Customers are positive about the sound quality, easy setup, price, and bass of the SmartCast 5.1 Channel Sound Bar System with 5-1/4" Wireless Subwoofer. They appreciate the clear sound, simple installation, affordability, and strong bass. However, customers are negative about the connectivity, remote control, durability, and auto power-off feature. They have experienced issues with the sound bar disconnecting from the TV, the remote control not working properly, the sound bar not lasting long, and the sound bar randomly turning off.
This summary was generated by AI based on customer reviews.
The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. Reviews from customers may include My Best Buy members, employees, and Tech Insider Network members (as tagged). Select reviewers may receive discounted products, promotional considerations or entries into drawings for honest, helpful reviews.
Page 5 Showing 81-100 of 2,472 reviews
Pros mentioned:
Sound quality
Cons mentioned:
Auto power off
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
Um. Great but I think I broke it.
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Posted . Owned for 1 year when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Could be user error but I've had so many issues with this soundbar and tried all kinds of troubleshoots but maybe that's my issue. Ive tampered with this thing so many darn times it probably doesn't even remember what its supposed to properly do anymore, lol.
Pros:
-Amazing, loud, wall vibrating, clear surround sound
-Subwoofer and external speakers work great
-Connecting wireless pieces to soundbar are relatively easy
-When HDMI cable used, system pairs up properly and sound functions can be set up to be controlled through main TV remote which makes things easy.
Cons:
-Sound bar turns off automatically after TV is paused and sound isn't in use for a very short amount of time.
-Sound bar turns off automatically after about 4 or 5 hours even when in use. Makes binging Netflix annoying.
- Works best and easiest when HDMI cable is used but literally every other external device also uses an HDMI cord so on a TV with only 3 ports, trying to use the cable box, 4k player, sound bar and gaming devices kinda sucks.
-If any other cord is used to connect to TV, it creates all kinds of additional issues like mismatched sound to image.
If youre good with tech, then laugh at this post, ignore it and buy the thing because you'll be able to figure it all out and the quality for the cost is highly recommendable. Enjoying the sound quality this sound bar adds to my TV viewing has so far been worth the random annoying troubles.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Sound quality
Cons mentioned:
Auto power off
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Adds a new experience to TV and movies!
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Posted . Owned for 11 months when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
My TV and Movie experience has not been the same since adding this sound bar! My TV needed 25-30 volume level to hear with standard sound!! This sound bar I can clearly hear talking and added bass at 5-8 sound level. Turning it higher than that gives you a movie theatre experience. I will not go without one now! My parents have a different sound bar and the sound quality is definitely not as good or robust!
One negative is that it times out if you have the TV paused for 10 minutes.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Easy setup, Price
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Great for the price
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Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Bought this on black Friday for $150. It's a great system for the price. I have a Vizio TV and setting up the sound bar was simple. The TV remote also controls the sound bar which makes things easy. Only issue I had was the sound coming from the bar was a fraction of a second slower then the internal speakers on the TV when using the fiber optic cable so I just turned off the internal TV speakers and only use the sound bar system. I wish the smaller speakers were wireless as well, but just the sub is wireless. Still a great deal.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Easy setup, Sound quality
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Good sound bar
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Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Very easy to setup and sync to the TV. The sound is VERY good, especially for the price. It's not a good as my Onkyo in the living room, but for a bedroom, and wireless surround to the rear speakers is great.
It's not completely wireless, as the wireless connection goes to the subwoofer. The rear speakers are connected to the subwoofer. The subwoofer is under the bed, so the wires only go from the subwoofer to the rear speakers. No wires running across the floor.
