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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
    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 V Series V21x-J8 vs Vizio V Series V51x-J6

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Vizio V Series V21x-J8
Vizio V Series V51x-J6

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Sep 03, 2024 07:13 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Oct 24, 2024 02:30 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Vizio V Series V21x-J8 Picture
Vizio V Series V51x-J6 Picture
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. Under $200

Variants

  • V Series V21x-J8 (Black)
  • V Series V51x-J6 (Black)

Our Verdict

Vizio V Series V21x-J8

Vizio V Series V51x-J6

The Vizio V Series V51x-J6 is a better soundbar than the Vizio V Series V21x-J8. The V51x-J6 comes with discrete satellite speakers, so it offers better surround performance. It also has a more neutral sound profile and less compression at max volume. Thanks to its 5.1 setup, it has better center channel performance, too.

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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

6.8
7.1

Center 
 

5.6
7.8

Surround 5.1 
 

4.0
7.0

Stereo Dynamics 
 

6.8
8.3

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Vizio V Series V21x-J8 Style photo - bar
Vizio V Series V51x-J6 Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Vizio V Series V21x-J8 Style photo - sub
Vizio V Series V51x-J6 Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Vizio V Series V21x-J8 Style photo - satellites
Vizio V Series V51x-J6 Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

No
Partial, wired to wireless sub
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Vizio V Series V21x-J8 Dimensions photo - bar
Vizio V Series V51x-J6 Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

36.0" (91.5 cm)
36.0" (91.5 cm)

Height  

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

Depth  

3.2" (8.2 cm)
3.2" (8.2 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Vizio V Series V21x-J8 Dimensions photo - sub
Vizio V Series V51x-J6 Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

7.7" (19.5 cm)
7.7" (19.5 cm)

Height  

8.4" (21.4 cm)
8.5" (21.5 cm)

Depth  

7.7" (19.5 cm)
7.7" (19.5 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Vizio V Series V21x-J8 Dimensions photo - satellites
Vizio V Series V51x-J6 Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

N/A
4.8" (12.1 cm)

Height  

N/A
2.2" (5.7 cm)

Depth  

N/A
3.2" (8.2 cm)
Show Text 

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Vizio V Series V51x-J6 Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Vizio V Series V51x-J6 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 V Series V21x-J8 Build quality photo
Vizio V Series V51x-J6 Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Vizio V Series V21x-J8 In The Box photo
Vizio V Series V51x-J6 In The Box photo

HDMI Cable Length 
 

1.5 m (4.9 ft)

Digital Optical Cable Length 
 

1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Show Text 

Back - Bar  

Back photo - bar  

Vizio V Series V21x-J8 Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting 
 

Universal (holes on underside)
Show Text 

Back - Subwoofer  

Back photo - sub  

Vizio V Series V21x-J8 Back photo - sub

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported
Show Text 

Back - Satellites  

Back photo - satellites  

Vizio V Series V21x-J8 Back photo - satellites

Mounting 
 

No
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.4
7.3

Stereo Setup  

Vizio V Series V21x-J8 Stereo Setup
Vizio V Series V51x-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 
 

2.1
5.1

Tested Preset 
 

Music
Direct

Slope 
 

-1.11
-0.77

Standard Error 
 

5.26 dB
3.68 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

33.2 Hz
44.3 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

17.0 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

7.9
7.7

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Music
Direct

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

-5
-4

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

1
0

Slope 
 

-0.04
-0.04

Standard Error 
 

3.40 dB
2.57 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

34.1 Hz
43.0 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

17.2 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 
 

2.74 dB
2.45 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

6.8
8.3

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

94.5 dB SPL
92.7 dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

0.26 dB

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

3.81 dB
0.51 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

7.3

THD  

See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.53

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

2.76
Show Text 

Center 
 

5.6
7.8

Center Setup  

Vizio V Series V21x-J8 Center Setup
Vizio V Series V51x-J6 Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom
Discrete

Slope 
 

-1.50
-1.13

Std. Err. 
 

6.20 dB
4.00 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

94.4 dB SPL
88.8 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.52
0.56

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

2.83
1.28
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

4.0
7.0

Surround Setup  

Vizio V Series V21x-J8 Surround Setup
Vizio V Series V51x-J6 Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Stereo (Downmix)
Discrete

Slope 
 

0.62
-2.10

Std. Err. 
 

3.39 dB
5.09 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

88.3 dB SPL
90.1 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.72
0.71

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

3.62
1.86

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

0.0
0.0

Height Setup  

Vizio V Series V21x-J8 Height Setup
Vizio V Series V51x-J6 Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

Vizio V Series V21x-J8 H Frequency Response
Vizio V Series V51x-J6 H Frequency Response

Localization 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

Slope 
 

N/A
N/A

Std. Err. 
 

N/A
N/A

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

N/A
N/A

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

N/A
N/A

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

6.6
7.1

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
Yes

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 V Series V21x-J8 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Vizio V Series V51x-J6 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Vizio V Series V21x-J8 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Vizio V Series V51x-J6 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
1

HDMI Out 
 

No
ARC

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

No

Full HDMI In 
 

No
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 
 

1
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

7.6
6.3

Dolby Atmos 
 

No
Not Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Yes
Not Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

No
Not Supported

DTS 
 

Yes
Supported

DTS:X 
 

No
Not Supported

eARC 
 

No

DTS-HD MA 
 

No
Not Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0

5.1 PCM (eARC only) 
 

No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

0.0
0.0

Dolby Atmos 
 

No
Not Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

No
Not Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

No
Not Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

No
Not Supported

DTS 
 

No
Not Supported

DTS:X 
 

No
Not Supported

DTS-HD MA 
 

No
Not Supported

PCM Channels 
 

Not Supported

5.1 PCM 
 

No

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

10
10

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Supported

DTS 
 

Yes
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
Show Text 

Audio Latency: ARC 
 

7.2

ARC Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

N/A

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

N/A

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

110 ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

N/A
Show Text 

Audio Latency: HDMI In 
 

8.1
0.0

HDMI Latency Video  

Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

N/A

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

N/A

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

N/A

ARC 
 

45 ms

Optical 
 

69 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

N/A
Show Text 

Audio Latency: Optical 
 

6.9

Optical Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

150 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

200 ms
Show Text 

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
No

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

No

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

No

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

No

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough 
 

No

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

No

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

No

ALLM Passthrough 
 

No

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 V Series V21x-J8 Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1  

Vizio V Series V21x-J8 Physical controls subwoofer photo 1

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Connectivity - Satellites 
 

Physical inputs satellites photo 1  

Vizio V Series V21x-J8 Physical inputs satellites photo 1

Physical controls satellites photo 1  

Vizio V Series V21x-J8 Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless 
 

No
Partial, wired to wireless sub
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Vizio V Series V21x-J8 Interface photo
Vizio V Series V51x-J6 Interface photo

Display 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Vizio V Series V21x-J8 Controls photo
Vizio V Series V51x-J6 Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

Vizio V Series V21x-J8 Remote photo
Vizio V Series V51x-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 V Series V21x-J8 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
Show Text 

Vizio V Series V21x-J8

Vizio V Series V51x-J6

Comments

  1. Comparison

Vizio V Series V21x-J8 vs Vizio V Series V51x-J6: Main Discussion

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