RTINGS

If you want to have a lot of control over how your setup sounds, consider the Samsung HW-Q950A instead. It comes with some additional features that the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module lacks, like a 7-band graphic EQ. It's ideal if you want more ability to customize its sound profile, especially in the mid-range where most voices reproduce.

Overall, this setup has a very versatile performance. It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS content, offering a pretty immersive listening experience with movies. Dialogue in movies and TV shows is reproduced clearly thanks to its balanced and neutral sound, especially in the mids, and its dedicated sub offers a fairly present and thumpy bass for music genres like hip-hop and EDM. There's even a Full HDMI In port that supports video passthrough, which the Bose lacks.

So why isn't it the top pick? When you break down the overall score, you can see that it doesn't perform as well as the Bose when it comes to some key sound tests - and the difference is noticeable when you compare them back-to-back with real-life content. The Samsung's soundstage isn't as wide or immersive-sounding as the Bose, and it doesn't reproduce as much bass out-of-the-box, so you feel less thump and rumble in action movies. It's a great setup, but if you're just looking for a plug-and-play bar, the extra customization features aren't worth it.

If you're looking for a premium Atmos soundbar that gives you more control over the bar's sound, check out the Samsung HW-Q950A. This premium 11.1.4 setup comes with a fantastic selection of sound enhancement features, including a 7-band graphic EQ that lets you adjust the bar's sound more to your liking. There are lots of EQ presets available, too, so you can change the bar's settings with the touch of a button.

With Dolby Atmos content, the bar uses up-firing drivers built into the bar and the satellites to bounce sound off the ceiling and back down towards you, which creates the illusion of height. Thanks to its neutral sound profile, this soundbar reproduces dialogue in your favorite movies accurately and with detail. Its dedicated subwoofer reproduces an extended low-bass, so you feel the thump and rumble in action-packed scenes.

When you compare it to the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module and the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers, you notice that the bar's soundstage isn't quite as wide and immersive-sounding. Also, if you have an LG TV, the bar has issues streaming Atmos content via passthrough, which is disappointing if you want to connect the bar to an Xbox, PS5, or Apple TV. If you don't use passthrough, it's still a solid pick.

The Samsung HW-Q950A is the best customizable soundbar for music that we've tested. This 11.1.4 setup comes with lots of sound customization features to help you adjust its sound to your liking, so unlike the Bose and the Sonos, you find lots of EQ presets as well as a 7-band graphic EQ to control the sound across the range. There's also a room correction feature to optimize audio based on your room's unique acoustics, so your favorite songs are clear in any space. 

Right out-of-the-box, it has a neutral sound profile, especially in the mids where most vocals and lead instruments are reproduced. Its bass range is a little bit quiet compared to the Bose out-of-the-box, but fortunately, you can use its subwoofer level adjustment to simulate a similar performance. As a result, you can feel the thump and rumble in bass-heavy genres like EDM.

Overall, it's a very versatile soundbar, but its performance isn't perfect. First, its soundstage is good, but it isn't as wide and immersive-sounding as what you get with the Bose and the Sonos. Also, its bass and treble adjustments don't actually change the frequency response, so you have to rely on the graphic EQ to customize its sound. It's a great choice if you're willing to put in the time to balance out its sound to your liking, but its out-of-the-box performance isn't as good as the Bose.

The best customizable soundbar for movies that we've tested is the Samsung HW-Q950A. Unlike the Bose Smart Soundbar 900, this 11.1.4 setup comes with many different EQ presets to help you customize its sound, as well as a 7-band graphic EQ to control different frequencies across the range. It supports both Dolby Atmos and surround sound content, offering an immersive sound that brings your favorite movies to your living room.

Like most premium setups, this bar comes with a room correction feature to automatically optimize its audio reproduction based on your room's unique acoustics - Samsung calls it Auto EQ. With this feature on, its sound profile is quite neutral and balanced which ensures dialogue is clear and present in the mix, but the bass is a bit lacking compared to the Bose. You can easily fix this with its included subwoofer level adjustment feature, though.

While its soundstage is good, there's a noticeable difference when you compare it to the Bose or the Sonos. The focus is good, but it isn't as wide as the competition, so you don't get the same sense of immersion from all angles. Also, its bass and treble adjustments didn't work on the model that we purchased, which is quite disappointing for such a premium bar. Still, if you want a feature-packed setup, it's a solid pick.

