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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
    10. Back - Bar
    11. Back - Subwoofer
    12. Back - Satellites
  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
    10. Connectivity - Subwoofer
    11. Connectivity - Satellites
  7. Additional Features
    1. Interface
    2. Bar Controls
    3. Remote
    4. Voice Assistants Support
    5. App
    6. Other Features
  8. Comments

Sonos Arc vs Vizio M Series M21d-H8R

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Sonos Arc
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Nov 28, 2024 02:21 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Jan 12, 2024 03:54 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Sonos Arc Picture
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Picture
Channels
5.0.2
Channels
2.1

Variants

  • Arc (Black)
  • Arc SL (Shadow Edition)
  • Arc (White)
  • M-Series M21d-H8R (Black)

Review

See Sonos Arc Review
See Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Review
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Our Verdict

Sonos Arc

Vizio M Series M21d-H8R

The Sonos Arc is better than the Vizio M-Series M21d-H8R. The Sonos is a better-built 5.0.2 setup with better soundstage, center, and surround performances. Unlike the Vizio, it supports Dolby Atmos content and built-in voice assistant capabilities. It also gets louder with less compression at max volume. However, only the 2.1 Vizio has a Full HDMI In port and EQ presets.

0 

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Black
Arc
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Black
M-Series M21d-H8R
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Shadow Edition
Arc SL
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Black
M-Series M21d-H8R
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White
Arc
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Black
M-Series M21d-H8R
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Black
M-Series M21d-H8R
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M-Series M21d-H8R
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

7.4
6.8

Height (Atmos) 
 

6.1
0.0

Stereo Soundstage 
 

8.0
6.5

Stereo Dynamics 
 

8.1
6.5

Center 
 

7.8
6.7

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Sonos Arc Style photo - bar
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Sonos Arc Style photo - sub
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

No
No

Enclosure 
 

No Subwoofer
Integrated
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Sonos Arc Style photo - satellites
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Sonos Arc Dimensions photo - bar
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

44.9" (114.1 cm)
36.0" (91.5 cm)

Height  

3.4" (8.7 cm)
2.2" (5.7 cm)

Depth  

4.7" (12.0 cm)
5.3" (13.5 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Sonos Arc Dimensions photo - sub
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Sonos Arc Dimensions photo - satellites
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Sonos Arc Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Sonos Arc Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

No

Mountable Satellites 
 

No

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

No
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

8.0
7.5

Build quality photo  

Sonos Arc Build quality photo
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Sonos Arc In The Box photo
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R In The Box photo

HDMI Cable Length 
 

1.5 m (4.9 ft)

Digital Optical Cable Length 
 

1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Show Text 

Back - Bar  

Back photo - bar  

Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting 
 

Proprietary
Show Text 

Back - Subwoofer  

Back photo - sub  

Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Back photo - sub

Enclosure 
 

No Subwoofer
Integrated

Back - Satellites  

Back photo - satellites  

Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Back photo - satellites

Mounting 
 

No
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.2
7.3

Stereo Setup  

Sonos Arc Stereo Setup
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R 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 
 

5.0.2
2.1

Tested Preset 
 

No Preset
Music

Slope 
 

0.37
-0.44

Standard Error 
 

3.33 dB
2.64 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

51.1 Hz
53.4 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

7.2
7.3

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

No Preset
Music

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

0
-2

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

-3
2

Slope 
 

-0.09
0.05

Standard Error 
 

3.08 dB
2.56 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

51.1 Hz
54.2 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

8.0
6.5

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

2.28 dB
3.37 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

8.1
6.5

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

91.6 dB SPL
96.2 dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

0.28 dB

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

0.75 dB
4.88 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

8.1

THD  

See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.29

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.46
Show Text 

Center 
 

7.8
6.7

Center Setup  

Sonos Arc Center Setup
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Phantom

Slope 
 

-0.40
-0.72

Std. Err. 
 

2.94 dB
3.06 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

76.5 dB SPL
92.9 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.32
0.37

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.56
1.50
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

5.7
4.4

Surround Setup  

Sonos Arc Surround Setup
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)
Stereo (Downmix)

Slope 
 

0.01
-0.66

Std. Err. 
 

