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.

  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Style - Bar
    2. Style - Subwoofer
    3. Style - Satellites
    4. Dimensions - Bar
    5. Dimensions - Subwoofer
    6. Dimensions - Satellites
    7. Mounting
    8. Build Quality
    9. In The Box
  5. Sound
    1. Stereo Frequency Response
    2. Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
    3. Stereo Soundstage
    4. Stereo Dynamics
    5. Center
    6. Surround 5.1
    7. Height (Atmos)
    8. Sound Enhancement Features
  6. Connectivity
    1. Inputs/Outputs - Bar
    2. Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
    3. Audio Format Support: HDMI In
    4. Audio Format Support: Optical
    5. Audio Latency: ARC
    6. Audio Latency: HDMI In
    7. Audio Latency: Optical
    8. Video Passthrough To TV
    9. Wireless Playback
  7. Additional Features
    1. Interface
    2. Bar Controls
    3. Remote
    4. Voice Assistants Support
  8. Comments

onn. 42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar vs Vizio M Series M51ax-J6

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

onn. 42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Sep 24, 2024 02:20 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Sep 04, 2024 06:58 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
onn. 42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar Picture
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 Picture
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. 5.1

Variants

  • 42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar (Black/Grey)
  • M Series M51ax-J6 (Dark Charcoal)

Our Verdict

onn. 42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar

Vizio M Series M51ax-J6

The Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 is better than the onn. 42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar. They're both affordable 5.1.2 setups with Atmos support, but the Vizio soundbar's Atmos performance is better. The Vizio comes with discrete satellites for a better surround sound, too. More sound enhancement features are also available, and DTS support, which the onn. lacks.

0

Check Price

Black/Grey
42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Dark Charcoal
M Series M51ax-J6
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black/Grey
42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Dark Charcoal
M Series M51ax-J6
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
 
Dark Charcoal
M Series M51ax-J6
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Dark Charcoal
M Series M51ax-J6
B&H

Main Differences for

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

6.8
7.9

Surround 5.1 
 

3.8
7.5

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.4
7.9

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

4.9
10

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

No
Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

No
Yes

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

onn. 42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar Style photo - bar
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 Style photo - bar

Show text

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

onn. 42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar Style photo - sub
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported

Show text

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

onn. 42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar Style photo - satellites
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

No
Partial, wired to wireless sub

Show text

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

onn. 42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar Dimensions photo - bar
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

41.7" (106.0 cm)
36.0" (91.5 cm)

Height  

3.5" (9.0 cm)
2.3" (5.8 cm)

Depth  

5.7" (14.5 cm)
3.5" (9.0 cm)

Show text

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

onn. 42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar Dimensions photo - sub
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

10.2" (26.0 cm)
8.3" (21.0 cm)

Height  

13.0" (33.0 cm)
9.9" (25.2 cm)

Depth  

10.2" (26.0 cm)
8.3" (21.0 cm)

Show text

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

onn. 42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar Dimensions photo - satellites
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 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)

Show text

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

onn. 42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar Bar Mounting Holes
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

onn. 42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar Satellite Mounting Holes
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes
Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Yes
Yes

Mountable Satellites 
 

No
Yes

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

No
Yes

Build Quality 
 

7.0
7.0

Build quality photo  

onn. 42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar Build quality photo
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 Build quality photo

Show text

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

onn. 42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar In The Box photo
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 In The Box photo

Show text

Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.4
7.9

Stereo Setup  

onn. 42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar Stereo Setup
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 Stereo Setup

Raw Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Frequency Response Small  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Channels 
 

5.1.2
5.1

Tested Preset 
 

Standard
Direct

Slope 
 

-1.85
-0.26

Standard Error 
 

4.86 dB
3.35 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

33.6 Hz
33.6 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz

Show text

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

7.7
8.2

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Standard
Direct

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

-6
-3

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

3
0

Slope 
 

-0.60
-0.11

Standard Error 
 

3.10 dB
2.37 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

38.9 Hz
33.2 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
19.6 kHz

Show text

Stereo Soundstage 
 

7.0
7.0

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

3.61 dB
2.16 dB

Show text

Stereo Dynamics 
 

8.4
8.5

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

100.0 dB SPL
96.2 dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

0.25 dB
0.25 dB

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

3.85 dB
1.40 dB

Show text

Center 
 

7.7
8.4

Center Setup  

onn. 42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar Center Setup
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-0.14
-0.21

Std. Err. 
 

