l would like to share my experience after comparing and testing two soundbars – Vizio M21d-H8 vs Samsung HW-K850. The Vizio M21d-H8 was rated 5, while the Samsung HW-K850 has a rating 6. The soundbars are equipped with a different number of buttons, power, volume down, volume up, source, Bluetooth for the M21d-H8 and power, volume down, volume up, source for the HW-K850.
Each of the models under consideration has active amplification type. A noticeable difference is the number of channels that M21d-H8 has 2.1 and HW-K850 has 3.1.2. A built-in subwoofer is available only in the Vizio M21d-H8. Rate 5 out of 10 received the Vizio M21d-H8 for audio features and specs, but the Samsung HW-K850 received 6 out of 10.
Soundbars do not have AirPlay support. The HW-K850 can play audio from Spotify.
Wireless Internet connection is realized only in the HW-K850. Soundbars from this comparison have Bluetooth support. There are 1/1 HDMI inputs/outputs in the Vizio M21d-H8 versus 2/1 HDMIs in the Samsung HW-K850. As in the M21d-H8, so in the HW-K850 there is the HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). Connecting devices via USB is possible in both models. We rated the connectivity of the M21d-H8 at 6 out of 10, while the HW-K850 was rated 7/10. None of these soundbars can be controlled using the app. The Vizio M21d-H8 equipped with a microphone. The models under consideration cannot become part of a multiroom system.
Dolby Atmos audio decoder is onboard the HW-K850. Devices from this comparison cannot process surround sound due to lack of DTS:X. The M21d-H8 was rated 5/10, while the HW-K850 received a mark of 4/10 for multichannel surround.