With its immersive sound, unique features, and stellar build quality, this surround setup is about as good as it gets.
Balanced and pitch-perfect sound for a theater-like experience. Wireless subwoofer provides deep bass. Motorized speakers automatically rotate to deliver the best sound. Compatible with Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant voice controls. Supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
Seting up the P514a-h6 can be confusing. Cables for the wired surround speakers may be too short for large rooms.
An affordable way to improve the overall audio mix of your TV.
A simple device that is very easy to set up and operate. The mids and highs are crisp and clear. Good audio mix, and it's very effective at making dialogue clearer. Bluetooth integration. Attractive price.
This option doesn't come with a subwoofer, so be sure to factor that into your overall costs if it's something you need.
Six powerful speakers provide clear, mesmerizing sound at a reasonable price.
A versatile pick with balanced and immersive audio. Includes two satellite speakers and a slim wireless subwoofer. Features four EQ presets and a dialogue enhancement feature to tweak the sound profile. Bluetooth enabled.
Not compatible with WiFi or Dolby Atmos. Some users note the surround speakers are slightly muddy.
This is a great way to add high-end audio to your entertainment system on a budget.
Bluetooth connectivity. Compact and wireless subwoofer. Premium audio quality and dynamic range. Bass is deep and satisfying for the size of the subwoofer. Simple setup and a clean, modern look. Fairly affordable.
Remote lacks a backlight, which makes adjusting volume in the dark a pain.
From the VIZIO V-Series, it’s one of the best 5.1 surround systems for the money.
Includes wireless subwoofer and surround speakers. Supports DTS Virtual:X for virtualized 3D sound. Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant voice controls are available. Features HDMI port. Bluetooth connection expands connectivity options.
5-inch subwoofer lacks the bass of larger units. Some users find the surround speakers to be subpar.
We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.
The tech behind TVs has grown by leaps and bounds in the last decade. Innovations like 4K resolution, HDR, and smart TV apps have changed the game. But there’s one area where TV tech lags severely behind the times: audio. TV speakers generally sound tinny and often make it hard to distinguish dialogue from sound effects.
That’s where soundbars come in. These speakers connect to your TV and deliver high-quality audio. The right soundbar can make a big difference. Strong companies like Samsung, Sony, Sonos, and VIZIO are all available today from sellers like Amazon. This guide focuses on the offerings from VIZIO, a company that makes some of the best soundbars in the industry.
Whether you want to hear every last word of a TV show or you want the windows of your living room to rattle with on-screen explosions, a VIZIO soundbar can bring high-end audio to your TV.
VIZIO soundbars are available in dozens of models, each with different tech on board ranging from multiroom audio to Dolby Atmos. It pays to know ahead of time what you do and don’t need.
Most movies and many TV shows feature surround sound multichannel audio tracks that immerse you in the experience by placing sound all around you.
If you’re a fan of surround sound, you’ll want to go beyond traditional TV speakers by getting a VIZIO soundbar with virtual surround. This technology uses multiple speakers to create an exquisite audio experience, bouncing sound off your walls and making it feel like it’s coming from different directions. If that’s not your thing, save some money and go with a two-channel audio soundbar.
Many soundbars include a subwoofer to help bring in the low end of your television’s soundtracks. Woofers can make a huge difference in making audio sound more realistic, but they’re typically pretty bulky, so not everyone has room for one. We recommend getting one with a subwoofer if you have room for both.
Many VIZIO soundbars can connect with your smartphone to stream music, which can be an easy way to make your favorite tunes sound great. If you’re in the market for a soundbar that can connect to your phone’s audio as well as your TV’s audio, get one that supports Bluetooth or WiFi.
If you’ve got a Google Home device, you can use it to control some VIZIO soundbars. If you’re into the convenience of voice commands, or you just want a soundbar you can activate by saying, “Hey Google,” look for one with Google Assistant support.
Some VIZIO soundbars have embedded WiFi, so they can bring new functionalities like Chromecast audio or so they can work with VIZIO’s custom app. If you’re into streaming music from your phone, grab one that’s got built-in WiFi.
Dolby Atmos is the latest and greatest surround sound format that creates a sound stage based on the layout and size of your TV room. It can make anything from quiet dialogue to intense thunderstorms sound incredibly realistic. If you want to hear your TV shows and movies in the most lifelike audio available, get a soundbar that supports Dolby Atmos.
Experiment with subwoofer placement. Subwoofer audio is “directionless,” which some people take to mean you can place it anywhere in the living room., This isn’t exactly true. While it’s hard to tell where a subwoofer is with your eyes closed, placement still matters. As always, trust your ears over any advice you get.
Most VIZIO soundbars are fairly affordable and cost between $50 and $400.
VIZIO’s entry-level soundbars cost between $50 and $130.
In this price range, you’ll find a lot of small two-channel options and a few that include a subwoofer. If you’re looking for something for a dorm room or apartment or for use with a secondary TV, you’ll find a good match for around $100. If you’re buying for a larger space, plan on spending a little more.
The best buys often cost between $100 and $220.
If you’re looking for a soundbar for your main TV or one that’s got some or all of the bells and whistles — such as a wireless subwoofer, Bluetooth, or compatibility with Google Assistant — this is the price range to keep in mind.
VIZIO’s best soundbars cost between $220 and $400.
Spending this much money can be a tough proposition because it’s roughly the cost of a basic surround sound system with multiple speakers. If you’re looking for something that’s big and loud and includes features like support for Dolby Atmos or built-in WiFi, you’ll need to consider the most expensive options, which still offer better values than other brands.
A. It depends. Most can produce around 100 decibels (dB).
Soundbars with multiple built-in speakers (like those that support Dolby Atmos) can get louder than smaller units with only two speakers. The bottom line: these soundbars can get loud enough for just about any living room or viewing space.
A. Maybe. Most universal remotes work by using infrared (IR) signals, but not all soundbars work with IR-based remotes. Instead, they accept commands over WiFi, so you can use an app as a remote control.
If you want to use a universal remote with a VIZIO soundbar, make sure the one you buy accepts IR commands, or check your remote’s documentation to see if it can send commands over WiFi (some high-end universal remotes can).
A. Dolby Digital and Digital Theater Sound (DTS) are two of the most common digital surround sound formats available, developed by competing companies. Dolby Digital audio is the more popular — your cable TV set-top box and streaming box likely use it as a default.
DTS audio is more commonly found on DVDs and Blu-rays. Both Dolby Digital and DTS have advanced versions (including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X). If you’re a casual TV watcher, something that supports Dolby Digital would be more than suitable. If you’re a movie buff, look for one that supports DTS.