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Vizio M Series M512a-H6 vs Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Vizio M Series M512a-H6
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
Tested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Oct 24, 2024 02:30 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated May 12, 2025 07:14 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels5.1.2
Channels5.0
Variants
- M Series M512a-H6 (Black)
- Beam (Gen 2) (Black)
- Sonos Beam (Gen 2) (White)
Our Verdict
Vizio M Series M512a-H6
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
The Vizio M Series M512a-H6 is better for most uses than the Sonos Beam (Gen 2). The Vizio is a 5.1.2 setup with a dedicated sub and satellites. It gets louder with less compression at max volume. Unlike the Sonos, it even has a Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough. That said, the 5.0 Sonos is better built. Some users may also prefer its smaller, more compact design.
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Black
M Series M512a-H6
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Beam (Gen 2)
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M Series M512a-H6
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Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
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M Series M512a-H6
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Walmart.comMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.8
7.4
Stereo Frequency Response
7.8
7.4
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
9.9
0.0
Stereo Dynamics
8.4
7.1
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
No
Enclosure
Ported
No Subwoofer
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
Partial, wired to wireless sub
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
40.0" (101.7 cm)
25.6" (65.0 cm)
Height
2.7" (6.9 cm)
2.6" (6.7 cm)
Depth
4.1" (10.4 cm)
4.0" (10.1 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
8.3" (21.2 cm)
N/A
Height
9.9" (25.2 cm)
N/A
Depth
11.7" (29.7 cm)
N/A
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
5.7" (14.6 cm)
N/A
Height
2.3" (5.8 cm)
N/A
Depth
3.5" (9.0 cm)
N/A
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
No
Mountable Satellites
Yes
No
Satellite Brackets Included
Yes
No
Build Quality
7.5
8.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.8
7.4
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
5.1.2
5.0
Tested Preset
Direct
No Preset
Slope
0.05
-0.56
Standard Error
3.79 dB
2.82 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
31.7 Hz
50.4 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
16.7 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.8
7.4
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Direct
No Preset
Suggested Bass Setting
0
-3
Suggested Treble Setting
0
2
Slope
0.05
0.05
Standard Error
3.79 dB
2.66 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
31.7 Hz
51.9 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
17.2 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
8.0
8.0
Crosstalk Error
2.28 dB
2.32 dB
Stereo Dynamics
8.4
7.1
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
92.8 dB SPL
88.8 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
0.24 dB
N/A
DRC @ Max Volume
0.58 dB
1.70 dB
Center
8.3
7.4
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.05
0.24
Std. Err.
2.96 dB
3.73 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
93.1 dB SPL
72.3 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.82
0.63
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.61
1.54
Surround 5.1
5.4
5.9
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Phantom (Front Firing and Side Firing, Bar)
Slope
-0.81
-0.56
Std. Err.
9.29 dB
2.79 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
90.8 dB SPL
70.4 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.03
0.38
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
14.09
0.87
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
5.7
5.7
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Front Firing, Bar)
Slope
-0.31
1.01
Std. Err.
4.49 dB
3.35 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
78.9 dB SPL
59.2 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.90
1.45
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.80
0.30
Sound Enhancement Features
7.4
5.4
Room Correction
No
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
Yes
Yes
EQ
Presets
No
Surround Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Virtual Surround
Yes
No
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
Adapter into HDMI ARC
HDMI Out
eARC
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
No
Full HDMI In
1
No
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
1
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
1
No
Ethernet
No
1
Subwoofer Output
No
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
9.9
9.6
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Supported
Not Supported
DTS-HD MA
Supported
Not Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 5.1
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
9.9
0.0
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Not Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Not Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Not Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Not Supported
DTS
Supported
Not Supported
DTS:X
Supported
Not Supported
DTS-HD MA
Supported
Not Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 5.1
Not Supported
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
2.0
Audio Latency: ARC
6.3
7.3
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
92 ms
61 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
106 ms
61 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
112 ms
79 ms
Dolby Digital
124 ms
111 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
125 ms
121 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
134 ms
121 ms
Audio Latency: HDMI In
7.1
0.0
HDMI Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
97 ms
N/A
PCM-5.1 ch
103 ms
N/A
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
93 ms
N/A
Dolby Digital
123 ms
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus
111 ms
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
120 ms
N/A
Audio Latency: Optical
6.1
7.8
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
156 ms
119 ms
Dolby Digital
349 ms
180 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
9.2
0.0
1080p Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
Not Supported
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
Not Supported
4k Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
Not Supported
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
Not Supported
8k Max Refresh Rate
30Hz
Not Supported
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
No
HDR10+ Passthrough
Yes
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
No
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
Yes
No
FreeSync Passthrough
Yes
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
No
ALLM Passthrough
Yes
No
Wireless Playback
6.0
3.0
Bluetooth
Yes
No
Wi-Fi Playback
No
Yes
Chromecast built-in
No
No
Apple AirPlay
No
Yes
Spotify Connect
No
Yes
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
No
No
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
No
Yes (Built-in)
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
Yes
Check Price
Black
M Series M512a-H6
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Beam (Gen 2)
Searching
Finding storeBlack
M Series M512a-H6
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comWhite
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
Searching
Finding storeBlack
M Series M512a-H6
SEARCH
B&HBlack
M Series M512a-H6
SEARCH
Walmart.com
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Vizio M Series M512a-H6
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
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Vizio M Series M512a-H6 vs Sonos Beam (Gen 2): Main Discussion
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