3.27 dB
2.86 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

75.1 dB SPL
94.6 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.39
0.32

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.98
1.55

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

6.1
0.0

Height Setup  

Sonos Arc Height Setup
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R H Frequency Response

Localization 
 

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Not Supported

Slope 
 

0.55
N/A

Std. Err. 
 

2.91 dB
N/A

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

62.0 dB SPL
N/A

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

1.07
N/A

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.18
N/A
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

5.7
4.6

Room Correction 
 

Yes
No

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

Yes
Yes

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Bass Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Treble Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

EQ 
 

No
Presets

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

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  

Sonos Arc Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Sonos Arc Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

Adapter into HDMI ARC
1

HDMI Out 
 

eARC
1 (shared)

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

No

Full HDMI In 
 

No
1

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

No
1

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

No
1

Ethernet 
 

1
No

Subwoofer Output 
 

No

HDMI ARC 
 

1 (shared)
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

9.6
7.1

Dolby Atmos 
 

Supported
No

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Supported
No

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Supported
No

DTS 
 

Supported
Yes

DTS:X 
 

Not Supported
No

eARC 
 

No

DTS-HD MA 
 

Not Supported
No

PCM Channels 
 

Up To 7.1

5.1 PCM (eARC only) 
 

No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

0.0
6.4

Dolby Atmos 
 

Not Supported
No

Dolby Digital 
 

Not Supported
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Not Supported
No

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Not Supported
No

DTS 
 

Not Supported
No

DTS:X 
 

Not Supported
No

DTS-HD MA 
 

Not Supported
No

PCM Channels 
 

Not Supported

5.1 PCM 
 

No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

10
10

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Yes

DTS 
 

Supported
Yes

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
Show Text 

Audio Latency: ARC 
 

8.5

ARC Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

42 ms

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

41 ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

59 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

92 ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

101 ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

101 ms
Show Text 

Audio Latency: HDMI In 
 

0.0
5.0

HDMI Latency Video  

Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

N/A

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

N/A

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

N/A

ARC 
 

195 ms

Optical 
 

179 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

49 ms
Show Text 

Audio Latency: Optical 
 

9.0

Optical Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

99 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

129 ms
Show Text 

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

0.0
0.0

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported

4k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit 
 

Not Supported

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported

8k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

No
Yes

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

No

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

No

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

No

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough 
 

Yes

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

No

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

No

ALLM Passthrough 
 

No

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough 
 

Yes

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough 
 

Yes
Show Text 

Wireless Playback 
 

3.0
6.0

Bluetooth 
 

No
Yes

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

Yes
No

Chromecast built-in 
 

No
No

Apple AirPlay 
 

Yes
No

Spotify Connect 
 

Yes
Show Text 

Connectivity - Subwoofer 
 

Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1  

Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1  

Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Physical controls subwoofer photo 1

Sub Wireless 
 

No
No

Connectivity - Satellites 
 

Physical inputs satellites photo 1  

Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Physical inputs satellites photo 1

Physical controls satellites photo 1  

Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless 
 

No
No
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Sonos Arc Interface photo
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Interface photo

Display 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Sonos Arc Controls photo
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

Sonos Arc Remote photo
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Remote photo

Universal Remote 
 

No
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

Yes (Built-in)
No

Google Assistant 
 

Yes (Built-in)
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

Yes
Show Text 

App 
 

App image  

Vizio M Series M21d-H8R App image

App Name  

No App

iOS  

No

Android  

No

Acts As A Remote 
 

No

Controls Soundbar's Settings 
 

No

Casts Device Files 
 

No

Other Features 
 

Power Saving 
 

Auto-off

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control) 
 

Yes
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
Arc
Searching
Finding store
Black
M-Series M21d-H8R
Searching
Finding store
Shadow Edition
Arc SL
Searching
Finding store
Black
M-Series M21d-H8R
Searching
Finding store
White
Arc
Searching
Finding store
Black
M-Series M21d-H8R
Searching
Finding store
 
Black
M-Series M21d-H8R
Searching
Finding store
 
Black
M-Series M21d-H8R
Searching
Finding store
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Sonos Arc

Vizio M Series M21d-H8R

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Sonos Arc vs Vizio M Series M21d-H8R: Main Discussion

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