Upgrade Pick

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. but it works in a pinch for casual). Yeah, it has it's idiosyncrasies (display on top; Samsung Smart Things controls vs remote; limited gaming connections/120Hz support), but I LIKE the cloth cover! Would I buy it again? MOST LIKELY (only if Samsung has another humongous gift card promotion).  Some of my particulars: A low profile is a must (2

 Demo 4K Discs: Avenger's Endgame (Dolby Atmos) - awesome! clear voices w/surrounds+sub in play (it rumbles); 2001 Space Odyssey (DTS-HD) - not so much with classical music playing. Haven't run into any eARC issues yet. Waiting for Harry Potter 4K to show up to check DTS-X.

 Get movies/TV programs, whether it's streamed, through a cable box, or with a UHD Blu Ray player to the TV and the soundbar with no lag or dropouts and provide immersive sound. Does it deliver? YES. Is it expensive? YES. Is it as good as a dedicated HT rig? OF COURSE NOT (but its close enough)

I was looking for a premium soundbar to go with a new Sony A80J 77" OLED TV. My requirements are simple since I'm not a gamer. Get movies/TV programs, whether it's streamed, through a cable box, or with a UHD Blu Ray player to the TV and the soundbar with no lag or dropouts and provide immersive sound. Does it deliver? YES

Best soundbar available if your expectations are reasonable and straightforward

I first bought a Samsung T59 soundbar, which didn't cut it. The bass was not good. Replaced it with the Q800A, and it was like day and night. Great crisp detailed highs and super lows that you can feel if you want to crank it up

 Replaced it with the Q800A, and it was like day and night. Great crisp detailed highs and super lows that you can feel if you want to crank it up. Bought the rear speakers for it as well and love the set up. The only real negatives are Samsung's awkward and unfriendly menu system for setting the sound as you want it and lack of documentation about what the various setting do and which are better to use in what situations

Awesome sound quality with the bass I desired

 Two hdmi ends one hdmi, earc output, usb for service, a little network button, subwoofer pairing button and then on the very far end is the power input. Let'S just flip this around on the top center looks like there's a little led display volume up volume down, looks like possibly a mute button or cancel button and then probably a selection button or menu button. It does support dolby atmos dts-x with 11.1

 Speakers were more spacious, rather than coming from above my head. Keep in mind that the placement and the type of room that you have will impact the sound greatly. So the things that i heard or didn't hear might sound totally different in yours. One more thing that we've got to check out is the automatic room eq

 Okay, with the surround speakers, we get two power chords, one for the left, one for the right. Let'S take a quick look at these all right, so this is the surround speaker up front. I believe there's a full full range driver up front and i believe, there's another full range driver on the top for the atmos speakers. So this is going to be forward firing and then the driver up top here will be upwards firing for your rear, atmos height effects

8 inches deep and it weighs 27.2 pounds besides the power cord. This does pair with the soundbar wirelessly the same for the surround speakers all right. So what do we got here? This is the q950a

BEST SOUNDBAR 2021? Samsung Q950A Soundbar Review & Demo

At the time of me writing this I can grab a Samsung HW-Q950A for $999, or spend a little more on a Sonos Arc and Sub for $1,449. They’re regularly the same price and would have done Sonos but the low price on the Samsung really has me interested. Another point to the Samsung for me is my wife is considering getting a Blu Ray player and since most Blu Rays are in DTS:X the Sonos would be basically useless.

 Like I said, more surround and 360 atmos sound than many other setups, or even just about any other soundbar or basic home theater setup. But… I don’t think I would say more immersive. The bass is quite poor. The Sonos arc with surrounds setup even without a sub attached has better sounding and more powerful bass than this unit with the soundbar

1 and I don’t want a middle man from my devices to the tv. I will add that this may be partially the tv as the culprit. The setup I prefer works with the Sonos arc setup, but I have had some “handshake” issues with that as well from the Apple TV to the tv itself then to the arc. I’ve only noticed this once and it didn’t last long, but I do want to mention

 Just seems like getting multiple devices to handshake via hdmi and understand what each device is sending and receiving along the way in general can get complicated. - sound quality was fair. Like I said, more surround and 360 atmos sound than many other setups, or even just about any other soundbar or basic home theater setup. But… I don’t think I would say more immersive

 Yes this did a better surround/360 atmos job than the traditional home theater setup I was using. - airplay 2 function worked without a hiccup.  Here is the bad: - want to know what content is playing? I did. And couldn’t

Sounds Good When Works

4 Samsung Q950A, there's the JBL Bar 9, the Sony HT-A5/7000, and my current pick, the 5.0.1 Sonos Arc. There's also the Klipsch Cinema 1200

