Skip to main content

TCL’s Alto audio line arrives at CES 2018, headlined by the Roku Soundbar

TCL’s rise in popularity has been impressive, but not without reason. The Chinese TV manufacturer had a successful year in 2017, releasing several excellent Roku TV models at competitive price points that put the company in the spotlight of a stage that is only getting more and more crowded. Unsurprisingly, TCL is aiming to keep that momentum, and seem to be positioning itself for even bigger moves in 2018.

At CES 2018, TCL announced it is expanding into the world of home audio with its first line of soundbars — the Alto Family.

The vanguard of this new line, the TCL Roku Smart Soundbar is a collaboration with the Streaming giant, Roku. In terms of specific specs, information is light for now

It is the first device to launch from Roku’s Whole Home Entertainment Licensing program, which sees the company integrating its Roku OS into products beyond just TVs and streaming devices. Users will be able to call on the Roku Entertainment Assistant, Roku’s voice-controlled artificial intelligence assistant, to start video and music streams, and will be able to control and play audio even when the TV is off. Searching content, as well as play, pause, and fast-forward playback controls, can also be done with voice commands. When connected to a TCL Roku TV, voice controls can be used to turn on the TV.

The soundbar can be connected to other Roku devices wirelessly thanks to the Roku Connect feature, which includes all manner of Roku smart TVs and smart speakers.

The TCL Roku Smart Soundbar is just one part of TCL’s full CES 2018 announcements, which also included the new 6 Series and 5 Series of 4K Smart TVs, which are the follow-ups to the company’s P series of TVs. All models in these lines feature support Dolby’s HDR format, Dolby Vision. Like the upcoming soundbar, both TV lines feature Roku OS and Roku Connect, making for some strong synergy.

For more information on the Alto audio line and TCL’s TV announcements, visit TCL’s website, or check out the TCL booth at CES (booth No. 12929 in Central Hall).

Editors' Recommendations

Brendan Hesse
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Brendan has written about a wide swath of topics, including music, fitness and nutrition, and pop culture, but tech was…
Hisense’s mini-LED U6K TV arrives, starting at $500
Hisense U6K mini-LED TV.

At CES 2023, Hisense promised to bring the U6K mini-LED 4K TV to buyers for under $500. And while it didn't quite make good on that exact wording, we're still impressed that the U6K is now here and available for exactly $500 in the 55-inch screen size. It's available right now at Amazon and at Best Buy, along with the 65-inch ($650), and 75-inch ($848) models.

To put Hisense's achievement in perspective, TCL's most affordable mini-LED TV is the 65-inch QM8, which sells for $1,298.

Read more
Samsung takes on TCL with 98-inch 4K TV that costs just $8,000
Samsung 98-inch Q80C QLED 4K HDR TV.

In May, TCL stunned us with the price of its new Q Class QM8 98-inch TV. At a mere $10,000, it was far less than the cheapest comparable model from Samsung. Today, Samsung is answering that challenge with an impressively low-priced 98-inch model of its own: the , which will be available starting in July for $8,000.

Samsung is keen to start moving these behemoth screens as soon as possible, so it's got two launch promotions to entice buyers. Starting today through July 2, if you reserve the 98-inch Q80C on Samsung.com or at participating retailers, you'll get a $500 credit that can be used to purchase the TV during the early order period.

Read more
TCL’s 2023 mini-LED 4K TVs are shockingly affordable
TCL Q Class QM8 mini-LED 4K TV.

TCL has finally revealed its full lineup of TVs for 2023, and it includes a new flagship that is sure to give Samsung and Sony some sleepless nights. The 98-inch QM8 isn't TCL's first 98-inch TV, and it isn't the first 98-inch TV to sell for $10,000 or less, but it is the first mini-LED-powered 98-inch TV to sell for such a low price. Samsung's only 98-inch 4K, mini-LED TV -- the excellent QN90A -- costs 50% more at $15,000. Even the 85-inch model, at $2,800 is surprisingly affordable compared to similar mini-LED TVs.

TCL QM8 Mini-LED QLED TV First Look | WOW! TCL Outdid Itself (and Everyone Else)

Read more