As someone who has spent too many hours tinkering with sound settings, I have a knack for pulling the best audio experience out of any piece of equipment. Trust me, you don’t want to miss out on the enchanting whispers of Azeroth or the explosive soundscapes of your favorite movie just because you didn’t fuss about a few numbers.
The Vizio 5.1 soundbar is a nifty bit of kit that turns your living room into a personal theater or the heart of Orgrimmar, depending on what you’re into. Here’s a thing – not all soundbars are created equal, and neither are their settings. You have to get to know it – its quirks, idiosyncrasies, and what makes it purr.
Do you have a particular question about best settings for Vizio sound bar? Then use the table of contents below to jump to the most relevant section. And you can always go back by clicking on the black arrow in the right bottom corner of the page. Also, please note that some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. For more details, check the Disclosure section at the bottom of the page.
Here's what we'll cover:
What are the ideal settings for Vizio 5.1 Soundbar?
Several factors influence achieving the optimal settings for your Vizio 5.1 Soundbar. The type of content you engage with, your room’s acoustic and your personal preferences all play a critical part. Still, here are some general but game-changing guidelines you should follow: When it comes to your Sound Mode, it should be set to ‘Direct’ when dealing with native 5.1 or higher sources.
Let’s say, a movie soundtrack. It bypasses any unnecessary additional processing and delivers the audio as it was meant to be heard. Also, keep the “Height” channels on. These help create a more immersive sound experience by adding a vertical dimension to your audio. Next, let’s turn off the virtual DTS. It simulates surround sound, that sounds awe-striking, right? However, if you’re already using a 5.1 setup, it could distort your audio. Tragic.
Understanding the Vizio soundbar settings
Engage with your equalizer settings, which you can adjust to your heart’s content. Want more bass to feel that cinema rumble or need the dialogue crisper for an important in-game discussion? No prob. Just dial up the doubles: Bass at +3, Treble +3, Dialogue +2, Surround Sound +4, Centre +1, Rear speakers at 0, High at 0. Not quite right? Play around. Your ears know what they like, believe me.
How to achieve the best sound experience?
Lastly, let’s talk about cables and placements – the unsung heroes of sound set-up. An HDMI ARC cable works best to connect your soundbar to your TV, getting you a prime audio experience and control via your TV’s remote. For placement, directly below your TV is ideal for your soundbar. The rear speakers? Behind your seating area. Because, fellow audio adventurers, correct placement significantly impacts sound quality.
Adjusting EQ Modes for different audio experiences
Don’t be shy to put on your audio scientist hat and experiment with different EQ modes. From deep bass for those epic boss fights to a balanced sound for everyday TV-show marathons or a more definitive dialogue for that tense plot twist, EQ modes are there to cater to your unique audio tastes.
Setting your Vizio 5.1 mode for the ultimate sound quality
What all of these settings do, in essence, is harmonize your unique space and sound requirements to create the best possible sound experience – precisely what your Vizio 5.1 aims to provide. It’s pretty much like tailoring a suit; the better the fit, the better it looks. Or sounds, in this case. The only constant in the audio realm is that the “perfect” setting is anything but. So dive into those settings, crank it up, tweak it down, and find your soundwave sweet spot. Trust me, your ears can thank me later.
Using the ‘get the best’ setting for optimal sound
Well, that’s where I was last night, controller in one hand, my favorite chunky blanket around my shoulders, ready to battle out yet another round of Fortnite on my Playstation. To me, gaming is all about that immersive experience, and one way to ensure that is by having the sound quality just right. So I cracked open the settings on my Vizio sound system to explore their ‘get the best’ setting. Let’s clear this out, ‘get the best’ is a Vizio suggested mode that automatically adjusts your sound system to offer the best audio settings for the content you’re watching or playing. The real slicer about this mode is that it does all the tinkering for you so you can enjoy the perfect sound no matter what you’re engrossed in.
How to use the Equalizer for optimum results?
To make your sound better, Vizio has another genius trick up its sleeve – the Equalizer (EQ). Time for some tech 101! Imagine your sound output as this delicious burger, and the EQ is your secret sauce. This tool lets you tinker with different settings like an audio wizard, resulting in a more flavorful or balanced sound output that suits your context and taste.
What is an equalizer and why does my Vizio Soundbar need it?
If the soundbar was a guitar, an equalizer would be its amplifier — a tool to adjust the volume of different frequency bands. Think of it like this – you’re creating your own sound recipe, a ‘sound profile’ that only you, the master chef, knows and appreciates. This can be a game-changer for your Vizio Soundbar, especially when you consider how these changes interact with the unique acoustics of your room during a gaming session or movie night.
Mastering Equalizer Settings for the best bass and treble
Going deeper into the EQ rabbit hole, let’s talk about how to carve the best bass and treble from your Vizio Soundbar. Increasing the equalizer frequency at roundabout 80Hz gives your bass range that extra oomph, making a Godzilla rampage feel epic. Crank it up at 5kHz, and you’re adding more presence to the mix, making dialogue crisp and clear. Boost it up to 16kHz and your sound output will feel airy, perfect for those acoustic jams.