There's the 11.1.4 Samsung Q950A, there's the JBL Bar 9, the Sony HT-A5/7000, and my current pick, the 5.0

This is our small home theater sound system, fitting into a room about 10x20. In that space, this sound bar can fill the room with ease and shake the walls without breaking a sweat. Installation and set up was easy, even accounting for the addition of the rear speakers which connect wirelessly. The system auto detects the activation of the inputs and turns on for us making it one less remote to program/reach for to get ready to use

 Installation and set up was easy, even accounting for the addition of the rear speakers which connect wirelessly. The system auto detects the activation of the inputs and turns on for us making it one less remote to program/reach for to get ready to use.  We've watched a number of movies as well as connected this to an XBox console for gaming and in each case it was some of the highest quality and most immersive sound I've had outside a full THX theater. Admittedly, the smaller subwoofer means some of the base is a little lighter than ideal, but considering the space we're working in, it's still more than enough

  We've watched a number of movies as well as connected this to an XBox console for gaming and in each case it was some of the highest quality and most immersive sound I've had outside a full THX theater. Admittedly, the smaller subwoofer means some of the base is a little lighter than ideal, but considering the space we're working in, it's still more than enough.

Room Shaking Sound

 Now, I hope this one doesn't malfunction shortly after the return window . . .  UPDATE II: Uh oh

  UPDATE: I thought twice and decided to get another HW-Q60T soundbar to replace the faulty unit, because of its ability to interface seamlessly with my Samsung TV[s]. I figured I'd return it immediately if it performed poorly, but this one doesn't perform poorly. It works well. The volume is fine and the bass is punchy

 .  UPDATE II: Uh oh. The volume problems are happening again. For shows I could watch with the volume set at 28-35, I now have to set between 75-95

I purchased the HW-Q60T soundbar to go with our new Samsung Q80T television. This replaced an old Samsung soundbar/wireless sub I liked that stayed with the house we sold. The Q60T was easy to set up and interfaced immediately with the TV and the wireless subwoofer. I was underwhelmed with the weak sound output

Weak sound and poor support

 Maybe put a small prism on top? * I gave up trying to enable Alexa on the thing. This may be important to you, but I don't use Alexa anyway. * I also couldn't update firmware via the app for some reason. Worked fine with a USB stick

1.2. I really like how everything is wireless except power cords and HDMI, the dialog enhancement option is pretty neat, and the AutoEQ feature works with nothing but the soundbar and the subwooder themselves.  I also like that it is relatively futureproof, as every standard short of HDMI 2

1.4 configuration, and still called it the best soundbar. So if you are looking at the HW-Q950A, and the market price of the HW-Q900A + SWA-9500S is significantly lower, you may want to consider that option.  I'm no audiophile but the HW-Q900A sounds pretty incredible to me as-is in 7

0.2, but RTINGS tested the HW-Q950A mostly in 9.1.4 configuration, and still called it the best soundbar

Very nice soundbar. Consider the HW-Q900A + SWA-9500S over the HW-Q950A, depending on price

 The sound would cut out every minute or so. I ended up streaming to it via Bluetooth but that is problematic as every time I turned out the TV it would break the BT connection and I would have to manually reconnect it. I decided to reconnect it to the wifi as it would not do so. I spend 1

 I decided to reconnect it to the wifi as it would not do so. I spend 1.5 hours with a Samsung tech who finally managed to get me reconnected to the soundbar only to have Alexa still not working. I called back only to find there was no documentation on my first call

 That by itself is not unusual, however the phone must be present if you want to use Alexa. What happens if you have people without phones? Well, Alaxa will not work. Really? So between the horrrible tech support combined with a pathetic design, I cannot recommend this system except for its exceptional sound when playing music and TV

Wifi ? Sort of, sound quality is great but wifi connectivity requires phones to be present

Experience a new dimension of sound that truly surrounds with the new M-Series 5.1.2 Home Theater Sound Bar with Dolby Atmos® and DTS:X® from VIZIO, America’s #1 Sound Bar Brand. Its 11 high-performance speakers with separate tweeters and woofers include two upfiring speakers that reflect cinema-quality overhead audio off your ceiling to deliver life-like 3D surround sound that complements today’s 4K picture quality. A dedicated center speaker assures crisp, clear dialogue, while a pair of discreet surround speakers plus a mighty 6” wireless subwoofer fill any room. The sound bar assures the highest possible audio/video quality from all connected sources with HDMI eARC (cable included), in addition to its convenient wireless Bluetooth streaming.

Wirecutter

The M512a-H6 gives you a fully immersive, surround-sound experience and plenty of inputs for an affordable price.

