VIZIO M-Series 5.1 Premium Sound Bar with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Bluetooth, Wireless Subwoofer and Alexa Compatibility, M51ax-J6, 2022 Model

7 reviews for VIZIO M-Series 5.1 Premium Sound Bar with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Bluetooth, Wireless Subwoofer and Alexa Compatibility, M51ax-J6, 2022 Model

1. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   SupremeCmdr – 17 March, 2023

   I used to have been in IT for about 30 years so I wanted to share with others on how I was able to get this Vizio sound bar to natively work with a Roku streaming box, now using just the Roku clicker.

   I was having issues with the ROKU Streaming Bar on my Vizio TVs due to locking up and had to return it. I wasn’t sure if this Vizio sound bar would be adept enough to work seamlessly or if I’d have to use 2 remotes (which I was dreading). We needed some kind of sound bar or speakers because our Vizio TV speakers were rattling and couldn’t handle the normal higher volumes. So, anyway, after installation and some settings changes, I was able to get it to work with using just the Roku remote control. Here’s what I did.

   I mounted this Vizio sound bar on top of my Vizio TV, which is installed on an articular wall mounted arm. Then, I followed all the instructions for the sound bar to ensure it would work fine with the TV, which it did. On this note, however, I did initially ensure I didn’t turn on anything special with the sound bar settings and kept it with mostly the defaults for Movies. I didn’t want any features to conflict with anything, in case it wouldn’t work with the Roku later. Also, some people were asking if it does come with its own sound bar emote and if it has an LCD panel on it. That answer is Yes to both questions; however, the LCD panel is just a one line small display so, don’t think of it as a full screen thing like a digital smart remote, as it’s not.

   Now, the TV I use is a 50-inch size, 4K, about 3 years old, and is a lower end model series but it does have CEC and ARC. Although I didn’t need it at the time, I knew that those 2 functions were an upcoming thing that might be needed down the road for other connecting devices. As it turns out, they were both needed in this case. So, for TV settings, go ahead and enable CEC and, if you have as setting for it, ARC should be enabled.

   Then, ensure your Roku streaming box is fully setup for this TV, initially via HDMI #1 (or ARC). Also, ensure you configure the Roku remote to control the volume and on/off power to the TV. This step is very important. Once that’s done, disconnect the Roku from the HDMI port of the TV.

   Then, follow the sound bar instructions using your TV remote and the sound bar remote. It will want you to connect into your TV’s HDMI ARC port. After you’ve configured your sound bar (just start out with basic settings), continue with these next steps.

   The only other TV setting you might need to change is that I had disabled (selection: OFF) the TV speakers (the internal ones, not the sound bar). I did go ahead and change a setting on the TV audio section was to make the audio levels self-adjusting to avoid sudden loud volumes when it played commercials, etc.

   The next step is to plug in your (already configured) Roku streaming box into another HDMI port. I used HDMI #2 port. I only tried this with the current 2022 model ROKU Ultra. So, to confirm, your Vizio sound bar is plugged into the HDMI port identified as “ARC” and the Roku streaming box is plugged into another HDMI port. After the ROKU fully started up, I used the TV remote to switch over to the ROKU to ensure it would work and it was okay. I wasn’t checking the sound bar yet.

   Yours might actually already be working for you. So, these next steps you might not have to go through; not sure but wanted to relay exactly what I did the very first time. I then powered down both the TV and the Roku. I then unplugged both and plugged them both back in but did just the TV first and booted it up fully before I plugged the Roku back in and started it back up.

   So, with both the TV on, sound bar on, and Roku on, I used the TV remote to switch over to the Roku and set that TV remote aside. I then was able to adjust the volume using just the Roku remote. However, I did notice that I had to get the volume to around numbers 50-80 for good measure. Before, when just on the TV (internal) speakers, I would have the volume numbered around 35.

   I then used the TV and the sound bar remotes to tweak some audio settings and everything seemed to still be okay later using just the Roku remote to adjust the sound bar’s volume.

   So, I sincerely hope this helps others.

2. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Jeff Baygents – 27 March, 2023

   The media could not be loaded.

