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Products
TCL Alto 8+
Roku Smart Soundbar
Tested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Apr 17, 2024 02:53 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Jan 10, 2024 02:07 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels2.1
Channels2.0
Our Verdict
TCL Alto 8+
Roku Smart Soundbar
The Roku Smart Soundbar is a better overall soundbar than the TCL Alto 8+, though both bars perform very similarly. Neither bar supports Dolby Atmos content. However, they both give you access to a media streaming player - the Roku media player for the Roku bar and the Amazon Fire TV 4k media streamer for the TCL. The Roku supports Wi-Fi streaming and it has a companion app, unlike the TCL. The Roku also has a better-balanced sound when playing content through both its center channel and when downmixing surround content into stereo. However, the TCL has a more focused soundstage.
Variants
- Alto 8+ (Black)
- Roku Smart Soundbar (Black)
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Black
Alto 8+
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Amazon.comBlack
Roku Smart Soundbar
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Amazon.comBlack
Alto 8+
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Walmart.comBlack
Roku Smart Soundbar
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Walmart.comBlack
Alto 8+
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Roku Smart Soundbar
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BestBuy.comMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
6.1
6.4
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
No
No
Enclosure
Integrated
No Subwoofer
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
38.0" (96.5 cm)
32.1" (81.5 cm)
Height
2.4" (6.0 cm)
2.8" (7.1 cm)
Depth
4.1" (10.3 cm)
3.9" (9.8 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
N/A
N/A
Height
N/A
N/A
Depth
N/A
N/A
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
N/A
Height
N/A
N/A
Depth
N/A
N/A
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
Mountable Satellites
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
Build Quality
6.5
7.0
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
HDMI Cable Length
1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Digital Optical Cable Length
1.8 m (5.9 ft)
Back - Bar
Back photo - bar
Bar Mounting
Universal (holes on back)
Back - Subwoofer
Back photo - sub
Enclosure
Integrated
No Subwoofer
Back - Satellites
Back photo - satellites
Mounting
No
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
6.9
7.0
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
2.1
2.0
Tested Preset
Music
Standard
Slope
-0.82
-0.30
Standard Error
3.56 dB
2.79 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
55.8 Hz
56.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
18.0 kHz
13.5 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
6.9
7.0
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Music
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
N/A
0
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
0
Slope
-0.82
-0.30
Standard Error
3.56 dB
2.79 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
55.8 Hz
56.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
18.0 kHz
13.5 kHz
Stereo Dynamics
6.7
6.6
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
88.4 dB SPL
90.2 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
N/A
DRC @ Max Volume
2.82 dB
3.09 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.6
THD
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.40
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.89
Center
5.5
6.2
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom
Phantom
Slope
-1.88
-1.61
Std. Err.
5.70 dB
4.00 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
85.5 dB SPL
88.1 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.55
0.72
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.74
2.28
Surround 5.1
3.0
3.6
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
-1.91
-1.72
Std. Err.
5.63 dB
4.35 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
83.0 dB SPL
87.4 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.54
1.18
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.65
2.52
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
0.0
0.0
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Not Supported
Not Supported
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
Sound Enhancement Features
3.9
4.6
Room Correction
No
No
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
No
No
Bass Adjustment
No
Yes
Treble Adjustment
No
Yes
EQ
Presets
Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
No
No
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
No
No
Virtual Surround
No
Yes
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI Out
ARC
No
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Full HDMI In
No
No
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
1
1
Ethernet
No
No
Subwoofer Output
No
HDMI ARC
1
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
4.8
6.1
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
No
Dolby Digital
Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
Not Supported
No
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
No
DTS
Not Supported
No
DTS:X
Not Supported
No
eARC
No
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
No
PCM Channels
2.0
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
No
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
0.0
0.0
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
No
Dolby Digital
Not Supported
No
Dolby Digital Plus
Not Supported
No
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
No
DTS
Not Supported
No
DTS:X
Not Supported
No
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
No
PCM Channels
Not Supported
5.1 PCM
No
Audio Format Support: Optical
6.5
6.0
Dolby Digital
Supported
Yes
DTS
Not Supported
No
PCM Channels
2.0
Audio Latency: ARC
8.8
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
49 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
N/A
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
N/A
Dolby Digital
87 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
N/A
Audio Latency: HDMI In
0.0
6.9
HDMI Latency Video
Latency Video
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
91 ms
Optical
95 ms
Full HDMI In
N/A
Audio Latency: Optical
7.3
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
119 ms
Dolby Digital
301 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
0.0
0.0
1080p Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
4k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
8k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
HDR10 Passthrough
No
No
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
No
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
No
FreeSync Passthrough
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
ALLM Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
No
Wireless Playback
6.0
8.0
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
No
Yes
Chromecast built-in
No
No
Apple AirPlay
No
No
Spotify Connect
No
Connectivity - Subwoofer
Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1
Physical controls subwoofer photo 1
Sub Wireless
No
No
Connectivity - Satellites
Physical inputs satellites photo 1
Physical controls satellites photo 1
Sat Wireless
No
No
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
No
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Universal Remote
No
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
Yes (Built-in)
No
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
App
App image
App Name
Roku - Official Remote Control
iOS
Yes
Android
Yes
Acts As A Remote
Yes
Controls Soundbar's Settings
All
Casts Device Files
Yes
Other Features
Power Saving
No
HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)
Yes
Check Price
Black
Alto 8+
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Amazon.comBlack
Roku Smart Soundbar
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Alto 8+
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
Roku Smart Soundbar
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
Alto 8+
SEARCH
BestBuy.comBlack
Roku Smart Soundbar
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
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TCL Alto 8+
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TCL Alto 8+ vs Roku Smart Soundbar: Main Discussion
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