M512a-H6

Depending on your needs, I have been researching to see if it is worth it to upgrade my Vizio M512a- H6. At the time it was highly rated. We are in the same budget range and these are the ones I reseached. Hisense AX514OQ is a highly rated Budget soundbar with wireless subwoofer and rear speakers $350 Hisense AX700 identical to the 514OQ Doesn't have room calibration - $250 TCL Q65 is another recommended soundbar with subwoofer and no rear speakers. $350 Samsung HWQ600F - supposedly really good for movies, same as the TCL with no rear speakers and it's pricier $450. Maybe you can luck up and find it in your price range.

Yeah I have replied, I think that Vizio will be pretty good for what you want.

OK I checked the Vizio, and it seems like your best option atm. [Review](https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/vizio-m512a-h6-review-the-best-dolby-atmos-soundbar-for-the-money/) [R8tings](https://www.rtings.com/soundbar/reviews/vizio/m-series-m512a-h6) For the money, I don't know what else to offer you, I think you will be in good hands, if you want to wait and check out more, then do this, but what you have posted seems like the best one for the money. Just make sure the model number is the same from Amazon, to the reviews.

I’ve currently have a Samsung q990d, a Sony HT-A9 with SW5 sub, a Polk MagniFi Mini AX with surrounds, a Vizio 5.1.2 M512a-H6 and I’ve owned the Sonos Beam gen2, LG SP9Y, and an LG Eclair QP5. The 2 best are the Sony and the Samsung. I had the Sony first in my Theater Room and I bought the Samsung and immediately switched it to the Samsung. I’ve never owned a Samsung TV or soundbar before, so I’m not a Samsung fanboy, but I gotta tell you it’s FAR and AWAY the best system I’ve ever owned. It will shock you, it did me. People can complain about all the Samsung love, but I’m a believer. I haven’t tried the Sonos ultimate setup, or the new quads, but I have a SUPER hard time believing they’re “better”. They may be just as good, but better? I doubt it. I also haven’t tried the Nakamichi bars, but I paid $850 for my Samsung and there is no way it’s $2000+ better. Well, there is my 2 cents. Good luck.

It totally depends on the soundbar. I am still impressed with the Vizio 5.1 system’s ability to produce a really nice sounding virtual atmos experience. I also have a Polk Mini ax and in my opinion it doesn’t compare to the Vizio. I also have a Vizio 5.1.2 system and I’ll still stand by that system as THE top of the line budget system. Saying all of that I’ll conclude by saying, none of those systems match my Sony HT-A9, but I wouldn’t expect them to. I had an LG SP7Y and took it back within hours of purchase. It soured me on LG soundbars quickly. Also, if you’re looking for a budget system, don’t count out ONN’s 5.1 or 5.1.2. They both are surprisingly good.

It totally depends on the soundbar. I am still impressed with the Vizio 5.1 system’s ability to produce a really nice sounding virtual atmos experience. I also have a Polk Mini ax and in my opinion it doesn’t compare to the Vizio. I also have a Vizio 5.1.2 system and I’ll still stand by that system as THE top of the line budget system. Saying all of that I’ll conclude by saying, none of those systems match my Sony HT-A9, but I wouldn’t expect them to. I had an LG SP7Y and took it back within hours of purchase. It soured me on LG soundbars quickly. Also, if you’re looking for a budget system, don’t count out ONN’s 5.1 or 5.1.2. They both are surprisingly good.