The Vizio M Series M512a-H6 is an even more wallet-friendly alternative for under $500. It's a 5.1.2 setup with versatile performance, especially compared to other bars in its price range, so it's a great choice for everything from music to movies to TV shows. You get a dedicated subwoofer to bring lots of rumble in the bass range, as well as two rear speakers to bring a more immersive feel to your sound. From the jump, it offers a great sound quality, with a clear reproduction of voices and lead instruments in the mix. It has a similar selection of sound enhancement features to the Vizio Elevate, including bass and treble adjustments to switch up its sound.

This bar supports lots of different audio formats, too. You can play back 5.1 surround sound formats like Dolby Digital as well as object-based formats like Dolby Atmos, which are very common on streaming services like Netflix. The bar creates a wide soundstage that makes it feel like the sound effects in these shows stretch all around you as if your living room couch has been dropped right into the middle of the action. That said, it doesn't feel quite as cinematic as Elevate. For starters, there are only two up-firing drivers compared to the Elevate's four, and you can't rotate the sides to widen the soundstage. It does a good job for the price, but it falls just shy of our top picks.

The Vizio M Series M512a-H6 is the best soundbar under $500 we've tested. It's a great choice for everything from music to movies to TV shows, offering a versatile overall performance at a more affordable price point than more premium models. With its immersive soundstage, the action on screen seems like it's happening all around you, and its sub brings the rumble in the bass for a real cinematic feel. Its rear speakers help position sound effects to pinpoint locations in the soundstage, so whether you're watching 5.1 surround sound formats like Dolby Digital or object-based formats like Dolby Atmos, you get a clear and real listening experience.

Right out of the box, this soundbar has a neutral sound profile suitable for listening to most types of audio content. Vocals and lead instruments are clear and present in the mix, thanks to their neutral, balanced mids. Also, its extended low-bass reproduces the deep thump and rumble in everything from bass-heavy music and action-packed movies. Of course, it doesn't offer as many sound enhancement features as premium setups, so you won't find a room correction feature, meaning that it sounds a bit different depending on your room's acoustics. There's no graphic EQ either to control its response across the range. That said, its bass and treble adjustments still give you some ability to control its sound, which is nice. Overall, it offers great value for the price.

If you're shopping on a budget, check out the Vizio M Series M512a-H6. This 5.1.2 setup has a versatile overall performance and shines with Dolby Atmos content. Its soundstage is wide and immersive, especially compared to other bars in its price range, and its two rear speakers make it easy to pinpoint sound effects to a particular location in the soundstage. These rear speakers lack up-firing drivers, though, and there aren't rotating sides to expand its soundstage, so it doesn't feel quite as immersive as the Vizio Elevate. As a result, it doesn't feel quite as clear or as real as our top picks, but still, you feel like the action matches what's happening on screen.

That said, the bar comes with the same selection of sound enhancement features as the more premium Elevate, including subwoofer level as well as bass and treble adjustments to control its sound. Its default sound is quite balanced, so you may not need to use these tools. Overall, voices and lead instruments are clear and present in the mix with your favorite songs, and dialogue is detailed and easy to follow. The sub brings the rumble in the bass, so you feel the excitement in action-packed movie scenes. Overall, it's a great value pick.

In the mid-range, the Vizio M Series M512a-H6 is the best 5.1 soundbar we've tested. It's a 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos soundbar that comes with a subwoofer and satellites right out of the box, and it does a great job for its price. You enjoy a clear and real performance with Dolby Digital and Dolby Atmos content, so movies on your favorite streaming platforms seem like they're taking place in the space all around you. Naturally, it doesn't perform as well as our top picks&mdash; since it lacks rotating sides like the Vizio Elevate, its soundstage isn't as wide, and there aren't any up-firing drivers on its satellites either to improve its Atmos performance. Still, it does a good job, especially with movies.

It's a good pick for stereo content as well. Out-of-the-box, its balanced sound means that voices and lead instruments in music are clear and present in the mix, and you don't have any trouble following the dialogue in TV shows. Plus, it has a dedicated subwoofer, so action-packed scenes in your favorite movies as well as bass-heavy music bring plenty of thump and rumble. There's no room correction feature, which isn't a surprise given its price, so it does sound a little different, depending on the room you're in. Fortunately, you can always use its bass and treble adjustments to make up for this or to switch up its sound to your liking. Overall, it's a versatile choice.

