With Dolby Atmos and Roku TV connection, the TCL Alto 9+ soundbar is an excellent value. And for all of these reasons, it will be a standout at CES 2020. Despite being labeled as a “prototype” by a TCL official, the Alto 9+ Atmos soundbar is expected to market for “about $400/500” and is expected to be one of the most affordably priced Atmos soundbars.
With today’s modern technology, bring the movie theater into your own living room. To learn more about this TCL Alto 9+ Review, lets proceed reading.
| Brand | TCL |
|---|---|
| Channels | 3.10 |
| Color | Black |
| Power | 540 W |
| Soundbar Length | 41 in |
| Subwoofer Included | Yes |
| Product Color | Shadow Black |
| Family | Electronics |
| USB | 1 |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
Highlights
- Ray-Danz technology
- Maximum audio power 540W
- Dolby Atmos
- Bluetooth wireless music streaming
- Additional centre channel
- HDMI ARC and HDMI input
- Wireless subwoofer
- Ideal for 55in TV and above
- Colors and finishes may seem slightly different online due to lighting and display variances.
Pros
-
Four EQ presets.
-
Lots of wireless playback options.
- Dolby Atmos sound
- Low price
- Roku TV connectivity
- Wi-Fi enabled
- Dedicated center channel
Cons
- Requires more space
- No display screen
Product Differentiators
When using a TCL Roku TV, you may utilize the bar’s remote control to operate the TCL Alto 9+ configuration, which is 3.1 compliant. A vent-like aperture on the side of the bar promises to produce a larger and more immersive soundstage using TCL’s RAY-DANZ technology. In spite of the fact that it comes with a dedicated subwoofer, the sound is a little dark.
Design
The TCL Alto 9+ has a sleek style that may easily fit into a contemporary household. You can hang it on a wall or position it on your entertainment system without obscuring the remote sensor.
Bar drivers are shielded from view by a narrow strip of cloth that wraps around the whole bar. For a more expansive soundstage, TCL’s RAY-DANZ technology incorporates vent-like holes on each side of its bar. There’s also a plastic cover for the connectors, which is convenient. But because of the tight cloth covering the drivers, the bar may tear or get soiled.
MDF and plastic predominate in the construction of the subwoofer. It has four plastic pegs and is rather tall. Underneath the subwoofer is where you’ll find the driver. Compared to a typical desktop computer, the subwoofer is a little bigger. Thanks to its wifi connection to the bar, you may set it wherever in your room.
The bar is too big to fit between the legs of a 55-inch television stand. If you have a flat-screen TV on the table, you won’t be able to see the screen because of the low height of this bookcase. TCL’s pricing comes at a price in terms of drivers, with this speaker having less speakers than other premium Atmos models.
Instead of a screen, the Alto 9+’s settings are shown through indicator lights on the top. Additionally, there are no controls or inputs on the surface, thus the remote control is the only way to interact with the device.
Connections
The HDMI port on the Alto 9+ is our top recommendation for any soundbar, not just for the TCL ALto 9+ review.
Using the HDMI ports on the bar, you may connect several devices, such as a TV and a computer, to the bar at the same time. HDMI provides the best audio quality with the least amount of latency and distortion. Convenience is the name of the game with this simple, one-cable plug and play. In addition to the USB port, the bar has a 3.5mm AUX connector for connecting your older devices through a cable connection.
Wireless connectivity in stereo sound is a need, although Bluetooth is the most common kind of connectivity. In order to stream content wirelessly, the Alto 9+ has both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi built in. Streaming audio and video content wirelessly is a breeze with the TCL Alto 9+. Wireless audio streaming to the bar is possible through a variety of connections from your smartphone or tablet.
Features
TCL Alto 9+ Audio Modes
In order to ensure clear speech, the Alto 9+ has just one dedicated center channel. Most soundbars include a similar feature called “conversation mode.” You won’t miss a whisper anymore thanks to improved audio and video quality.
Channels
3.1 channel soundbar, the Alto 9+. How many points of sound emission are there in the soundbar? Clear audio can be heard coming from all three channels: left, right, and center?
The number of subwoofers is indicated by the digits after the decimal point. The Alto 9+ boasts a built-in wireless subwoofer that delivers thunderous bass.