I wish JBL offered there older bars with a 12” like there 1300 models do but there 10” sub sounds better then most. Ill use sound bars in my bedrooms and office i also got all mine stupid cheap when they were all fairy new or been out a year or so. A vizio m512a in office if came w an 8” sub wouldve been nice. Then 2 Nakamichis a 7.2 with dual 8” subs for 200$ was 1500$ or so new at time and 250$ for a 9.2.4 eArc 10” subs which was over 1600$ on Amazon back then. Both Geek squad had lost connection with sub which took out both surrounds on 1 and both subs and 4 surrounds on the other. Both Customers didn’t even try to fix them apparently because i messaged Nakamichi on each system they sent me out thumdrives for subs to try for free which worked on the 7.2 but lastthing they tried on the 9.2 was sent out new sub plates to try and if worked then id send mine back to them with a shipping label they also sent out. That actually worked out I couldn’t believe it for free in under 2 weeks and both sound better then other bars at the time especially in bigger rooms. Then some crack head was selling a JBL 5.1 multibeam w/ 10” sub for 175” I offered 125$ didn’t think id see a response but he messaged back a week or so later to sell BestBuy was selling it new for over 600$. I use it as a blutooth system in my garage off basement and sounds mint mostly because of the sub. Most sound bars I don’t think music sounds good at voume the Nak 9.2.4 still sounds decent id like to hear the 1300Pro just check Marketplace sometimes be surprised what you find sometimes.

You should 💯 be looking for a Vizio m series 5.1.2. Not to be confused with the Elevate. I have this unit and it slaps. Its performs well above its class. Honestly it has no business sounding as good as it does once dialed in. Anyone saying it isnt good either got a bad unit or more than likely had it placed poorly and or didnt dial it in. For reference I also own a Sennheiser Ambeo Max and a Samsung q990d. https://ebay.us/m/igqqlk

Many soundbars DO come with physical rear speakers, and even upfiring Atmos speakers. My Vizio M512a-H6 soundbar is 5.1.2, with upfiring Atmos speakers in the bar plus rear surrounds connected by wires to a wireless subwoofer to avoid running wires across the room. Other soundbars avoid the restrictions that puts on subs by selling rear speakers with a separate wireless receiver (Samsung, LG) or even making each rear speaker totally wireless (JBL). I would even agree that a properly configured & installed AV receiver with professionally installed speakers would sound better than a soundbar, especially with Atmos speakers in or near the ceiling that don't depend on room acoustics. I would even agree that basic AVRs & speakers probably cost less than better soundbars. Still, once you factor in TOTAL costs and/or installation hassle, soundbars are a MUCH better option than TV speakers -- even if your TV comes with its own Atmos setup. (My Hisense U8K is 2.1.2 but with the usual down-firing front speakers plus sub & Atmos speakers on the back of the TV, but my soundbar easily beats it.) Not everyone either wants, OR can afford and/or install, a Denon, a room full of Klipsches, and wires all over; they just want better sound in their living room, even if they live in an apartment, rental house, older house, etc. and are unwilling or unable to run wires across the room due to landlord issues, physical disabilities, etc. For people in those situations like myself, a soundbar like my Vizio IS the solution, even when sitting between a Panasonic UB820 4K player and an upper-midrange Hisense TV. It's definitely good enough for me, unless & until I win the lottery & can afford to buy a house and hire an AV professional to build the best sound system money can buy.

That's why they make soundbars with wireless subs & rear surrounds, and even Atmos ("virtualized", upfiring, etc.), like my Vizio 5.1.2 Atmos/DTS:X soundbar. (Technically the rear surrounds are wired to the wireless sub, but still that avoids stringing speaker wires from front to back.)

Not true. Their newer soundbars are excellent. I have two different Shockwafe eARC models and they are a lot better than pretty much all comparable systems from Samsung, LG, Vizio, TCL, and a bunch of others I've been through. I bought and returned probably 7 or 8 soundbars including the highly rated Samsung 990. The only ones I didn't return are the Vizio M512a-h6 which I kept because they were the best out of that bunch. All the rest of them were pieces of crap. Eventually I upgraded from the Vizios to the Nakamichis and never looked back. I still have the Vizios stored in a closet just in case. The most recent ones like the Dragon and the Shockwafe Wireless are incredible. That said, sure, a well matched system of AVR and separate speakers can sound better but they are also more expensive and not always physically possible to place in some rooms.

Overhyped, IMO. Sure, it's a decent soundbar and just fine for smaller rooms but put it in a 40x25 room with 12' ceilings and the bass just disappears. My Vizio M512A-h6 had much better bass. But for a small room, it's not surprising that people coming from lower end soundbars like the Vizios might think the Samsung is the best soundbar ever made. But in reality, it's not.