The Vizio M Series M512a-H6 is an alternative to the Vizio Elevate that's available at a more affordable price. It's a 5.1.2 setup that comes with two rear speakers in addition to a dedicated sub. Like the top-of-the-line models, it brings plenty of thump and rumble in the bass, so you feel the excitement in everything from bass-heavy music to more intense movie scenes. It has the same enhancement features as the Elevate, including bass and subwoofer level adjustment features, letting you control how much rumble you feel. Dialogue remains clear and present in the mix, and overall, it's a versatile choice suitable for all sorts of audio content.

If you watch lots of movies, especially on different streaming platforms, this bar's a good choice for you, too. It supports surround sound formats like Dolby Digital in addition to Dolby Atmos. The resulting sound is fairly immersive, especially with its satellites on hand to bring sound effects to the space around you, as if you were dropped right in the middle of the action. It doesn't feel as clear or real as what you get with our top picks. You won't find rotating sides like the Vizio Elevate, and its satellites don't have up-firing drivers for Atmos content, either. As a result, you don't get as much height, which is especially noticeable in scenes where objects fly over your head. For the price, it's a good value, but it's not the best of the best.

The Vizio M Series M512a-H6 is an even more wallet-friendly option. This 5.1.2 setup offers versatile performance, and it's great for music, too. Its neutral, balanced sound right out of the box means that voices and lead instruments in all your favorite albums reproduce with clarity. Its dedicated subwoofer packs a little extra punch in the bass range, ensuring you feel the excitement in bass-centric genres like hip-hop. Its mids are balanced and neutral right out of the box. Unlike the Samsung HW-Q900A, you won't find a room correction feature available with this soundbar. That means that it sounds a little different depending on the room you're in. There's no graphic EQ, either.

That said, this bar is still pretty customizable. You can use its bass and treble adjustments to make up for the lack of a room correction feature, and there are also some EQ presets on hand. Since it comes with satellites, it's a good pick for movie lovers, and you get a clear and real experience when you listen to multichannel content like Dolby Atmos Music found on streaming services. If you don't watch many movies, you can also check out the similarly-priced Klipsch Cinema 700. It's a good alternative without satellites, so it's better suited for smaller rooms. Of course, its surround sound isn't as good as the Vizio, so it's not quite as versatile.

If you're shopping on a budget, the best soundbar for vocal clarity we've tested for under $500 is the Vizio M Series M512a-H6. It's a 5.1.2 setup with versatile performance, meaning you can enjoy clear and detailed dialogue in both movies and TV shows. Right out of the box, you get clear and detailed vocal reproduction, and its center channel improves the clarity in the mix. Even at its more affordable price point, you still get the standard selection of enhancement tools, including a night mode and a dialogue enhancement feature, though there's no graphic EQ.

If you like to watch movies, you'll appreciate the included satellite speakers, which enhance surround sound by making it seem like the action is taking place all around you. There are two up-firing drivers built into the bar, which ricochet sound off the ceiling to create the illusion of height with Dolby Atmos movies. That said, compared to the Vizio Elevate, the bar lacks additional up-firing drivers on its rears, and its sides can't rotate for a more immersive sound. As a result, it doesn't sound quite as cinematic with multi-channel content like Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital. Still, it remains a really good pick for its price, and it ensures you don't have any issues following the dialogue on screen.

The best lower mid-range soundbar for movies we've tested is the Vizio M Series M512a-H6. It's a 5.1.2 setup that offers versatile performance for a more affordable price, with a dedicated subwoofer and satellites included right out of the box. There's Dolby Atmos support, and its wide, immersive soundstage does a good job of wrapping you in your audio from all angles. The focus with its rear speakers is very good, so sound effects seem to come from accurate locations in the space around you. When you listen to surround sound and Dolby Atmos content, you get the sense that you're sitting right in the middle of your favorite movies&mdash;though, unfortunately, since the sides don't rotate upwards and its satellites lack up-firing drivers, it doesn't sound quite as immersive as the Vizio Elevate.

Its neutral, balanced sound makes this bar suitable for listening to many different movie genres, as well as other audio types like music and TV shows. The dedicated sub brings the rumble in the bass with action-heavy genres, while its balanced mids ensure dialogue is clear and present, especially with vocal-centric movies like documentaries. Given its price, it's not a surprise that there's no room correction feature or graphic EQ. Still, you can use its bass and treble adjustments to customize its sound more to your liking, which is handy. For its price, it's a really good deal.

