I love this product. My man and I have it in our bedroom. The subwoofer is under the bed and small speakers on the side. This system sounds great and we love listening to music on it. We also have a PS5 and the games sound absolutely amazing. It brought them to life. I do not regret getting this system at all.
I didn’t think to use it for gaming (admittedly I don’t do much game) but I’m certainly it could really bring to life the sound effects. Thanks for sharing your positive experience with the system, I think that’s good perspective for future viewers.
Just bought my 2nd V Series 5.1. That should say enough right there. As long as you do not have a huge room to fill, these things are an excellent, relatively inexpensive, upgrade from regular tv sound. And that sub will surprise you when you place it right!
Right on! I have certainly changed some of my views on this unit after using it for a bit long. And after checking out some pricing on some other units recently… the price is very reasonable (comparatively speaking)
I have both the M series and the V series 5.1. The V series sounds almost as good as the M, 5.1. Only difference is that the M series has 6 speakers in the bar (mid range and tweeter at left, middle, and right). The V series has only 3 full range speakers. L M R. We, also, didn't like the excessive wires..BUT, problem solved! There is a special setting for "front surround " where you can place the surround speakers upfront to the sides of the soundbar to eliminate the wire problem. It still sounds really good. I can feel the spaciousness and 3D like effects in movies! The front surround setting must be set on the remote. BestBuy has really accurate features where I learned of the front setting. Also the subwoofer is 4.5 inches compared to 5 inches on our M series and also the surround speakers are about 1 inch less wide. As I said..it sounds pretty nice in our bedroom and distortion free on the small speakers. I enjoyed your review. You have the personality for these type of presentations. Good luck!
Thank you very much for the your detailed insights! The “front surround sound” does seem like it would fix my wire issues… and I had not even thought to do that, because I generally think of surround sound needing to be placed around me 🤦🏽♂️ lol. I must say that after listening to movies with the system, it definitely creates a different listening experience, that I had not explored fully prior to posting my unboxing, that leaves me feeling a bit better about the experience. I am going to test out the Front Surround Sound setting this weekend for football Sunday and see if we can hear the difference. Also… thanks for the encourage words about my personality I appreciate that! 🤜🏽 💥 🤛🏽
@@DetroneDoesIt "Front surround" is really not worth it, its more or less pseudo surround like binaural audio for headphones. It would be such a waste of a true 5.1 system to be used like that. Also although convenient anything bluetooth cannot carry full frequency range with full fidelity sound. So with bluetooth you are already at a disadvantage in that sense. But most people can't tell the difference
@@ubi21defebreroify Depends on the content you're watching mate, some movies or shows have very little audio in the rear, specially if its a romantic or drama movie. Only a few scenes will have sound in the rear, usually action stuff has more audio going around
I've got this system. It's a very nice surround sound system. I'm watching football and it sounds like I'm at the game. Vizio did a great job with this system. I should have bought one sooner.
The small speakers still have wires connected to them… the only wireless one is the large big speaker. But with that it is still a decent system after using it for a while.
The wire from the sound bar to the tv is optional (You get better sound than if you use Bluetooth) according to most of the comments (I can confirm that now). As far as the wires for the rear speakers they run to the subwoofer for their power supply. The unit is semi-wireless, the sub and rear speakers don’t have to connect to the soundbar but they do have to connect to each other… and the sound bar doesn’t have to connect to the tv but for better sound you probably want to connect it. 🤷🏽♂️
Im still trying to fine tune mine as well… but I definitely have a better outlook on the system now that I’ve spent some more time with it. Thanks for watching
I have a Visio v51-h6 sound bar and I wonder is there a way to hook up the rear speakers to an exisiting set of wall mounted speakers in stead of using the supplied set of rear speakers. Thank you.
Bob, unfortunately I’m not sure, because I don’t have an existing set up to test it with. Sorry, maybe someone in the comments will have an answer. Thanks for watching
I don't think a truly wireless setup is practical for most people anyway. You would either have to plug them into using normal speaker wires, or into a electrical outlet (or run on batteries).
Yeah I was thinking a rechargeable battery setup that allowed you to leave them on some kind of charging tray while not in use, but then offers the flexibility to move them wherever you want when it’s time to use them, and leave you free of wires. Practical… probably not… but this does feel impossible. Thanks for sharing your thoughts also.
@@DetroneDoesIt I'm sure a totally wireless set up would cost several times what you paid for the Vizio.For what it is, this is a great little system. I've had the full blown receiver, 5 speakers, sub, and the miles of wire. When we moved a few years ago, I said, no more wires. That's why I got the Vizio, and to my ears, the sound is amazing, and even with a couple of wires, it's really minimalistic, which is what I needed. If your surround speakers don't seem clear enough, you can always increase the volume in them with the remote. Watch a movie with a good quality soundtrack, and you won't want to look back.
