The Best Audio Settings For Vizio 5.1 Soundbar
By Robert Jones · 2021-01-08
Right, got a Vizio 5.1 soundbar and wondering how to make it sing? I'll walk you through the essential settings and placement tips to get top-notch sound for your movies and tunes. It's simpler than you think to get it sounding grand.
Right, so you've got yourself a Vizio 5.1 soundbar, eh? Good choice if you're after a decent bit of kit without spending a fortune. But let's be honest, fresh out of the box, it often sounds a bit... flat. Getting these systems to really sing means a bit of tinkering, and I've spent my fair share of time doing just that in the workshop. Over the years, I've had countless Vizio soundbars come through, from the old faithful SB3651-E6 right up to some of the newer M-Series. People bring 'em in, scratch their heads, and wonder why their mates' setups sound so much better. It's usually down to a few simple adjustments and, crucially, getting the placement spot on. This isn't rocket science, but it does take a bit of patience. We're not just aiming for loud; we're aiming for *good*. Let's get it sorted.  *The Best Audio Settings For Vizio 5.1 Soundbar — tested in the SpeakersMag workshop.* ## Quick Verdict **Getting your Vizio 5.1 soundbar singing means proper placement, calibration, and knowing which settings to tweak for your room.** ### Who it's for: * Folks wanting proper surround sound without running loads of wires for traditional systems. * Anyone looking for a solid home cinema upgrade on a reasonable budget, say £200-£400. * People who enjoy a bit of tinkering to get things just right for their listening tastes. * Those with smaller to medium-sized living rooms (up to about 20 square metres) who don't want enormous AV receivers and passive speakers. * Folks who want clear dialogue for movies and TV without cranking the volume to uncomfortable levels. * Anyone fed up with just their TV’s tinny built-in speakers and wants a proper boost. * Those who appreciate a dedicated subwoofer for some proper rumble. ### Who should skip it: * True hi-fi purists who demand separate components and absolute fidelity from every driver. * People with very large, open-plan spaces (over 30 square metres) where a soundbar might struggle to fill the room effectively without sounding strained. * Those who prefer a "set it and forget it" approach and don’t want to adjust settings or run calibration routines. * If you’re planning a serious Dolby Atmos setup with dedicated overhead channels; most Vizio 5.1 bars offer simulated height, not true object-based audio. * If you already have a decent AVR and separate speakers – you're likely already ahead of the game. * If your primary use is critical music listening rather than movies and TV; while decent, they're not really built for nuanced stereo. ## First Things First: Placement, Placement, Placement Before we even touch a button on the remote, let's talk about where you're putting this kit. Honestly, 80% of sound issues I encounter come down to bad placement. You can have the best soundbar in the world, but if it's tucked away in a cabinet or the sub's wedged behind the sofa, it's never going to sound its best. ### The Soundbar Itself Your main soundbar unit should ideally sit directly below your TV. Centre it up, mind. You want those front channels, especially the centre one for dialogue, pointing straight at your ears. Don't stick it inside a TV cabinet unless the front of the soundbar is completely unobstructed. Blocking it off like that just muffles the sound and smears the stereo image. If it has to go in a cabinet, make sure it's right at the front edge. And keep it clear of anything else – no decorative vases sitting on top, please! Height is a consideration too. If it's too low, say on a really low TV stand, the sound might feel disconnected from the action on screen. If your TV is wall-mounted, a wall-mounted soundbar bracket is often the neatest solution. Aim to have the centre of the soundbar roughly in line with the bottom third of your TV screen. That's a good starting point. ### The Subwoofer: Not Just for Bass Heads Ah, the subwoofer. This is where most people go wrong. They think bass is omnidirectional, so it can go anywhere. Well, yes and no. While bass *waves* are less directional, the *quality* and *evenness* of that bass throughout your room are heavily influenced by placement. Shove it in a corner, and you'll often get a booming, indistinct mess. Put it in the middle of the room, and it might sound weak. My usual trick, and it's an oldie but a goodie, is the "subwoofer crawl." Stick the subwoofer in your main listening position (where your head usually is when you're watching TV). Play some bass-heavy music or a film scene with a good rumbling explosion. Now, literally crawl around your room, listening to where the bass sounds best – punchy, tight, and even. Wherever it sounds best, that's usually the ideal spot for your subwoofer. For most Vizio setups, it's often best along the front wall, near the soundbar, but offset a bit. Maybe 1-2 metres from the main unit. Experiment with corners, but usually pulling it out a bit from the wall helps. And whatever you do, don't put anything