OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
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REVIEWS
Scored using Soundbars Methodology v2.0
Soundbars Methodology v2.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Soundbars Methodology v2.0: technical specifications plus grades from 1,310 independent expert reviews and 1,704 video reviews, with 0% commercial bias.
Explore Soundbars Methodology v2.0

TCL Alto R1 Roku Tv Review | 109 Data compared

Avg. price:~£150N. of audio channels:2.0Audio output power:120 WHDMI ARC type:none

TCL Alto R1 Roku Tv Review: Compare 109 technical specifications and 7 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Soundbars category and whether it is worth buying.

TCL Alto R1 Roku Tv
5.3/10

Overall score

Score
5.3/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the soundbar's quality, based on technical analyses and grades from independent expert reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best soundbars on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 65% of models
Score components

95%

5.1

Technical score

5%

8.1

Reviews score ( 4 · 3)

Reviews score 5% · 8.1 · based on 7 independent reviews
Every model in this category gets the same split: reviews 5%, technical score 95%. This model has enough reviews, so its review score is the weighted average of their grades.
â–¼Worse than 65% of soundbars
6.6

Value for money

Value for money
6.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the soundbar's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a soundbar with a good balance between audio quality, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 72% of models
Score components

70%

5.3

Overall score

30%

9.7

Price

â–¼Worse than 72%
5.1

Technical score

Technical score
5.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the soundbar's technical performance, covering key areas such as audio quality, channel configuration, connectivity, HDMI and wireless features, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare soundbars based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 66% of models
Score components

25%

4.9

Audio

18%

4.9

Formats

16%

6.0

Connectivity

14%

5.9

Controls

12%

4.2

HDMI & Gaming

10%

4.0

Smart features

5%

6.7

Design

â–¼Worse than 66%
8.1

Reviews score

Reviews score
8.1/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves.
Weighting: Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Share: Reviews are 5% of the overall score for every model in this category; each of the 2 needed reviews that is missing counts as 7/10.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 67% of models
Grades by review (7)
4 reviews: 3 with a printed score, 1 estimated from the review. 3 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Share in the overall score: 5%, the same for every model in this category.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
â–²Better than 67%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of soundbar TCL Alto R1 Roku Tv

Technical score
Technical score
5.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the soundbar's technical performance, covering key areas such as audio quality, channel configuration, connectivity, HDMI and wireless features, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare soundbars based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 66% of models
Score components:

25%

4.9

Audio

18%

4.9

Formats

16%

6.0

Connectivity

14%

5.9

Controls

12%

4.2

HDMI & Gaming

10%

4.0

Smart features

5%

6.7

Design

5.1
Reviews score
8.1
Value for money
Value for money
6.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the soundbar's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a soundbar with a good balance between audio quality, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 72% of models
Score components:

70%

5.3

Overall score

30%

9.7

Price

6.6
Brand name
TCL
N. of audio channels
2
This soundbar offers 2 audio channels, fewer than 43.6% of soundbars and equal to 56.4% of soundbars.
Audio output power
120 W
Market range: <10 W – >260 W
This soundbar delivers 120 W of audio output power, more than 70.7% of soundbars and equal to 6.9% of soundbars.
Max SPL
?
Min frequency
31 Hz
Market range: <20 Hz – >120 Hz
This soundbar reaches a minimum frequency of 31 Hz, lower than 85.5% of soundbars.
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Dolby Atmos
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby Atmos. 20.7% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS:X
no
This soundbar does not support DTS:X. 10.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby TrueHD
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby TrueHD. 17.6% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS-HD Master Audio
no
This soundbar does not support DTS-HD Master Audio. 10.1% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby Digital Plus
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby Digital Plus. 25% of soundbars include this feature.
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N. of HDMI inputs
0
Market range: <0 – >5
This soundbar has 0 HDMI inputs, fewer than 32.5% of soundbars and equal to 67.6% of soundbars.
Wi-Fi connectivity
yes
This soundbar supports Wi-Fi connectivity. 68.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 5
This soundbar uses Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 5, which is newer than that of 78.7% of soundbars and the same as that of 18.1% of soundbars.
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This soundbar supports Bluetooth connectivity. 3.7% of soundbars include this feature.
Bluetooth version
5
This soundbar uses Bluetooth 5, which is newer than that of 38.9% of soundbars and the same as that of 47.6% of soundbars.
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Smartphone app
no
This soundbar does not have smartphone app. 35.1% of soundbars offer this feature.
Remote control
no
This soundbar does not have remote control. 73.9% of soundbars offer this feature.
Control panel
no
This soundbar does not have control panel. 91% of soundbars offer this feature.
Voice assistant compatibility
no
This soundbar does not support voice assistant compatibility. 31.4% of soundbars include this feature.
Far-field microphones
no
This soundbar does not have far-field microphones. 12.2% of soundbars offer this feature.
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HDMI version
N/A
HDMI ARC type
none
This soundbar has none as its HDMI TV-audio return type, which is less advanced than what 68.6% of soundbars and the same as what 31.4% offers.
HDMI-CEC support
no
This soundbar does not support HDMI-CEC. 63.1% support HDMI-CEC.
HDMI pass-through resolution
none
This soundbar supports HDMI pass-through up to none, which is lower than that of 21.5% of soundbars and the same as that of 78.5% of soundbars.
HDMI pass-through frame rate
none fps
This soundbar supports HDMI pass-through up to none fps, lower than 18.2% of soundbars and equal to 81.8% of soundbars.
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AirPlay
no
This soundbar does not support AirPlay. 20.2% of soundbars include this feature.
Chromecast built-in
no
This soundbar does not support Chromecast built-in. 12.3% of soundbars include this feature.
Spotify Connect
no
This soundbar does not support Spotify Connect. 23.4% of soundbars include this feature.
TIDAL Connect
no
This soundbar does not support TIDAL Connect. 9.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Amazon Music native support
no
This soundbar does not support native Amazon Music. 21.3% support native Amazon Music.
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Width
800 mm
Market range: <350 mm – >1.1k mm
This soundbar is 800 mm wide, wider than 54.3% of soundbars and equal to 4.3% of soundbars.
Height
63 mm
Market range: <50 mm – >100 mm
This soundbar is 63 mm high, shorter than 66.8% of soundbars and equal to 3.7% of soundbars.
Thickness
99 mm
Market range: <60 mm – >135 mm
This soundbar is 99 mm thick, thicker than 63.1% of soundbars and equal to 1.1% of soundbars.
Weight
2,270 g
Market range: <500 g – >5.5k g
This soundbar weighs 2,270 g, more than 56.9% of soundbars and equal to 0.5% of soundbars.
Build material
plastic
This soundbar uses plastic for the build material, which is different from that of 4.8% of soundbars and the same as that of 89.4% of soundbars.
Metal grille.
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TCL Alto R1 Roku Tv vs the average soundbar

