{"id":475969,"date":"2022-07-20T16:00:11","date_gmt":"2022-07-20T13:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/the-best-option-under-200-review-geek\/"},"modified":"2022-07-20T16:00:11","modified_gmt":"2022-07-20T13:00:11","slug":"the-best-option-under-200-review-geek","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-best-option-under-200-review-geek\/","title":{"rendered":"#The Best Option Under $200 \u2013 Review Geek"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6aef9c6ed4867\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6aef9c6ed4867\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-best-option-under-200-review-geek\/#%E2%80%9CThe_Best_Option_Under_200_%E2%80%93_Review_Geek%E2%80%9D\" >&#8220;The Best Option Under $200 \u2013 Review Geek&#8221;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-best-option-under-200-review-geek\/#Heres_What_We_Like\" >Here&#8217;s What We Like<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-best-option-under-200-review-geek\/#And_What_We_Dont\" >And What We Don&#8217;t<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-best-option-under-200-review-geek\/#Simple_Design_and_Installation\" >Simple Design and Installation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-best-option-under-200-review-geek\/#Virtualized_Dolby_Atmos_from_a_Two-Channel_Setup\" >Virtualized Dolby Atmos from a Two-Channel Setup<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-best-option-under-200-review-geek\/#Decent_Connectivity_Options\" >Decent Connectivity Options<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-best-option-under-200-review-geek\/#The_Remotes_Cool_I_Just_Wish_It_Had_Backlit_Buttons\" >The Remote\u2019s Cool; I Just Wish It Had Backlit Buttons<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-best-option-under-200-review-geek\/#The_Gist_You_Wont_Find_Better_at_This_Price\" >The Gist: You Won\u2019t Find Better at This Price<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-best-option-under-200-review-geek\/#Heres_What_We_Like-2\" >Here\u2019s What We Like<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-best-option-under-200-review-geek\/#And_What_We_Dont-2\" >And What We Don&#8217;t<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CThe_Best_Option_Under_200_%E2%80%93_Review_Geek%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>&#8220;The Best Option Under $200 \u2013 Review Geek&#8221;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<div id=\"article-content-area\">\n<div class=\"single-review-card\">\n<div class=\"review-card-heading\" style=\"\">\n<div class=\"rating\" style=\"\">Rating:<br \/>\n<strong>9\/10<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong class=\"more-info-hover\">?<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong class=\"rating-info\"><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>1 &#8211; Absolute Hot Garbage<\/li>\n<li>2 &#8211; Sorta Lukewarm Garbage<\/li>\n<li>3 &#8211; Strongly Flawed Design<\/li>\n<li>4 &#8211; Some Pros, Lots Of Cons<\/li>\n<li>5 &#8211; Acceptably Imperfect<\/li>\n<li>6 &#8211; Good Enough to Buy On Sale<\/li>\n<li>7 &#8211; Great, But Not Best-In-Class<\/li>\n<li>8 &#8211; Fantastic, with Some Footnotes<\/li>\n<li>9 &#8211; Shut Up And Take My Money<\/li>\n<li>10 &#8211; Absolute Design Nirvana<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/strong>\n<\/div>\n<p>Price: <strong>$180<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"type:primaryImage size-full wp-image-123520\" data-pagespeed-no-defer=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p-badge\/123520\/f51078edd20e984fecb9b36c97ab08e3.png?width=1200\" alt=\"A close-up of the M215a-J6 soundbar.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"type:primaryImage imagecredit\">Andrew Heinzman<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>While I\u2019ll always be a fan of budget audio devices, I\u2019m usually frustrated by cheap soundbars. They tend to skimp on essential features like HDMI passthrough, often with the assumption that buyers on a budget don\u2019t know any better. But <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/bestbuy.7tiv.net\/c\/156932\/671509\/10014?subId1=rg&amp;subId2=122330&amp;sharedid=&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Fvizio-2-1-m-series-premium-sound-bar-with-wireless-subwoofer-dolby-atmos-and-dtsx-black%2F6480889.p%3F\">VIZIO\u2019s\u00a0M215a-J6<\/a> soundbar and subwoofer combo is a wonderful exception.<\/p>\n<div class=\"review-card-body-inline\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"pros\">\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Heres_What_We_Like\"><\/span>Here&#8217;s What We Like<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Impressive sound quality with deep bass<\/li>\n<li>Solid port selection with HDMI-eARC and HDMI passthrough<\/li>\n<li>Dolby Atmos support through virtualization<\/li>\n<li>Easy setup, wired or Bluetooth<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"cons\">\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"And_What_We_Dont\"><\/span>And What We Don&#8217;t<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Lacks detail in upper mid-range frequencies<\/li>\n<li>No Wi-Fi, AirPlay, or Chromecast audio options<\/li>\n<li>The subwoofer is good for its size, but it won&#8217;t rattle your bones<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>At just $180, the\u00a0M215a-J6 punches far above its price range. It delivers impressive sound\u00a0<em>and<\/em> emulates a 5.1-channel surround setup using Dolby Atmos virtualization. But more importantly, this product shows respect for budget-minded customers\u2014it doesn\u2019t skimp on the essentials.