Samsung vs VIZIO Comparison
Main Features
Samsung uses a lot of features that improve the overall performance of the soundbar. Game Mode adapts the audio reproduction for gaming, making it louder and brighter. Music Mode allows hearing the music as the artist intended, with preserved quality and without any sound coloration. Thanks to that, both vocals and instruments stay crisp. Samsung also offers a lot of automatic functions, like Adaptive Sound that optimizes volume level for every scene so you can hear everything clearly. Some models even can reproduce any audio content from your smartphone after you simply touch the soundbar with your phone. Samsung also enables you to fully control your soundbar and equalize the sound just using your smartphone via the Samsung Audio Remote app (or via the SmartThings app).
VIZIO offers a poor range of features in comparison with Samsung. The soundbars from this brand are quite simple and there are no specific, unique technologies. They use DTS TruVolume as an analog of Samsung’s Adaptive Sound technology, ensuring consistently convenient volume level. Most models come with a built-in Google Cast that allows casting of tunes from 100 audio apps. Control can be performed with the help of the VIZIO SmartCast app as well.
Let’s compare the VIZIO SB3821-C6 and the Samsung HW-T650. The first one has such features as built-in Bluetooth and built-in Google Cast. The model from Samsung offers built-in Bluetooth with a multi-connection option, Smart Sound, and Game Mode.
So, considering the fact that these models are sold for a similar price, it’s fair to say that you get more interesting and advanced features with the Samsung HW-T650.
- Built-in center speaker
- 3D Surround sound
- One remote control
- Dolby Digital 5.1ch
- Multi-connection
- Powerful bass
- Game Mode
Design
Most soundbars from both manufacturers have a low-profile design and standard, rectangular shape (with either rounded or sharp corners) and look simple and minimalistic. They come colored in black, white, or gray to be universal for most interiors. Some models from both brands also have a small screen on their bodies that indicates the currently used input. Both manufacturers provide a range of wireless and wall-mountable soundbars, allowing for great placement flexibility.
Samsung soundbars usually have onboard buttons for volume control, power on/off, and source button. Cheaper models go in plastic bodies. More expensive bars from Samsung feature premium fabric design. Such design allows for more natural sound reproduction. Soundbars from VIZIO are usually bigger in size. They also have more buttons on the cabinet: control buttons, an on/off button, source button, and a dedicated button for Bluetooth. Almost all the bars from VIZIO have one distinctive feature — white panels on the right and left ends. Some models also feature a hexagonal shape that gives you two ways to position the soundbar.
In general, affordable models from both brands have identical build quality. However, when it comes to the premium price tag, Samsung soundbars appear to be better. For example, the Samsung HW-S40T has a curved shape design that features Kvadrat textiles. Meanwhile, the VIZIO V51-H6 has an all-plastic body.
As a result, the Samsung HW-S40T wins in this part of the Samsung vs VIZIO soundbar comparison as it has a more thoughtful design.
- Bluetooth multiple connections
- Dolby 2ch/DTS Digital 2.0
- Room-filling sound
- Music mode
- Application
- 4 speakers
- 4.5 x 26.8 x 2.7 inches and 4.2 pounds
Sound
The main thing that should be noted when comparing VIZIO vs Samsung sound reproduction is that both brands issue soundbars with DTS and Dolby support. Such technologies as DTS Virtual X, DTS TruSurround, Dolby Digital, and others make you feel like you are inside the scene, providing cinematic experience. In terms of bass reproduction, the soundbars from both brands either come with one separate subwoofer in the kit, or incorporate one, two, or even several woofers inside of a bar. However, a dedicated subwoofer usually delivers more vibrant, rich, and powerful bass, but such models are more expensive.
Samsung soundbars usually sound louder than those from VIZIO. Q-series models offer such feature as Q-Symphony. It syncs with Samsung TV speakers providing more volumetric and more immersive sound as you have TV speakers and a soundbar work simultaneously. Samsung also has its own technology for surround sound reproduction called Surround Sound Expansion that creates an effect of sound coming from every direction, just like in a real home theater. Some models combine this technology with Dolby or DTS for even more spatial sounding.
The soundbars from VIZIO are known for providing an expansive, clear sound with a minimal level of harmonic distortion. Moreover, even affordable models from this manufacturer support at least three technologies from Dolby or DTS. This way, a deep cinematic sound is not a problem for VIZIO soundbars.
Let’s compare the sound reproduction of two 2.1-channel models from both brands. The Samsung HW-J450 has rich and dynamic sounding and features Surround Sound Expansion that adds depth to the overall sound. The VIZIO SB3821-C6 supports Dolby Digital and DTS TruSurround that provide realistic surround sound. This model also sounds very clear.
The bars from both manufacturers definitely have decent sound, but after the side-by-side comparison, I consider the Samsung HW-J450 as a model with better sound.
