The Vizio SB2020n-G6 is a compact 2.0 soundbar. Although it can't be wall-mounted and it doesn't get loud enough to fill a large room, its compact size can be a good addition to a computer setup as it isn't very tall and it shouldn't obscure your screen, unless your monitor sits flush on the table. It has a balanced and neutral mid-range, which is alright for dialogue content, and its bass can pack a punch. However, as it doesn't have a subwoofer, it lacks thump and rumble. At the same time, there's a little bit of distortion audible from the bass range, even at a normal listening volume. While it offers several connectivity options, it lacks an HDMI In port, and it can only support PCM-format content.
Our Verdict
The Vizio SB2020n-G6 is disappointing for mixed use. This soundbar is more suited for a computer setup and it shows in its performance. Its dark sound profile lacks a thumpy bass, which can affect your immersion into action films or music. It doesn't get very loud either, which may be a problem for house parties or large rooms. However, it should be more than enough if you're listening to vocal-centric content.
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Compact size.
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Auto-off power saving feature.
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Only supports PCM-format content.
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Distortion may be audible, even at a normal listening volume.
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Can't be wall-mounted.
The Vizio SB2020n-G6 is alright for dialogue and TV shows. Although it has a neutral-sounding mid-range, which is suited for vocal-centric content, it lacks a dialogue enhancement feature to bring out vocals. It doesn't get very loud, either, but it should still be adequate if you're listening to your favorite TV shows. The auto-volume mode can also help balance the volume between different audio content such as between TV shows and commercials.
The Vizio SB2020n-G6 is passable for music. It has a dark sound profile, so some detail and clarity get lost in your mix. The soundbar doesn't have a subwoofer either, and while the bass is still punchy, fans of EDM and hip-hop may find the thump and rumble lacking. There's some distortion in the bass-range that may be audible, even at lower volumes. You can adjust the bass and treble, which is nice, but this soundbar only has two EQ presets to choose from. It doesn't get that loud either, so it's not suited for house parties or large rooms.
The Vizio SB2020n-G6 is poor for movies. Since it doesn't have a subwoofer, it lacks thump and rumble, which can make action movies less immersive. Although it can still produce a punchy bass, there's some compression that may be audible, even at more reasonable volumes. The soundstage is slightly wider than the bar itself but it also sounds both centered and diffused, depending on the sound. This soundbar can't decode or downmix surround sound content to stereo either.
- 5.3 Mixed Usage
- 5.3 Dialogue/TV Shows
- 6.8 Music
- 4.5 Movies
- Updated Apr 29, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Sep 23, 2020: The Dynamics tests have been reconducted due to a value input bug.
- Updated Jun 04, 2020: Review published.
- Updated Jun 02, 2020: Early access published.
- Updated May 21, 2020: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated May 19, 2020: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated May 15, 2020: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Compared To Other Soundbars
The Vizio SB2020n-G6 is a compact 2.0 channel soundbar. It's the smallest Vizio soundbar we've tested so far and it's similarly compact as the Bose Solo 5. Unlike 2.1 soundbars, it doesn't have a dedicated subwoofer, though, so it lacks decent thump and rumble. It can only support PCM-format content and it lacks some common sound enhancement features like a dialogue enhancement mode. If you're still shopping around for soundbars, check out our recommendations for the best small soundbars, the best budget soundbars, and the best soundbars under $200.
The Vizio SB3220n-F6 is a better 2.0 soundbar than the Vizio SB2020n-G6. Although they both have a similarly decent build, the SB3220n-F6 can be wall-mounted, and it also has a slightly better-balanced sound profile. It even supports Dolby Digital content thanks to its optical connection. However, the SB2020n-G6 has an auto-off feature.
The Vizio SB2020n-G6 is a slightly better performing soundbar than the TaoTronics TT-SK023. The Vizio is slightly better-balanced, it has an auto-volume mode as well as bass and treble adjustments, and it has a USB input so that you can play files directly from your flash drive. However, the TaoTronics can get louder, and you can also wall-mount it.
The Bose Solo 5 and Vizio SB2020n-G6 are both similarly small soundbars, but the Bose Solo 5 has a better overall performance. The Bose has a better-balanced sound profile, and it supports Dolby Digital content by downmixing it via its optical connection. While it doesn't have a dedicated center channel, the Bose can also create a phantom center that still has a decent performance. However, even though the Vizio has limited sound enhancement features such as only two EQ presets, the Bose doesn't have any at all.
The Sony HT-S100F is a better 2.0 soundbar than the Vizio SB2020n-G6. While the Sony has a slightly less balanced sound profile, it can downmix surround content into stereo. It can also get louder than the Vizio, it has an HDMI In port, and you can wall-mount it. However, the Vizio has a more neutral mid-range, and you can also adjust its bass and treble. If you're low on space, the Vizio is also very compact and can be a suitable choice if you're looking for a soundbar for your computer setup.
The TCL Alto 5 is a better stereo 2.0 soundbar than the Vizio SB2020n-G6. It supports surround channels while the Vizio can't, which makes a big difference for movie watchers. It's also slightly better built. On the other hand, if you only want to watch some stereo content, the Vizio has a better-balanced bass, although its overall sound profile lacks a bit of detail in higher frequencies.