246810TotalAudioFormatsConnectivityHDMI & GamingSmart featuresControlsDesign
  • Wi-Fi connectivity
    This soundbar supports Wi-Fi connectivity, the average soundbar does not.
  • Auto volume leveling
    This soundbar supports auto volume leveling, the average soundbar does not.
  • Manual audio delay adjustment
    This soundbar supports manual audio delay adjustment, the average soundbar does not.
  • Night mode
    This soundbar supports night mode, the average soundbar does not.
  • Broader music format support
    This soundbar supports more music formats than the average soundbar (AAC, ALAC, FLAC, MP3, OGG, WAV vs MP3).
    AAC, ALAC, FLAC, MP3, OGG, WAV vs MP3
  • Bass boost
    This soundbar supports bass boost, the average soundbar does not.
  • 4 more supported audio formats
    This soundbar supports more audio formats than the average soundbar (6 vs 2). The average soundbar supports 2 audio formats.
    6 vs 2
  • 71.4% more audio output power
    This soundbar has a higher audio output power than the average soundbar (120 W vs 70 W). The average soundbar delivers 70 W of audio output power.
    120 W vs 70 W
  • 2.27x more popular
    TCL Alto R1 Roku Tv is more popular than the average soundbar (9.73 vs 4.3).
    9.73 vs 4.29
  • Bass boost
    This soundbar supports bass boost, the average soundbar does not.
  • 71.4% more audio output power
    This soundbar has a higher audio output power than the average soundbar (120 W vs 70 W). The average soundbar delivers 70 W of audio output power.
    120 W vs 70 W
  • 21 Hz lower min frequency
    This soundbar has a lower minimum frequency than the average soundbar (31 Hz vs 52 Hz). The average soundbar has a minimum frequency of 52 Hz.
    31 Hz vs 52 Hz
  • Broader music format support
    This soundbar supports more music formats than the average soundbar (AAC, ALAC, FLAC, MP3, OGG, WAV vs MP3).
    AAC, ALAC, FLAC, MP3, OGG, WAV vs MP3
  • 4 more supported audio formats
    This soundbar supports more audio formats than the average soundbar (6 vs 2). The average soundbar supports 2 audio formats.
    6 vs 2
  • Wi-Fi connectivity
    This soundbar supports Wi-Fi connectivity, the average soundbar does not.
  • Auto volume leveling
    This soundbar supports auto volume leveling, the average soundbar does not.
  • Manual audio delay adjustment
    This soundbar supports manual audio delay adjustment, the average soundbar does not.
  • Night mode
    This soundbar supports night mode, the average soundbar does not.
  • 4 mm lower height
    This soundbar is shorter than the average soundbar (63 mm vs 67 mm). The average soundbar is 67 mm tall.
    63 mm vs 67 mm
  • Less advanced HDMI ARC type
    This soundbar has none as its HDMI TV-audio return type, while the average soundbar has eARC.
    none vs eARC
  • No optical audio input
    This soundbar does not have optical audio input, the average soundbar does.
    no (The soundbar is designed for wireless connection to Roku TVs and lacks physical audio input ports.)
  • No remote control
    This soundbar does not have remote control, the average soundbar does.
  • No on-board controls
    This soundbar does not have control panel, the average soundbar does.
  • No AUX input
    This soundbar does not have AUX input, the average soundbar does.
    Wireless-only design; no physical AUX input.
  • No HDMI-CEC support
    This soundbar does not support HDMI-CEC, the average soundbar does.
  • 1 fewer USB ports
    This soundbar has fewer USB ports than the average soundbar (0 vs 1). The average soundbar has 1 USB ports.
    0 vs 1
  • No USB playback support
    This soundbar does not support USB playback support, the average soundbar does.
    N/A (strictly wireless connection to Roku TV with no physical inputs)
  • 1.9% worse value for money
    TCL Alto R1 Roku Tv has worse value for money than the average soundbar (6.62 vs 6.7).
    6.62 vs 6.75
  • 57.9% more expensive
    TCL Alto R1 Roku Tv is more expensive than the average soundbar (£150 vs £95).
    £150 vs £95
  • 1 fewer sound modes
    This soundbar offers fewer sound modes than the average soundbar (3 vs 4). The average soundbar offers 4 sound modes.
    3 vs 4
  • No optical audio input
    This soundbar does not have optical audio input, the average soundbar does.
    no (The soundbar is designed for wireless connection to Roku TVs and lacks physical audio input ports.)
  • No AUX input
    This soundbar does not have AUX input, the average soundbar does.
    Wireless-only design; no physical AUX input.
  • 1 fewer USB ports
    This soundbar has fewer USB ports than the average soundbar (0 vs 1). The average soundbar has 1 USB ports.
    0 vs 1
  • No USB playback support
    This soundbar does not support USB playback support, the average soundbar does.
    N/A (strictly wireless connection to Roku TV with no physical inputs)
  • Less advanced HDMI ARC type
    This soundbar has none as its HDMI TV-audio return type, while the average soundbar has eARC.
    none vs eARC
  • No HDMI-CEC support
    This soundbar does not support HDMI-CEC, the average soundbar does.
  • No remote control
    This soundbar does not have remote control, the average soundbar does.
  • No on-board controls
    This soundbar does not have control panel, the average soundbar does.
  • 13 mm thicker design
    This soundbar is thicker than the average soundbar (99 mm vs 86 mm). The average soundbar is 86 mm thick.
    99 mm vs 86 mm
  • 38 mm wider width
    This soundbar is wider than the average soundbar (800 mm vs 762 mm). The average soundbar is 762 mm wide.
    800 mm vs 762 mm

