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The Vizio M Series M51a H6 offers a budget 5.1-surround setup plus Dolby Atmos. With excellent latency, neutral sound, good surround performance, and convenient controls, you get seamless and immersive viewing. However, Atmos is mediocre, and finding the perfect speaker placement can take time.
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Table of Contents
Product Snapshot
Overview
The Vizio M Series M51a H6 is a 2020-model 5.1 premium soundbar that boasts a 3D movie-ready design. It supports Dolby Atmos, although the performance is mediocre.
Consider the top-rated speakers for a better Atmos performance. However, it has an outstanding 5.1 setup with two dedicated satellite speakers, providing an incredible surround soundstage that will please 3D movie buffs. It achieves a top SPL of 97.2 dB, getting really loud.
With a dedicated wireless subwoofer, this system produces deep bass that brings movies and music to life. Users will enjoy flawless TV dialogue thanks to its low audio latency.
Ports on this system include optical, combined HDMI ARC+Out, full HDMI In, 3.5 mm, and USB. However, it only streams wirelessly via Bluetooth. Read on to learn more below, and be sure to check out our list of the most-popular soundbars.
Consensus
our Verdict
The Vizio M Series M51a H6’s wired connectivity ensures zero disconnections during use and incredible latency for seamless audio-video sync (tested at -23ms through ARC and -8ms through Optical).
The sound profile is balanced (with slight bass emphasis), dialogue is clear, and surround sound is accurate, but there’s average Atmos performance, and the soundstage is just slightly wider than the soundbar. The remote has a tiny display and intuitive navigation for control.
The speakers have an adequately sturdy matte plastic build, but their fabric feels thin. Setting up the sound system is simple, but finding the best speaker placement for your TV setup could take a few tries.
The EQ is easy to change, and there are effective presets, too, but no app to control the system from your smartphone.
ReasonS to Buy
Neutral sound profile
Despite the slight bass emphasis, the largely balanced sound profile makes the Vizio M Series M51a H6 suitable for diverse content, especially dialogue. The surround sound is accurate, and although the soundstage is only slightly wider than the bar, accurate audio placement enhances immersion.
Multiple connectivity options and impressive latency
Its wired connectivity via an eARC, Full HDMI In, and Optical port ensures zero disconnections during use and incredible latency for seamless audio-video sync (tested at -23ms through eARC and -8ms through Optical, which is among the lowest we’ve seen).
Fairly good build quality
The speakers have an adequately sturdy matte plastic build, but their fabric feels thin. Standing 2.3” tall, the bar won’t obstruct the IR sensor when the TV is mounted on its stand. However, finding the best speaker placement for your TV setup could take a few tries since the satellite speakers are restricted by a wired connection to the subwoofer.
Simple user interface
You can customize the sound with four EQ presets, including Movie, Music, Direct, and Game. It also features a power, input, Bluetooth pairing, and volume button on the top of its body, and the remote has a tiny display for intuitive navigation.
Reason to Avoid
Middling Atmos performance
The soundbar has weak Atmos performance because the front-firing speakers on its satellites aren’t as immersive as dedicated ceiling speakers.
No smart features or display
It doesn’t have a companion app to seamlessly control the system from your smartphone, and there is no built-in voice assistant.
Vizio M51A-H6 Specs
Bluetooth Enabled
Yes
Depth
16.9"
Dialogue Enhancement Feature
No
Energy Star Certified
No
HDMI ARC
Yes
Height
10.8"
Subwoofer
Included
Surround Sound Supported
Dolby Atmos, DTS:X
Voice Assistant
No
Weight
25 lbs
Width
41.7"
Wireless Connectivity
Bluetooth
Wireless Subwoofer Connectivity
Yes
Works With
Remote Control
All Specs
Test Results
These are the most important criteria to test for Soundbars based on our comprehensive Testing Methodology.
Low End Roll Off (Hz)
34.621
High End Roll Off (Hz)
12,901.592
Max Volume Test (db)
98.6
Latency (ms)
-23
THD @ 80dB
0.32
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The Vizio M Series M51a H6 is a 2020-model 5.1 premium soundbar that boasts a 3D movie-ready design. It supports Dolby Atmos, although the performance…
The Vizio M Series M51a H6 is a 2020-model 5.1 premium soundbar that boasts a 3D movie-ready design. It supports Dolby Atmos, although the performance is mediocre.
Consider the top-rated speakers for a better Atmos performance. However, it has an outstanding 5.1 setup with two dedicated satellite speakers, providing an incredible surround soundstage that will please 3D movie buffs. It achieves a top SPL of 97.2 dB, getting really loud.
With a dedicated wireless subwoofer, this system produces deep bass that brings movies and music to life. Users will enjoy flawless TV dialogue thanks to its low audio latency.
Ports on this system include optical, combined HDMI ARC+Out, full HDMI In, 3.5 mm, and USB. However, it only streams wirelessly via Bluetooth. Read on to learn more below, and be sure to check out our list of the most-popular soundbars.
With lower latency over all ports, the Vizio M Series M51a H6 produces better TV dialogue than the Vizio M Series M51ax J6. That said,…
With lower latency over all ports, the Vizio M Series M51a H6 produces better TV dialogue than the Vizio M Series M51ax J6. That said, the Vizio M Series m51ax-J6 has a wider stereo soundstage and boasts better Atmos performance. You can learn more about this speaker in our detailed Vizio m51ax J6 review now.
Equipped with a 5.1 design with dedicated satellite speakers, the Vizio M Series M51a-H6 has a much better soundstage than the 3.1.2-channel LG SP8YA, which…
Equipped with a 5.1 design with dedicated satellite speakers, the Vizio M Series M51a-H6 has a much better soundstage than the 3.1.2-channel LG SP8YA, which downmixes surround sound to stereo. That said, the LG device supports Wi-Fi and Chromecast streaming, unlike the Vizio M Series M51a-H6.
Featuring a 5.1 setup with a dedicated sub and two satellite speakers, the Vizio M Series M51a H6 provides a better surround soundstage than the…
Featuring a 5.1 setup with a dedicated sub and two satellite speakers, the Vizio M Series M51a H6 provides a better surround soundstage than the 2.1-channel Vizio M21D H8R, which doesn’t support Atmos. It also gets much louder than the 2.1-channel soundbar. However, if you prefer the more affordable option, check out our Vizio M21D H8R review today.
