
Sonos
Beam (Gen 2)
Compact value, but virtual Atmos and app issues.

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I think one of the best soundbar deals you can get right now (because of the Prime Day sale) is the Vizio Elevate SE 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos Soundbar. It is on sale right now for $299 and it usually retails for $500. I just ordered this myself because the specs and price is fantastic (reviews are really good too). I have owned a few Vizio soundbars in the past and they all perform way above their price range. It features a main soundbar, subwoofer, and two satellite speakers. But the really great thing about this model is that it will give you true Dolby Atmos height separation because of the up-firing speakers that automatically oscillate into position when it detects Dolby Atmos or DTS X, making it pretty future proof too. For the price it is really hard to beat, highly recommend! [https://a.co/d/0jrzsXK](https://a.co/d/0jrzsXK)
Best for the price would be the Vizio elevate. Can find the 5.1.4 (highest end) for $500 refurbished at Costco. Best new for under $450 would be the Vizio m-series SL512X currently $400 from Walmart or Sam's club. If you want to compromise slightly on performance and prioritize connectivity (120hz passthrough 4k) then it's the hisense AX5125H - currently out of stock near me but $237 on Walmart is a great deal. These are the best in class unless you get lucky on a swing deal for a high end system.
I have an ultimea x70 which sounds great and for the price i think it's a steal. And otw is the new x100 dual by ultimea and im expecting that 1 to be soo much more than the x70 I am already happy with. I've had the vizio elevate se which was decent and even tried walmarts onn 5.1.2 which for 200 bucks isn't that bad tbh.
Check eBay for some food soundbars. I just purchased an open boxed Vizio elevate se for 299, I believe
Did you end up making a decision? Personally, I would choose Vizio over all Tim because of their reputation for making great sound bars for an affordable price, but up firing speaker speakers do make a difference. Did you look at the new Vizio Elevate 5.1.2? I actually have the SV510M up in my office (and it’s excellent), but I also have the Vizio M-series Elevate (5.1.2) downstairs in the living room and I can tell you the up firing speakers are definitely worth the improved overhead effects.
Ahh ok, well I hope you’re happy with whatever your choice is! Just to clarify, I’m referring to the new Elevate SE 5.1.2, not the original 5.1.4, which was much larger and heavier. The Elevate SE is only 7–12 lb more than the SV510. Not sure how much of a difference that makes for shipping.
I own a 5.1.2 Vizio sound bar (M512E-K6), and I had a 5.1 Polk prior to that. Personally, I think the .2 is worth it. Is it going to sound as good as discrete down-firing ceiling mounted Atmos speakers? Of course not. But, the .2 does add a sense of verticality, especially if you choose the right system. As a Vizio owner, I’m biased, but there are a plethora of reputable reviews out there praising Vizio sound bars for their Atmos performance, especially for the price. If you’re going to pick between the two you have in the screenshots, I would definitely go with the Vizio Elevate. It’s reviewed well, and discreet height speakers are always going to be an improvement over none at all, even if they’re up-firing.
Yeah, like I said, it’s nothing like down firing ceiling mounted but for certain models, you can definitely hear overhead effects, with mine you can especially if LFE. I think it also depends on room, size ceiling, height, and all that. Even if they don’t produce overhead effects, they do improve the sound stage vertically, at least a little bit, and in OP’s case, that Elevate is the better system, especially for $100 less. Like I said if he had to pick between those two, I would definitely get the extra drivers, especially for less, why not?
I wonder if that system is manufactured by Vizio? maybe they haven't been part of Walmart long enough for that to be the case but awesome it works well for you. I have helped 2 family members get soundbars recently and each got the Vizio Elevate 5.1.2 which surprised me at how well it does with content generally. I love recommending this one for not to much money.

Sonos
Beam (Gen 2)
Compact value, but virtual Atmos and app issues.

Sonos
Arc Ultra
Immersive Atmos and bass, but pricey and poor for music.

Samsung
Q990F (HW-Q990F/ZA)
Value for movies/Atmos, but music and bass are mixed.

Samsung
Q990F
Value for movies and easy setup, but music falls flat.

Samsung
HW-Q990D
Powerful, immersive value, but poor music and buggy software.

Ranked #1
Sonos - Beam (Gen 2)

Ranked #1
Sonos - Beam (Gen 2)

Ranked #1
Sonos - Arc Ultra

Ranked #1
Sonos - Playbar

Ranked #1
Sonos - Arc Ultra