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The TCL Alto 5+ is a pocket-friendly pick that will appease bass lovers that don’t mind compromising on poor wireless connectivity, lack of surround sound, or a limited port selection. It is mainly for bass lovers on a budget.
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Table of Contents
Product Snapshot
Overview
The TCL Alto 5+ is an entry-level sound system that was first launched in early 2019. The soundbar includes a subwoofer, which adds a distinct level of bass depth to its sound profile that some may consider more than necessary.
The sound system also has a small soundstage, but its sound projection is still accurate and well spread out. The Alto 5+ also misses out on support for Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, and Dolby Digital Plus content, which are features that are very hard to miss among the best speakers in the market.
Even though the Alto 5+ does not have a discrete center channel, it can still reproduce vocals accurately when listening to dialogue-focused content, courtesy of its dialogue enhancement feature.
Unfortunately, while the best soundbars can connect to devices through Wi-Fi, Chromecast, Apple AirPlay, and Bluetooth, the Alto 5+ is limited to Bluetooth connectivity.
Consensus
our Verdict
The 2.1-channel TCL Alto 5+ soundbar delivers a largely bass-heavy output because of its capable subwoofer and a well-balanced mid-range for clear vocals.
Its sound profile makes it ideal for movie-watching or enjoying TV shows. The well-constructed soundbar also has a compact, space-saving design, but it doesn’t get as loud as others, and its surround sound performance is limited due to a lack of Dolby Atmos support and a narrow soundstage.
Ports are limited to an Optical Audio In and a 3.5mm Aux port, and wireless connectivity is restricted to Bluetooth.
On the upside, its tested 41ms latency is quite low, allowing for in-sync audio-visuals, and overall, it is a basic pick that caters most to movie lovers who don’t mind missing out on a surround sound experience.
ReasonS to Buy
Great build quality
Subwoofer offers a thumpy bass output
Compact size and sleek design
Bluetooth pairing works well for music
Subwoofer adds depth to audio experience
Three EQ presets for different content types
Reason to Avoid
Wireless connectivity is limited to Bluetooth
Doesn’t get as loud
Poor surround sound performance
Lack of independent subwoofer volume control
EQ presets might not suit all preferences
No on-screen display for sound settings
TCL Alto 5+ Review Specs
Bluetooth Enabled
Yes
Depth
3.3"
Dialogue Enhancement Feature
Yes
Energy Star Certified
No
HDMI ARC
No
Height
2.6"
Number of Audio Channels
2.1
Subwoofer
Included
Surround Sound Supported
Dolby Digital
Voice Assistant
No
Wall Mountable
Yes
Weight
9.5 lbs
Width
31.5"
Wireless Connectivity
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Wireless Subwoofer Connectivity
Yes
Works With
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
All Specs
Test Results
These are the most important criteria to test for Soundbars based on our comprehensive Testing Methodology.
Low End Roll Off (Hz)
63.496
High End Roll Off (Hz)
15,565.829
Max Volume Test (db)
92
Latency (ms)
THD @ 80dB
0.86
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The TCL Alto 5+ is an entry-level sound system that was first launched in early 2019. The soundbar includes a subwoofer, which adds a distinct…
The TCL Alto 5+ is an entry-level sound system that was first launched in early 2019. The soundbar includes a subwoofer, which adds a distinct level of bass depth to its sound profile that some may consider more than necessary.
The sound system also has a small soundstage, but its sound projection is still accurate and well spread out. The Alto 5+ also misses out on support for Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, and Dolby Digital Plus content, which are features that are very hard to miss among the best speakers in the market.
Even though the Alto 5+ does not have a discrete center channel, it can still reproduce vocals accurately when listening to dialogue-focused content, courtesy of its dialogue enhancement feature.
Unfortunately, while the best soundbars can connect to devices through Wi-Fi, Chromecast, Apple AirPlay, and Bluetooth, the Alto 5+ is limited to Bluetooth connectivity.
The TCL Alto 5+ is a 2.1-channel sound system, while the TCL Alto 5 is a 2-channel soundbar. This difference is because the 5+ ships…
The TCL Alto 5+ is a 2.1-channel sound system, while the TCL Alto 5 is a 2-channel soundbar. This difference is because the 5+ ships with a subwoofer, while the Alto 5 does not. The Alto 5+ also gets slightly louder than the Alto 5. Feel free to learn more about the Alto 5 through our TCL Alto 5 review.
While the max volume on the TCL Alto 5+ is about 92 decibels, the TCL Alto 7+ gets much louder than that, peaking at 99.6…
While the max volume on the TCL Alto 5+ is about 92 decibels, the TCL Alto 7+ gets much louder than that, peaking at 99.6 decibels. The Alto 7+ also features a HDMI ARC port, which is missing on the TCL Alto 5+.
The TCL Alto 5+ does not have as many sound enhancement features as the Samsung HW-R550, which has an auto-volume setting and a night mode…
The TCL Alto 5+ does not have as many sound enhancement features as the Samsung HW-R550, which has an auto-volume setting and a night mode to keep the noise from sudden action scenes low. The Samsung soundbar also offers a graphic equalizer, which the Alto 5+ does not.