Remote
Other Features
Inactivity won’t automatically shut down the TCL Alto 9+, but you may choose between SLEEP and STANDBY low-power options. HDMI CEC is supported by the bar, so you can use your TV remote to operate some of its basic features. A Roku TV remote control is also claimed by the vendor, but we haven’t tested it.
Sound Quality
Dialogue is audible but somewhat muffled because to the TCL Alto 9+’s well-balanced sound profile, which emphasizes the midrange. Fans of electronic music and hip-hop may be disappointed by the absence of low-bass. Audio might seem dark and dismal if the treble isn’t amplified enough. However, the EQ settings allow you to fine-tune its sound.
Then there’s the center channel, which is devoted alone. It is voice-optimized to restore clarity to otherwise muddled speech and conversation.
Despite the inclusion of TCL’s RAY-DANZ technology, which the company says aids in the creation of a broader soundstage, the stereo soundstage of the TS9030 is unimpressive. The soundstage seems to be broader than the actual bar, but the sound quality is poor and unnaturally dispersed around the room. Because of this, sounds like footsteps or conversations come across as coming from a wide region rather than a specific spot.
Dolby Atmos audio is available on the Alto 9+. Adding Dolby Atmos to our home theaters is a worthwhile investment and one of the most sought-after sophisticated audio capabilities. The Alto 9+’s sound will be more realistic, more multi-dimensional, and more realistic with the addition of this audio format.
There is a lack of sound-enhancement options on the TCL Alto 9+. ‘Movie’, ‘Music’, ‘TV’, and ‘Boost’ are the four EQ settings included. The ‘TV’ setting may also be used to enhance conversation. Atmos content may also benefit from a vertical surround effect to enhance the overall acoustic experience. Audio may sound somewhat different depending on the acoustics of your space, since there is no room adjustment option.
The Alto 9+ is a soundbar with a subwoofer that enhances the bass. It is possible to connect the subwoofer wirelessly, which allows for a clutter-free configuration. Using a wireless subwoofer, you’ll be able to choose the perfect position in your living room to listen to music.
Price
You get a lot for your money with the Alto 9+, which is why it’s a good buy. Using the Alto 9+ is a smart investment because of its high-tech features, like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
Alternative Products
Samsung HW-Q600A
Compared to TCL Alto 9+, Samsung HW-Q600A is superior. If you’re looking for a high-quality system, the Samsung is the way to go. A graphic equalizer is one of several sound improvement options. It can go louder with less compression at peak level. Its more balanced sound profile right out of the box may also appeal to certain listeners.
TCL Alto 8+
The TCL Alto 9+ is a little better for mixed use than the TCL Alto 8+, but not by much. For a deeper low-end, the 9+ is a 3.1 system with a dedicated subwoofer. It’s more solidly constructed and is compatible with Dolby Atmos audio. It also performs better in the middle channel. However, the 8+’s soundstage is superior.
Samsung HW-Q800A
The Samsung HW-Q800A is superior than the TCL Alto 9+ in terms of performance. More prolonged low-bass reproduction may be obtained from the Samsung thanks to its better-built 3.1.2 configuration. Soundstage, surround, and Atmos are all improved, as is the performance of the speaker system. A visual EQ and other sound-enhancing elements are also available. Its more balanced sound right out of the box may also appeal to certain listeners.
TCL Alto 8i
If you want a soundbar, the TCL Alto 9+ beats the TCL Alto 8i. In the 9+, you get a 3.1 setup with a dedicated subwoofer, and its default sound profile is well-balanced. More wireless playback options and improved center channel performance are also included. This isn’t to say that the 8i doesn’t have an impressive soundstage.
Verdict
As the old saying goes, you get what you pay for, and we’d be amazed if this Atmos soundbar can match the performance of speakers that cost twice or three times as much.
For those looking for a TV speaker that checks all the boxes on the spec sheet, this is a solid option for roughly $500. It doesn’t have the best sound quality, but it does give some room-filling surround sound and excellent connection. We aren’t sure whether it will live up to the initial promise of Dolby Atmos.
FAQs
This FAQ is here to solve some of your problems. let’s find out more!
Does TCL Alto 9+ have eARC?
Can you add speakers to TCL Alto 9+?
How do I connect my TCL Alto 9+ to Wi-Fi?
- Power on the sound bar.
- On your mobile device, open the Google Home app. …
- Tap the Add icon + on the upper left corner of the app.
- Select Setup new device > New device > follow the in-app steps.
Freelance tech journalist & author of soundboxlab.com …Read More