Zero complaints, and for the prices, this is VERY good.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Easy setup, Price
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
VIZIO - SmartCast 5.1 Channel Sound Bar System wit
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Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
After a lot of re-search I decided to go for this model based on the good review and the value for your money. The set up is easy and intuitive, after 15 minutes I had unboxed the product, plugged it and ready to work, it took me some time to set up the equalizer and balance of the sound (you really can adjust a lot with the VIZIO app on you phone) but now I am really placed. Just a couple of details, you need to have a clear space from the center speaker to the subwoofer so you can have the best quality of the subwoofer and satellite speakers, also controlling the sound system with the phone is easy, but sometimes the response is S-L-O-W, this may be affected by my internet router but it is not a big deal now since all the configurations are already made. On general this is the best option below $200, you will not regret.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Easy setup, Sound quality
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Great sound, easy to hookup,
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Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Great sound and easy to hookup. I would highly recommend this sound system. Very satisfied.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Sound quality
Cons mentioned:
Connectivity
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Fantastic sound
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Posted . Owned for 3 months when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
We are in an apartment so we didn't need much sound. This sound bar with sub pounds our living room. Good sound, plenty of punch, and enough surround to scare my wife from time to time. My only complaint is that it at least once a night shuts itself off and occasionally the audio gets out of synch. I'm using the HDMI ARC connection on my TV, so I don't know if that has anything to do with it. Turning it off and on again fixes it and I'm really not that bothered by it.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Sound quality
Cons mentioned:
Remote control
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Good soundbar
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Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The sound is really good. Set up was easy but I find the remote to be a little confusing.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Sound quality
Cons mentioned:
Connectivity
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
Amazing sound, but too buggy
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Posted . Owned for 10 months when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I love the 5.1 channels, and it functions great just as a sound bar/sub. Dislike the paywalls, but that's put in place by Youtube/Google. I want to stream videos or play music and connect to my Chromecast enabled devices, but the only way to do that is Google Play. Only way to get Youtube vids or music is to pay. I wanted this one b/c of the ability to stream to a google home hub and minis all at once. Now, seeing that it's behind a paywall feels disappointing.
I try to set up bluetooth just to the bar, from Itunes, from spotify etc. but it cuts out every second. you get cho-ppy mu-sic pla-yi-ng o-n the-spe-aker. It's disappointing also. And the times it disconnects from the TV optical sound for something else can be a little frustrating to have to turn off the speaker, then turn it back on.
But I really wish it'd be able to play just music from my phone like any other bluetooth speaker across at LEAST the bar, sub, and satellites. Wish you didn't have to have a cord from the subwoofer to satellites. I just use 1 so I don't have 20 ft of cord hiding awkwardly around.
THE GOOD: the music that WILL play across all the devices (and any google mini/hub speakers) sounds fantastic. The remote is awesome and so convenient, I think the iHeart access is a huge plus too, but I don't mess with it enough. I am a HUGE fan of the surround on movies and music. My smart lights react to the music, and it sounds so good. Good value since I bought it used, but perhaps that's the reason it messes up?
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Brand response from VIZIOEntertainmentExpert
Posted .
Hello Michael, the Bluetooth connection when using the sound bar should be stable and not have a choppy sound profile. We’d really appreciate the opportunity to review what devices your listening to on your sound bar, and ensure they’re not having any issue. Please visit support.VIZIO.com and click on ‘Contact Us’. We’ve got agents ready to chat, text message, or speak with you on the phone to adjust settings and help optimize your sound bar.
Pros mentioned:
Easy setup, Sound quality
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Great
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Easy to set up and sounds great for the money. Actually sounds better than the Samsung
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Sound quality
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Just a wee bit worse than a "real" HT system
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Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
But for under $250 it's kinda hard to pass this us. Sure I'd have better sound if I just added to cheap polk speakers to my 2.1 set up (don't like center channels) but the heat output is just too much for the man cave's AC unit to keep up...the summer like weather right now has the room up to 82 degress with no PC or HomeTheater running so I had to look for a cooler solution. This HT in a box fit the bill.
Set up was pretty easy, just plug the TV's HDMI Arc into the Soundbar. Slap in the power cords, find the sweet spot for the sub, and then run the wires to the rears - make sure you find your sweet spot before running the rear wires or you may find yourself rerouting them later.
The sound itself is quite loud and clear, the sub is kinda, meh. My old logitech PC speakers with a smaller sub and enclosure produces deeper, cleaner bass than this sub does. To me this thing sounds more like a deep buzz than a low hum on occasion. But too much bass bothers the folks I'm trying to isolate myself from downstairs, lol. So no real problem for me.
