JBL Bar 5.1 vs VIZIO M512a-H6 review

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I had a chance to test and compare two models: JBL Bar 5.1 vs VIZIO M512a-H6 and this review should help people who are looking for a good soundbar. The JBL Bar 5.1 was rated 7.2, while the VIZIO M512a-H6 has a rating 5.6. The soundbars are equipped with a different number of buttons, power, volume down, volume up, input for the Bar 5.1 and power, source, demo, volume down, volume up for the M512a-H6.

Audio features

Each of the models under consideration has active amplification type. A noticeable difference is the number of channels that Bar 5.1 has 5.1 and M512a-H6 has 5.1.2. The built-in subwoofer is not implemented in any of these models. An external subwoofer can be connected to any of the units in this comparison. Audio features and specs of considered models we rated 8 out of 10 in our ranking. The Bar 5.1 can play audio from Spotify.

Connectivity

Both models do not have a wireless Wi-Fi interface. Soundbars from this comparison have Bluetooth support. There are 3/0 HDMI inputs/outputs in the JBL Bar 5.1 versus 1/1 HDMIs in the VIZIO M512a-H6. As in the Bar 5.1, so in the M512a-H6 there is the HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). Connecting devices via USB is possible in both models. The connectivity of each of the models was estimated at 8/10. The manufacturer of the Bar 5.1 provides a device control application. Soundbars in this review are not equipped with a microphone. The models under consideration cannot become part of a multiroom system.

Multichannel surround

Dolby Atmos audio decoder is onboard the M512a-H6. The M512a-H6 can work with surround sound due to DTS:X support. The Bar 5.1 was rated 4/10, while the M512a-H6 received a mark of 8/10 for multichannel surround.

Advantages JBL Bar 5.1 over VIZIO M512a-H6

Advantages VIZIO M512a-H6 over JBL Bar 5.1