It doesn't come with a Full HDMI In port, either, so you can't use it as a hub between different devices or for high-quality passthrough. It also lacks premium sound enhancement features, like room correction or a graphic EQ.
Unfortunately, this soundbar doesn't support Dolby Atmos content, which might disappoint some movie fans. It gets pretty loud, too, so it's also suitable for listening to music at parties and in large rooms. You can also choose between four different EQ presets or use the bass and treble adjustments to customize its sound more to your liking. Out-of-the-box, it has a very neutral, balanced sound profile that's suitable for listening to lots of different types of audio content, and the sub adds a little extra thump in the bass range.
This 5.1 setup was recently replaced by the Vizio V Series V51x-J6, but it reproduces a more extended low-bass than the next-generation model. The best Vizio soundbar in the budget range that we've tested is the Vizio V Series V51-H6. Fortunately, you can use its bass and treble adjustments to customize its sound if you prefer. Also, its default sound profile may be a bit boomy or overwhelming to listeners who prefer a more neutral sound. It doesn't come with a Full HDMI In port, so you can't use it as a hub between different devices. Unfortunately, this 2.1 setup doesn't support Dolby Atmos content, and it has to downmix surround content into stereo to play it, which isn't as immersive-sounding. It's also Bluetooth-compatible, so you can wirelessly stream audiobooks from your mobile device to the bar.
The 'Dialogue' preset helps make voices sound more clear and crisp, which can be handy for listeners who like to listen to podcasts and TV shows. There are a few different presets to choose from to help adjust its sound, including 'Movie', 'Music', 'Dialogue', and 'Game'. Out-of-the-box, it has a bass-heavy sound profile that adds extra thump and punch to your audio, which can be ideal for fans of bass-heavy music like EDM. It comes with a dedicated subwoofer that helps add more emphasis in the bass range. This soundbar offers better performance than the next generation Vizio V Series V21x-J8. The best Vizio soundbar with a 2.1 setup that we've tested is the Vizio V Series V21-H8. That said, if you're looking for a bar under $500, it's still a really solid choice. There isn't a graphic EQ to customize its sound, and it doesn't have room correction, meaning it may sound a bit different depending on the room you're listening in. Unfortunately, this soundbar lacks some more premium sound enhancement features.
There are also two up-firing drivers built into the bar that ricochets sound off the ceiling to create the illusion of height when watching Dolby Atmos content. Also, its two discrete satellites help to create a good surrounds performance. Thanks to its dedicated subwoofer, it can accurately reproduce the deep thump and rumble in the bass found in action-packed movies and bass-heavy music. There are some EQ presets as well as bass and treble adjustments to help you customize its sound. This 5.1.2 setup has a pretty neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, making it suitable for listening to many different types of audio content. If you're looking for a soundbar for under $500, the best Vizio soundbar we've tested is the Vizio M Series M512a-H6. That said, this bar offers an incredible mixed usage performance, and it ranks among the best soundbars we've tested. Also, while this bar gets loud enough to use at crowded parties, there's some distortion present at max volume. It also lacks premium sound enhancement features like a graphic EQ, which can be disappointing if you want more control over its sound profile. Unfortunately, this soundbar doesn't come with a room correction feature, so it can sound a bit different depending on the room you use it in. There are also two Full HDMI In ports that let you use the bar as a hub between your different devices, and you can also use it to passthrough the highest bandwidth signals. This bar gets loud, and it offers incredible wireless playback capabilities, so you can wirelessly stream audio from your phone to the bar over Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Chromecast built-in. You can use the bass and treble adjustments, as well as the four EQ presets, to tweak its sound profile more to your liking, which can be handy if you prefer a more neutral sound. It's impressively well-built, with a slightly bass-heavy default sound profile that adds extra thump and punch to your mix. This 5.1.4 setup offers a unique design with sides that automatically rotate upwards when you watch Dolby Atmos or DTS:X content, which helps create a wide, focused soundstage to immerse you in your audio. The best Vizio soundbar we've tested is the Vizio Elevate.