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Vizio V Series V21-H8 vs Vizio M Series M215a-J6
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Vizio V Series V21-H8
Vizio M Series M215a-J6
Tested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Apr 17, 2024 02:36 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Nov 11, 2022 05:00 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels2.1
Channels2.1
Variants
- V21 H8 (Black)
- V21 H8R (Black)
- M215a-J6 (Black)
Our Verdict
Vizio V Series V21-H8
Vizio M Series M215a-J6
The Vizio M Series M215a-J6 is a better 2.1 bar than the Vizio V Series V21-H8. They're both budget-friendly options, but only the M Series supports Dolby Atmos content. Its default sound is also more balanced out-of-the-box, so you don't notice as much extra boom in the bass. That said, if you don't watch a lot of Atmos movies, you may prefer the more affordable V Series.
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V21 H8
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M215a-J6
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V21 H8R
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M215a-J6
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M215a-J6
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B&HMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.0
7.5
Height (Atmos)
0.0
4.1
Stereo Frequency Response
7.6
8.1
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
0.0
10
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
6.3
10
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
No
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
3.2" (8.2 cm)
3.5" (8.9 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
8.3" (21.2 cm)
8.3" (21.1 cm)
Height
9.8" (25.0 cm)
9.9" (25.2 cm)
Depth
8.3" (21.2 cm)
8.3" (21.1 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
N/A
Height
N/A
N/A
Depth
N/A
N/A
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
Mountable Satellites
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
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
7.6
8.1
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
Music
Direct
Slope
-0.86
0.24
Std. Err.
4.28 dB
2.62 dB
Channels
2.1
2.1
Low-Frequency Extension
34.1 Hz
34.1 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
16.5 kHz
19.3 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.5
8.2
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Music
Direct
Suggested Bass Setting
-4
3
Suggested Treble Setting
0
0
Slope
-0.09
0.10
Std. Err.
2.81 dB
2.43 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
43.0 Hz
34.1 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
16.0 kHz
19.3 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.0
7.0
Crosstalk Error
2.99 dB
1.89 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.5
7.3
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
95.8 dB SPL
96.9 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
2.88 dB
3.44 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.7
7.8
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.45
0.32
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.78
2.68
Center
6.4
7.1
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom
Phantom
Slope
-0.83
0.16
Std. Err.
4.33 dB
2.57 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
95.8 dB SPL
97.5 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.43
0.28
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.79
2.84
Surround 5.1
3.9
4.6
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
0.79
0.14
Std. Err.
3.62 dB
2.56 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
88.2 dB SPL
97.3 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.90
0.35
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
3.51
3.05
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
0.0
4.1
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Not Supported
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
N/A
0.26
Std. Err.
N/A
2.70 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
N/A
85.2 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
N/A
2.27
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
N/A
0.52
Sound Enhancement Features
6.8
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
No
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
ARC
1 (shared)
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Full HDMI In
No
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
6.3
10
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital
Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
Not Supported
Yes
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
Yes
DTS
Supported
Yes
DTS:X
Not Supported
Yes
eARC
Yes
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
Yes
PCM Channels
2.0
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
Yes
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
0.0
10
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital
Not Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
Not Supported
Yes
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
Yes
DTS
Not Supported
Yes
DTS:X
Not Supported
Yes
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
Yes
PCM Channels
Not Supported
5.1 PCM
Yes
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Supported
Yes
DTS
Supported
Yes
PCM Channels
2.0
Latency
8.1
5.2
Latency Video
ARC
59 ms
124 ms
Optical
52 ms
149 ms
Full HDMI In
N/A
168 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
0.0
0.0
1080p Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
4k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
8k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
HDR10 Passthrough
No
Yes
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
No
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
Yes
FreeSync Passthrough
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
ALLM Passthrough
No
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
No
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
Black
V21 H8
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Finding storeBlack
M215a-J6
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Amazon.comBlack
V21 H8R
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Finding storeBlack
M215a-J6
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BestBuy.comBlack
M215a-J6
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
M215a-J6
SEARCH
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Vizio V Series V21-H8
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Vizio V Series V21-H8 vs Vizio M Series M215a-J6: Main Discussion
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