![]() We thought that the VHT510 had the sonic gravitas and poise of a larger system. Some feature some type of virtual surround processing, but true 5.1-channel sound bar systems are pretty rare. The VHT510 is a bona fide 5.1-channel system, and that factor alone put its sound well ahead of most two- or three-channel sound bars. It's easy to make on-the-fly adjustments for subwoofer, center, and surround channel volume bass and treble tone controls SRS Circle Cinema surround processing and SRS TruVolume dynamic range compression via the remote. If you're comfortable with home theater gear, though, you won't miss it. The pairing of the wireless subwoofer and the sound bar was automatic.Ĭonsidering that this is a 5.1-channel system, we were a little surprised that Vizio didn't provide an automatic or manual setup process. The wireless subwoofer has a range of up to 80 feet, but for the best sound we'd recommend placing it within 4 or 5 feet of the sound bar. The little surround speakers can be wall mounted with the keyhole slots on their backsides, or placed on a table or stand. That's long enough if you place the subwoofer in the back of the room, but we're concerned that the wires might not be long enough for some home theaters if you place it in the front, especially those where the wires have to run over doorways. The surround speakers come with 20-foot-long wires with special connectors that plug into the subwoofer. The VHT510 sound bar can be placed on a shelf in front of your TV or wall-mounted by reorienting the speaker's sturdy metal feet for use as wall brackets. In our opinion that's not a major loss, as the superior sonic fidelity of high-resolution soundtracks like Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio is likely to be lost on a budget speaker system like the VHT510. Like nearly every other sound bar HTIB, standard Dolby and DTS decoding are handled by the Vizio VHT510, but not Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. "="" bgcolor="#CCCCCC"> Audio decoding capabilities Still, we'd make sure you purchase it from a store with a reliable return policy, just in case. Vizio says the problem has been fixed and owners of defective models can get a replacement. The problem is that widespread user reviews at stores like Amazon mention that the display tends to break, often only after a few days. When it's working, it's actually quite helpful, with lights behind the speaker grille letting you know exactly how loud the volume is and giving an indication as to which input you're on. ![]() The VHT510 also has a front-panel display of sorts, but there's a catch. That's a plus for buyers who are looking for a sound bar that sounds better than, well, a sound bar, but it might be a minus for more style-conscious buyers who are looking to simplify the home theater experience. The major standout feature is the VHT510's rear speakers, which are uncommon on sound bar home theater systems. The wireless sub is a step up over the otherwise excellent Sony HT-CT150, which has a wired subwoofer. Like most sound bars in this price range, the VHT510 has a wireless subwoofer and the aforementioned remote. While many sound bars often don't provide stable supports on the bottom for placing on a TV stand, the VHT510 has two sturdy silver feet that keep it in place. It feels a little light (and cheap) when you pick it up, but it looks stylish enough from the outside, with the matte-black speaker grille dominating the look from the front. The main speaker of the VHT510 looks like a typical sound bar, with a long cylindrical design. Still, the Vizio VHT510 is a downright bargain at its $320 street price, and we think it's an excellent solution for buyers who want the simplicity of a sound bar with a true surround-sound experience. (Vizio says the issue has been fixed and faulty units can be replaced.) And some "style-first" buyers may be turned off by the extra wires required for the rear channels, even if they do offer better sound quality. The VHT510 isn't perfect, as its connectivity options are limited and widespread user opinions indicate a high rate of failure on the front-panel indicator lights.
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