Skip to main content

TCL plays it safe on audio for 2019 with new super-simple soundbars

TCL had a pretty impressive 2018 thanks in no small part to the company’s sizeable lineup of Roku TVs (including the incredibly popular 6-Series). For CES, the Chinese brand is following up with an expansive range of new audio products to go along with its latest TV treasures, including a brand new assault on the portable audio market with four new headphone lines, as well as a slim collection of new soundbars.

Some may remember the fabled, voice-enabled Roku soundbar TCL debuted at CES 2018 — which to date has yet to make it to market. The company has more hop in its step in the U.S. market this year, though, so we expect this year’s more pared-down lineup to make a splash outside the halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Here’s what TCL has in store for the soundbar market in 2019.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Alto 5 and Alto 5+

The smaller of the two lines, the Alto 5 (aka TS500) is a bare-bones, two-channel offering that stretches 31.5-inches wide and just over 2.5-inches high. With just a pair of 2-inch drivers powering the system, there’s nothing particularly notable about this bar, but it does offer just about all you’ll need for a basic sound upgrade, including three EQ modes, digital optical input, and a 3.5mm analog input. Perhaps what’s most notable is what isn’t offered, as in no HDMI ARC connection (something we expect in even budget soundbars these days) and no wireless subwoofer. That said, while pricing has yet to be announced, knowing TCL we expect it to be quite affordable.

Further, if you do want a subwoofer, the Alto 5+ (TS510, pictured above) is essentially the same bar, but with a small wireless subwoofer powered by a 5-inch driver thrown into the mix. Both soundbars also offer IR passthrough so you can still control your TV even if the bar covers your TV’s IR sensor.

Recommended Videos

Alto 7 and Alto 7+

Speaking of HDMI ARC, the larger — and we’d argue slightly sexier — Alto 7 (TS700) tacks on the useful feature, allowing for one-cable connection to your TV, as well as simple control of basic soundbar operations from your TV remote. Other inputs include 3.5mm analog and digital optical connection. The Alto 7 also packs a more powerful driver set than the 5, boasting a 1.5-inch tweeter and 2-inch driver for each of its stereo channels. The Alto 7’s size is still pretty manageable at just 36-inches across, and standing 2.5-inches tall.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

Like the Alto 5, the Alto 7 does not come with a subwoofer, saving TCL’s larger sub powered by a 6.5-inch driver for the upgraded Alto 7+ (TS710). There’s no Wi-Fi or multi-room audio to be had here, but both bars do offer Bluetooth streaming, and, again, we’re hoping these systems will be priced to move. We’re also quite eager to get ears on with the latest from TCL at the show to see how they stand up to other budget bars in the segment.

Both the Alto 5 and Alto 7 lines are expected to be available in the spring of 2019.

Ryan Waniata
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Ryan Waniata is a multi-year veteran of the digital media industry, a lover of all things tech, audio, and TV, and a…
TCL’s 20 XE and 20A 5G are new budget phones that cost less than $200
Image of TCL 20A 5G front and back.

TCL is back again after its recent announcement of the Tab Pro 5G tablet, this time with two affordable new carrier-exclusive smartphones -- one 4G and the other 5G. While the pair definitely aren't among the best 5G phones of the year, they might have a chance to make it on the best cheap phones of 2021 list.
20 XE

Starting today, you can pick up TCL's 20 XE for $160 at Metro by T-Mobile. It will also be coming to Boost Mobile for $120, but there is no confirmed released date as of yet.

Read more
TCL’s new 5G phones are the most affordable yet, but U.S. buyers have to wait
tcl 20 series ces 2021 news 5g

The TCL 10 series may not have made all that many headlines, but now the company wants to step things up a little. At CES 2021, TCL has announced the new TCL 20 series, which will eventually be made up of a hefty five models. For now, however, the company is only launching two: The TCL 20 5G and TCL 20 SE.

Here's a rundown of the two new phones and what they have to offer.
TCL 20 5G

Read more
TCL’s latest soundbars go fully wireless at CES 2021
TCL Alto R1 wireless Roku TV Ready Soundbar

Last week, ahead of CES 2021, Roku announced that it had created a reference design for a wireless soundbar that could be used with the Roku TV Ready platform. The key innovation here is Roku's elimination of the HDMI cable (or optical cable) that is normally a requirement when connecting a soundbar to a TV. Roku said that it expected TCL to be the first company to introduce one of these wireless speakers, and today, that's what TCL has done.

The TCL Alto R1 is the first soundbar to make use of Roku's proprietary Wi-Fi Audio streaming technology. Instead of connecting the Alto R1 to a TCL Roku TV directly, you simply plug it into a wall outlet for power, and the TV will automatically detect the speaker and prompt you with an on-screen setup guide.

Read more