Get insider access
Preferred store
Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available.
We've recently launched Soundbars 1.3! Read the R&D Article to learn more.

Vizio V Series V214x-K6 Soundbar Review

Tested using Methodology v1.0
Reviewed Oct 20, 2022 at 12:56 pm
Vizio V Series V214x-K6 Picture
N/A
Mixed Usage
N/A
Dialogue/TV Shows
N/A
Music
N/A
Movies

The Vizio V Series V214x-K6 is a budget-friendly 2.1 model released in 2022. It has a similar design to last year's Vizio V Series V21x-J8, with an input that lets you pair third-party voice assistant devices so you can control the bar with your voice. Compared to the previous model, it's a bit smaller, too, which is great if you don't have a lot of space in your setup. That said, unlike the more premium offerings in the manufacturer's M Series, there's no Dolby Atmos support, and you don't have satellites on hand to improve its surround sound.

Our Verdict

N/A Mixed Usage

The Vizio V Series V214x-K6 is fair for mixed usage. This 2.1 soundbar is ideal for listening to stereo content, which includes most music and TV shows. Out-of-the-box, it offers a balanced sound that ensures voices and instruments in your favorite songs are clear and present, and you don't have any trouble making out dialogue in TV shows. There are some customization tools on hand, though not as many as more premium models. It's not as great for watching movies, though, as the bar can't handle more advanced formats like Dolby Atmos that are increasingly popular on various streaming platforms.

Pros
  • Bass and treble adjustments.
  • Gets loud.
Cons
  • Downmixes surround sound.
  • No Atmos support.
N/A Dialogue/TV Shows

The Vizio V Series V214x-K6 is good for dialogue-centric like TV shows and podcasts. It's a 2.1 bar, so it doesn't have a discrete center channel to improve vocal clarity, but you can still follow along with the dialogue on screen thanks to its balanced and even reproduction of vocals. Also, its Dialogue preset doubles as a dialogue enhancement feature to make voices more clear in the mix. If you like to listen to podcasts and audiobooks, you can stream them from your phone to the bar over Bluetooth, but unfortunately, there's no Wi-Fi support.

Pros
  • Dialogue enhancement mode.
  • Bluetooth support.
Cons
  • No Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay, or Chromecast.
N/A Music

The Vizio V Series V214x-K6 is satisfactory for music. It offers a somewhat balanced sound, especially in the mids, where most vocals and lead instruments reproduce. As a result, it's suitable for listening to lots of different genres, and you can even use its bass and treble adjustments to switch up its sound. That said, despite the included subwoofer, you notice a lack of low-bass, especially with bass-heavy genres like EDM and hip-hop.

Pros
  • Bass and treble adjustments.
  • Gets loud.
Cons
  • Lacks some low-bass.
  • No Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay, or Chromecast.
N/A Movies

The Vizio V Series V214x-K6 is middling for movies. It's a 2.1 bar, so it's mostly designed for listening to stereo content. It can't playback more advanced audio formats like Dolby Atmos, which are commonly found with movies on many streaming platforms. Similarly, 5.1 surround sound formats like Dolby Digital are downmixed into stereo with the bar, which takes away from the overall immersive feel. You don't notice a lot of rumble in your seat during intense scenes, but dialogue and other sound effects remain pretty clear in the mix.

Pros
  • Gets loud.
  • Dialogue enhancement mode.
Cons
  • Lacks some low-bass.
  • Downmixes surround sound.
  • No Atmos support.
  • N/A Mixed Usage
  • N/A Dialogue/TV Shows
  • N/A Music
  • N/A Movies
  1. Updated Oct 20, 2022: Review published.
  2. Updated Oct 17, 2022: Early access published.
  3. Updated Oct 13, 2022: Our testers have started testing this product.
  4. Updated Oct 04, 2022: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
  5. Updated Sep 19, 2022: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

The Vizio V Series V214x-K6 is available in Black. You can see the label for the model we tested here.

