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Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 vs Vizio M Series M215a-J6
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6
Vizio M Series M215a-J6
Tested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Sep 04, 2024 06:58 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Nov 11, 2022 05:00 PM
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Channels5.1
Channels2.1
Variants
- M Series M51ax-J6 (Dark Charcoal)
- M215a-J6 (Black)
Our Verdict
Vizio M Series M51ax-J6
Vizio M Series M215a-J6
The Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 is better than the Vizio M Series M215a-J6. They're both 2021 models from the manufacturer, but the M51ax-J6 is a 5.1 setup and comes with two rear satellites. As a result, it performs much better with surround and Atmos content, and it has a center channel to improve vocal clarity. It's pricier than the M215a-J6, so if you mostly listen to music, you may want to stick with the cheaper model. However, the M51ax-J6 is a more versatile soundbar.
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Dark Charcoal
M Series M51ax-J6
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Amazon.comBlack
M215a-J6
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M Series M51ax-J6
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M215a-J6
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M Series M51ax-J6
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M Series M51ax-J6
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Walmart.comMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.9
7.5
Surround 5.1
7.5
4.6
Center
8.4
7.1
Stereo Dynamics
8.5
7.3
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)
35.9" (91.3 cm)
Height
2.3" (5.8 cm)
2.2" (5.6 cm)
Depth
3.5" (9.0 cm)
3.5" (8.9 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
8.3" (21.0 cm)
8.3" (21.1 cm)
Height
9.9" (25.2 cm)
9.9" (25.2 cm)
Depth
8.3" (21.0 cm)
8.3" (21.1 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
7.0
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
HDMI Cable Length
1.9 m (6.2 ft)
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
7.9
8.1
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
5.1
2.1
Tested Preset
Direct
Direct
Slope
-0.26
0.24
Standard Error
3.35 dB
2.62 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
33.6 Hz
34.1 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.3 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.2
8.2
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Direct
Direct
Suggested Bass Setting
-3
3
Suggested Treble Setting
0
0
Slope
-0.11
0.10
Standard Error
2.37 dB
2.43 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
33.2 Hz
34.1 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.6 kHz
19.3 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.0
7.0
Crosstalk Error
2.16 dB
1.89 dB
Stereo Dynamics
8.5
7.3
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
96.2 dB SPL
96.9 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
0.25 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
1.40 dB
3.44 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.8
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.32
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.68
Center
8.4
7.1
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Phantom
Slope
-0.21
0.16
Std. Err.
2.67 dB
2.57 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
92.4 dB SPL
97.5 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.17
0.28
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.09
2.84
Surround 5.1
7.5
4.6
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
-0.17
0.14
Std. Err.
4.01 dB
2.56 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
93.3 dB SPL
97.3 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.34
0.35
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.02
3.05
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
5.9
4.1
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Front Firing, Satellites)
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
-0.06
0.26
Std. Err.
3.99 dB
2.70 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
85.1 dB SPL
85.2 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
2.60
2.27
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.32
0.52
Sound Enhancement Features
7.1
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
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
1
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
1
1
Ethernet
No
No
Subwoofer Output
No
HDMI ARC
1 (shared)
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
10
10
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital
Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Yes
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Yes
DTS
Supported
Yes
DTS:X
Supported
Yes
eARC
Yes
DTS-HD MA
Supported
Yes
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
Yes
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
10
10
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital
Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Yes
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Yes
DTS
Supported
Yes
DTS:X
Supported
Yes
DTS-HD MA
Supported
Yes
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
5.1 PCM
Yes
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Supported
Yes
DTS
Supported
Yes
PCM Channels
2.0
Audio Latency: ARC
9.5
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
61 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
106 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
76 ms
Dolby Digital
65 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
70 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
74 ms
Audio Latency: HDMI In
6.9
5.2
HDMI Latency Video
Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
97 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
87 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
107 ms
Dolby Digital
124 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
115 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
122 ms
ARC
124 ms
Optical
149 ms
Full HDMI In
168 ms
Audio Latency: Optical
7.0
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
147 ms
Dolby Digital
207 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
9.0
0.0
1080p Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
8k Max Refresh Rate
30Hz
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
Yes
HDR10+ Passthrough
Yes
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
Yes
FreeSync Passthrough
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
ALLM Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
Yes
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
No
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
Check Price
Dark Charcoal
M Series M51ax-J6
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
M215a-J6
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Amazon.comDark Charcoal
M Series M51ax-J6
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B&HBlack
M215a-J6
SEARCH
Amazon.comDark Charcoal
M Series M51ax-J6
SEARCH
BestBuy.comDark Charcoal
M Series M51ax-J6
SEARCH
Walmart.com
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Vizio M Series M51ax-J6 vs Vizio M Series M215a-J6: Main Discussion
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