I ended up having to turn of eco mode on since the TV occaionally switched back to speaker first mode instead of ARC and I'd have to go into the TV settings to turn it back and the reboot the speaker system. Not hard work, but frustrating when it happens.
I mainly use my nVidia Shield TV and the only issue I have is that in Netflix on Movie or Music EQ the rear surrounds play in stereo. It's a separate audio feed than the fronts and center, but there's no left or right. Switching to Direct Mode and it works as expected, however Kodi, Plex, VLC, and Youtube will play no 5.1 sound in direct mode and I have to switch back to Movie or Music and it plays perfectly with separated left and right rear. No clue what cause the problem.
The biggest issue is with Dish, the sync issue is unbearable and there's no adjustment to resync it. Only good thing is that I don't watch regular TV at all. No sync issues with an OTA Antenna or the Shield.
Honestly, sure I'd love to have a full size system but the heat limits me. The window in the Man Cave can only hold an 8000BTU unit and the room is 420sq feet with pretty bad insulation (and did I mention upstairs). So this is a perfect compromise. Great sound; Negligible heat. So a winner for me.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Easy setup
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Very Happy
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Soundbar was quick and easy to set up. Sounds great watching tv/movies, but where it really shines is playing music. Only minor annoyance I have is having to resync my iPhone with the soundbar each time I want to play music or stream radio.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Easy setup, Sound quality
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Great quality, easy setup
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Would definitely recommend this sound bar to anyone. It was simple to set up, remote and settings are very straight forward and sound quality is great. My only dislike is that the rear speakers are not wireless. The sub is wireless from the main sound bar (but does require power) and the rear speakers plug into the sub. No real issue if you have a place to hide your wires. The wires are not typical speaker wires, they’re more AUX style cords for anyone looking to hard wire speakers to a wall/ceiling mount.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Easy setup, Price, Sound quality
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Big Sound
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Vizo Smart-Cast provides big and clear sounds in a small and sleek package. It was very easy to set up and very easy to operate from the remote control or my smart phone. The price is more than fair for the quality of the product.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Sound quality
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Good sound
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This had some good, clear sounds but was too difficult to operate with our TV. It's not any more difficult than other sound bars so it's not a ding on LG. We decided to go with a full sound system instead of just a sound bar.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Sound quality
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Great sound system
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I had a Samsung with a bigger sub woofer. But when I set up the Vizio
it exceeded my expectations, and the sub woofer was excellent
I am impressed with this system. It really brings out the movie sound tracks more that any other system that I know.
I did not get to compare it to high end $2000 systems, but I am impressed from all I have experienced so far.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Sound quality
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Great sound for a great price!
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Bought it a few weeks ago and have tested it on multiple sources. 4K Blu Rays sound fantastic with 5.1 surround. Games on PS4 Pro also sound fantastic with the 5.1. Very easy to set up and wireless rear speakers really keep the wires to a minimum. Great sound and bass. Highly recommended.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Sound quality
Cons mentioned:
Remote control
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Great surround sound for the price
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Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Bought this at the sale price over thanksgiving holiday, and cannot stop playing it. The sound is just awesome and watching a movie is just as if I am in the theater. I play music and the sound is so clear. The one little issue is that the remote is annoying. It’s hard to see it and it is so small and cheap looking, it is very hard to Bluetooth it and I think it might be my internet system. But I cast most of the time with music. Other than that. I am enjoying my sound.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Easy setup
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Nice Soundbar
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Its a nice soundbar. Salesperson explained that the rear speakers needed wires because wireless would be dodgy soundwise. Easy to set up and just worked. Would like some control to increase volume on rear speakers.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Price, Sound quality
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Good sound bar.
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Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
It sometimes has some connection issues and also sometimes disconnects from my television or rather my television stops recognizing it. I also have a Visio television so I would think they would communicate seamlessly. Overall it is a good sound bar has pretty good sound. I bought one for myself earlier this year. I bought the latest one for my son for Christmas. Both do the same thing. Overall I would say it is worth the money.