other Input Specifications 
 

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Connectivity - Subwoofer 
 

Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1  

TCL Alto 7+ Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1 Sample

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Physical controls subwoofer photo 1  

TCL Alto 7+ Physical controls subwoofer photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i Physical controls subwoofer photo 1 Sample

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Sub Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Connectivity - Satellites 
 

Physical inputs satellites photo 1  

TCL Alto 7+ Physical inputs satellites photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i Physical inputs satellites photo 1 Sample

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Physical controls satellites photo 1  

TCL Alto 7+ Physical controls satellites photo 1 Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i Physical controls satellites photo 1 Sample

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Sat Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

TCL Alto 7+ Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i Interface photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Display 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

TCL Alto 7+ Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i Controls photo Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

TCL Alto 7+ Remote photo Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i 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  

TCL Alto 7+ App image Sample

SAMPLE

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TCL Alto 8i App image 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

Standard
Alto 7 Plus
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Alto 8i
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Standard
Alto 7 Plus
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
Alto 8i
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Standard
Alto 7 Plus
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
Alto 8i
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Standard
Alto 7 Plus
B&H
Black
Alto 8i
B&H

TCL Alto 7+

TCL Alto 8i

Comments

  1. Comparison

TCL Alto 7+ vs TCL Alto 8i: Main Discussion

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