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This 5.1.2 setup isn't as impressive as more premium 5.1 models like the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module, but it still offers pretty versatile performance for those on a tighter budget

The bar doesn't offer as many features. There's no room correction mode, meaning it can sound different based on your room's unique acoustics. Its soundstage is good, but especially with surround sound and Atmos content, it doesn't seem as wide or as immersive-sounding as its competitors. Still, it's a solid wallet-friendly pick

The best soundbar with subwoofer for under $500 that we've tested is the Vizio M Series M512a-H6. It has two satellite speakers and a dedicated subwoofer that reproduces a deep, thumpy low-bass suitable for action movies and bass-heavy music. Like the more premium models on our list, it has bass and subwoofer level adjustment features, letting you control how much rumble you feel from the bar.

The 6 Best Soundbars With Subwoofer - Spring 2022

 I think it is a tremendous value. Thanks as always for watching everyone.. Now that we’ve got this sound bar reviewed, which one should I do next Leave me a comment about that down below please don’t forget to like and subscribe to this channel and while you’re around here’s two other videos

. The sound field went from flat with no height channels to one with much more vertical presence with the Atmos speakers turned on.. Once you hear the difference you won’t want to be without those height channels, they add a ton

 Once everything is connected and you power up the sound bar and subwoofer the system. Does all the wireless signal connections on its own., You basically just plug stuff in and it works. When it comes to operating the system? Vizio’S remote lets you access everything you need and gives you complete control over the levels of every channel, along with some basic bass and treble controls

, Because Vizio Has leaned so hard into sound bars over the past few years? It has several different models that offer Dolby Atmos support.. So we're gon na talk about three different levels of Dolby Atmos. You can get from Vizio and we'll see how this sound bar fits into that then we'll get right into performance and I'll

Vizio M-Series 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos Sound Bar Review (M512a-H6) | Best Atmos under $500?

Dolby Atmos. Used to be you had to have a huge home theater set up to get it.

Now you can get it in an affordable sound bar.

Sometimes though the Dolby Atmos is virtual, essentially faked through processing.

And sometimes you get dedicated up-firing speakers.

This new sound bar from Vizio is one of the latter.

Welcome back everyone I'm Caleb Denison and in this video I'm gonna review the Vizio M-Series 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos Sound Bar

to help you determine if it deserves a spot in your home entertainment system.

Because Vizio has leaned so hard into sound bars over the past few years it has 

several different models that offer Dolby Atmos support.

So, we're gonna talk about three different levels of Dolby Atmos you can get from Vizio

and we'll see how this sound bar fits into that,

then we'll get right into performance and I'll try to give you a solid idea of what to expect from the sound bar to see

Before we dive in, how many of you have a good understanding of what Dolby Atmos is?

And how many of you just figure Dolby Atmos is the hot new thing  and you might want it? Let me know about that in the comments.

Would you get something out of a Dolby Atmos explainer video because I could do that.

Also, while you’re down there in the comments please slap a like

on this video and if you want to be among the first to see our videos, click subscribe as well.

I have this crazy idea that we can cruise past 900,000 subs before the end of summer but I need your help to do it,

so thank you in advance for your support, I really do appreciate it. All right, onto the review.

Now if you follow this channel you may be aware that this past March we reviewed the Vizio M-series 5.1 Dolby Atmos Sound Bar

that came with the model number of M51A-6, flows right off the tongue doesn’t it?

If you didn’t see that video you can click right up here and watch that but come right back when you’re done.

We also did a review of the Vizio Elevate Sound Bar which I loved and that’s the full on 4 channels of Dolby Atmos option 

I mention those because this sound bar, the M-Series 5.1.2, also known as the M512A-H6, again, highly memorable model number,

sits right between the two coming in at just under five hundred bucks, which is a nice price for proper Dolby Atmos in a sound bar.

And when I say proper Dolby Atmos what I mean is not faked or processed Dolby Atmos.

You get speaker pointed at the ceiling which will bounce sound down at you, hopefully giving you that 

top down dome of sound effect that you want from Dolby Atmos.

The M-Series 5.1 sound bar I mentioned earlier is less expensive, but it doesn’t have those up-firing speakers.

That’s really the only difference between the two, right?

So, having said that we can count on a few different things here.

This sound bar is going to be ridiculously easy to set up and is very user friendly.

Everything that is not a speaker is in an accessory box and is very clearly labeled.

You get everything you need to set this system up in the box and that includes an HDMI cable 

and even surround speaker wall mounts if you need them.

Once everything is connected and you power up the sound bar and subwoofer, 

the system does all the wireless signal connections on its own.

You basically just plug stuff in and it works.

When it comes to operating the system Vizio’s remote lets you access everything you need and gives you complete control

over the levels of every channel along with some basic bass and treble controls. Dead simple.