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"admonishment_note\"><p><strong>Note:<\/strong> This review is for the M215a-J6, the 2022 model of VIZIO M-<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/watch-movies-tv-seriess\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"8\" title=\"Watch Movies &amp; TV Series\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">series<\/a> soundbar and subwoofer kit. If you choose to purchase this soundbar, please pay attention to the model number. Otherwise, you may end up with a totally different model.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Simple_Design_and_Installation\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"autotoc_anchor_0\">Simple Design and Installation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-123516\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2022\/07\/86de737a.png\" alt=\"The M215a-J6 soundbar mounted to a TV.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\">Andrew Heinzman<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"greybox_callout\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Soundbar Size<\/strong>: 2.24 x 36 x 3.54 inches<\/li>\n<li><strong>Soundbar Weight<\/strong>: 5.3 pounds<\/li>\n<li><strong>Subwoofer Size<\/strong>: 9.9 x 8.3 x 8.3 inches (5-inch sub)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Subwoofer Weight<\/strong>: 7.6 pounds<\/li>\n<li><strong>Wall Mount Included<\/strong>: Yes<\/li>\n<li><strong>Connectivity<\/strong>: Wired or wireless<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Like most VIZIO products, the\u00a0M215a-J6 soundbar features a simplistic and effective design. It\u2019s a bit plasticky, but it feels solid and doesn\u2019t look too cheap. There\u2019s also a handy row of buttons on top of the soundbar, plus a column of tiny LEDs in the grille to show its volume level\u2014you can disable these LEDs if you wish.<\/p>\n<p>Setting up the soundbar is a breeze. You can connect it to your TV over Bluetooth, which takes all but a few seconds. That said, I suggest using HDMI ARC or an optical cable for maximum audio quality (both are included in the box). The only drawback to a wired connection, as you can probably tell from my pictures, is that it\u2019s hard to hide the cables.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-123518\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2022\/07\/9958cda4.png\" alt=\"Vizio M215a-J6 soundbar and subwoofer on a white background.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\">Vizio<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>VIZIO\u2019s subwoofer is equally simplistic, and thankfully, it comes with a long power cable. It <em>only<\/em>\u00a0operates wirelessly and automatically pairs with the soundbar. Surprisingly, I\u2019ve had zero problems with the automatic pairing process, or anything involving the subwoofer, for that matter.<\/p>\n<p>And for those who\u2019d like to mount their soundbar, the\u00a0M215a-J6 comes with the appropriate hardware. You don\u2019t need to buy any extra crap to get this thing on the wall.<\/p>\n<p>But in my infinite wisdom, I chose to hang the soundbar from my TV\u2019s mount so that the two could tilt and swivel together. Yeah, I had to buy extra crap.\u00a0And since\u00a0there are buttons on top of the soundbar, I had to leave an oversized gap between it and the TV (well, I didn\u2019t <em>have<\/em> to leave the gap, I guess). If you plan on getting creative when mounting the\u00a0M215a-J6, I suggest researching mounting hardware instead of buying the first Amazon listing that claims \u201cVIZIO compatibility.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Virtualized_Dolby_Atmos_from_a_Two-Channel_Setup\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"autotoc_anchor_1\">Virtualized Dolby Atmos from a Two-Channel Setup<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-123517\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2022\/07\/206d5fba.png\" alt=\"The M215a-J6's Dolby Atmos and DTS:X logos.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\">Andrew Heinzman<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"greybox_callout\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Frequency Response<\/strong>:\u00a050Hz \u2014 20kHz<\/li>\n<li><strong>Maximum Volume<\/strong>: 100dB<\/li>\n<li><strong>Channels<\/strong>: 2.1-channel system<\/li>\n<li><strong>Surround Sound<\/strong>: Virtualized\u00a0Dolby Atmos and DTS:X<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Considering the price, I\u2019m very impressed by the\u00a0M215a-J6 soundbar\u2019s audio quality. It\u2019s obviously a huge upgrade from any TV\u2019s built-in speakers, but it also sounds better than most budget audio systems. The audio is super clear, fills the room, and doesn\u2019t have any harsh or tinny frequencies. It also gets nice and loud, which is awesome when watching movies or playing music.<\/p>\n<p>Now, the soundbar is missing a bit of quality in mid-range frequencies, particularly the upper mid-range. It\u2019s not a huge problem, and it\u2019s only\u00a0<em>somewhat<\/em> noticeable when watching movies at a high volume or listening to music. (But if you\u2019ve got golden ears, yeah, you\u2019ll hear that something\u2019s missing.)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-123512\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2022\/07\/e601b806.png\" alt=\"Vizio's M215a-J6 wireless subwoofer on the floor.