directly on top of or too close to the subwoofer's port or driver if it's exposed. It needs to breathe! ### Rear Surround Speakers: The Tricky Bit Here's where Vizio's 5.1 design is brilliant for simplicity. Those little satellite speakers connect wirelessly to the subwoofer, which then connects to the soundbar. Much neater than running cables all over the shop. But where do you put them? Ideally, they should be slightly behind your main listening position, perhaps 30-60cm to the side and slightly above ear level. About 1 to 1.2 metres off the floor is usually a good height. If you can get them on speaker stands, even better. If not, a sturdy shelf or side table works. The key is to have them facing inwards slightly towards your main listening position, creating that immersive bubble. Don't have them pointing straight at each other, or worse, straight at the back wall. And please, for the love of all that is good, don't put them next to the TV! They're *rear* surrounds, remember? If your room is a bit awkward, like a long, narrow one, you might have to compromise. Just try to get them as close to the ideal as possible. The further they are from your ears, the more you'll need to turn up their individual volume, which we'll get to. ## Connecting It All Up: The Right Cables Matter It sounds obvious, but using the right connection makes a difference. For most Vizio 5.1 soundbars, you'll have a few options, but generally, there's a clear winner. * **HDMI ARC/eARC (Recommended):** This is your best bet. HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) or eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) means you only need one HDMI cable from your TV to the soundbar. It handles all the audio formats, even Dolby Digital and DTS, and lets your TV remote control the soundbar's volume. Make sure you plug it into the HDMI port on your TV *specifically labelled* ARC or eARC. If your TV has eARC, use it; it's better for higher bitrate audio formats, though most Vizio 5.1 bars don't push the very highest ones. * **Optical (Digital Audio):** A solid second choice if your TV doesn't have ARC or if you're having trouble with it. Optical cables carry digital audio, so you'll still get Dolby Digital and DTS. However, it won't control the soundbar volume with your TV remote, and it can't handle lossless audio formats like Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio, which is fine for most Vizio 5.1 setups anyway. * **RCA/3.5mm (Analogue):** Only use these as a last resort. They're analogue connections and won't give you proper surround sound. Stick to HDMI or Optical for digital, multichannel audio. Once connected, make sure your TV's audio output settings are set to "External Speakers" or "Sound System" and that the digital audio output is set to "Bitstream" or "Auto." Avoid "PCM" if you want surround sound from your Vizio. ## The Nitty-Gritty: Adjusting Your Vizio 5.1 Soundbar Settings Alright, everything's plugged in and placed. Now for the fun part: making it sound right. Get comfy in your main listening spot, put on a film or a TV show you know well – something with good dialogue, some action, and a bit of music. This isn't a one-and-done job; you might tweak things over a few days until it feels just right. Most Vizio soundbars come with a remote that has a small display, or you'll see indicators on the soundbar itself. Some even have a companion app, which makes things much easier. ### Volume Levels: Finding the Balance This is crucial for a balanced soundstage. * **Main Volume:** Set this to a comfortable listening level for your chosen content. You'll adjust everything else relative to this. * **Subwoofer Level:** Don't just crank it all the way up for chest-thumping bass. You want the bass to be present and powerful, but not overwhelming the dialogue or making the whole room vibrate unpleasantly. Start at about half and increase it gradually until you feel the bass rather than just hearing it boom. Too much and it muddies everything. For most Vizio bars, a setting of +2 to +4 usually works well, but it depends on your room and preferences. * **Surround Speaker Level:** This is key for immersion. Turn up the rear surrounds until you can clearly hear discrete sounds coming from behind or to the sides, but they shouldn't draw attention to themselves. If you're hearing individual voices or effects distinctly from the rear, they're too loud. You want them to *blend* into the overall sound. Start at around +3 or +4 and adjust from there. Sometimes, if they're very close to your ears, you might even need to drop them to -1 or -2. * **Centre Channel Level (if adjustable):** Some Vizio soundbars allow you to adjust the centre channel. This is usually where dialogue comes from. If you find speech a bit muffled or hard to understand, try bumping this up a notch or two (+1 or +2). Don't overdo it, or dialogue will sound unnaturally prominent. ### EQ Settings: Taming Your Room Most Vizio soundbars have some basic equaliser (EQ) adjustments. You might see "Bass" and "Treble" controls, or sometimes specific sound modes. * **Bass:** If your subwoofer is still a bit boomy even after adjusting its level, try turning down the main Bass