l would like to share my experience after comparing and testing two soundbars – VIZIO M512a-H6 vs JBL BAR 700. The VIZIO M512a-H6 was rated 5.6, while the JBL BAR 700 has a rating 8.8. The soundbars are equipped with a different number of buttons, power, source, demo, volume down, volume up for the M512a-H6 and power, volume down, volume up for the BAR 700.
Each of the models under consideration has active amplification type. A noticeable difference is the number of channels that M512a-H6 has 5.1.2 and BAR 700 has 5.1. 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 700 can play audio from Spotify.
Wireless Internet connection is realized only in the BAR 700. Soundbars from this comparison have Bluetooth support. 1/1 HDMI inputs/outputs are in each of soundbars. As in the M512a-H6, so in the BAR 700 there is the HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). Connecting devices via USB is possible in both models. We rated the connectivity of the M512a-H6 at 8 out of 10, while the BAR 700 was rated 10/10.
The manufacturer of the BAR 700 provides a device control application. The JBL BAR 700 equipped with a microphone. The models under consideration cannot become part of a multiroom system.
Manufacturers equipped both units with Dolby Atmos audio decoder. The M512a-H6 can work with surround sound due to DTS:X support. The M512a-H6 was rated 8/10, while the BAR 700 received a mark of 7/10 for multichannel surround.