    Estuve analizando diferentes opciones cerca de dos semanas, por lo que tuve oportunidad de revisar diferentes opciones.

   Los puntos a tomar en cuenta que influyeron a decidirme por esta barra fueron:
   * Tiene soporte Dolby Atmos y Dts X, si bien carece de unas bocinas hacia el techo lo compensa bien de manera general.
   * Cuenta con sistema 5.1, en el mercado existen opciones diversas, sin embargo en este caso al ser inalámbrico el subwoofer me permitió una instalación muy limpia y discreta, no quería cables por toda la pared
   * El sonido en si es muy balanceado, se nota cierta claridad y detalles en el mismo, los bajos son muy precisos, no es el típico sonido que retumbara las paredes y creo q los vecinos lo agradecerán
   * Algo muy importante es que los sistemas de plataforma (Netflix, Disney, Prime), la mayoría solo da audio 5.1, algunos pocos (HBO y Apple TV) ya empiezan a soportar audio de mayor calidad y se aprecia, solo que se requiere mayor ancho de banda minimo 50 a 100Mbs para lograr buena reproducción.
   * El uso con un ps4 y ps5, toma otro nivel al utilizar audio surround, es otro nivel, en Xbox supongo es mejor ya que si se cuenta con certificado dolby
   * La instalación es muy sencilla, sin embargo algo muy común es la desincronización de la barra en algunas televisiones, en mi caso una Sony, tengo que reiniciar la televisión para volver a sincronizar las bocinas, sin embargo al usar el Playstation no tengo ese problema por lo que supongo es cosa de mi televisión.
   * El proceso de envío e importación corrió a cargo de UPS por lo que llegó en buenas condiciones, viene bien empacado y protegido
   * Cuenta con todos los cables que se puedan llegar a requerir e inclusive soporte para montar la barra y las bocinas traseras
   * Al tener conexión HDMI eARC la recomendaría si tienes una televisión moderna, aunque en mi caso con HDMI ARC me ha funcionado, sin embargo si limita el ancho de banda esta conexión, tiene también conexión óptica que también da audio 5.1 sin embargo es tecnología antigua y usa audio más comprimido. Algo similar al blue ray y DVD.
   * Tiene entrada Bt, el audio con Spotify es muy bueno, espero pronto probarlo con Tidal Hifi
   * Cuenta con entrada para auxiliar, en la que se pudiera conectar un asistente inteligente (Alexa)
   Finalmente dejó un video de muestra, la sensación de audio que te rodea en ese tipo de escenas es otro nivel!

3. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   arecad – 27 March, 2023

   Pros:
   1. It’s slim
   2.The remote has a display (not backlit)

   Cons:
   1. Sound quality is nowhere near the same like having a 2.1 speaker. Having a seperate sub woofer really brings up the umph.
   2. For Canadian buyers, there’s no service offered by Vizio in Canada. So make sure you test it carefully in your first month of purchase so that you can reach out to Amazon if in case there is any issues with the product.

   Cheers!

4. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   SupremeCmdr – 28 March, 2023

   We needed a little sound system for a new 43 inch TV in our bedroom. After researching, we decided on the VIZIO M-Series 5.1 channel system. It had a reasonable price for its application (the foot of our bed). Our expectations were that it would provide simple, basic, sound that would be louder than the TV speakers.

   After getting everything connected, queueing up a sound-centric movie on Netflix, and sitting back in bed, we fired up a movie.

   We were blown away! The VIZIO M-Series 5.1 sound system far exceeded our expectations and produced an excellent, immersive, surround sound experience!

   The little subwoofer really packed a punch! It was SOLID! No cheap, hollow, plastic sound there! It gave the 12-inch subwoofer we have in our home theater a run for its money!

   Then there’s the little surround speakers! They delivered very distinctive surround sound from the movie. We had them placed on the nightstands to the sides of our bed.

   All that said, we are very happy with our new VIZIO M-Series sound bar system. In one scene, where the camera was spinning around the room, the surround speakers gave the impression of the circling sound.

   Cools things about the VIZIO M-Series sound bar system:

   Atmos compatible.

   The wireless, self-powered, subwoofer that the surround speakers connect to.