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

9.0
ZAKtalks TECH
≈ estimated
06/12/2021
Hands-on review · setup, sound and TV pairing
Verdict
TCL Alto R1 has simple wireless setup and good sound for the room, and works best with a TCL or Roku TV.
9.0
Gadget Reviews
≈ estimated
24/12/2023
Short overview · setup and features
Verdict
TCL Alto R1 is an easy sound upgrade for Roku TV owners who want louder, clearer audio.
9.0
Soundric
≈ estimated
27/05/2023
Short review · features and design overview
Verdict
TCL Alto R1 is a good choice for anyone wanting better TV sound, with a solid build and smart features.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about TCL Alto R1 Roku Tv

  • Seamless wireless setup and automatic pairing with Roku TVs
  • Requires only a single power cable, eliminating messy HDMI or optical wires
  • Significantly improved audio clarity and volume compared to standard TV speakers
  • Uses the existing Roku TV remote for all volume and sound settings
  • Affordable entry-level price point for dedicated Roku TV users
  • Supports Bluetooth 5.0 for streaming music from mobile devices
  • Compatible with the separate Roku Wireless Subwoofer for added bass

What customers don't like about TCL Alto R1 Roku Tv

  • Strictly limited to Roku TV models; will not work with other TV brands or standalone Roku sticks
  • Lacks physical inputs like HDMI ARC, Optical, or 3.5mm AUX ports
  • No support for immersive spatial audio formats like Dolby Atmos or DTS:X
  • Bass response is limited without the purchase of an external subwoofer
  • Occasional audio-visual sync (lip-sync) issues reported on certain apps like Vudu
  • Some users find the boxy, minimalist design too plain or utilitarian
  • TV must be powered on to use the soundbar for Bluetooth music streaming

Verdict

The TCL Alto R1 is a 2.0-channel wireless soundbar designed exclusively for Roku TVs, featuring 120W of peak power through two 30W and two 25W drivers. It utilizes a proprietary Wi-Fi connection for cable-free syncing, allowing users to control audio settings and volume directly through their existing Roku TV remote. Measuring 31.5 x 2.5 x 3.9 inches, its compact, minimalist chassis supports Dolby Audio and includes specialized EQ modes like Bass Boost and Speech Clarity. Main pros include its extremely simple setup, clutter-free wireless design, and seamless integration with the Roku interface. However, notable cons include its lack of physical inputs (no HDMI or Optical), incompatibility with non-Roku TVs, and the absence of a dedicated subwoofer or Dolby Atmos support.

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