- Surround sound
- Plug In to sync and set up
- Wireless subwoofer
- Connect via HDMI
- Audio remote app
- Wall-mount kit with screw
- Optical cable
Channels
VIZIO issues soundbars with 5 channels max, but Samsung released a 9-channel model. However, comparing VIZIO vs. Samsung in this regard, I can’t recommend the last one. The Samsung HW-Q950T is a 9.1.4-channel soundbar, but it has poor bass and takes too much time and effort to set it up correctly. Considering the fact that it’s a very expensive, top of the line model, we can’t pick it as the best one
If you need a high-quality soundbar with a bigger quantity of channels, the VIZIO V51-H6 will be a much better option.
- Discreet volume adjustable surround speakers
- Optimized for 4K TVs with Dolby Audio 5.1
- Control with TV remote
- Wireless subwoofer
- Low-profile Design
- Easy setup
- Bluetooth
Voice Enhancement
Both manufacturers offer soundbars with a built-in center speaker that guides the sound directly where you sit, resulting in clearly hearable dialogs. Samsung usually has some additional features for voice enhancement. For example, the Smart Sound feature detects what type of content you are watching (sports, concert, movie, etc.) and automatically optimizes the sound setting for it, ensuring that you won’t lose the singer’s voice under the sound of instruments. Some soundbars from VIZIO feature an auto-calibration function that enhances the voices when it’s needed.The Samsung HW-J355 includes a Voice sound effect that provides clear voices no matter what type of content you are watching. The VIZIO SB2920-C6 gives out a transparent sound, but doesn’t have any specific features for voice enhancement.
The Samsung HW-J355 includes a Voice sound effect that provides clear voices no matter what type of content you are watching. The VIZIO SB2920-C6 gives out a transparent sound, but doesn’t have any specific features for voice enhancement.
This way, the Samsung HW-J355 can be considered as a better option in this part of VIZIO vs Samsung sound bar comparison.
- Power on and control the soundbar via Bluetooth
- Samsung Audio Remote app
- Wall-mount kit
- Optical cable
- 8-ohm impedance
- 2.1-channel system with 120 watts of total power
- 37.7 x 2.6 x 2.3 inches and 3.5 pounds
Connectivity
Both brands provide soundbars with wired and wireless connectivity options. Bluetooth can be used to connect the unit to Bluetooth-enabled devices such as TV, smartphone, or tablet without wires. More advanced models from both brands also offer Bluetooth multi-connectivity option that allows you to connect more than two devices and switch between them with ease.
VIZIO has more wired connectivity options. Let’s compare 2.1-channel models from both brands. The Samsung HW-J355 has AUX-in, a USB port, and optical input. The VIZIO SB3821-C6 is equipped with 2 AUX inputs, USB port, digital optical audio input, and digital coaxial input.
Apparently, the VIZIO SB3821-C6 is supplied with more ports.
- Premium audio with Dolby Digital decoding
- Wireless subwoofer
- Built-in Bluetooth
- DTS TruVolume
- DTS audio post-processing
- 100 dB of room filling
- 38 x 3 x 3 inches and 5.8 pounds
Voice Control
If you have a Samsung TV with a built-in voice assistant, you can use it to control your Samsung soundbar by voice. Some models are also Alexa-compatible and can be connected to any Alexa-enabled device to add voice control. VIZIO has started to issue soundbars, compatible with voice assistants, only in 2020. For example, you can control the Samsung HW-Q70T by voice via any Alexa-enabled device. Meanwhile, the VIZIO SB3821-C6 can be controlled only using an included remote control or via VIZIO SmartCast app on your phone.
If you are choosing between VIZIO vs Samsung soundbar and would like to get the one with voice control possibility, the Samsung HW-Q70T can be your choice.
- Dolby Atmos and DTS
- Q-Symphony
- True 3.1.2 sound
- Adaptive sound
- Acoustic beam
- Game Pro
- Compatible with Alexa
Price
When it comes to high-end models, units from Samsung are more expensive compared to VIZIO. However, you can buy a soundbar from any of the compared brands for under $200 (models from VIZIO start from about $70 and Samsung soundbars start from around $100).
So, if we compare two 2.1-channel bars from both brands, the VIZIO SB362An-F6B and the Samsung HW-M360, the second model will be more expensive even despite the fact that it’s 2 years older.
Thus, the VIZIO SB362An-F6B wins in the Samsung soundbar vs VIZIO sound bar price comparison as it’s more affordable.
- Built-in subwoofer
- Optical Digital Audio
- Deep Bass
- IR Sensor
- Remote controlled
- Bluetooth pairing
- 5.2 x 36 x 2.1 inches and 6.8 pounds
Samsung vs VIZIO Sound Bar: Conclusion
As you can clearly see from this VIZIO soundbar vs Samsung sound bar review, Samsung wins in most categories. It offers more features, better sound, etc. However, both manufacturers offer products that support Dolby and DTS technologies, so soundbars from VIZIO sound decently as well. VIZIO models also have more connectivity options and more affordable prices.
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