Right off the bat, Vizio M Series soundbars are better than their V Series counterparts. The M Series soundbars have more features, they support more audio codecs and in the build quality department, they are better than the V Series. However, the V Series wins when it comes to pricing. If you are looking to get a soundbar, which of these Vizio soundbars is right for you? We compare the Vizio M Series 5.1.2 and V Series 5.1 soundbars below.
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Vizio M Series vs V Series Comparison Chart
Design
The Vizio M Series speakers are larger than the V Series speakers.
On the design front, these two soundbars have a pretty basic look. They are made of high quality plastic with tight fabric that wrap around them. Both of them are decently built, but the M Series are built better. The fabric on the M Series is just a tad thicker, and there are metal grilles that protect the upward firing speakers. On the V Series, the fabric covering is noticeably thinner, but it does the job of keeping the speakers dust free.
Size-wise, the Vizio M Series, as a whole, will take up more space than the Vizio V Series. The M Series soundbar itself measures 40 x 2.68 x 4.07 inches. Its satellites measure 5.71 x 2.24 x 3.54 inches and the subwoofer’s physical dimensions are 8.3 x 9.92 x 11.69 inches. Meanwhile, the V Series soundbar measures 36 x 2.28 x 3.2 inches and its satellites are 4.72 x 2.24 x 3.19 inches. The subwoofer is smaller too, measuring 7.7 x 7.7 x 8.5 inches.
Both systems can be placed in front of the TV on your TV rack or wall mounted. Everything that you need to wall mount these soundbars is included in the package, which is a nice touch. Also, all the cables that you’ll need are also included.
Features and Connectivity
The Vizio M Series supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, both of which are unsupported by the V Series soundbar.
When it comes to supported audio formats, the Vizio M Series has the clear advantage over the V Series. The Vizio M Series has dedicated upfiring speakers for height channels with the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio formats. You’ll be able to enjoy more immersive Dolby Atmos and DTS:X content with the Vizio M Series. As for the V Series, it doesn’t have any upfiring speakers, so Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are not supported.
As for ports and connectivity, the Vizio M Series comes with one more HDMI input and an HDMI eARC port. Meanwhile, the V Series only has one HDMI ARC port. They both have an analog 3.5mm port for music, another 3.5mm port for voice assistant, and optical input and a USB-A port for music files. Having that one extra HDMI input on the M Series allows it to act as a hub for a Blu-Ray player or a gaming console, which is convenient.
Since they have Bluetooth connectivity, wireless streaming from your phone is supported. However, they don’t have Chromecast and they don’t support Apple AirPlay. Although limited in this area, having Bluetooth connectivity is still a major plus.
Check out our Vizio Elevate vs Sonos Arc comparison here
Performance
The Vizio M Series and V Series both sound good, but the former will give you a more immersive experience.
When it comes to sound quality, the Vizio M Series and the V Series are quite close, with the advantage going to the M Series. The Vizio M Series has a wider soundstage where directional audio is easy to pinpoint. The V Series also performs well here, but when compared side-by-side, the M Series is simply better.
As for 5.1 surround performance, honestly, they are on par with each other. They both have discrete satellite speakers, and when placed correctly, they will accurately reproduce surround sounds. That said, the Vizio M Series’ center channel performs better than the center channel of the V Series.
For Dolby Atmos and DTS:X content, the Vizio M Series wins by default since the V Series does not support these formats. The M Series’ performance here is decent to good. You can increase the height level for better immersion, but most of the time, the upfiring speakers don’t get loud enough for better impact.
Verdict
If you have the money, the Vizio M Series is the better choice, however, if you are on a budget, the Vizio V Series is a great alternative that will also deliver an excellent viewing experience.
Vizio M Series Soundbar
More channels and Dolby Atmos support
Vizio V Series Soundbar
Cheaper alternative
It’s easy to decide between these two soundbars. If you want to experience Dolby Atmos and/or DTS:X content, then the Vizio M Series is the no-brainer choice. It also has an extra HDMI input port for convenience, and overall, it sounds better. However, if you want something cheaper, the Vizio V Series is a great alternative. It doesn’t support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, but if you can live without them, then the V Series is a good value option. It still sounds good, and it will definitely be an upgrade over your TV’s built-in speakers.
FAQs
Yes, the Vizio M Series has more channels, it offers better surround performance and it supports DTS:X and Dolby Atmos.
It depends on your budget and preference. If you want something cheap, Vizio 2.1 soundbars offer great value. However, if you want better immersion, going for the 5.1 Vizio soundbars will give you a much better overall experience.
If you want Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, yes, it’s worth the extra money over the Vizio V Series.
Vizio is a good brand that offers consumer electronics with excellent price to performance.