I had a chance to test and compare two models: Vizio M21d-H8 vs VIZIO M512a-H6 and this review should help people who are looking for a good soundbar. The Vizio M21d-H8 was rated 5, 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, source, Bluetooth for the M21d-H8 and power, source, demo, volume down, volume up for the M512a-H6.
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 M512a-H6 has 5.1.2. 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 VIZIO M512a-H6 received 8 out of 10.
Soundbars do not have AirPlay support. The units in this comparison do not support Spotify.
Both models do not have a wireless Wi-Fi interface. Soundbars from this comparison have Bluetooth support. 1/1 HDMI inputs/outputs are in each of soundbars. As in the M21d-H8, so in the M512a-H6 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 M512a-H6 was rated 8/10. 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 M512a-H6. The M512a-H6 can work with surround sound due to DTS:X support. The M21d-H8 was rated 5/10, while the M512a-H6 received a mark of 8/10 for multichannel surround.