If you come across another version of this soundbar, let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.

Compared To Other Soundbars

The Vizio V Series V214x-K6 is a simple 2.1 bar available at a budget-friendly price. It's ideal for listening to stereo content like music and TV shows, as it lacks support for more premium audio formats like Dolby Atmos. There are basic sound enhancement features on hand, which is typical for products at this price point.

See also our recommendations for the best soundbars, the best soundbars for dialogue, and the best soundbars with a subwoofer.

Vizio V Series V21x-J8

Depending on your listening habits, you may prefer either the Vizio V Series V21x-J8 or the Vizio V Series V214x-K6. They're both budget-friendly 2.1 soundbars with similar designs. The V214x-K6 has a more balanced sound profile out-of-the-box, and it's a bit smaller overall. Its smaller design means that its soundstage isn't quite as good as the V21x-J8, which also offers HDMI inputs.

Vizio M Series M215a-J6

The Vizio M Series M215a-J6 and the Vizio V Series V214x-K6 are both budget-friendly offers available at around the same price. However, the M Series is more versatile overall. Unlike the V Series, it supports Dolby Atmos content, though it has to downmix it into stereo to play it. It has a better soundstage, plus HDMI inputs, meaning you can use HDMI CEC support with your TV remote.

Samsung HW-B450

The Samsung HW-B450 and the Vizio V Series V214x-K6 are both very similar 2.1 setups. They're available at budget-friendly prices, along with subwoofers to improve their bass reproduction. The Samsung soundbar's stereo soundstage is better; however, the Vizio gets a bit louder. Neither bar supports Dolby Atmos content, unfortunately.

Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
Design
Style - Bar

The Vizio V Series V214x-K6 has a similar design to the Vizio V Series V21x-J8, but it's a bit smaller. It's mostly made of plastic, with fabric covering the front and the sides. The controls are on top of the bar, while the inputs are on the rear.

Design
Style - Subwoofer

The sub looks similar to the model that comes with the Vizio V Series V21x-J8. It's made of melamine and sits on four plastic pegs with rubber grips to keep it in place. The port is located in the rear, and the speaker is underneath.

Design
Style - Satellites
Design
Dimensions - Bar
Width Lock" (Lock cm)
Height Lock" (Lock cm)
Depth Lock" (Lock cm)

The bar isn't very wide, so it fits between most 55" TV stands. Also, it's not very tall, so you don't have to worry about it blocking out your TV screen.

Design
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Width Lock" (Lock cm)
Height Lock" (Lock cm)
Depth Lock" (Lock cm)

The sub is about the same width as an average desktop PC. It isn't as tall, though.

Design
Dimensions - Satellites
Width N/A
Height N/A
Depth N/A
Design
Back - Bar
Bar Mounting
Locked

There are some openings on the back of the bar for the inputs and the power cable. You also find holes if you want to mount the bar to the wall.

Design
Back - Subwoofer
Enclosure
Locked

There's a port on the back of the sub, as well as an input for the power cable.

Design
Back - Satellites
Mounting
Locked
N/A
Design
Build Quality

The Vizio V Series V214x-K6 has a decent build quality. The bar is made of solid-feeling plastic, and the subwoofer's melamine build is quite sturdy. That said, the fabric on the bar itself isn't very tight, so be careful when handling it to avoid rips or tears. Also, it's prone to collecting dust and pet hair over time.

Design
In The Box
HDMI Cable Length
N/A
Digital Optical Cable Length
Lock m (Lock ft)

  • User Manual and Quick Start Guide
  • Wall mount template
  • Optical cable
  • 2x power cables
  • Remote with batteries (2x AAA)

Sound
N/A
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
Tested Preset
Locked
Slope
Lock
Std. Err.
Lock dB
Channels
2.1
Low-Frequency Extension
Lock Hz
High-Frequency Extension
Lock kHz

The Vizio V Series V214x-K6 has a good stereo frequency response. It performs well for such a budget-friendly bar, with a fairly even sound profile that ensures dialogue in TV shows, as well as vocals and instruments in your favorite music, are clearly and accurately reproduced. Though its sub can reproduce a decent amount of bass, you notice the lack of low-bass, especially with bass-heavy genres like EDM and hip-hop.