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>And while the subwoofer won\u2019t rattle your bones, it sounds great, especially for a small wireless unit. I actually had to turn the sub down a bit, but only because I\u2019m in a narrow room with hard floors. In a larger room with carpeting, you may need to turn the subwoofer up.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, the M215a-J6\u2019s big\u00a0selling point is virtualized\u00a0Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. This is just a 2.1-channel sound system; it doesn\u2019t have a center channel or upward-firing speakers. But it sounds great with Atmos and DTS content\u2014there\u2019s an impressively wide soundstage, and it\u2019s all thanks to software that mimics the directionality of a 5.1-channel system.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m not saying that the virtualization is perfect. But if you want semi-theatrical sound quality from a 2.1-channel sound system, you won\u2019t regret buying the\u00a0M215a-J6.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Decent_Connectivity_Options\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"autotoc_anchor_2\">Decent Connectivity Options<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-123515\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2022\/07\/a96b41a6.png\" alt=\"The M215a-J6 connectivity routing.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\">Andrew Heinzman<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"greybox_callout\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Wired Connectivity<\/strong>: HDMI-ARC with eARC, HDMI passthrough, digital optical, and 3.5mm<\/li>\n<li><strong>Wireless\u00a0Connectivity<\/strong>: Bluetooth<\/li>\n<li><strong>Smart Speaker Connectivity<\/strong>: 3.5mm cable or Bluetooth<\/li>\n<li><strong>USB Input<\/strong>: Yes, for WAV and MP3 files<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>When it comes to connectivity, more ports are always better. But I\u2019d say that the\u00a0M215a-J6\u2019s port selection is acceptable for the price. Along with the standard optical and 3.5mm inputs, you get an <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/763334\/what-is-earc\/\">HDMI-ARC with eARC support<\/a> and an HDMI passthrough.<\/p>\n<p>I suggest connecting the speaker to your TV via HDMI-ARC, as it ensures that your TV remote can control your soundbar\u2019s power and volume. Also, digital optical cables don\u2019t work with Dolby Atmos, so if you want the best sound quality, you need to use HDMI-ARC.<\/p>\n<p>While this HDMI-ARC connection\u00a0<em>will<\/em> take up one of your TV\u2019s HDMI ports, it\u2019s not a big deal. The\u00a0M215a-J6\u2019s secondary HDMI input supports 4K video passthrough, so it effectively replaces the HDMI jack taken up by your HDMI-ARC connection. (Note that this HDMI passthrough doesn\u2019t support VRR or 4K 120Hz\u2014if you\u2019re a gamer, connect your console directly to your TV.)<\/p>\n<p>And oddly enough, the M215a-J6 includes a dedicated AUX jack for smart speakers\u2014this lowers the TV volume when your smart speaker is active (you can also connect smart speakers via Bluetooth). There\u2019s even a USB port for music files, but it only supports MP3 and WAV.<\/p>\n<p>While I think that this soundbar could benefit from\u00a0an extra HDMI input, I\u2019m mostly bummed out by the lack of wireless connectivity for playing music. There\u2019s Bluetooth, of course, but I\u2019d prefer to have Wi-Fi, Chromecast, and AirPlay support. These protocols sound\u00a0<em>way<\/em> better than Bluetooth and are incredibly easy to use.\u00a0(To be fair, modern VIZIO TVs have Chromecast and AirPlay built-in.)<\/p>\n<p>I also have a minor complaint about the HDMI-ARC connection\u2019s reliability. Every once in a while, I\u2019ll turn on the TV, but the soundbar won\u2019t work\u2014turning the power off and on fixes the problem. It\u2019s a minor problem, but people seem very upset about it in the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/goto.walmart.com\/c\/156932\/566719\/9383?subId1=rg&amp;subId2=122330&amp;sharedid=&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Freviews%2Fproduct%2F719842699%3F\">Walmart reviews<\/a>, so I thought I\u2019d mention it here.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Remotes_Cool_I_Just_Wish_It_Had_Backlit_Buttons\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"autotoc_anchor_3\">The Remote\u2019s Cool; I Just Wish It Had Backlit Buttons<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-123514\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2022\/07\/623eb0ca.png\" alt=\"The Vizio M215a-J6 remote control.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\">Andrew Heinzman<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"greybox_callout\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Controls<\/strong>: Volume, EQ, preset modes<\/li>\n<li><strong>LCD Display<\/strong>: Yes, backlit<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Nobody wants to add another remote to their setup, which is why I suggest connecting the\u00a0M215a-J6 to your TV via HDMI-ARC. But the remote that\u2019s included with this soundbar is surprisingly great. It offers a ton of options, including presets to boost voices or amp up the bass.<\/p>\n<p>My favorite preset is \u201cnight mode,\u201d which lowers the soundbar\u2019s overall volume and curbs the subwoofer a bit. Of course, you can turn off the subwoofer at any time using its power button\u00a0<em>or<\/em> the remote.