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Vizio M Series M51a-H6 vs Samsung HW-A550
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Vizio M Series M51a-H6
Samsung HW-A550
Tested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Sep 04, 2024 08:43 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Jan 12, 2024 03:49 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels5.1
Channels2.1
Variants
- M Series M51a-H6 (Black)
- HW-A550 (Black)
Our Verdict
Vizio M Series M51a-H6
Samsung HW-A550
The Vizio M Series M51a-H6 is better than the Samsung HW-A550. The Vizio is a 5.1 setup with discrete satellites that offers better center and surround performances. Unlike the Samsung, it supports Dolby Atmos content, too. It can even reproduce a more extended low bass. That said, the 2.1 Samsung is better built.
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
8.0
7.1
Height (Atmos)
5.9
0.0
Center
8.4
5.9
Surround 5.1
7.5
3.3
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
Yes
Enclosure
Ported
Ported
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
Partial, wired to wireless sub
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
36.0" (91.5 cm)
33.9" (86.1 cm)
Height
2.3" (5.8 cm)
2.2" (5.5 cm)
Depth
3.5" (9.0 cm)
3.4" (8.7 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
8.3" (21.2 cm)
7.9" (20.0 cm)
Height
9.9" (25.2 cm)
13.8" (35.0 cm)
Depth
11.7" (29.7 cm)
11.4" (29.0 cm)
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
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
Mountable Satellites
Yes
Satellite Brackets Included
Yes
Build Quality
7.0
7.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
HDMI Cable Length
N/A
Digital Optical Cable Length
1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Back - Bar
Back photo - bar
Bar Mounting
Universal (holes on underside)
Back - Subwoofer
Back photo - sub
Enclosure
Ported
Ported
Back - Satellites
Back photo - satellites
Mounting
No
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.0
7.9
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
5.1
2.1
Tested Preset
Direct
Standard
Slope
-0.46
-0.58
Standard Error
3.35 dB
2.35 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
31.3 Hz
40.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.0
8.0
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Direct
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
-5
-3
Suggested Treble Setting
1
3
Slope
-0.20
-0.12
Standard Error
3.29 dB
1.96 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
30.8 Hz
40.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.0
7.0
Crosstalk Error
2.47 dB
2.65 dB
Stereo Dynamics
8.4
8.2
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
96.0 dB SPL
92.2 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
0.23 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
1.94 dB
0.55 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
6.2
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.08
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
6.15
Center
8.4
5.9
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Phantom
Slope
-0.17
-1.63
Std. Err.
2.85 dB
4.66 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
93.5 dB SPL
87.8 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.74
0.50
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.68
3.08
Surround 5.1
7.5
3.3
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
-0.10
-1.68
Std. Err.
4.15 dB
4.87 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
94.7 dB SPL
85.1 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.32
0.51
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.06
2.22
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
5.9
0.0
Height Setup
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
Sound Enhancement Features
7.1
6.7
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
No
Height Level Adjustment
No
No
Virtual Surround
Yes
Yes
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
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
HDMI ARC
1 (shared)
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
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
9.9
6.4
Dolby Atmos
Supported
No
Dolby Digital
Supported
Yes
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
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Supported
Yes
DTS
Supported
Yes
PCM Channels
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
9.0
7.0
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
104 ms
Optical
77 ms
Full HDMI In
77 ms
Audio Latency: Optical
5.6
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
240 ms
Dolby Digital
156 ms
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
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
Connectivity - Subwoofer
Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1
Physical controls subwoofer photo 1
Sub Wireless
Yes
Yes
Connectivity - Satellites
Physical inputs satellites photo 1
Physical controls satellites photo 1
Sat Wireless
Partial, wired to wireless sub
No
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
No
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Universal Remote
No
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
No
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
App
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)
Yes
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Vizio M Series M51a-H6
Samsung HW-A550
Comments
Vizio M Series M51a-H6 vs Samsung HW-A550: Main Discussion
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