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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. Back - Bar
    8. Back - Subwoofer
    9. Back - Satellites
    10. Build Quality
    11. 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. Physical Inputs - Bar
    2. Audio Format Support - ARC
    3. Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
    4. Audio Format Support - Optical
    5. Latency
    6. Wireless Playback
    7. Other Input Specifications
    8. Connectivity - Subwoofer
    9. Connectivity - Satellites
  7. Additional Features
    1. Interface
    2. Bar Controls
    3. Remote
    4. Voice Assistants Support
    5. App
    6. Other Features
  8. Comments

Vizio M Series M215a-J6 vs Vizio M Series M215aw-K6

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Vizio M Series M215a-J6
Vizio M Series M215aw-K6

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Nov 11, 2022 05:00 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated May 29, 2023 03:14 PM

SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Vizio M Series M215a-J6 Picture
Vizio M Series M215aw-K6 Picture
Channels
2.1
Channels
2.1

Variants

  • M215a-J6 (Black)
  • M215aw-K6 (Black)

Review

See Vizio M Series M215a-J6 Review
See Vizio M Series M215aw-K6 Review
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Our Verdict

Vizio M Series M215a-J6

Vizio M Series M215aw-K6

The Vizio M Series M215aw-K6 is the next generation of the Vizio M Series M215a-J6. Both bars are similar in both performance and design. Despite being 2.1 setups, they support more advanced formats like Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital. However, the next generation M215aw-K6 is the better pick, as it improves on the 2021 model's mediocre latency performance. You don't notice any issues with lip-synching on the newer model, which is great.

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Black
M215a-J6
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Black
M215aw-K6
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Black
M215a-J6
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Black
M215aw-K6
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Black
M215a-J6
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Black
M215aw-K6
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Black
M215a-J6
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Black
M215aw-K6
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M215a-J6
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Black
M215aw-K6
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

7.5
7.6
No major differences between these soundbars for mixed usage. See full list of tests below.

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Vizio M Series M215a-J6 Style photo - bar
Vizio M Series M215aw-K6 Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Vizio M Series M215a-J6 Style photo - sub
Vizio M Series M215aw-K6 Style photo - sub
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Vizio M Series M215a-J6 Style photo - satellites
Vizio M Series M215aw-K6 Style photo - satellites

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Vizio M Series M215a-J6 Dimensions photo - bar
Vizio M Series M215aw-K6 Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

35.9" (91.3 cm)
35.9" (91.3 cm)

Height  

2.2" (5.6 cm)
2.2" (5.6 cm)

Depth  

3.5" (8.9 cm)
3.5" (8.9 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Vizio M Series M215a-J6 Dimensions photo - sub
Vizio M Series M215aw-K6 Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

8.3" (21.1 cm)
8.3" (21.1 cm)

Height  

9.9" (25.2 cm)
9.9" (25.2 cm)

Depth  

8.3" (21.1 cm)
8.3" (21.1 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Vizio M Series M215a-J6 Dimensions photo - satellites
Vizio M Series M215aw-K6 Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

N/A
N/A

Height  

N/A
N/A

Depth  

N/A
N/A

Back - Bar  

Back photo - bar  

Vizio M Series M215a-J6 Back photo - bar
Vizio M Series M215aw-K6 Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting 
 

Universal (holes on underside)
Universal (holes on underside)
Show Text 

Back - Subwoofer  

Back photo - sub  

Vizio M Series M215a-J6 Back photo - sub
Vizio M Series M215aw-K6 Back photo - sub

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported
Show Text 

Back - Satellites  

Back photo - satellites  

Vizio M Series M215a-J6 Back photo - satellites
Vizio M Series M215aw-K6 Back photo - satellites

Mounting 
 

No
No

Build Quality 
 

7.0
7.0

Build quality photo  

Vizio M Series M215a-J6 Build quality photo
Vizio M Series M215aw-K6 Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Vizio M Series M215a-J6 In The Box photo
Vizio M Series M215aw-K6 In The Box photo

HDMI Cable Length 
 

1.9 m (6.2 ft)
1.9 m (6.2 ft)

Digital Optical Cable Length 
 

1.5 m (4.9 ft)
1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.1
8.2

Stereo Setup  

Vizio M Series M215a-J6 Stereo Setup
Vizio M Series M215aw-K6 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

Tested Preset 
 

Direct
Direct

Slope 
 

0.24
0.26

Std. Err. 
 

2.62 dB
2.59 dB

Channels 
 

2.1
2.1

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

34.1 Hz
34.1 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.3 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

8.2
8.2

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Direct
Direct

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

3
0

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

0
0

Slope 
 

0.10
0.26

Std. Err. 
 