<\/p>\n<p>There are also dedicated EQ settings in the remote, along with all the bog-standard stuff\u2013volume controls, a mute button, and a Bluetooth button. Navigating this slew of options is easy, thanks to a backlit LCD at the top of the remote.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, the remote\u2019s\u00a0<em>buttons<\/em> aren\u2019t backlit. I\u2019ve only ever reached for this remote while watching movies in the dark, and I assume that other users will do the same. It\u2019s a missed opportunity, but it\u2019s not the end of the world.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Gist_You_Wont_Find_Better_at_This_Price\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"autotoc_anchor_4\">The Gist: You Won\u2019t Find Better at This Price<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-123513\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2022\/07\/acf9dc4f.png\" alt=\"A close-up of the M215a-J6 subwoofer.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\">Andrew Heinzman<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>VIZIO is known for offering great products at an affordable price. Still, I\u2019m impressed by the\u00a0M215a-J6 soundbar. With its solid audio quality, surround sound virtualization, decent port selection, and simple setup process, it\u2019s clearly one of the best (if not <em>the <\/em>best)\u00a0soundbar and subwoofer combos at this price.<\/p>\n<p>To most critics, the only true competitor to the VIZIO M215a-J6 is <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tcl.com\/us\/en\/products\/sound-bars\/alto-7-plus\/tcl-36-alto-7-plus-21-channel-sound-bar-ts7010\">TCL\u2019s Alto 7+<\/a>. But the TCL soundbar lacks Dolby Atmos virtualization, has a less impressive remote, doesn\u2019t support eARC, and skips on the passthrough HDMI port. That\u2019s significantly fewer features for the same price as VIZIO\u2019s\u00a0M215a-J6.<\/p>\n<p>Other affordable soundbar and subwoofer combos, like the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Polk-Audio-Ultra-Slim-Universal-Subwoofer\/dp\/B07H1B3PY9?tag=reviewgeekreviews-20\">Polk Signa S2<\/a> and <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Sony-Soundbar-Subwoofer-Bluetooth-Technology\/dp\/B07PL6LDP1\/?tag=reviewgeekreviews-20\">Sony HT-S350<\/a>, more closely match the VIZIO\u00a0M215a-J6\u2019s quality and come with larger subwoofers. But they\u2019re $80 to $100 more than what VIZIO is selling. They also lack Dolby Atmos virtualization.<\/p>\n<p>So, I\u2019m happy to recommend VIZIO\u2019s\u00a0M215a-J6. And the score for this review reflects that recommendation.<\/p>\n<div class=\"single-review-card border\">\n<div class=\"review-card-body\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"pros\">\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Heres_What_We_Like-2\"><\/span>Here\u2019s What We Like<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Impressive sound quality with deep bass<\/li>\n<li>Solid port selection with HDMI-eARC and HDMI passthrough<\/li>\n<li>Dolby Atmos support through virtualization<\/li>\n<li>Easy setup, wired or Bluetooth<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"cons\">\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"And_What_We_Dont-2\"><\/span>And What We Don&#8217;t<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Lacks detail in upper mid-range frequencies<\/li>\n<li>No Wi-Fi, AirPlay, or Chromecast audio options<\/li>\n<li>The subwoofer is good for its size, but it won&#8217;t rattle your bones<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><script>\nsetTimeout(function(){\n  !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)\n  {if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?\n  n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};\n  if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';\n  n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;\n  t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];\n  s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, document,'script',\n  'https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');\n  fbq('init', '1137093656460433');\n  fbq('track', 'PageView');\n  },3000);\n<\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/technology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Technology category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/122330\/vizio-m-series-soundbar-and-subwoofer-review-the-best-option-under-200\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;The Best Option Under $200 \u2013 Review Geek&#8221; Rating: 9\/10 ? 1 &#8211; Absolute Hot Garbage 2 &#8211; Sorta Lukewarm Garbage 3 &#8211; Strongly Flawed Design 4 &#8211; Some Pros, Lots Of Cons 5 &#8211; Acceptably Imperfect 6 &#8211; Good Enough to Buy On Sale 7 &#8211; Great, But Not Best-In-Class 8 &#8211; Fantastic, with&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":475970,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p-badge\/123520\/f51078edd20e984fecb9b36c97ab08e3.png","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-475969","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/475969","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=475969"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/475969\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/475970"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=475969"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=475969"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=475969"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}