l would like to share my experience after comparing and testing two soundbars – Sony HT-ST5000 vs Vizio M21d-H8. The Sony HT-ST5000 was rated 8.6, while the Vizio M21d-H8 has a rating 5. The soundbars are equipped with a different number of buttons, power, volume down, volume up, input Bluetooth, music service for the HT-ST5000 and power, volume down, volume up, source, Bluetooth for the M21d-H8.
Each of the models under consideration has active amplification type. A noticeable difference is the number of channels that HT-ST5000 has 7.1.2 and M21d-H8 has 2.1. A built-in subwoofer is available only in the Vizio M21d-H8. Rate 9 out of 10 received the Sony HT-ST5000 for audio features and specs, but the Vizio M21d-H8 received 5 out of 10.
Soundbars do not have AirPlay support. The HT-ST5000 can play audio from Spotify.
Wireless Internet connection is realized only in the HT-ST5000. Soundbars from this comparison have Bluetooth support. There are 3/1 HDMI inputs/outputs in the Sony HT-ST5000 versus 1/1 HDMIs in the Vizio M21d-H8. As in the HT-ST5000, so in the M21d-H8 there is the HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). Connecting devices via USB is possible in both models. We rated the connectivity of the HT-ST5000 at 9 out of 10, while the M21d-H8 was rated 6/10.
The manufacturer of the HT-ST5000 provides a device control application. The soundbars in this review are equipped with a microphone. The Sony HT-ST5000 may become part of a multiroom system.
Dolby Atmos audio decoder is onboard the HT-ST5000. The HT-ST5000 can work with surround sound due to DTS:X support. The HT-ST5000 was rated 8/10, while the M21d-H8 received a mark of 5/10 for multichannel surround.