N/A
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
Suggested Preset
Locked
Suggested Bass Setting
Lock
Suggested Treble Setting
Lock
Slope
Lock
Std. Err.
Lock dB
Low-Frequency Extension
Lock Hz
High-Frequency Extension
Lock kHz

You can customize the bar's sound a bit thanks to its bass and treble adjustments. If you want a more balanced sound with stereo content, you can set its bass to '-1' and its treble to '1', which results in a clearer reproduction of voices, instruments, and other sound effects.

N/A
Sound
Stereo Soundstage
Crosstalk Error
Lock dB

The bar's soundstage is fair with stereo content. In our testing room, it seems that the soundstage stretches a bit wider than the bar itself, but since the bar isn't very wide to begin with, it isn't much compared to models like the Vizio V Series V21x-J8. Its focus is pretty good, too, so you get a good sense of where various instruments are located in the soundstage around you. However, they seem to come from more general areas as opposed to accurate, pinpoint locations.

N/A
Sound
Stereo Dynamics
SPL @ Max Volume
Lock dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
Lock dB

The Vizio V Series V214x-K6 gets pretty loud, so you don't have any trouble filling larger, more open spaces with sound. There's a bit of compression when you push it to max volume, but it's not very noticeable, especially if you prefer to listen at more moderate volume levels.

N/A
Sound
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
Weighted THD @ 80dB
Lock
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
Lock

At normal listening volumes, the bar's distortion falls within good limits. As a result, audio reproduces with clarity and purity. Like most bars, you see a slight jump in THD when you push the bar to max volume. However, distortion is hard to hear with real-life content, so it isn't much of an issue unless you like to listen with the volume cranked up.

N/A
Sound
Center
Localization
Locked
Slope
Lock
Std. Err.
Lock dB
SPL @ Max Volume
Lock dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
Lock
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
Lock

The Vizio V Series V214x-K6 is a 2.1 soundbar, so it doesn't come with a discrete center channel. Instead, it uses its left and right stereo channels to simulate a sound in the center. Voices are still very clear and easy to follow, even though the channel's sound profile isn't the most even. However, you don't get the same clarity as with bars with discrete center channels.

N/A
Sound
Surround 5.1
Localization
Locked
Slope
Lock
Std. Err.
Lock dB
SPL @ Max Volume
Lock dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
Lock
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
Lock
7.1 Rears
Locked

As with most 2.1 bars, the Vizio's surround sound performance isn't very impressive. It has to downmix 5.1 surround content like Dolby Digital to stereo to play it, which reduces the overall feeling of immersion. For example, in a chase scene, it doesn't really seem like cars race past you. Instead, sound is focused to the space in front of you.

N/A
Sound
Height (Atmos)
Localization
Locked
Slope
N/A
Std. Err.
N/A
SPL @ Max Volume
N/A
Weighted THD @ 80dB
N/A
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
N/A
N/A
Sound
Sound Enhancement Features
Room Correction
Locked
Dialogue Enhancement
Locked
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Locked
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Locked
Bass Adjustment
Locked
Treble Adjustment
Locked
EQ
Locked
Surround Level Adjustment
Locked
Rear Level Adjustment
Locked
Height Level Adjustment
Locked
Virtual Surround
Locked

The Vizio V Series V214x-K6 offers the same selection of sound enhancement features as the Vizio V Series V21x-J8. It's pretty good for a budget-friendly bar, as you can switch up its sound with bass and treble adjustments or its various preset modes: Movie, Music, Dialogue, and Game. On the remote, you can use the TVOL button or hold the subwoofer level button to activate auto-volume mode or the VRT:X button to turn on virtual surround. There's audio feedback to help you follow along as you switch these settings.

