Most persons are on the lookout for one in all two issues in a soundbar: essentially the most reasonably priced choice or the best-sounding one. While it’s straightforward to seek out merchandise that match a type of standards, Vizio’s M-Series Elevate tries to fulfill each.

In phrases of worth, options, and high quality, this $700 soundbar system nestles within the hole between the corporate’s $500 M-Series and its $1,000 Elevate. Like the original Elevate we reviewed in 2021, the brand new M-Series Elevate makes use of rotating, ceiling-firing drivers for the Dolby Atmos top channels. However, the brand new bar opts for a wired setup and ditches additional options like Wi-Fi to chop prices. 

This “best of both worlds” strategy may have simply mired the M-Series Elevate in a no man’s land of compromises, but it surely manages to be a type of uncommon Goldilocks choices that delivers great-sounding 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos in a comparatively cheap package deal. 

Out of the Box 

One of the principle reasons to choose a soundbar over a whole speaker configuration is the benefit of setup, and the M-Series Elevate completely nails it. It makes use of a largely wired setup (by which every speaker is bodily wired to the subwoofer, quite than simply to an influence outlet), which can disappoint some customers, however the course of is remarkably straightforward.

The soundbar connects to your TV by way of an HDMI ARC/eARC port, and you may join an exterior machine like a streaming field or online game console by way of a further HDMI enter. You also can hook the soundbar as much as your TV or different units by means of USB or digital optical audio cables, that are included. 

The two encompass audio system hyperlink as much as the subwoofer by way of included 3.5-mm cables and an influence cable. The solely wi-fi element within the core setup is the subwoofer, which syncs to the soundbar robotically while you flip it on; there’s no pairing step to cope with, and its wi-fi nature means no ugly cable operating by means of the center of your room. Because the surrounds hook up with the subwoofer, it is higher to place it within the center or rear of your room.

Optionally, you may join an Echo Dot speaker to the soundbar to allow voice controls, and you may pair it with a smartphone or different Bluetooth machine to stream music to the M-Series Elevate.

Aesthetically, the M-Series Elevate is refined and can simply slot in with most individuals’s decor. The soundbar is barely rounded and lined in a easy charcoal-gray cloth, and the encompass audio system and subwoofer characteristic the identical glossy design. Very little in regards to the setup stands out—although the encompass audio system are oriented horizontally and can fairly actually stand out from the wall a number of inches if mounted. That mentioned, they’re sufficiently small to suit on most cabinets.

The solely standout visible characteristic is the tiny audio system that come out at each ends of the soundbar in Dolby Atmos mode. These tiny drivers rotate upward to behave as ceiling-facing top channels. Customizable coloured LEDs contained in the audio system make the Atmos Mode much more apparent, however you may flip off the lighting if it’s not your type. It’s price noting that this characteristic provides a smidge to the soundbar’s footprint—one thing to remember when you’ve got restricted area.

Sound Design

The bodily setup is easy, however dialing within the M-Series Elevate’s settings will be tedious, relying in your needs. To Vizio’s credit score, the bar is full of choices, and I recognize the granular management you will have over each side of the listening expertise. The downside is definitely simply navigating all these menus.