2.76 dB
2.67 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

70.4 dB SPL
92.4 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.73
1.17

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

3.11
2.09

Show text

Surround 5.1 
 

3.8
7.5

Surround Setup  

onn. 42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar Surround Setup
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)
Discrete

Slope 
 

0.98
-0.17

Std. Err. 
 

8.58 dB
4.01 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

72.3 dB SPL
93.3 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.40
0.34

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.79
1.02

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No

Show text

Height (Atmos) 
 

4.9
5.9

Height Setup  

onn. 42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar Height Setup
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Front Firing, Satellites)

Slope 
 

-1.74
-0.06

Std. Err. 
 

6.05 dB
3.99 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

67.5 dB SPL
85.1 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.65
2.60

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.86
0.32

Show text

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

3.9
7.1

Room Correction 
 

No
No

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

No
Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

No
Yes

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Bass Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Treble Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

EQ 
 

Presets
Presets

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Height Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Virtual Surround 
 

No
Yes

Show text

Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

onn. 42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

onn. 42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
1

HDMI Out 
 

eARC
eARC

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

No
No

Full HDMI In 
 

3
1

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

1
1

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

1
1

Ethernet 
 

1
No

Subwoofer Output 
 

No
No

Show text

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

4.9
10

Dolby Atmos 
 

Supported
Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

Incorrect Implementation
Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Incorrect Implementation
Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Incorrect Implementation
Supported

DTS 
 

Not Supported
Supported

DTS:X 
 

Not Supported
Supported

DTS-HD MA 
 

Not Supported
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

Up To 7.1
Up To 7.1

Show text

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

4.9
10

Dolby Atmos 
 

Supported
Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

Incorrect Implementation
Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Incorrect Implementation
Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Incorrect Implementation
Supported

DTS 
 

Not Supported
Supported

DTS:X 
 

Not Supported
Supported

DTS-HD MA 
 

Not Supported
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

Up To 7.1
Up To 7.1

Show text

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

4.3
10

Dolby Digital 
 

Incorrect Implementation
Supported

DTS 
 

Not Supported
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
2.0

Show text

Audio Latency: ARC 
 

3.8
9.5

ARC Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

39 ms
61 ms

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

40 ms
106 ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

139 ms
76 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

285 ms
65 ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

234 ms
70 ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

274 ms
74 ms

Show text

Audio Latency: HDMI In 
 

3.6
6.9

HDMI Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

134 ms
97 ms

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

134 ms
87 ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

142 ms
107 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

261 ms
124 ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

253 ms
115 ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

208 ms
122 ms

Show text

Audio Latency: Optical 
 

9.1
7.0

Optical Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

96 ms
147 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

155 ms
207 ms

Show text

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

8.3
9.0

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 
 

Yes
Yes

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

No
No

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

No
No

ALLM Passthrough 
 

Yes
Yes

Show text

Wireless Playback 
 

7.0
6.0

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
Yes

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

No
No

Chromecast built-in 
 

No
No

Apple AirPlay 
 

Yes
No

Spotify Connect 
 

No
No

Show text

Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

onn. 42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar Interface photo
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 Interface photo

Display 
 

Yes
No

Show text

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

onn. 42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar Controls photo
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 Controls photo

Show text

Remote  

Remote photo  

onn. 42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar Remote photo
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 Remote photo

Show text

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

No
No

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

No
No

Show text

Check Price

Black/Grey
42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Dark Charcoal
M Series M51ax-J6
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black/Grey
42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Dark Charcoal
M Series M51ax-J6
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
 
Dark Charcoal
M Series M51ax-J6
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Dark Charcoal
M Series M51ax-J6
B&H

onn. 42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar

Vizio M Series M51ax-J6

Comments

  1. Comparison

onn. 42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar vs Vizio M Series M51ax-J6: Main Discussion

What do you think of these products? Let us know below.


Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Insiders have direct access to buying advice on our insider forum.

PreviewBack to editorFormat guide
No comments yet, refresh to see new ones