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  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

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 vs Samsung HW-A650

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Vizio M Series M51a-H6
Samsung HW-A650

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Sep 04, 2024 08:43 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Jan 30, 2024 04:32 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Picture
Samsung HW-A650 Picture

Variants

  • M Series M51a-H6 (Black)
  • HW-A650 (Black)

Our Verdict

Vizio M Series M51a-H6

Samsung HW-A650

The Vizio M Series M51a-H6 is better than the Samsung HW-A650. The Vizio is a 5.1 setup that supports Dolby Atmos content and comes with discrete satellites, unlike the Samsung soundbar. It also reproduces a more extended low bass and has a better surround performance. However, the 3.1 Samsung is better built, and some users may prefer its graphic EQ for sound customization.

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Check Price

Black
M Series M51a-H6
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
M Series M51a-H6
B&H
Black
M Series M51a-H6
BestBuy.com
Black
HW-A650
B&H
Black
M Series M51a-H6
Walmart.com
Black
HW-A650
BestBuy.com
 
Black
HW-A650
Samsung.com
Read more

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

8.0
7.4

Height (Atmos) 
 

5.9
0.0

Surround 5.1 
 

7.5
3.7

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Style photo - bar
Samsung HW-A650 Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Style photo - sub
Samsung HW-A650 Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Style photo - satellites
Samsung HW-A650 Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

Partial, wired to wireless sub
No
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Dimensions photo - bar
Samsung HW-A650 Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

36.0" (91.5 cm)
38.6" (98.0 cm)

Height  

2.3" (5.8 cm)
2.3" (5.8 cm)

Depth  

3.5" (9.0 cm)
4.1" (10.5 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Dimensions photo - sub
Samsung HW-A650 Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

8.3" (21.2 cm)
8.0" (20.4 cm)

Height  

9.9" (25.2 cm)
13.9" (35.3 cm)

Depth  

11.7" (29.7 cm)
11.9" (30.3 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Dimensions photo - satellites
Samsung HW-A650 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
Show Text 

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Bar Mounting Holes
Samsung HW-A650 Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Satellite Mounting Holes
Samsung HW-A650 Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes
Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Yes
Yes

Mountable Satellites 
 

Yes
No

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

Yes
No

Build Quality 
 

7.0
8.0

Build quality photo  

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Build quality photo
Samsung HW-A650 Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 In The Box photo
Samsung HW-A650 In The Box photo
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.0
7.9

Stereo Setup  

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Stereo Setup
Samsung HW-A650 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 
 

5.1
3.1

Tested Preset 
 

Direct
Standard

Slope 
 

-0.46
-0.34

Standard Error 
 

3.35 dB
2.10 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

31.3 Hz
41.8 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

8.0
7.9

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Direct
Standard

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

-5
-1

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

1
2

Slope 
 

-0.20
-0.07

Standard Error 
 

3.29 dB
2.05 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

30.8 Hz
41.8 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 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 
 

2.47 dB
2.45 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

8.4
7.8

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

96.0 dB SPL
93.0 dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

0.23 dB

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

1.94 dB
1.49 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

7.3

THD  

See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.46

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

3.87
Show Text 

Center 
 

8.4
8.1

Center Setup  

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Center Setup
Samsung HW-A650 Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-0.17
-0.98

Std. Err. 
 

2.85 dB
3.26 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

93.5 dB SPL
87.9 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.74
0.41

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.68
2.70
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

7.5
3.7

Surround Setup  

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Surround Setup
Samsung HW-A650 Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Stereo (Downmix)

Slope 
 

-0.10
-1.43

Std. Err. 
 

4.15 dB
4.43 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

94.7 dB SPL
89.9 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.32
0.48

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.06
2.48

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

5.9
0.0

Height Setup  

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Height Setup
Samsung HW-A650 Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
Samsung HW-A650 H Frequency Response

Localization 
 

Phantom (Front Firing, Satellites)
Not Supported

Slope 
 

-0.03
N/A

Std. Err. 
 

4.06 dB
N/A

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

86.9 dB SPL
N/A

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

2.29
N/A

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.33
N/A
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

7.1
7.4

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
Graphic + Presets

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Height Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Virtual Surround 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Samsung HW-A650 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Samsung HW-A650 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
1

HDMI ARC 
 

1 (shared)

HDMI Out 
 

eARC
1 (shared)

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

No

Full HDMI In 
 

1
1

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

1
No

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

1
1

Ethernet 
 

No
No

Subwoofer Output 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

9.9
7.1

Dolby Atmos 
 

Supported
No

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Supported
No

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Supported
No

DTS 
 

Supported
Yes

DTS:X 
 

Supported
No

eARC 
 

No

DTS-HD MA 
 

Supported
No

PCM Channels 
 

Up To 5.1

5.1 PCM (eARC only) 
 

No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

9.9
7.4

Dolby Atmos 
 

Supported
No

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Supported
No

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Supported
No

DTS 
 

Supported
Yes

DTS:X 
 

Supported
No

DTS-HD MA 
 

Supported
No

PCM Channels 
 

Up To 5.1

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 
 

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
Show Text 

Audio Latency: HDMI In 
 

9.0
7.1

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 
 

80 ms

Optical 
 

84 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

102 ms
Show Text 

Audio Latency: Optical 
 

5.6

Optical Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

240 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

156 ms
Show Text 

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

8.7
0.0

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

120Hz

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

120Hz

4k Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit 
 

Not Supported

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz

8k Max Refresh Rate 
 

30Hz

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Yes
No

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

Yes

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

Yes

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

Yes

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough 
 

No

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

Yes

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

No

ALLM Passthrough 
 

Yes

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough 
 

No

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough 
 

No
Show Text 

Wireless Playback 
 

6.0
6.0

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
Yes

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

No
No

Chromecast built-in 
 

No
No

Apple AirPlay 
 

No
No

Spotify Connect 
 

No
No
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Interface photo
Samsung HW-A650 Interface photo

Display 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Controls photo
Samsung HW-A650 Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Remote photo
Samsung HW-A650 Remote photo
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

No
No

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
M Series M51a-H6
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
M Series M51a-H6
B&H
Black
M Series M51a-H6
BestBuy.com
Black
HW-A650
B&H
Black
M Series M51a-H6
Walmart.com
Black
HW-A650
BestBuy.com
 
Black
HW-A650
Samsung.com

Vizio M Series M51a-H6

Samsung HW-A650

Comments

  1. Comparison

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 vs Samsung HW-A650: Main Discussion

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