What makes it stand out:
The Vizio 2.1 Soundbar (SV210M) is a great soundbar for the money. This stereo soundbar features a modern design with rounded edges and is paired with a wireless subwoofer that's so small it should be easy to find a place for it. Despite its compact 30-inch width, the Vizio delivers room-filling sound -- if I closed my eyes, I couldn't tell where the speaker was, which is an achievement for a budget model. For music and movies, this soundbar is all that many people will need. The tiny sub can put out some hurt when needed, handling explosions with impressive power. It’s an absolute winner.
Perfect for these listeners:
The Vizio 2.1 is ideal for anyone with a limited space and budget, thanks to its compact soundbar and wireless subwoofer for under $200. Music lovers will appreciate its natural and fun touch with their favorite songs while still being able to hit deep bass notes. Movie dialogue positively sizzles, and sound effect reproduction is raw and untamed (in a good way). With impressively-performing listening modes for both music and movies, the Vizio 2.1 Soundbar is all that many people will need.
Consider alternatives if:
If you have an older TV without HDMI connections, you'll need to look elsewhere; the Vizio 2.1 lacks analog or optical connections. Home theater enthusiasts seeking true Dolby Atmos effects will be disappointed -- while it can read Dolby Atmos and DTS signals, it can't produce genuine height effects. The soundbar also lacks a physical remote control, offloading setting changes to the Vizio Mobile app, which requires a Bluetooth connection first. Audiophiles who prefer a "direct mode" for music listening should note that the soundbar bounces sound off your walls, even when set to Music mode.