Bottom Line: If you want cinematic sound without a multiple speaker setup, buy the VIZIO 3.1.2 Dolby Atmos Soundbar System.
Pros: Immersive sound, Dolby Atmos, clear voice/dialogue out of the box, great remote, host of ancillary features including Google integration and multi-room streaming
Cons: on-board buttons difficult to see/use, only 1 HDMI input
Review: I’ve owned several 2.1/soundbar home theatre systems over the years, and, without a doubt, this system comes the closest to providing a cinematic audio experience. The sound is remarkably immersive, and I was particularly impressed with the distinctness of the center, left, and right audio channels. Notably, left and right channel audio sounded like they were actually to my sides, which is surely a benefit of having the speakers further apart in the 46” bar.
Overhead audio (the flagship feature of Dolby Atmos) is created by two up-firing speakers, where the sound is then bounced off the ceiling back down to the viewer. These speakers definitely add to the audio experience by creating a “fuller” sounding space, even though my living room is not ideal for the Atmos setup (we have fissured drop ceiling tiles, which are designed to disperse and dampen acoustics rather than reflect them).
One of the standout features for me was how clear dialogue was out of the box. For anyone who’s used a home theatre system, voices and dialogue tend to be too quiet compared to other audio effects, which often leads to constant volume adjusting (turning dialogue up and sound effects down). With this system, the audio is balanced well, and provides a natural listening environment.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the simplicity and thoughtfulness of the remote control. Instead of housing dozens of buttons for specific features, the remote includes and LCD screen and toggle button so you know what mode/task you’re working on at any given time.
The soundbar also includes a host of ancillary features with tight Google/Chromecast integration. Personally, I tend not to use most of these features, with the exception of Bluetooth streaming, but they’re nice additions for those who want them.
I only have a couple of minor complaints. First, VIZIO designed the bar to be as visually unobtrusive as possible. With the exception of the aluminum sides, both the soundbar and subwoofer are completely black boxes. The bar has onboard controls, but the buttons blend in so well with the rest of the unit, I can barely see them or what they do without shining a light on them. Second, the bar has just one HDMI input. It’s not a huge issue, but some other sound bars offer multiple passthroughs, which can help with ease setup and use.