@@ebluegrass I have definitely found increased value in using this setup, the more time that I’ve spent with it. Because of where I have the speakers placed near my couch, I was able to change the settings to front surround and here movies better at night without having to turn the volume up loud while my kiddos are sleep. I’ve also experienced some sound effects from a recently watched Marvel movie, that made the watch feel more immersive. Thanks watching and for sharing your thoughts!
the main soundbar on this unit has a center channel that allows for better dialogue enhancement. one of the biggest complaints i hear from surround sound units that are made for soundbars is the rear speakers dont sound crisp and clear. but i noticed something when i watch things like you tube videos or sdr content on a tv that has lmited audio range it does not do these sysatems justice. it all come down to content. when watching movies that are designed for Dolby True HD and DTS X the audio quality coming from all speakers is spectacular. you can not expect a soundbar or surround sound unit to magically take standard definition audio and turn it into a high fidelity sound fest for your ears it just doesnt work like that. though the tv may support 5.1 true hd audio it doesnt mean all content played through the tv to the soundbar is automatically converted. If the source has HD 5.1 audio than the sound being output to the soundbar will be. if the source is sdr and stereo the sound may be converted to play on all surround channels but it will not upconvert to a higher quality. The source is just as important as the audio unit itself. the vizio v series 5.1 surround is no different. without a high quality audio source you cant expect it to do miracles.
All good points, I thought there might be a process that allows the system to automatically convert audio up to better quality (like you might see in some TV's that automatically improve image quality before displaying it). You are right though, it all comes down to the content you use. Thanks for watching and thanks for engaging the video with such a well thought out perspective.
Sorry unfortunately I don’t have any tips… I haven’t experienced that issue and it could stem from a number of different reasons (especially with it being intermittent). If you registered it with Vizio and it hasn’t been too long you might be able to explore a repair or replacement under warranty.
As one of the commentors already posted, you need the right kind of content. Just like if you connect a DVD player to a 4k tv doesn't mean your DVD will now be playing in true 4K UHD so watching something in stereo on a 5.1 surround sound system will not turn it into a surround sound mix.
Using the DVD example does help to paint the picture… (Completely unrelated to this sound bar but still on topic)… Honestly I rarely thought about audio in the way I thought about video. Because the difference in poor quality video is so easily recognizable and the distinction between good audio and amazing audio takes a concentrated effort to recognize (at least for me)… My brother that gifted me this sound bar is an audio engineer and if he read this he’d be sooo disappointed in me 🤣 Thanks for watching and sharing your comment.
@@DetroneDoesIt Yeah you need to develop an ear for it to fully enjoy or appreciate it, I've seen some people with a 5.1 surround sound system with all the speakers under the tv thinking they were getting "surround sound" And actually even someone back in the day with a HD TV hooked up to SD tv channels thinking he is watching it in HD just because the tv is HD. So you gotta develop and eye and ear for these things. My wife can't tell the difference between watching a movie in 1080p or 4K forget surround sound. And being a music producer who mixes and masters his music I can understand your brothers disappointment! lol But hey now you know what to keep an ear out for. Currently try watching Masters of the Air series on Apple TV in surround sound. During the air battle scenes you can hear the planes whizzing by from the front to the back. Gunfire coming from the rear. Usually action scenes make the best use of surround sound. Fury 2014 Ready Player One are a couple of movies that have good surround sound aand even better Dolby atmos if you ever wanna upgrade to that.
I seemed to hear that you only complained about cables and it's normal in the middle of the 21st century, however I heard that it sounds great and also for music! Here it is. What to assess is the excellent cost against the other brands. I think I will be encouraged by this system looks great I doubt to find a better fidelity at that price. A question the volume how about?
I think my "complaining" could be framed up more as a critique of the aesthetic of the system being ruined by excessive wire. Its such a sleek and clean design, that I feel like the wires lower the appeal... But ok maybe I am harping a bit on them. Excellent cost? Sure but in my opinion a surround sound system should be a luxury and improve the sound in your space. This nearly $200 unit has clear audio from the sound bar but I also get clear sound from the speaker on my Samsung TV, so the cost didn't seem to match the benefit that I received... I will admit that compared to Bose, Samsung and LG it was certainly the less expensive. The volume from the sound bar was good, no matter how loud I turned it up and listening to Avengers and a football game did provide an experience that felt a bit more immersive... but that experience wasn't universal across most of the content that I was testing on. Thanks for watching and providing your insights!
It definitely gets loud…and although I ragged on the sound quality from the small speakers in my video, after working through some of the settings, I am feeling better about the overall sound from the unit.
Hmmm I’m not exactly sure, because after I plugged them into the subwoofer and powered them on they automatically connected (even when using Bluetooth). Have you tried cycling through the audio settings on the remote to see if it has something to do with how it’s setup?
We did an “at home concert” recently with a Tiny Desk performance and the bass from the subwoofer actually sounded pretty good. No complaints for the sub from me.
Subwoofer is supposed to go on the back next to the sofa. You should NOT put the subwoofer so near the wall. Need to leave at least 1 foot away from the wall.
