Get insider access
Preferred store
Notice: Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available.
  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

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 vs Vizio SB2020n-J6

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Vizio M Series M51a-H6
Vizio SB2020n-J6

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Sep 04, 2024 08:43 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Apr 09, 2024 02:06 PM

Unavailable
Missing store
Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Picture
Vizio SB2020n-J6 Picture

Variants

  • M Series M51a-H6 (Black)
  • SB2020n-J6 (Black)

Our Verdict

Vizio M Series M51a-H6

Vizio SB2020n-J6

The Vizio M Series M51a-H6 is better than the Vizio SB2020n-J6. They're two very different setups, and the M51a-H6 comes with a dedicated subwoofer and satellites. It can reproduce a more extended low bass. While the SB2020n-J6 only supports PCM content, the M51a-H6 supports surround sound like Dolby Digital and DTS, as well as Dolby Atmos content. However, if you want a budget-friendly model for dialogue-centric content like TV shows, the SB2020n-J6 is an okay choice.

0 

Check Price

Black
M Series M51a-H6
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
SB2020n-J6
Searching
Finding store
 
Black
SB2020n-J6
Searching
Finding store
 
Black
SB2020n-J6
Searching
Finding store
 
Black
SB2020n-J6
Searching
Finding store
 
Black
SB2020n-J6
Searching
Finding store
Read more

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

8.0
5.6

Center 
 

8.4
0.0

Surround 5.1 
 

7.5
0.0

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

9.9
0.0

Height (Atmos) 
 

5.9
0.0

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.0
7.3

Stereo Dynamics 
 

8.4
6.1

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

10
0.0

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

9.9
0.0

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Style photo - bar
Vizio SB2020n-J6 Style photo - bar
Show text

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Style photo - sub
Vizio SB2020n-J6 Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
No

Enclosure 
 

Ported
No Subwoofer
Show text

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Style photo - satellites
Vizio SB2020n-J6 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
Vizio SB2020n-J6 Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

36.0" (91.5 cm)
20.0" (50.8 cm)

Height  

2.3" (5.8 cm)
2.2" (5.7 cm)

Depth  

3.5" (9.0 cm)
4.4" (11.3 cm)
Show text

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Dimensions photo - sub
Vizio SB2020n-J6 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
Show text

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Dimensions photo - satellites
Vizio SB2020n-J6 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

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Yes

Mountable Satellites 
 

Yes

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

Yes

Build Quality 
 

7.0
7.0

Build quality photo  

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Build quality photo
Vizio SB2020n-J6 Build quality photo
Show text

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 In The Box photo
Vizio SB2020n-J6 In The Box photo

HDMI Cable Length 
 

N/A

Digital Optical Cable Length 
 

N/A
Show text

Back - Bar  

Back photo - bar  

Vizio SB2020n-J6 Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting 
 

No
Show text

Back - Subwoofer  

Back photo - sub  

Vizio SB2020n-J6 Back photo - sub

Enclosure 
 

Ported
No Subwoofer

Back - Satellites  

Back photo - satellites  

Vizio SB2020n-J6 Back photo - satellites

Mounting 
 

No
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.0
7.3

Stereo Setup  

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Stereo Setup
Vizio SB2020n-J6 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
2.0

Tested Preset 
 

Direct
Music

Slope 
 

-0.46
-0.44

Standard Error 
 

3.35 dB
2.64 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

31.3 Hz
53.4 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
19.3 kHz
Show text

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

8.0
7.3

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Direct
Music

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

-5
-2

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

1
3

Slope 
 

-0.20
0.19

Standard Error 
 

3.29 dB
2.32 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

30.8 Hz
55.8 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show text

Stereo Soundstage 
 

7.0
6.5

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

2.47 dB
3.32 dB
Show text

Stereo Dynamics 
 

8.4
6.1

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

96.0 dB SPL
84.4 dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

0.23 dB

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

1.94 dB
2.81 dB
Show text

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

7.0

THD  

See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.83

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.45
Show text

Center 
 

8.4
0.0

Center Setup  

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Center Setup
Vizio SB2020n-J6 Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
Vizio SB2020n-J6 Frequency Response

Localization 
 

Discrete
Not Supported

Slope 
 

-0.17
N/A

Std. Err. 
 

2.85 dB
N/A

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

93.5 dB SPL
N/A

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.74
N/A

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.68
N/A
Show text

Surround 5.1 
 

7.5
0.0

Surround Setup  

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Surround Setup
Vizio SB2020n-J6 Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
Vizio SB2020n-J6 Frequency Response

Localization 
 

Discrete
Not Supported

Slope 
 

-0.10
N/A

Std. Err. 
 

4.15 dB
N/A

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

94.7 dB SPL
N/A

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.32
N/A

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.06
N/A

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No
Show text

Height (Atmos) 
 

5.9
0.0

Height Setup  

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Height Setup
Vizio SB2020n-J6 Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
Vizio SB2020n-J6 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
4.6

Room Correction 
 

No
No

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
Presets

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

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
Vizio SB2020n-J6 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Vizio SB2020n-J6 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
1

HDMI Out 
 

eARC
No

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

No

Full HDMI In 
 

1
No

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

1
1

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

1
1

Ethernet 
 

No
No

Subwoofer Output 
 

No

HDMI ARC 
 

No
Show text

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

9.9
0.0

Dolby Atmos 
 

Supported
No

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
No

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Supported
No

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Supported
No

DTS 
 

Supported
No

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
0.0

Dolby Atmos 
 

Supported
No

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
No

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Supported
No

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Supported
No

DTS 
 

Supported
No

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
0.0

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
No

DTS 
 

Supported
No

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
8.3

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 
 

N/A

Optical 
 

50 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

N/A
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
Show text

Connectivity - Subwoofer 
 

Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1  

Vizio SB2020n-J6 Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1  

Vizio SB2020n-J6 Physical controls subwoofer photo 1

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
No

Connectivity - Satellites 
 

Physical inputs satellites photo 1  

Vizio SB2020n-J6 Physical inputs satellites photo 1

Physical controls satellites photo 1  

Vizio SB2020n-J6 Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless 
 

Partial, wired to wireless sub
No
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Interface photo
Vizio SB2020n-J6 Interface photo

Display 
 

No
No
Show text

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Controls photo
Vizio SB2020n-J6 Controls photo
Show text

Remote  

Remote photo  

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 Remote photo
Vizio SB2020n-J6 Remote photo

Universal Remote 
 

No
Show text

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

No
No

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

No
Show text

App 
 

App image  

Vizio SB2020n-J6 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) 
 

Limited Support
Show text

Check Price

Black
M Series M51a-H6
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
SB2020n-J6
Searching
Finding store
 
Black
SB2020n-J6
Searching
Finding store
 
Black
SB2020n-J6
Searching
Finding store
 
Black
SB2020n-J6
Searching
Finding store
 
Black
SB2020n-J6
Searching
Finding store

Vizio M Series M51a-H6

Vizio SB2020n-J6

Comments

  1. Comparison

Vizio M Series M51a-H6 vs Vizio SB2020n-J6: Main Discussion

What do you think of these products? Let us know below.


Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Insiders have direct access to buying advice on our insider forum.

PreviewBack to editorFormat guide
No comments yet, refresh to see new ones