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JBL Bar 5.1 Surround vs Vizio M Series M512a-H6
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
JBL Bar 5.1 Surround
Vizio M Series M512a-H6
Tested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Mar 15, 2024 07:13 PM
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Walmart.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Oct 24, 2024 02:30 PM
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Channels5.1
Channels5.1.2
Variants
- Bar 5.1 Surround (Black)
- M Series M512a-H6 (Black)
Our Verdict
JBL Bar 5.1 Surround
Vizio M Series M512a-H6
The Vizio M Series M512a-H6 is better than the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround. The Vizio has discrete satellite speakers and a better soundstage performance. Unlike the JBL, it also supports Dolby Atmos content. That said, the JBL is better built with more wireless playback options.
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Bar 5.1 Surround
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M Series M512a-H6
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Bar 5.1 Surround
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M Series M512a-H6
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B&HBlack
Bar 5.1 Surround
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Walmart.comMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
6.9
7.8
Height (Atmos)
0.0
5.7
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
3.1
9.9
Stereo Soundstage
6.5
8.0
Stereo Dynamics
7.1
8.4
Dialogue Enhancement
No
Yes
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
Yes
Enclosure
Ported
Ported
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
Partial, wired to wireless sub
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
40.0" (101.6 cm)
40.0" (101.7 cm)
Height
2.3" (5.8 cm)
2.7" (6.9 cm)
Depth
3.9" (9.8 cm)
4.1" (10.4 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
12.0" (30.5 cm)
8.3" (21.2 cm)
Height
17.3" (44.0 cm)
9.9" (25.2 cm)
Depth
12.0" (30.5 cm)
11.7" (29.7 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
5.7" (14.6 cm)
Height
N/A
2.3" (5.8 cm)
Depth
N/A
3.5" (9.0 cm)
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
Yes
Mountable Satellites
No
Yes
Satellite Brackets Included
No
Yes
Build Quality
8.0
7.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.8
7.8
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
5.1
5.1.2
Tested Preset
Standard
Direct
Slope
-0.89
0.05
Standard Error
3.56 dB
3.79 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
33.6 Hz
31.7 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
17.7 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.8
7.8
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Standard
Direct
Suggested Bass Setting
3
0
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
0
Slope
-0.89
0.05
Standard Error
3.56 dB
3.79 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
33.6 Hz
31.7 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
17.7 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
6.5
8.0
Crosstalk Error
2.92 dB
2.28 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.1
8.4
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
94.9 dB SPL
92.8 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
0.24 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
3.44 dB
0.58 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
8.2
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.26
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.18
Center
8.1
8.3
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.44
-0.05
Std. Err.
3.76 dB
2.96 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
92.0 dB SPL
93.1 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.32
0.82
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.98
1.61
Surround 5.1
6.0
5.4
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Front Firing, Bar)
Discrete
Slope
-0.92
-0.81
Std. Err.
3.54 dB
9.29 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
94.5 dB SPL
90.8 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.24
1.03
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.16
14.09
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
0.0
5.7
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Not Supported
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Slope
N/A
-0.31
Std. Err.
N/A
4.49 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
N/A
78.9 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
N/A
0.90
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
N/A
0.80
Sound Enhancement Features
5.6
7.4
Room Correction
Yes
No
Dialogue Enhancement
No
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Bass Adjustment
No
Yes
Treble Adjustment
No
Yes
EQ
Presets
Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Virtual Surround
Yes
Yes
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI Out
ARC
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
No
Full HDMI In
1
1
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
1
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
1
Ethernet
1
No
Subwoofer Output
No
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
3.1
9.9
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Incorrect Implementation
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Incorrect Implementation
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
Supported
DTS
Not Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Not Supported
Supported
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Up To 5.1
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
2.6
9.9
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Incorrect Implementation
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Not Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
Supported
DTS
Not Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Not Supported
Supported
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Up To 5.1
Audio Format Support: Optical
4.3
10
Dolby Digital
Incorrect Implementation
Supported
DTS
Not Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
2.0
Audio Latency: ARC
6.3
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
92 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
106 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
112 ms
Dolby Digital
124 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
125 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
134 ms
Audio Latency: HDMI In
7.2
7.1
HDMI Latency Video
Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
97 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
103 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
93 ms
Dolby Digital
123 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
111 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
120 ms
ARC
121 ms
Optical
98 ms
Full HDMI In
-14 ms
Audio Latency: Optical
6.1
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
156 ms
Dolby Digital
349 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
7.8
9.2
1080p Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
120Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
120Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
120Hz
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
60Hz
8k Max Refresh Rate
30Hz
30Hz
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
Yes
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
Yes
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
Yes
FreeSync Passthrough
No
Yes
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
No
ALLM Passthrough
No
Yes
Wireless Playback
10
6.0
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
No
Chromecast built-in
Yes
No
Apple AirPlay
Yes
No
Spotify Connect
Yes
No
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
No
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
No
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
No
Check Price
Black
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
M Series M512a-H6
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Amazon.comBlack
Bar 5.1 Surround
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Amazon.comBlack
M Series M512a-H6
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B&HBlack
Bar 5.1 Surround
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
M Series M512a-H6
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BestBuy.comBlack
Bar 5.1 Surround
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B&HBlack
M Series M512a-H6
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Walmart.com
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JBL Bar 5.1 Surround
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JBL Bar 5.1 Surround vs Vizio M Series M512a-H6: Main Discussion
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