Vizio's 46-inch Dolby Atmos soundbar offers a complete 5.1.4 audio experience with performance that rivals many full-fledged home theater systems.
For those who want to set up a more serious home theater, you're almost obligated to stretch your budget for something with Dolby Atmos. When it comes to Atmos capable soundbar systems, few options are as immersive as Vizio's SB46514-F6. It's a lot pricier than most standard soundbar packages, but it's one of the most affordable ways to enjoy a full 5.1.4 audio experience.
Dolby Atmos, if you aren't aware, is an audio format included on many Blu-ray discs, as well as streaming titles from services like Netflix and Disney Plus. The technology allows filmmakers to produce content with far more accurate spatial audio than standard surround sound can provide. Thanks to special object-based mixing and upfiring drivers, Atmos allows soundbars to produce height effects, adding an extra layer of immersion to movies. For instance, when rain falls from the sky or a helicopter flies overhead, you can actually hear the sound coming from above.
The Vizio's SB46514-F6 is one of the best Atmos soundbar options there is, offering a full 5.1.4 system. This means that there are left, center, and right channels in the soundbar itself, along with two upward firing channels that bounce sound off of the ceiling in order to simulate overhead effects. Two separate rear speakers with their own upward firing drivers are also included, along with a powerful 10-inch wireless subwoofer to enable a complete home theater experience.
That said, despite great Dolby Atmos performance, the soundbar does not include support for the competing DTS:X format. Like Atmos, DTS:X provides height effects on certain Blu-ray discs. DTS:X tracks are a lot less common than Dolby Atmos, however, so this shouldn't be a deal breaker for most buyers.
Smartly, Vizio includes an HDMI ARC port for connecting to your TV, along with an HDMI input with Dolby Vision passthrough (full 4K HDR support, too), meaning you can feed a compatible multimedia device into the bar and get the full next-generation Dolby experience without issue. SmartCast connectivity is featured as well with support for wireless Bluetooth and Wi-Fi music streaming from mobile devices.
Admittedly, this is a lot more than just a soundbar, but the Vizio SB46514-F6 represents a great Dolby Atmos system for anyone looking to transform the way they watch movies. Having rear satellites and a large subwoofer means you'll lose some of the space-saving benefits that typically come with a soundbar, but the extra speakers and bass provide a superior experience.
If you're looking for even more immersive Atmos performance, Samsung's flagship HW-Q90R takes things even further with the addition of DTS:X support and two more surround sound channels to create a 7.1.4 system. Those extra features aren't cheap, though, making the Q90R a lot more expensive than Vizio's soundbar.
Most enthusiasts looking for a great Dolby Atmos experience will be more than pleased with Vizio's SB46514-F6. The company also offers some cheaper Atmos options, but the SB46514-F6 comes the closest to rivaling a genuine home theater speaker setup.
Pros: 5.1.4 Dolby Atmos support, powerful subwoofer, HDMI ARC, 4K HDR passthrough with Dolby Vision, includes rear surround speakers, SmartCast connectivity with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
Cons: No DTS:X support, separate rear satellites and larger subwoofer take up more space than typical soundbar systems