As for the fidelity, I’ll once again reference the M-Series 5.1 sound Bar review and say the fidelity is 

remarkable given the price of the system.

You’ll have to pay more than double, at least, to get any marked improvement in sound quality 

and at that point you’re moving into “I wish I had a full on surround system but I just can’t so I’m settling for a sound bar,

but I’m willing to pay for the best” territory.

All of that to say that Vizio really is the market leader in terms of value when it comes to audio fidelity with these systems.

And honestly that just leave the Atmos factor. Are the dedicated two up-firing Atmos speakers, 

which by the way are positioned on the top of the sound bar not the top of the surround satellites, 

are they so much more impressive than the fake Dolby Atmos that you get from the step down model

that it’s worth spending the extra money?

Actually, that may be a moot question because as I’m recording this video, what I’ve noticed is that 

the M-Series 5.1 Atmos sound bar which comes in just under 350 bucks, is virtually impossible to purchase right now.

Also, as long as we’re talking availability, this M-Series 5.1.2 sound bar isn’t available to purchase right at this moment either,

though that is likely because supply chain issues are making it hard to keep anything in stock right now.

Eventually the sound bar will be on sale, and frankly might be the only sub-$500 Atmos sound bar option from Vizio in 2021.

So let’s skip the notion about whether it’s worth the upgrade and just talk about the Dolby Atmos effects on their own merit.

So I’ll say this, the addition of the up-firing drivers does make a significant difference.

I spent time listening to a variety of movies with Dolby Atmos soundtracks

including my go to sequence at the very beginning of Mad Max: Fury Road and I switched the height channels on and off

while listening and the difference was striking.

The sound field went from flat with no height channels to one with much more vertical presence

Once you hear the difference you won’t want to be without those height channels, they add a ton.

The sound is even big enough to keep up with the size of this massive 85-inch TCL tv, which 

let’s be honest, just dwarfs the size of this sound bar.

But in addition to adding height to the overall sound field, one of the things that Dolby Atmos promises is a dome of sound.

The sense that objects are passing over you or coming from above you, 

that could be a helicopter fly over or rain coming down on you.

You want that top down effect from Atmos and in that regard, I find this system not as convincing 

as some more expensive options I’ve heard.

Now granted, I’ve got sound absorbing panels above me which are doing the exact opposite of what I need,

which is for them to reflect sound down at me.

Still, I’ve evaluated a ton of Atmos systems in this environment and I’ve gotten more convincing top down effect,

and that includes Vizio’s own Elevate sound bar system.

So all of that is to say that the fidelity of this system is very good.

The bass is remarkably punchy and tight considering this is just a 6-inch subwoofer.

The midrange is very open, the dialogue is extremely clear, and the treble, the high frequencies, have a lot of sparkle

Also, the transition between the sound bar, the satellites, and the subwoofer is about  as seamless as you can get.

Even the most gravely like, guttural voices,

you don’t hear the subwoofer separate from the sound bar and that’s really impressive.

Now, the up-firing Atmos speakers definitely add height and dimension to the sound

and you won’t want to be without them once you hear them in action, but the system does stop short of

delivering the full on top down dome of sound effect that more expensive sound bars systems offer.

And you know what, for under 500 bucks, I’m good with that.

I don’t think you’re going to get a better combination of ease of use, fidelity, and height effects 

from any other similarly priced sound bar out there.

So, if you find the Vizio M-Series 5.1.2 sound bar in your budget, go for it. I think it is a tremendous value.

Thanks as always for watching everyone. Now that we’ve got this sound bar reviewed, which one should I do next? 

Leave me a comment about that down below, please don’t forget to like and subscribe to this channel, and while you’re around, 

here’s two other videos I think you might like.

Looking for something more wallet-friendly? The Vizio M Series M512a-H6 is the best soundbar we've tested for under $500. This 5.1.2 setup has a versatile performance that makes it a great choice for listening to music, movies, and TV shows without breaking the bank

Out-of-the-box, this bar has a pretty neutral sound profile that makes it suitable for listening to most types of audio content. Its balanced mids ensure a detailed and accurate reproduction of voices and lead instruments, and there's a touch of extra brightness due to a peak in the treble range. Thanks to its sub, you feel the deep thump and rumble in action-packed movie scenes.