setting on the soundbar itself. Conversely, if it feels a bit thin, give it a slight boost. Usually, I find leaving it at 0 or -1 is a good starting point, letting the subwoofer do most of the heavy lifting for the low end. * **Treble:** This affects the clarity and brightness of the sound. If dialogue sounds muffled or the overall sound is dull, a slight increase (+1 or +2) in treble can help. If it sounds harsh, sibilant (hissy "s" sounds), or fatiguing, back it off a bit (-1 or -2). Too much treble can be really annoying over long listening sessions. ### Sound Modes & Enhancements: Use with Caution Vizio often includes various sound modes and processing options. These can be a mixed bag. * **Movie Mode/Cinema Mode:** Often boosts bass and surrounds. Good for films, but sometimes over-the-top for regular TV. * **Music Mode:** Tends to balance the sound for stereo, sometimes reducing the surround effect. Usually, a flatter, more natural EQ. Try this for music listening. * **Dialogue Enhance/Clear Voice:** Can be very useful for making speech more intelligible, especially in action-heavy scenes. Start with the lowest setting and only increase if necessary. Sometimes it can make voices sound unnatural. * **TruVolume/Volume Levelling:** This attempts to normalise volume levels, preventing those annoying sudden jumps between quiet dialogue and loud explosions, or between channels. Handy for late-night viewing, but it can compress the dynamic range, making films sound less exciting. Try it; if you like it, keep it. If not, turn it off. * **DTS Virtual:X / Dolby Virtualizer:** These are often included in Vizio soundbars to create a more expansive, even "height" sound from a standard 5.1 setup. They use psychoacoustic tricks. Sometimes they work really well, creating a wider, taller soundstage. Other times, they can make things sound echoey or diffuse. Experiment with them on and off for a specific scene and see what you prefer. For true 5.1 content, sometimes leaving them off gives a more direct, accurate sound. My advice here is to start with a "Standard" or "Direct" mode if available, then gradually try the others. Less is often more with these digital enhancements. ## Calibration: The Automated Approach (If You Have It) Some of the higher-end Vizio 5.1 systems, especially the newer M-Series, might come with a room calibration feature, often accessed via the Vizio SmartCast app. If yours has it, use it! These systems use a microphone (usually on your phone if using the app) to listen to test tones played by the soundbar and then automatically adjust levels and delays for your specific room. It's not as sophisticated as a dedicated AV receiver's auto-calibration, but it can get you 80-90% of the way there, saving you a lot of manual fiddling. Even after running it, you might still want to make minor tweaks to personal taste, especially with the subwoofer level. ## Troubleshooting Common Issues Even with the best intentions, things can go wrong. Here are a few common snags I've seen with Vizio 5.1 systems: * **No Sound/Intermittent Sound:** Check all cables, especially the HDMI ARC. Make sure your TV's audio output is set correctly. Try power cycling both the TV and soundbar (unplug from the mains for 30 seconds). Sometimes a firmware update for the soundbar or TV can fix these glitches. * **No Surround Sound (Only Stereo):** Double-check your TV's digital audio output setting. It *must* be set to "Bitstream" or "Dolby Digital" / "DTS," not "PCM." Also, ensure your source material (Blu-ray, streaming service) is actually sending a 5.1 signal. Some older content or basic TV channels are just stereo. * **Dialogue Muffled/Unclear:** Try increasing the centre channel level if available. Boost the treble slightly. Make sure nothing is obstructing the front of the soundbar. If all else fails, the "Dialogue Enhance" feature might help. * **Boomy/Weak Bass:** Re-do the subwoofer crawl! Try different placements. Adjust the subwoofer level on the soundbar, and then try adjusting the main "Bass" EQ setting. Check if any room modes (standing waves) are causing issues – moving the sub a foot or two can make a big difference. * **Rear Speakers Not Working/Too Quiet:** Ensure they are paired correctly with the subwoofer (check the manual for pairing instructions). Increase their level on the soundbar remote. Make sure nothing is blocking their line of sight to the main listening position. * **Lip Sync Issues (Audio Delay):** Many TVs and soundbars have a "lip sync" or "audio delay" setting. You'll need to adjust this in small increments until the audio matches the video. Sometimes it's on the TV, sometimes on the soundbar, or both. ## Comparison: Vizio M-Series vs. Vizio V-Series 5.1 Soundbars If you're in the market for a new Vizio 5.1 system, or just curious how yours stacks up, here's a quick comparison of their typical lines. Remember, models change yearly, but the general philosophy stays similar. | Feature | Vizio V-Series 5.1 (e.g., V51-H6) | Vizio M-Series 5.1 (e.g., M51a-H6, M512a-H6) | | :------------------ | :---------------------------------------------------------------- | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Price (approx)** | £150 - £250 | £300 - £500+ | | **Sound Quality** | Good for the price, clear upgrade from TV speakers, decent surround. | More refined, better clarity, often wider soundstage, sometimes better bass response. | | **Subwoofer** | Usually smaller, less powerful, tends to be more boomy at higher volumes. | Generally larger, more impactful, better controlled bass. | | **Rear Speakers** | Wired to subwoofer, smaller, less output. | Wired to subwoofer, often slightly larger, better clarity. | | **Connectivity** | HDMI ARC, Optical, Bluetooth. | HDMI eARC (on newer models), Optical, Bluetooth, sometimes Wi-Fi/Chromecast built-in. | | **Features** | DTS Virtual:X (simulated height), Dialogue Enhance, basic EQ. | DTS Virtual:X/Dolby Atmos (simulated or actual for height), deeper EQ, SmartCast app integration, sometimes room calibration. | | **Build Quality** | Entry-level plastics, fabric grille. | More premium materials, often metal grilles, better finish. | | **Best For** | Budget-conscious users, smaller rooms, casual movie watching. | Enthusiasts, medium-sized rooms, clearer dialogue, more immersive experience. | ### My Take on the V-Series For the money, the V-Series Vizio 5.1 bars are a steal. Honestly, they put a lot of far more expensive soundbars to shame for their ability to deliver actual surround sound. You get a real subwoofer, real rear speakers, and a massive step up from TV audio. You just have to manage your expectations on refinement and raw power. They're great for a bedroom or a smaller living room. If you're on a tight budget, say under £200, this is where you should look first. ### My Take on the M-Series The M-Series is where Vizio really starts to hit its stride. You get a noticeable jump in sound quality, often with better clarity, a more dynamic sound, and a punchier, tighter subwoofer. The inclusion of eARC on newer models is a bonus, and features like the SmartCast app and sometimes even a basic room correction system make them much easier to live with. If your budget stretches to £300-£500, an M-Series 5.1 system is often a fantastic sweet spot for performance and features. Some even offer proper up-firing drivers for Atmos, which is rare at this price point. ## FAQ: Your Vizio 5.1 Questions Answered ### Q: Can I use my Vizio 5.1 soundbar with a projector? A: Absolutely. As long as your projector has an HDMI ARC output or an optical digital audio output, you can connect your Vizio soundbar directly. If your projector only has analogue outputs, you might need an audio extractor or run the audio from your source (e.g., Blu-ray player, streaming stick) directly to the soundbar. ### Q: My Vizio soundbar automatically turns off. How do I stop it? A: This is usually the "Eco Power" or "Auto Power Off" feature. Most Vizio soundbars have an option in the settings menu (often accessed via the remote control display) to disable or adjust this. Look for "Eco Power," "Auto Off," or "Power Mode." You might need to cycle through options like "Off," "2 Hours," "4 Hours," etc. ### Q: The rear speakers are too quiet or not working at all. What's wrong? A: First, check the pairing. Ensure the small LED on the back of each satellite speaker (or on the subwoofer) indicates they are connected (usually a solid white or green light). If not, follow your manual's instructions to re-pair them. Then, adjust the "Surround Level" in your soundbar settings. Ensure your TV is sending a 5.1 signal, not just stereo, as the rear speakers won't activate for stereo content. ### Q: Should I use my TV's built-in sound modes or the soundbar's? A: Always use the soundbar's sound modes. Your TV's sound modes are designed for its internal speakers and won't have the same effect or optimisation for an external sound system. Set your TV's audio output to "External Speakers" and let the Vizio soundbar handle all the processing. ### Q: My Vizio soundbar isn't loud enough. Any tips? A: First, check the main volume. Then, ensure your TV's internal speakers are turned off completely. Some TVs can still output sound even when an external system is connected, which can interfere. Also, check your source device's volume (e.g., Blu-ray player, streaming device) – make sure it's not set too low. Finally, ensure your TV's digital audio output is set to "Bitstream" and not "PCM," as PCM can sometimes result in lower output levels if not handled correctly by the soundbar. ## Final Word So there you have it. Getting your Vizio 5.1 soundbar to really sing isn't about spending a fortune; it's about spending a bit of time. Proper placement, the right connections, and then getting stuck into those settings. Don't be afraid to experiment, honestly. Every room is different, every ear is different. What sounds brilliant in my workshop might need a few tweaks in your living room. These Vizio systems are a solid bit of kit for the money, offering genuine surround sound without breaking the bank or cluttering your room with wires. They're not going to compete with a £2,000 separates system, but for bringing cinema-like immersion to your home, they're hard to beat at their price point. Give these tips a go, and I reckon you'll be pretty chuffed with the results. Happy listening!