Budget TV maker Vizio has announced its new lineup of M-Series soundbars for 2022-2023, with the upgrade led by the M-Series Elevate, a cheaper version of the original but with the same pivoting Dolby Atmos height speakers.
Like many of the best soundbars, the new €800 M Elevate series is a 5.1.2 model and comes with wired surround speakers and a wireless subwoofer that is supposed to deliver bass down to 45Hz. Its predecessor has speakers in the outer edges of the bar automatically rotate up for Atmos and DTS:X, then rotate down to help better playback of regular stereo and surround sound sources.
Connections on the M-Series Elevate include HDMI eARC and standard HDMI ports with Dolby Vision HDR pass-through plus an optical digital audio input. When connected to a Vizio TV via HDMI eARC, a built-in soundbar control menu lets you configure Elevate settings on the TV screen, and there's also a voice assistant input for connecting a Google speaker. or Amazon Alexa.
M-Series All-in-One: Dolby Atmos por €200
In addition to the Elevate, Vizio also announced the M-Series All-in-One, a 2.1-channel soundbar that offers Dolby Atmos support for just €200.
Atmos and DTS:X sound on the all-in-one is handled through virtual DTS:X processing, while the soundbar's front-facing speakers are complemented by a pair of woofers for enhanced bass output. Beyond that, Vizio's budget soundbar offers the same connectivity options as the M Elevate series, including a voice assistant input.
M-Series Elevate and All-In-One will be available in July.
Review: Does the Elevate work in the same plane as the Sonos Arc?
When TechRadar reviewed the original Vizio Elevate soundbar, we dismissed it for a relative lack of features compared to similar flagship soundbars like the €900 Sonos Arc.
While having speakers that automatically swing up when Dolby Atmos input is detected and then automatically retract is an undeniably nice feature, at $1099 when it launched the original Elevate seemed expensive, especially for a Vizio product.
At $800, the new M-Series Elevate is a more reasonable request for that same nifty feature, and Vizio's decision to downsize from a 5.1.4 Atmos speaker setup to a 5.1.2 setup won't be a devastating loss. for the majority. The auditors. The M Elevate series is without a doubt one of the best looking soundbars on the market, and its support for DTS:X with Dolby Atmos sets it apart from many other soundbar options.
Ultimately, though, the Sonos Arc's ability to connect via Wi-Fi to other Sonos speakers, including the Sub, and stream audio directly via the company's app or AirPlay 2 puts it ahead of the M. -Elevate series, which does not provide any wireless transmission options other than Bluetooth. And it also has Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant built in so you don't have to hook up a separate smart speaker for voice control, plus Trueplay room calibration, another category of features the M. Elevate series lacks.
Who is the M-Series Elevate for? Primarily moviegoers who want great home theater sound, but with the added benefit - and bragging rights - of superior automated Dolby Atmos speakers. For those who fit that description, Vizio's new flagship M-series soundbar will be a compelling option, but just $100 less than the Sonos Arc, a tough choice to make.