Customer Ratings & Reviews

Performance & Audio Quality The VIZIO 5.1 Soundbar SE delivers an impressive surround sound experience at a remarkably affordable price. Despite its compact form, it supports a full suite of modern audio formats—including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and DTS Virtual:X—using virtualization to simulate height effects and immersive 3D audio. TechRadar +15 United States +15 NFM +15 Audio is especially impactful for movies and gaming: you’ll notice crisp dialogue, dynamic action, and the kind of immersive audio that makes explosions and soundtracks feel alive—especially notable given the system's modest cost. WIRED Design & Setup At its core, the system includes a sleek 33″ soundbar, two wired rear satellite speakers, and a wireless subwoofer—providing authentic 5.1 channel surround clarity. United States +15 United States +15 WIRED +15 Setup is refreshingly simple: just connect the soundbar to your TV via HDMI eARC, and you’re in—no complex wiring or AV receivers required. Amazon +6 Amazon +6 RTINGS.com +6 One tradeoff: the rear speakers need cabling back to the subwoofer, which may necessitate routing cords around your room. RTINGS.com +15 WIRED +15 WIRED +15 If you own a VIZIO TV, the Quick Fit system makes setup even smoother by integrating the soundbar seamlessly. WIRED +15 WIRED +15 Amazon +15 Connectivity & Controls You get modern connectivity options like HDMI eARC, Bluetooth, and a USB port for WAV playback. Unfortunately, there’s no optical input, which may limit compatibility with older TVs. United States +2 WIRED +2 Control-wise, the system embraces app-based management—use the VIZIO mobile app for fine-tuning bass, treble, and speaker balance. Volume control via your TV remote is also supported once connected via HDMI eARC, though if you're not using a TV remote, you’ll need the app or the included soundbar remote (sold separately). NFM Strengths & Considerations Pros: Exceptional value—immersive 5.1 and virtualized Atmos at a sub‑$500 price. United States +15 WIRED +15 TechRadar +15 Spacious, dynamic sound with clear dialogue and robust mid/high bass. Surround realism via physical satellites outperforms most standalone bars. WIRED +14 RTINGS.com +14 United States +14 Simple, user-friendly setup with eARC support. RTINGS.com +11 WIRED +11 WIRED +11 Cons: No true height (up-firing) speakers—Atmos effects are simulated, not tangible. Reddit +5 WIRED +5 WIRED +5 Wired rear speakers require routing cables, which can clutter the setup. WIRED Limited connectivity—lacks optical input. WIRED +1 No included remote—control is via app or TV remote. Best Buy +1 Overall Verdict For under $500, the VIZIO 5.1 Soundbar SE offers astonishing cinematic impact. It transforms flat TV audio into a thrilling, immersive experience with real satellites, a wireless sub, and modern format compatibility—all wrapped into an easy setup. It’s a smart choice for anyone who wants real 5.1 surround sound without breaking the bank. If you later wish to upgrade, models like the VIZIO M‑Series 5.1.2 (with physical height speakers) are available—but the SE delivers substantial value out of the box. United States +6 WIRED +6 Amazon +6

Sounds great, quality is great, easy to set up, but,, no matter what, we need a remote control,, using your cell phone to control it can be annoying,,,no LCD display?? How you going to know that you are connected ,, and last but no least, if you connect the HDMI cable, every time you turn on the TV automatically turns on and connects to TV , if you are playing music stops the music and switches automatically to TV’s audio,so you have to disconnect the HDMI other wise keeps switching to TV , that’s why only 3 stars,

This is one of sound bar systems I’ve ever came across I’ve been playing music since I was eight years old so I know what music should sound like you can go through different variations of how you want to tune your music, and it is very precise on how you should or want to do your sound in a way you can’t do with other music on the different sound bars. It is very versatile, very pleasing and very easily to understand within a couple of steps. I will continue to purchase a review products by Vizio and he’s very confident to tell you you should buy this product with no hesitation .

Fantastic! It sounds great, was easy to setup and the sub packs a punch! I like having the app to adjust levels and settings. It really adds another level to what I'm watching, I'm very happy with this purchase.

It has awesome sound for the price. Its easy to set up. I had no problem connecting it to my TV. Its a good pick no matter what type of smart TV you have. On the app it has custom sound control settings. You can control the level on each speaker. The app controls the amount of bass, treble, and volume coming from each speaker. It's less complicated than using a receiver. So, if you want to go with a Bluetooth system that isn't expensive that has good sound. This is a good pick.

Picked this up during a weekend sale and I’m honestly blown away by the difference it makes. Setup was super simple — had everything connected and working in under 15 minutes. The rear speakers and subwoofer really bring movies and games to life. You can actually feel the bass during action scenes, which is wild for the price. Dialogue is clearer too, which was a big deal for me — no more cranking the volume just to hear what people are saying. Bluetooth works great when I stream music from my phone, and everything sounds full and balanced. If I had to nitpick, the rear speaker wires could be a bit longer depending on your room setup, and the remote feels kind of basic. But for under $300? This thing punches way above its weight.

Only complaint is on occasion it quits talking to the sub woofer and rear speakers. It a bit of a struggle to get them to connect. When fully operating it sounds fantastic.

I picked up this sound bar after my Brother in law bought one. It is super easy to set up. Our TV automatically connects to the sound bar each time. The sub woofer and two rear speakers make for terrific movie nights. I highly recommend this product to anyone who enjoys listening to great sounds.

Well worth the money. This product goes great with my vizio tv and the sound is impressive. Easy to hook up and connect with tv. I highly recommend this product.

Has wonderful sound deep bass crisp sound for movies for the price can’t get any better

This is a great product and I purchase the product with a little bit of fear because of the price but I received something Better Than I Imagine, excellent Quality sound and the Amazing Price, the aesthetic, and the wireless subwoofer Just Amazing. I highly recommend Vizio products and Best Buy

Decent sound from the soundbar but a nicely heavy hitting subwoofer that makes up for it. perfectly fills up a small room for sound

Amazing sound quality great for video games, music and movies. Provides an immersive sound experience! If you are in search of an immersive home theater system that will not break the bank this is the perfect system for you!

I love it! This is my first sound bar ever. My bedroom is now a movie theater. I can’t go back to TV speakers ever! I have a Vizio TV, it’s a perfect marriage along with the app.

Great surround sound system for under 200 bucks. Hard to beat.

Nice addition to the Samsung 85 in. Two small but powerful surround sound .speakers. with one additional base speaker very nice sound quality all around. Highly recommend. Free sound for the price.

For such a small and inexpensive device, the sound is awesome, easy to set up

sounds awesome and i also get to use arc to hook it up with no delay

You cant beat the price to performance for this item when it goes on sale, the bar sub and two rears are a great sounding for movies and music for those wanting to get into sounds systems and ditching the tv speakers

Sound quality is awesome! Easy to hook up to a TCL tv.