Vizio VHT510

*Est. $390

Reviewed

October 2011

Sound-bar/home theater hybrid

Pros

Sounds great
True 5.1 surround sound
Wireless subwoofer
Easy setup
Relatively low price

Cons

Lack of inputs
Extra speakers may turn off some people
Needs occasional sound tweaking
Might not be powerful enough for larger rooms
Issues with LED display

Where to Buy

for $329.99

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The Vizio VHT510 sound bar speaker system tackles a major complaint leveled against sound bars head on: that the simulated surround sound offered by 2.1-channel sound bars simply can't offer the same all-encompassing audio experience as a true 5.1-channel home theater system. The VHT510 alleviates that problem by including two small rear speakers in the mix. It sidesteps the mess of wires usually associated with 5.1-channel system by combining the 3 front channels into a single sound bar, connecting the subwoofer wirelessly and attaching the rear speakers to the free-floating subwoofer rather than the sound bar itself. Critics say the lack of wires keeps the installation process simple. The system offers only one optical digital audio input and one analog stereo input, which helps with simplicity but limits versatility. If you want a more basic setup, reviewers say the Sony HT-CT150 (*Est. $250) delivers good sound quality at a budget price in a traditional 2.1-channel sound bar set up. While the wired subwoofer does clutter up things a bit, and surround effects are less impressive by a good margin, the improved connectivity -- notably three HDMI 1.4a inputs -- is a notable plus.

The VHT510 sounds great, reviewers say although you might need to adjust the volume and play with surround mode options during especially raucous scenes or when deep-voiced men speak. Critics say music generally sound excellent. On top of that, the rear speakers create a truly expansive sound field, one that critics say makes other sound bars' simulated efforts pale in comparison. One issue -- an LED display that tended to fail -- has drawn some negative comments from users, but CNET reports that the issue has now been corrected.

Several top publications and sites cover the Vizio VHT510. The best reviews can be found at CNET and Home Theater magazine. PCMag.com also delivers a decently detailed critique, while briefer analyses can be found at About.com and ConsumerReports.org. User opinions can be found at Amazon.com, and a thread at AVSForum.com also provides some insights.

Sony HT-CT150 3D Sound Bar System

from Amazon.com

In Stock.

Average Customer Review:

Where To Buy

VIZIO VHT510 5.1-Channel Home Theater System (Black)

(138 reviews)
Buy new: $349.99 $327.99 7 New from $327.99

In Stock.

Our Sources

1. CNET

CNET's review of the Vizio VHT510 sound bar system is largely positive. The sound quality for the price and the ability to deliver a true surround-sound experience are praised. Limited connectivity and the added complexity of the rear speakers are negatives. The editors say the widely reported problem of front panel lights that fail has been addressed by the company.

Review: Vizio VHT510 Review, Matthew Moskovciak and Steve Guttenberg, June 15, 2011

2. Home Theater Magazine Details/Subscribe

Mark Fleischmann opines on every aspect of the Vizio VHT510 in this extensive three page review. The system's setup, physical looks and feature list are all covered before he dives into a long hands-on testing session of both movies and music. He reports pretty good performance overall, especially on the musical front, though he says that the system is best used in a small room.

Review: Vizio VHT Sound Bar Speaker System, Mark Fleischmann, May 31, 2011

3. PCMag.com Details/Subscribe

This review starts off with an in-depth look at the Vizio VHT510's technical specifications, physical design and dimensions before launching into performance test results. Will Greenwald reports that the extra speakers create a true feeling of immersion during action scenes in "Robocop." He's impressed by the system's low-end chops, but he reports that the sound bar itself can sound hollow during especially chest-rattling bursts of bass.

Review: Vizio VHT510 Surround Sound Home Theater With Wireless Subwoofer, Will Greenwald, April 27, 2011

4. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

In the midst of its coverage of all things home theater, ConsumerReports.org evaluates a handful of mostly still current sound bars, including the Vizio VHT510. Rankings and ratings are provided, but discussion is slim.

Review: Home Theater Systems, Editors of ConsumerReports.org

5. About.com

Robert Silva's two-page review of the Vizio VHT510 is one of the better critiques on the site. Silva lays out the system's specifications in exhaustive detail and describes deep hands-on testing, even going so far as to lay out which components -- such as the TV and DVD player -- he used to test the system. In the end, he calls the VHT510 "a nice, modest, home theater system [for] the budget conscious." (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

Review: Vizio VHT510 5.1 Channel Home Theater System with Wireless Subwoofer, Robert Silva

6. AVSForum.com

This insightful thread starts with a user named "Davyo" comparing the Vizio VHT510 against the Vizio VHT510 and the JVC TH-BA1 (since discontinued). He says that the JVC sound bar has been his go-to sound bar for a while now, but the Vizio VHT510 is the superior product. "The Vizio simply blew away the JVC BA1 when I played Star Trek," he reports. Several pages of lively discussion ensue.

Review: Vizio 510, Vizio 210, JVC BA1 Another Davyo Shoot-Out w/ Pictures, Contributors to AVSForum.com

7. Amazon.com

The overall rating at Amazon.com for the Vizio VHT510 has been pulled down over the issue of an LED display that tended to fail. Reports, including some posted here, say that the problem has now been addressed. Other than that, the reviews are positive overall, with ease of setup and sound quality singled out as two of the best aspects of the system.

Review: VIZIO VHT510 5.1 Surround Sound Home Theater with Wireless Subwoofer (Black), Contributors to Amazon.com

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