Television Stands

Customer Reviews

Best of its kind
I've tested sound bars from Sony, Yamaha, Philips, Samsung and Polk Audio. Was not able to find the Marantz and Denon models. These products encompass a wide range of price points. The one I bought was the Vizio: great sound and convenience at a price near the bottom of the range.

The wireless subwoofer is an amazing convenience. Its range is at least 20 feet, and it sounds terrific in a variety of placements.

I connected the soundbar to my HDTV console with an optical cable, which works extremely well with one caveat--to activate the audio, the TV must be set on a digital channel. After that, analog audio (including from a DVD player) comes through as normal. If you use the included conventional cable, no issues.

You have limited control options to tailor the sound, but that's to be expected at the price. Vizio uses SRS Labs' surround virtualization chip and also throws in its volume stabilizer to knock down loud commercial breaks. This is a cost sacrifice, as the Dolby and DTS HD audio codecs are much more expensive. No problem; the others sound thin, while the Vizio washes you with clear, powerful sound.

It's not true surround sound, but unlike some rivals, the audio experience isn't overly directional (sounds good throughout the room) and is much better than basic stereo. If you can't run wire through your walls to deploy full surround, this is a fine compromise.

If your needs and budget are modest, this soundbar is for you
I read all the reviews here, plus did my due diligence on the Internet. I have researched a 2.1 soundbar system for more than a year, and was unhappy that the Samsung HD-X810 was not highly recommended because it did not have a Blu-Ray player included and the soundbar did not have controls to shape or equalize the frequency bandwidth. I expected more for $800.

So, I waited for the much ballyhooed Samsung HD-8200 with a Blu-Ray player and wireless subwoofer (also $800) announced at the annual Consumer Electronic Show in January. First reviews of it are disappointing, so I decided after reviewing comments from Amazon and others about the Vizio Soundbar, to de-link my desire for an included Blu-Ray player from the soundbar package (since I already have a Blu-ray player), and buy the best working, and most affordable soundbar with wireless subwoofer on the market.

You won't get the extra features or linking to services like Pandora or Netflix withis the Vizio soundbar, but I have an extra PC connected to my LCD PC connection and can stream both perfectly.

I haven't been disappointed. Like other with comments here, I found this soundbar to deliver impressive sound for the money. It's low-profile design and easy setup makes it a joy to setup (not withstanding a minor misunderstanding, I'll explain later).

I have a small media room and the sound fills the room nicely and the bass module or subwoofer fills out sub-frequencies under 50HZ nicely. This isn't a Bose system..nor is it a top of the line system. It's for those who simply want a good looking, easy to setup, nice sounding system at an affordable price (am I repeating myself?).

If you have a 15 x 20 room or close to it, it will produce brilliant sound, and while it will not allow shaping or equalizing of various audio bands (tone treble, bass etc) you can adjust the level of bass with the remote by effectively fading down the pitch or loudness to a perfect balance that doesn't overdrive the room, just sweetens passages in voice programs, DVDs, or even audio CDs or where bass is indicated or needed.

Here's what you need to know in setting it up that's not clear in the manual once you hook up the optical cable link between the TV and the soundbar (my misunderstanding, requiring me to call Vizio customer service). You MUST change your TV sound from internal to external speakers in the menu settings of most LCD and plasma TVs or you won't hear sound.

Don't expect a power light to appear on top once you press the power on button on top of the soundbar or the remote. And, because you can connect two of the external sources, you must be sure to push the input buttons until it daisy-chains around to the internal source.

Now, other than pleasing sound reproduction, what I'm thrilled about is those two component inputs. In my case, I have a CD music jukebox connected to one, and an Ipod or Mp3 player can be hooked to the other. Works great. And, the soundboard immediately links wirelessly and automatically with the subwoofer due to factory settings . No more pushing buttons to synchronize the pair. This "handshake" recognition should be the future of all wireless or Bluetooth pairings.

All in all, the price is right and the sound is good. Vizio will be a dominate force in the electronics market if it keeps getting it right.

Excellent value for a soundbar system
As a new owner of a Samsung LN55B640 HDTV I was disappointed with the tinny sound from the speakers. After researching the alternatives (subwoofer, soundbar system, 5.1 home theater system) I decided to try the Vizio Soundbar System and for me it's the perfect solution. The soundbar sits on the top shelf of the TV stand, under the HDTV, and the wireless powered subwoofer is on the floor to the left side. I used the included RCA cables for audio, but probably will buy a digital optical cable later.

The treble and mid-range are full and rich, and the subwoofer provides satisfying bass. It's not true surround sound, but fakes it pretty well, [...] it's an incredible value. Using the little remote control (included) you can adjust the soundbar volume, and then adjust the subwoofer volume. On the right side of the soundbar is the IR "eye" for the remote, as well as nine LEDs. The six white LEDs display the volume (both overall and subwoofer, depending on which one you are adjusting), the red LED indicates that the soundbar and subwoofer are linked up (there is also a little LED on the subwoofer front), and the two blue LEDs indicate that the TVVOL (controlling commercial loudness) and the SRS (simulated surround) are engaged.

As shipped from Vizio, the IR "eye" and LED panel is covered by a sticky-backed grey foam pad. This dims the LEDs, but also has the effect of masking the IR "eye", and making it difficult to use the remote. After carefully removing the black soundbar grill, I gently pried off the sticky-back foam and, presto, problem solved. Now I can use the remote to change the soundbar volume from any seating position, and the LEDs are clearly visible (they wink off seconds after making any volume changes).

Although [...] rates the Sony soundbar system a notch above this one, I would disagree, having listened to them both. The Vizio is as good or better than the Sony competitor, but at under [...], you really cannot go wrong with either one.