Sonos Beam Gen 2 vs Vizio M-Series M512a-H6

Verdict

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a great budget soundbar that offers improved sound quality over the previous generation. It is easy to set up and connect, and provides a wide stereo image with or without the addition of two Sonos 1s for rear surround experience. The sound quality is good for a small speaker without a subwoofer, and it works well with most TVs. However, some users have reported difficulty in achieving lip sync in surround sound modes.

Verdict

Overall, the Vizio M-Series M512a-H6 is a great soundbar for those on a budget, offering a versatile performance with support for Dolby Atmos content and discrete surround speakers. The subwoofer delivers a deep, thumpy low-bass suitable for action movies and bass-heavy music, and there are granular audio controls for adjusting the bass and subwoofer levels. However, some users have reported issues with connectivity and the upfiring speakers not creating a 3D sound environment as advertised. Despite these drawbacks, the Vizio M-Series M512a-H6 remains a solid choice for those looking for a quality soundbar under $500.