The bar doesn't offer as many features as the more premium models on the market. You won't find a room correction feature, meaning it can sound a bit different depending on the space you're in. There's no graphic EQ, either, so audiophiles are a bit limited when it comes to tweaking the bar's sound. Its bass and treble adjustments still give you some control, though, which is handy

The 7 Best Soundbars - Spring 2022

 This vizio m series system pumps out great sound and audio, not too surprising as mediatek chipsets power. A hugely diverse range of speakers soundbars and headphones from some of the biggest brands out there, including amazon, jbl and skullcandy, that mediatek mt8518s chipset stuffed inside of the vizio, plays nice with all of the major audio codecs. So you've got support for the likes of dolby atmos dtsx, all that good stuff, meaning immersive high fidelity playback on supported services like netflix and there's a whole bunch of handy modes to suit all situations, including a night mode that reduces the bass. You don't disturb any sleeping kitty winks and you can also boost the vocals that dialogue comes through more cleanly and clearly and again

 So you've got support for the likes of dolby atmos dtsx, all that good stuff, meaning immersive high fidelity playback on supported services like netflix and there's a whole bunch of handy modes to suit all situations, including a night mode that reduces the bass. You don't disturb any sleeping kitty winks and you can also boost the vocals that dialogue comes through more cleanly and clearly and again. Thanks to those mediatek smarts, you can quickly and easily connect any smart device. You'Ve got a smartphone tablet, whatever to the soundbar system, using bluetooth in just a couple of taps to enjoy flawless streaming of your 80s playlist to really get that party going and it's mediatek's wireless syncing

1.2 soundbar system - is an ideal way of getting that surround sound cinema style vibe in your front room, big Thanks again to media tech for sponsoring this video, and if you want to know more about the latest and greatest tech, then please do put subscribe. Ding. That notifications bell and have yourselves a fantastic rest of the week, cheers everyone love you

 The system design here is neat and tidy and should fit in with basically any kind of decor. No problem at all. You'Ve got a selection of controls, sat there on top of the bar for easy access, but you also get a bundled remote control that can be used to change the volume straight up, mute the sound and fine-tune that output to your heart's desire. I particularly love that remote dinky little screen up top, which gives you feedback on the various modes and settings that you're playing around with and, as you would kind of hope

Best Budget Soundbar For 2021? | Vizio M-Series, Powered by MediaTek

 I mean for a six inch sub, it's pretty impressive. It'S not a super high end sub. It'S not really punchy necessarily, but if you want to feel like you're sitting in a theater in the comfort of your own home, this system absolutely pulls that off now with a lot of sound bars. I hear other pitfalls like the treble is far too sharp

 This is far beyond that. This blew away my expectations and i think it's going to surprise you as well again, if you're looking for an experience, that's fairly close to a movie theater in the comfort of your own home. This sound bar is a knockout thanks, as always for watching everyone were you as surprised by the outcome. As i was leave me a comment about that down below like subscribe, hit that notification bell and here's two other videos, i think you'll, like 

 At this price point on the back of the surround speakers, you'll find an rca port. That'S how it connects to the subwoofer, which gets the surround signal, wirelessly and then above that is a little screw hole that you can use to mount the speaker now. If you're at all familiar with vizio sound bars, then you know that you get everything you need in the box. So let's take a look at that

 Now sound bars aren't really known for being musical per se, but i did listen to some music and it sounded great. The fidelity that you got out of the movies translated well to music. Listening as well, when you have good fidelity, you have good fidelity now, there's not a lot of instrumental separation and the sound stage isn't super deep. I mean this is not an audiophile product

Vizio M-Series 5.1 Sound Bar Review (M51a-H6) | How is it this good?

 However I do find  the remote a bit complicated with all the options and wish there were a phone app with few options. But overall I'm very pleased with the SB

 I'm enjoying the quality of sound, and the subwoofer and surround speakers add depth, clarity and bass. The remote is nice and provides plenty of sound options depending on what each person enjoys. However I do find  the remote a bit complicated with all the options and wish there were a phone app with few options. But overall I'm very pleased with the SB

The M-Series soundbar was easy to connect and setup. It also looks very nice visually. I'm enjoying the quality of sound, and the subwoofer and surround speakers add depth, clarity and bass. The remote is nice and provides plenty of sound options depending on what each person enjoys

Very pleased so far

 Also, there is no SHUFFLE function with the player and if you turn the sound bar off and then back on, it starts at the beginning of the playlist. It's like the player for the USB drive was an afterthought. And very little thought, at that.

With the volume cranked up, the sound is pretty good. I found that I had to increase both the Bass and the Subwoofer settings to MAX in order to get any sense of bass and that was only at the higher volumes. And I am not a bass freak! I don't like bass overpowering my music. When you turn the volume down so the music is just being heard as background music the bass all but disappears entirely

Samsung HW-Q950A vs Vizio M-Series M512a-H6

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