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Sonos Beam vs Vizio M Series M51a-H6
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Sonos Beam
Vizio M Series M51a-H6
Tested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Apr 09, 2024 02:27 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Sep 04, 2024 08:43 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels3.0
Channels5.1
Variants
- Beam (Black)
- Beam (White)
- M Series M51a-H6 (Black)
Our Verdict
Sonos Beam
Vizio M Series M51a-H6
The Vizio M Series M51a-H6 is better than the Sonos Beam. The Vizio is a 5.1 setup with a dedicated sub that helps reproduce a more extended low bass. Thanks to its satellites, it also has a better surround performance. Unlike the Sonos, it supports Atmos content and comes with EQ presets and a Full HDMI In port. However, some listeners may prefer the Sonos' better-built, more compact design. Unlike the Vizio, the Sonos has room correction and built-in voice assistant support. Its stereo soundstage performance is better, too.
Notice: Two or more of the products selected have been tested with different test methodologies, so some of the results below aren't directly comparable. Learn how our test benches and scoring system work, and read more about the latest changes to our soundbars test methodology.
Main Differences for
Threshold
Mixed Usage
6.9
8.0
Height (Atmos)
0.0
5.9
Stereo Frequency Response
7.2
8.0
Surround 5.1
3.1
7.5
Stereo Dynamics
6.4
8.4
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
0.0
9.9
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
6.3
9.9
Stereo Soundstage
8.0
7.0
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
No
Yes
Enclosure
No Subwoofer
Ported
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
Partial, wired to wireless sub
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
25.6" (65.0 cm)
36.0" (91.5 cm)
Height
2.6" (6.7 cm)
2.3" (5.8 cm)
Depth
4.0" (10.1 cm)
3.5" (9.0 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
N/A
8.3" (21.2 cm)
Height
N/A
9.9" (25.2 cm)
Depth
N/A
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
No
Yes
Mountable Satellites
No
Yes
Satellite Brackets Included
No
Yes
Build Quality
8.0
7.0
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.2
8.0
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
3.0
5.1
Tested Preset
No Preset
Direct
Slope
0.63
-0.46
Standard Error
3.39 dB
3.35 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
49.7 Hz
31.3 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.5
8.0
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
No Preset
Direct
Suggested Bass Setting
0
-5
Suggested Treble Setting
-6
1
Slope
0.18
-0.20
Standard Error
2.34 dB
3.29 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
49.7 Hz
30.8 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
8.0
7.0
Crosstalk Error
2.26 dB
2.47 dB
Stereo Dynamics
6.4
8.4
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
91.2 dB SPL
96.0 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
0.23 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
3.85 dB
1.94 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.2
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.73
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.51
Center
8.3
8.4
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
0.39
-0.17
Std. Err.
2.87 dB
2.85 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
92.0 dB SPL
93.5 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.97
0.74
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.56
1.68
Surround 5.1
3.1
7.5
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Discrete
Slope
-0.27
-0.10
Std. Err.
5.44 dB
4.15 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
85.2 dB SPL
94.7 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.74
0.32
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.95
1.06
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
0.0
5.9
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Not Supported
Phantom (Front Firing, Satellites)
Slope
N/A
-0.03
Std. Err.
N/A
4.06 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
N/A
86.9 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
N/A
2.29
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
N/A
0.33
Sound Enhancement Features
5.4
7.1
Room Correction
Yes
No
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
Yes
Yes
EQ
No
Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
No
No
Virtual Surround
No
Yes
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
Adapter into HDMI ARC
1
HDMI Out
ARC
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
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
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
6.3
9.9
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Not Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
Supported
DTS
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
0.0
9.9
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Not Supported
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
Not Supported
Up To 5.1
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
2.0
Audio Latency: ARC
7.3
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
98 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
105 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
103 ms
Dolby Digital
99 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
105 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
121 ms
Audio Latency: HDMI In
9.8
9.0
HDMI Latency Video
Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
105 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
82 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
95 ms
Dolby Digital
93 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
82 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
90 ms
ARC
-14 ms
Optical
0 ms
Full HDMI In
N/A
Audio Latency: Optical
5.6
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
240 ms
Dolby Digital
156 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
0.0
8.7
1080p Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
120Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
120Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
60Hz
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
60Hz
8k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
30Hz
HDR10 Passthrough
No
Yes
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
Yes
Dolby Vision Passthrough
No
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
Yes
FreeSync Passthrough
No
Yes
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
No
ALLM Passthrough
No
Yes
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
No
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
No
No
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
Yes (Built-in)
No
Google Assistant
Yes (Built-in)
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
Yes
No
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Sonos Beam
Vizio M Series M51a-H6
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Sonos Beam vs Vizio M Series M51a-H6: Main Discussion
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