2.43 dB
2.59 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

34.1 Hz
34.1 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.3 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

7.0
7.0

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

1.89 dB
2.38 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

7.3
6.9

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

96.9 dB SPL
97.3 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

3.44 dB
4.44 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

7.8
7.8

THD  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.32
0.35

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

2.68
2.71
Show Text 

Center 
 

7.1
7.1

Center Setup  

Vizio M Series M215a-J6 Center Setup
Vizio M Series M215aw-K6 Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom
Phantom

Slope 
 

0.16
0.17

Std. Err. 
 

2.57 dB
2.46 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

97.5 dB SPL
98.0 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.28
0.25

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

2.84
2.84
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

4.6
4.7

Surround Setup  

Vizio M Series M215a-J6 Surround Setup
Vizio M Series M215aw-K6 Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Stereo (Downmix)
Stereo (Downmix)

Slope 
 

0.14
0.16

Std. Err. 
 

2.56 dB
2.46 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

97.3 dB SPL
97.9 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.35
0.35

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

3.05
3.02

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

4.1
4.2

Height Setup  

Vizio M Series M215a-J6 Height Setup
Vizio M Series M215aw-K6 Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Stereo (Downmix)
Stereo (Downmix)

Slope 
 

0.26
0.20

Std. Err. 
 

2.70 dB
2.48 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

85.2 dB SPL
86.1 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

2.27
2.49

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.52
0.65
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

6.6
6.6

Room Correction 
 

No
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 
 

Presets
Presets

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Height Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Virtual Surround 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 
Connectivity

Physical Inputs - Bar 
 

Physical inputs bar photo 1  

Vizio M Series M215a-J6 Physical inputs bar photo 1
Vizio M Series M215aw-K6 Physical inputs bar photo 1

Physical inputs bar photo 2  

Vizio M Series M215a-J6 Physical inputs bar photo 2
Vizio M Series M215aw-K6 Physical inputs bar photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
1

HDMI ARC 
 

1 (shared)
1 (shared)

HDMI Out 
 

1 (shared)
1 (shared)

Full HDMI In 
 

1
1

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

1
1

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

1
1

Ethernet 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support - ARC 
 

10
10

eARC 
 

Yes
Yes

Dolby Atmos 
 

Yes
Yes

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Yes
Yes

DTS 
 

Yes
Yes

DTS:X (eARC only) 
 

Yes
Yes

Dolby TrueHD (eARC only) 
 

Yes
Yes

DTS-HD MA (eARC only) 
 

Yes
Yes

5.1 PCM (eARC only) 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In 
 

10
10

Dolby Atmos 
 

Yes
Yes

DTS:X 
 

Yes
Yes

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Yes
Yes

DTS 
 

Yes
Yes

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Yes
Yes

DTS-HD MA 
 

Yes
Yes

5.1 PCM 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Audio Format Support - Optical 
 

10
10

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Yes

DTS 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Latency 
 

5.2
7.6

Latency Video  

ARC 
 

124 ms
79 ms

Optical 
 

149 ms
84 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

168 ms
52 ms
Show Text 

Wireless Playback 
 

6.0
6.0

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
Yes

Wi-Fi 
 

No
No

Chromecast built-in 
 

No
No

Apple AirPlay 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Other Input Specifications 
 

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough 
 

Yes
Yes

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough 
 

Yes
Yes

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough 
 

Yes
Yes

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Connectivity - Subwoofer 
 

Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1  

Vizio M Series M215a-J6 Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1
Vizio M Series M215aw-K6 Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1  

Vizio M Series M215a-J6 Physical controls subwoofer photo 1
Vizio M Series M215aw-K6 Physical controls subwoofer photo 1

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Connectivity - Satellites 
 

Physical inputs satellites photo 1  

Vizio M Series M215a-J6 Physical inputs satellites photo 1
Vizio M Series M215aw-K6 Physical inputs satellites photo 1

Physical controls satellites photo 1  

Vizio M Series M215a-J6 Physical controls satellites photo 1
Vizio M Series M215aw-K6 Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless 
 

No
No
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Vizio M Series M215a-J6 Interface photo
Vizio M Series M215aw-K6 Interface photo

Display 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Vizio M Series M215a-J6 Controls photo
Vizio M Series M215aw-K6 Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote 
 

Remote photo  

Vizio M Series M215a-J6 Remote photo
Vizio M Series M215aw-K6 Remote photo

Universal Remote 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

No
No

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No
Show Text 

App 
 

App image  

Vizio M Series M215a-J6 App image
Vizio M Series M215aw-K6 App image

App Name  

No App
No App

iOS  

No
No

Android  

No
No

Acts As A Remote 
 

No
No

Controls Soundbar's Settings 
 

No
No

Casts Device Files 
 

No
No

Other Features 
 

Power Saving 
 

Auto-off
Auto-off

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control) 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

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M215a-J6
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M215aw-K6
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M215a-J6
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M215aw-K6
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Vizio M Series M215a-J6

Vizio M Series M215aw-K6

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Vizio M Series M215a-J6 vs Vizio M Series M215aw-K6: Main Discussion

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