My sub was positioned next to the sofa. But I was unaware that you are suppose to leave at least a foot between the speaker and the wall… Why is that? I would have thought that maybe the wall would muffle the sound but the sub isn’t delivering highs or dialogue so what is the reason for the distance? Google sorta agrees with you 😄 “Placing a subwoofer close to a flat wall can cause an unpleasant, harsh, or rumbling sound. However, if you place a subwoofer just a few inches out from the corner, it can still amplify the bass”
@DetroneDoesIt that specific subwoofer is made to be placed on the back of your setup (that is why it has wireless and the other small speakers that go on the back have the cable). The reason you need to keep some distance to the wall is that sound is waves they need space to develop and travel. This subwoofer has a speaker and the port (the hole also called vent) so you need distance from those two sides to any object. An example would be how well will people on a room hear you if you speak looking at the direction and less than one inch to the wall?
It’s only 200 dollars good true blue tooth surround sound cost well over 500 dollars I can’t believe he said it’s not worth 200 I honestly can’t find a 3 speaker set for less then 170 ..
I don’t disagree about the high retail price on some of the higher end systems… but in my opinion $200 is too much for this unit… Right now it is on sale for $160 bucks at Target… To me that a more appropriate price for this unit. I am on record saying I think the sound is better than I originally gave it credit for… but the price still felt steep…. Thanks for watching!
@@VortexDroid1 Sound does get pretty loud and after calibrating the sound for my preferred listening experience… The quality is better than I originally gave it credit for.
I bought this for my parents so they could join us in the 21st century, and to this point, I'm not impressed. For one, the optical cable was not included in my package, and neither were the instructions. My parents' TV is an older model Westinghouse (which I don't even think are around anymore), so I don't think this system is even compatible with it, as there is no HDMI ARC input on their TV. This is a real letdown, as I've always been a Vizio truther. I've bought two soundbar/sub sets from them, and love them both. I still have, and use them as a matter of fact. But this is not a good look, very disappointed.
It's not hype, my guy. I have the V series and I don't have ANY of the problems you're having. The soundbar, subs and rears are are perfect. I pray you're not using bluetooth. You're not gonna get true 5.1 audio using bluetooth. I would like to know how you'r tv is connected to the soundbar and what settings you're using. If your TV has ARC (or eARC), connect it that way. Make sure the TV sound is set to pass-through. Turn off the TV speakers. Use a SPDIF cable if you don't have ARC. You're not gonna get true 5.1 sound with RU-vid. Only 2.0 sound. Use a streaming service like Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc.
Thanks for the run down…I’ll admit that my review (and my skepticism) might have been a bit premature. Since this video was posted, I’ve used a lot more and found that some of my issues were user error or not finding the right settings. To anwser your inquiry, I was using the eARC initially, and now I most offer use Bluetooth because I don’t want the eARC wire visible. Thanks for you feed back on how to get the most out of this unit, and glad to hear that you’ve really enjoyed it.
I actually find it beneficial if you were to “list the numerous reasons why” because I find it insights of all kinds useful. But with that said I don’t want you to feel compelled to be helpful, so I’m willing to just accept that you find it irrelevant… either way, thanks for watching. 😉
@DetroneDoesIt Well, let's see, for starters... he thought he was just going to be able to bluetooth the rear speakers and the subwoofer, and they will work and have power. They need a power source or need to have a rechargeable battery (which wouldn't be effective). This system is similar most systems out. The fact that his "user error" getting it to bluetooth to the TV, is another sign that he has no business reviewing this soundbar. Be knowledgeable and do some research ahead of time.
@@bentrogdon2693 I did believe the rear speakers would be Bluetooth (not the subwoofer) but is Bluetooth rechargeable speakers really that unreasonable? I can remember to charger my phone and car after using them… why not wireless speakers? {I admit, maybe it’s not effective but your response makes it sound impossible}… I do agree that my “user error” doesn’t speak to being an expert (because I am not) but I do appreciate the suggestion to do more research before recording. That is helpful… Thanks for sharing your thoughts
I disagree..... You're expecting magic ! You Need a continuous power source.... Your TV has it.....I have this Vizio system in my bedroom..... I Like it So Much that I almost never use my main Yamaha system in a 7.1.2 that has at total of 25 speakers.... 2 Atmos 5 center 3 left 3 right front speakers 3 surround left 3right 3 left and right each and powered front subwoofer and powered rear....I love them both..... The Vizio has wires for power and rear sub and rt/lt....The Yamha has wires for All....
I don’t know that I was expecting wireless sorcery 😂 I just thought there could be a more thoughtful approach to the aesthetic of the room … and my solution was full wireless. Based on your response (and many others) it does sound like I should have tamped down my expectations regarding the wires… But are true wireless surround sound speakers impossible? We’ve gone to the moon… And designed driverless cars… there has to be a way (and for less than $200) Maybe I’m asking too much… either way, Thanks for watching the video and sharing your thoughts.
That’s a good point… I know some of my “wants” would probably make the unit cost prohibitive. I wouldn’t mind having to charge them depending on battery life… but then I’m trading one problem for another one. Thanks for watching
