Most people are Look for one of two things in the soundbar: the most affordable option or the one with the best sound. While it’s easy to find products that fit either of those criteria, Vizio’s M-Series Elevate strives to meet both.
In terms of price, features, and quality, this $700 soundbar system falls between the company’s $500 M-Series and its $1,000 Elevate. Like The original upgrade we reviewed in 2021, the new M-Series Elevate uses ceiling-rotating drivers for Dolby Atmos height channels. However, the new stick opts for a wired setup and removes extras like Wi-Fi to cut costs.
This “best of both worlds” approach could easily bog the M-Series Elevate in no-compromise land, but it turns out to be one of those rare Goldilocks options that deliver great sound 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos at a relatively cheap parcel price.
Outside the box
One of the main reasons to choose a soundbar on a complete speaker configuration is easy to set up and the M-Series Elevate can completely guarantee that. It uses a mostly wired setup (where each speaker is physically connected to the subwoofer, rather than just to the power outlet), which can frustrate some users, but the process is very frustrating. easily.
The soundbar connects to your TV via the HDMI ARC/eARC port, and you can connect an external device like a streaming box or video game console via the additional HDMI input. You can also connect the soundbar to your TV or other devices via the included USB cable or optical digital audio cable.
Two surround speakers link to the subwoofer via the included 3.5mm and power cable. The only wireless component in the core setup is the subwoofer, which automatically syncs with the soundbar when you turn it on; There’s no pairing step to deal with, and its wireless nature means there are no unsightly cables running through the middle of your room. Since the surrounding sections connect to the subwoofer, it is better to place it in the middle or back of your room.
Optionally, you can connect an Echo Dot . speaker Enter the soundbar to enable voice control, and you can pair it with your smartphone or other Bluetooth device to stream music to the M-Series Elevate.
Aesthetically, the M-Series Elevate is very refined and will easily fit into most people’s decor. The soundbar is slightly rounded and covered in a simple charcoal gray fabric, and the surround speakers and subwoofer have the same sleek look. Very little about the overhanging setup — though the dome speakers are oriented horizontally and will literally protrude a few inches from the wall if mounted. That said, they are small enough to fit on most shelves.
The only standout visual feature is the small speakers that pop out at both ends of the soundbar in Dolby Atmos mode. These small drivers rotate upwards to act as ceiling-facing height channels. Customizable color LEDs inside the speaker make Atmos Mode more visible, but you can turn the lights off if that’s not your style. It’s worth noting that this feature adds a dash of flair to the soundbar’s footprint — something to keep in mind if you have limited space.
Sound Design
Photo: Vizio
Physical setup is simple, but the M-Series Elevate’s settings dial can be tedious, depending on your desires. To Vizio’s credit, the bar has plenty of options, and I appreciate the granular control you have over every aspect of the listening experience. It’s really just a matter of navigating all these menus.