Connectivity
Connectivity
Physical Inputs - Bar
Optical Audio In
Locked
HDMI ARC
Locked
HDMI Out
Locked
Full HDMI In
Locked
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
Locked
RCA In
Locked
USB for Files
Locked
Ethernet
Locked

You can connect the bar to your TV over Optical. It's suitable for listening to different audio content, but since there are no HDMI ports, you can't use HDMI CEC to control the bar with your TV's remote.

N/A
Connectivity
Audio Format Support - ARC
eARC
Locked
Dolby Atmos
Locked
Dolby Digital
Locked
Dolby Digital Plus
Locked
DTS
Locked
DTS:X (eARC only)
Locked
Dolby TrueHD (eARC only)
Locked
DTS-HD MA (eARC only)
Locked
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
Locked
N/A
Connectivity
Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
Dolby Atmos
Locked
DTS:X
Locked
Dolby Digital
Locked
Dolby Digital Plus
Locked
DTS
Locked
Dolby TrueHD
Locked
DTS-HD MA
Locked
5.1 PCM
Locked
N/A
Connectivity
Audio Format Support - Optical
Dolby Digital
Locked
DTS
Locked

Over Optical, the bar can playback Dolby Digital content. It's a common surround sound format found on many different streaming platforms. Although, since it's a 2.1 bar, it has to downmix it into stereo. When you watch content that isn't supported, like DTS, the bar lets you know via audio feedback.

N/A
Connectivity
Latency
- SAMPLE -
Get Insider Access for videos & test results
Vizio V Series V214x-K6 Latency Video Sample
ARC
N/A
Optical
Lock ms
Full HDMI In
N/A

While the bar has fairly high latency over Optical, the delay between the audio you hear and the video you see isn't very noticeable. Even with dialogue-centric content, you don't notice much issue with lip-synching unless you focus on it. Of course, different apps and TVs compensate for latency differently, so your experience can vary.

N/A
Connectivity
Wireless Playback
Bluetooth
Locked
Wi-Fi
Locked
Chromecast built-in
Locked
Apple AirPlay
Locked

You can wirelessly stream audio to the bar from your mobile devices over Bluetooth.

Connectivity
Other Input Specifications
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
Locked
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
Locked
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
Locked
HDR10 Passthrough
Locked
Connectivity
Connectivity - Subwoofer
Sub Wireless
Locked

The sub connects to the bar wirelessly, so you need to plug it into a power outlet to get it to work.

Connectivity
Connectivity - Satellites
Sat Wireless
Locked
Additional Features
Additional Features
Interface
Display
Locked

The bar doesn't have a display. Instead, you can monitor its settings using a set of indicator lights on the left side of the bar. They turn different colors and patterns based on your settings, like the chosen preset mode or input. There's also audio feedback when you change its settings.

Additional Features
Bar Controls

There are some buttons on top of the bar. You can use them to turn it on/off, change the input, activate Bluetooth pairing, and adjust the volume.

Additional Features
Remote
Universal Remote
Locked

The remote lets you control all the bar's settings from the comfort of your couch.

Additional Features
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
Locked
Google Assistant
Locked
Apple Siri
Locked

There's no built-in voice assistant support. However, you can use the AUX port with third-party voice assistant devices if you want to control the bar with your voice via Amazon or Google.

Additional Features
App
App Name Locked
iOS Locked
Android Locked
Acts As A Remote
Locked
Controls Soundbar's Settings
Locked
Casts Device Files
Locked
Additional Features
Other Features
Power Saving
Locked
HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)
Locked

The Vizio V Series V214x-K6's eco power mode is turned off by default. However, if you choose to turn it on, the bar automatically powers down after a period of inactivity.