   The surround speakers have very long cables connected to the subwoofer so that they can be placed almost anywhere in the room. They can also be mounted to the wall with the included mounting kit.

   Volume control through the TV’s remote. No configuration to the TV remote was needed when connecting the sound bar to the TV with the supplied HDMI cable. (But HOW?!?! eARC technology through the HDMI cable)

   The sound bar is packed with 6 speakers. Two per channel. (Left, center and right.)

   Easy setup! We didn’t even need to tweak the sound!

   If you are still reading this review, here are some off-the-subject details about what we did with the TV in our bedroom.

   We purchased a modern black TV cart to put our new TV on and replaced the legs with wheels so that it could be stored in the corner of the bedroom, when not in use, and could be rolled to the foot of the bed when we want to watch TV in bed.

   We mounted the TV on a table-top stand that allows the TV to rotate from horizontal to portrait when stored away. The stand is very sturdy and stable.

   We placed the M-Series sound bar on the top of the TV cart, in front of the TV. The base of the TV stand has enough gap under it to hide away the sound bar’s cables.

   The wireless subwoofer was place at the other end of the room where the head of the bed is. As I mentioned earlier in this review, the surround speakers were placed on our nightstands.

   See the included photos.

5. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Cliente de Amazon – 20 April, 2023

   Durante una semana estuve buscando el sustituto de un Home Theatre que tenía y decidí que una barra de sonido sería buena opción. Después de leer reseñas e investigar en internet decidí que esta sería la mejor opción. En pocas palabras no me arrepiento para nada de haber elegido esta barra, superó completamente mis expectativas. El sonido es potente, claro y de excelente calidad. La instalación es súper fácil y rápida, el subwoofer inalámbrico realmente ayuda muchísimo a instalarlo de manera cómoda y el HDMI ARC am hace que el manejo sea muy fácil (Yo lo conecté a una pantalla Samsung). Lo he usado para contenido de HBO Max, Netflix y Disney+; también con un PS5 y Nintendo Switch. Además de escuchar música desde Spotify via Bluetooth desde mi celular y escuchar Viniles con mi tornamesa conectada a la entrada auxiliar. En todos los casos el sonido es increíble! Lo mejor es que tiene pre ecualizador para usos en específico pero además puedes ecualizar a tu gusto de forma manual. Creo que por el precio vale muchísimo la pena por tener Dolby Atmos y DTS. Sin duda vale cada peso pagado.

6. 

   Rated 1 out of 5

   Cliente de Amazon – 24 April, 2023

   Update: Amazon was kind enough to replace the first soundbar since Vizio wiped their hands clean of any warranty claims. I am disappointed to say the second soundbar also has a problem. Not sure if it’s isolated or if they all exhibit this but at low volumes, you can hear the woofers distorting (cutting in and out). Not an issue during the day but the soundbar is unusable at night. No setting helps except turning the volume up. I really question the quality control of this product.

   Buyer beware – Vizio does not support nor accept warranty claims for this item. Mine broke after a week and I spent a week back and forth with Vizio only to be told they will not ship a replacement to Canada and that there was nothing they can do. So I would recommend not buying a Vizio product for this very reason – the warranty is meaningless. I had asked them to update the description for all their products to let customers know that there is no warranty for their products in Canada and they said they would but I doubt they will. Just a warning. I am never buying Vizio again.

7. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Cliente de Amazon – 28 April, 2023

   Ya tengo actualmente 3 semanas con este teatro en casa y debo admitir que estoy mas que satisfecho por el precio que pague y las especificaciones que tiene es simplemente lo mejor. Lo probe con una TV Hisense U7G conectada a su entrada Earc y pasa sin ningun problema Dolby Atmos el cable que viene dentro de la caja es 2.1 por lo que no tendras que comprar otro cable por separado. cuando conecte mi PS5 a la TV y el teatro en casa lo detecto todo en perfecto estado cuando coloque una pelicula 4K me da la informacion correcta de que la salida de audio es Dolby Atmos, en una PC lo mismo. Eso si, te recomiendo que no cambies ningun parametro en la PS5 porque puede que tengas problemas de retraso de audio en todo lo demas va mas que perfecto.