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  1. Home
  2. Soundbar
  3. Compare
  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. Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
    6. Center
    7. Surround 5.1
    8. Height (Atmos)
    9. 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

Samsung HW-Q950A vs Vizio M Series M512a-H6

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Samsung HW-Q950A
Vizio M Series M512a-H6

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Jan 12, 2024 07:39 PM

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Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Oct 24, 2024 02:30 PM

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Samsung HW-Q950A Picture
Vizio M Series M512a-H6 Picture
Channels
11.1.4
Channels
5.1.2

Variants

  • HW-Q950A (Black)
  • M Series M512a-H6 (Black)

Review

See Samsung HW-Q950A Review
See Vizio M Series M512a-H6 Review
2 
20 

Our Verdict

Samsung HW-Q950A

Vizio M Series M512a-H6

The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the Vizio M Series M512a-H6. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup that gets louder with less compression at max volume. It has better surround and Atmos performances and supports more wireless playback options. It has more sound enhancement features like room correction and a graphic EQ. Its voice assistant support is built into the bar, whereas you need a third-party voice assistant-enabled device to use them with the Vizio. That said, the Vizio offers a better stereo soundstage.

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Black
HW-Q950A
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M Series M512a-H6
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HW-Q950A
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M Series M512a-H6
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HW-Q950A
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M Series M512a-H6
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HW-Q950A
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HW-Q950A
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

8.4
7.8

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.2
7.8

Surround 5.1 
 

8.3
5.4

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Samsung HW-Q950A Style photo - bar
Vizio M Series M512a-H6 Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Samsung HW-Q950A Style photo - sub
Vizio M Series M512a-H6 Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-Q950A Style photo - satellites
Vizio M Series M512a-H6 Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

Yes
Partial, wired to wireless sub
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Samsung HW-Q950A Dimensions photo - bar
Vizio M Series M512a-H6 Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

48.4" (123.0 cm)
40.0" (101.7 cm)

Height  

2.8" (7.0 cm)
2.7" (6.9 cm)

Depth  

5.4" (13.8 cm)
4.1" (10.4 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Samsung HW-Q950A Dimensions photo - sub
Vizio M Series M512a-H6 Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

8.2" (20.9 cm)
8.3" (21.2 cm)

Height  

15.8" (40.2 cm)
9.9" (25.2 cm)

Depth  

15.9" (40.3 cm)
11.7" (29.7 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Samsung HW-Q950A Dimensions photo - satellites
Vizio M Series M512a-H6 Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

4.9" (12.4 cm)
5.7" (14.6 cm)

Height  

8.0" (20.2 cm)
2.3" (5.8 cm)

Depth  

5.5" (14.0 cm)
3.5" (9.0 cm)
Show Text 

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Samsung HW-Q950A Bar Mounting Holes
Vizio M Series M512a-H6 Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Samsung HW-Q950A Satellite Mounting Holes
Vizio M Series M512a-H6 Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes
Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Yes
Yes

Mountable Satellites 
 

Yes
Yes

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

No
Yes

Build Quality 
 

7.5
7.5

Build quality photo  

Samsung HW-Q950A Build quality photo
Vizio M Series M512a-H6 Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Samsung HW-Q950A In The Box photo
Vizio M Series M512a-H6 In The Box photo
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.2
7.8

Stereo Setup  

Samsung HW-Q950A Stereo Setup
Vizio M Series M512a-H6 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 
 

11.1.4
5.1.2

Tested Preset 
 

Standard
Direct

Slope 
 

0.30
0.05

Standard Error 
 

2.65 dB
3.79 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

33.2 Hz
31.7 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.1 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

8.4
7.8

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Standard
Direct

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

2
0

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

0
0

Slope 
 

0.01
0.05

Standard Error 
 

2.19 dB
3.79 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

30.4 Hz
31.7 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.6 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

7.5
8.0

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

2.24 dB
2.28 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

8.8
8.4

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

98.8 dB SPL
92.8 dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

0.24 dB

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

1.08 dB
0.58 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

8.4

THD  

See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.18

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.27
Show Text 

Center 
 

8.8
8.3

Center Setup  

Samsung HW-Q950A Center Setup
Vizio M Series M512a-H6 Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

0.28
-0.05

Std. Err. 
 

2.19 dB
2.96 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

96.6 dB SPL
93.1 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.17
0.82

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.86
1.61
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

8.3
5.4

Surround Setup  

Samsung HW-Q950A Surround Setup
Vizio M Series M512a-H6 Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-0.36
-0.81

Std. Err. 
 

2.92 dB
9.29 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

89.8 dB SPL
90.8 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.52
1.03

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

2.31
14.09

7.1 Rears 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

6.6
5.7

Height Setup  

Samsung HW-Q950A Height Setup
Vizio M Series M512a-H6 Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

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

Slope 
 

-0.28
-0.31

Std. Err. 
 

4.20 dB
4.49 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

90.5 dB SPL
78.9 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.54
0.90

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.03
0.80
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

9.5
7.4

Room Correction 
 

Yes
No

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Yes
Yes

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Bass Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Treble Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

EQ 
 

Graphic + Presets
Presets

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Height Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Virtual Surround 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Samsung HW-Q950A Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Vizio M Series M512a-H6 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Samsung HW-Q950A Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Vizio M Series M512a-H6 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
1

HDMI Out 
 

eARC
eARC

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

No
No

Full HDMI In 
 

2
1

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

No
1

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

No
1

Ethernet 
 

No
No

Subwoofer Output 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

10
9.9

Dolby Atmos 
 

Supported
Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Supported
Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Supported
Supported

DTS 
 

Supported
Supported

DTS:X 
 

Supported
Supported

DTS-HD MA 
 

Supported
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

Up To 7.1
Up To 5.1
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

10
9.9

Dolby Atmos 
 

Supported
Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Supported
Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Supported
Supported

DTS 
 

Supported
Supported

DTS:X 
 

Supported
Supported

DTS-HD MA 
 

Supported
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

Up To 7.1
Up To 5.1
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

10
10

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Supported

DTS 
 

Supported
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
2.0
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

Audio Latency: HDMI In 
 

7.7
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 
 

80 ms

Optical 
 

60 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

59 ms
Show Text 

Audio Latency: Optical 
 

6.1

Optical Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

156 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

349 ms
Show Text 

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

8.5
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 
 

Yes
Yes

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

Yes
Yes

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

Yes
Yes

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

No
Yes

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

No
No

ALLM Passthrough 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Wireless Playback 
 

9.0
6.0

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
Yes

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

Yes
No

Chromecast built-in 
 

No
No

Apple AirPlay 
 

Yes
No

Spotify Connect 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Samsung HW-Q950A Interface photo
Vizio M Series M512a-H6 Interface photo

Display 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Samsung HW-Q950A Controls photo
Vizio M Series M512a-H6 Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

Samsung HW-Q950A Remote photo
Vizio M Series M512a-H6 Remote photo
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

Yes (Built-in)
No

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

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Black
HW-Q950A
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M Series M512a-H6
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HW-Q950A
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M Series M512a-H6
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HW-Q950A
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HW-Q950A
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Samsung HW-Q950A

Vizio M Series M512a-H6

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Samsung HW-Q950A vs Vizio M Series M512a-H6: Main Discussion

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