The LG SK1 is a slightly better soundbar than the Vizio SB2020n-G6 for some uses. The Vizio only supports PCM-format content, so it doesn't support Dolby Digital or surround content. As a result, the LG is a better choice for movie fans. The LG is better-built and it can be wall-mounted, unlike the Vizio. However, while both bars are lacking a bit of bass, the Vizio has a slightly more extended bass that may be preferred by some users.
The Vizio SB2020n-J6 is the updated version of the Vizio SB2020n-G6, and it offers better overall performance. Both bars have similar performance, and they only support PCM content. However, the J6 comes with an additional dialogue enhancement feature. Also, it reproduces more treble out-of-the-box, resulting in a more detailed sound.
Test Results
The Vizio SB2020n-G6 may look similar to other Vizio soundbars such as the Vizio SB3220n-F6 or the Vizio SB3820-C6 but it's much more compact and rectangular. It's made from a dense plastic, including its silver plastic caps on other ends, giving it solid build. It also has a fabric cover but it can easily collect dust over time or rip.
The Vizio SB2020n-G6 is a very compact bar. Although it's slightly larger than the Bose Solo 5, it should still fit between the legs of most 55" TVs. It's also not very tall and it shouldn't block your screen unless your TV sits flush on the table.
This soundbar doesn't come with a subwoofer.
This soundbar doesn't come with satellite speakers.
The back of this soundbar is plastic and isn't designed to be mounted on a wall. Instead, it's meant to sit on your desk or table. The inputs are directly on the back of the bar and while there's a separate opening on the bar's right side, it doesn't have any inputs in it.
The Vizio SB2020n-G6 has a decent build quality. It's mostly made of good quality plastic. However, the fabric covering can easily collect dust and can be ripped.
- Manual
- Remote
- 2x AAA batteries
- Power cable
- Stereo RCA cable
- Stereo RCA to 3.5mm audio cable
- Optical cable
The Vizio SB2020n-G6 has an only okay stereo frequency response when on the Music preset. As it doesn't come with a subwoofer, it lacks thump and rumble. Although it still manages to pack a punchy bass, it can sound compressed and slightly distorted, even if you're listening to your favorite tunes at a lower volume. The treble is fairly dark, too, which makes your mixes lose detail and clarity. On the upside, the mid-range is pretty neutral.
The Vizio SB2020n-G6 has an alright stereo soundstage. Music and movies sound wider than the bar but not by a lot. Its focus is concentrated at the center of the bar but as it tries to separate sounds in space, the soundstage becomes diffused and objects sound like they aren't always coming from an accurate, pinpoint location.
Update 09/23/2020: We've discovered a value input bug that would cause the Dynamics box results to be slightly off. All soundbars reviewed since January 30th, 2020 have been updated.
The Vizio SB2020n-G6 has satisfactory stereo dynamics. While it may not get loud enough for a large room or house party, it should still be loud enough if placed in front of your computer. At max volume, there are a little bit of pumping and compression artifacts present, particularly in the bass range.
The Vizio SB2020n-G6's total harmonic distortion is alright. There's a little bit of distortion, both at a normal listening volume as well as at max volume. However, as distortion is relatively difficult to hear in comparison to pumping or compression artifacts, it may not be noticeable to everyone.
This soundbar lacks a center channel, and it can't decode or downmix surround sound content to stereo.
This soundbar doesn't have any surround channels, nor can it downmix, or even decode, surround sound content to stereo. For a stereo 2.0 soundbar that can play surround files, check out the TCL Alto 5 or the LG SK1.
This soundbar doesn't support Atmos.
The Vizio SB2020n-G6 has poor sound enhancement features. You can adjust the bass and treble, which is nice if you want to tweak the sound a little bit; however, there are only two presets: music and movie mode. While there's an auto-volume feature which can help if you like to watch TV at night, it doesn't have a dialogue enhancement mode like the Vizio SB2020n-J6. On the upside, this soundbar has a DTS virtual X surround sound feature, which could make your audio sound more immersive, but we didn't test this.
The Vizio SB2020n-G6 has a selection of inputs. There's a standard audio jack in addition to an RCA input. There's an optical-in too, and you can play content from flash drives thanks to its USB input. On the downside, there are no HDMI ports, so you won't be able to use this soundbar as a hub between your TV and other media devices.
This soundbar doesn't have an HDMI ARC port.
This soundbar doesn't have any HDMI ports.
This soundbar only supports PCM-format content. If you use this soundbar with a TV, it has a voice cue to let you know if you need to change your TV settings to PCM.
The Vizio SB2020n-G6 has passable wireless playback options. It only supports Bluetooth which is nice when you want to wirelessly stream music from your mobile devices, but that's about it.
Since this soundbar doesn't support HDMI, there's no video passthrough.
The Vizio SB2020n-G6 has a very limited interface. It uses one small light in the middle of the soundbar and it changes color depending on what inputs you're on. It also flashes when you change the volume and if the file you're playing isn't compatible with the bar.
This soundbar has simple controls located on the top of the bar. You can turn the bar on/off, change inputs, pair a Bluetooth device, and adjust the volume.
This soundbar has a simple remote. Just like the Vizio SB3220n-F6's remote, when you're connected via Bluetooth, you can control audio playback. You can also change inputs and activate sound enhancement features.