Finding your perfect EQ Frequency for the Vizio M512A-H6
The M512A-H6 is a beast of a model! But every beast can be tamed. Remember to mess around with these frequencies without fearing any audio disaster. It’s your sound system, after all. Start by cranking up that music or game you love, and then slowly ease into adjusting your EQ until it makes your ears happy. That’s part of the joy – finding your own perfect sound.
Guide to Direct Mode: Enhancing your Sound Experience
Take the red pill and step into the Direct mode. This mode is best suited when you’ve got a high quality input, like a Dolby Atmos soundbar. Trust me on this, the audio quality will make you feel like you’re right in the thick of a space battle or a romantic ballad depending on your preference!
Crafting your sound profile: Best Equalizer Settings
When I finally stop my game, my ideal sound profile is something akin to that of Starship Enterprise. The spaceships whizzing by, the laser guns packing a punch, and the dramatic dialogues — it all feels so real you might want to hitch a ride with Captain Kirk. These different settings, the bass and treble registers, the equalizer frequency, all come together to form an immersive sound. That’s the beauty of being able to adjust and improve sound settings on your Vizio Soundbar. It’s your turn now, grab the remote and start the journey to finding your perfect sound!
Setting up the best audio experience with different Vizio Soundbars
As tech-savvy humans, we always want to get the best out of our gadgets, and the Vizio Soundbars aren’t any different. For a sound experience that can make a big difference, diving into the heart of your soundbar’s settings is a must. Remember, the ideal setting may vary from person to person based on individual audio preferences. If you’re using Vizio Soundbars in a 2.0 setup, try adjusting the equalizer settings to make the natural frequencies at their flat. Contrarily, if you like bass, it may be a good idea to tweak bass settings and control the bass within your budget. Keep reading, as dialing the settings from -5 to -6 will elevate your audio experience.
Contrast: Vizio SB36512-F6 vs Vizio 2.1 Soundbar
Ever feel the dilemma between choosing McDonald’s fries or a Dairy Queen Blizzard? Oh, the struggle is real and deciding between the Vizio SB36512-F6 and the Vizio 2.1 Soundbar feels the same. In terms of performance, audio output, and listening experience, these two are sure to keep you scratching your chin in a shopping quandary. The SB36512-F6, being a 5.1.2 channel soundbar, fully supports Dolby Atmos. This means, you’ll get more immersive audio than a VR gamer cringing at a jump scare. It’s like a James Bond gadget with its HDMI and Optical TOSLINK for audio, not to mention its wireless connectivity allowing you to use Bluetooth with ease. The Vizio 2.1 Soundbar, however, gives you DTS Virtual:X sound enhancement. It comes with a dialogue enhancement feature, which Mr. SB36512-F6 shyly hides behind its back.
Creating the perfect home theater with 5.1 channel Soundbar
You might feel creating a perfect home theater is as challenging as catching Pikachu in Pokemon Go, but remember, good things don’t come easy! Opportunity doesn’t knock twice, so does a 5.1 channel Soundbar. The Vizio SB36512-F6, with its dynamic soundstage will bring your movies to life. Just imagine, Mary Poppins leaping from your screen and the Death Star exploding just above your head, all achievable with Dolby Atmos. Which brings us to this point, it’s always a good idea to invest in quality tech to pump-up your movie nights. Moreover, commands pass through the unit via the full HDMI In port, making transitions from 2K to 4K as smooth as butter.
Frequently asked questions about Vizio soundbars
Whether you are pivoting towards SB36512-F6 or the V21-H8R, the user manual should be your bible. Unfortunately, not everyone finds it intriguing, so let’s address some key FAQs. How to switch audio mode on my Vizio soundbar? Well, find the mode button on the remote, select which suits you – music, movies, or games – and there you go! Now, switching doesn’t create an echo, so be easy on the buttons. Speaking of buttons, how to use Bluetooth for audio streaming? Simple, click on Premium Audio, choose your preferred music app, hint Spotify, and hit the Bluetooth button. Hold tight for the ‘BT Pairing’ and pair with your device. Voila!
How the soundbar may vary depending on mode
Just as the weather changes depending on the day, the soundbar’s performance varies depending on the mode. For example, the SB36512-F6 offers nothing but awesomeness with its varied connectivity options. The ‘movie’ mode might make you feel like you’re seated in an IMAX theater, while ‘music’ mode can transport you right in within the crowd of a live concert. Plus, getting good Hz with other frequencies is never an issue with this one.
The Vizio 2.1 Soundbar might sport fewer features compared to its brother, but it does not skimp on the quality of performance for its price. Its varied modes are perfect for different sorts of media and can surely enhance your audio experience based on your preference. So it’s not a question of which mode is perfect, but rather which ‘flavor’ suits your audio taste buds today. Remember, happiness in life is about enjoying the ride, and so is enjoying the Vizio Soundbars!
Credits: Thanks for the photo to Canva.
At ipoki.com we only mention the products that we’ve researched and considered worthy. But it’s important to mention that we are a participant of several affiliate programs, including Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a mean for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate ipoki.com earns from qualifying purchases.