Vizio M21d-H8 vs Denon DHT-S517

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

M21d-H8 vs DHT-S517 comparison chart

Overall
Vizio M21d-H8
5
Denon DHT-S517
5.4
6
8
Multichannel surround
5
7

Vizio M21d-H8 vs Denon DHT-S517 review

Vizio M21d-H8
vs
Denon DHT-S517

Let's take a look at the comparison between Vizio M21d-H8 and Denon DHT-S517. It will become clear that among these two devices, the DHT-S517 is more suitable for the role of a home soundbar. According to the results of our comparison, M21d-H8 received 5 points out of 10 possible, and DHT-S517 was rated 5.4 points.

Advantages Vizio M21d-H8 over Denon DHT-S517

  • Has an integrated subwoofer
  • Voice control supports
  • Built-in microphone

Advantages Denon DHT-S517 over Vizio M21d-H8

  • Separate subwoofer provided
  • Supports object-oriented sound with Dolby Atmos technology
  • App for remote control

Audio features

Each of the compared models received 5 points for the audio features.

M21d-H8
5
DHT-S517
5

It worth understanding the difference between the two types of amplification: a passive soundbar does not have its own amplifier and receives amplification from the signal source, while an active soundbar has a built-in amplifier. The same active type of amplification is used in the M21d-H8 and the DHT-S517.

There are stereo soundbars and multichannel ones. It is with the help of multichannel devices that you can get volumetric sound. It is worth noting one of the main differences, the M21d-H8 has 2.1 channels, while the DHT-S517 has 3.1.2 channels.

M21d-H8 DHT-S517
Built-in channels2.13.1.2
Amplification typeactiveactive
Output power, WN/A40 (overall)
Separate speaker (in package)00
Separate speaker connectionshas notwireless

Subwoofers

Soundbars can have a built-in or external subwoofer. The first type is inseparable from the soundbar body, but for the second, you can choose a good location for deep bass. A built-in subwoofer is only present in the M21d-H8. The DHT-S517 comes with an external subwoofer.

M21d-H8 DHT-S517
Built-in subwoofer
Separate subwoofer (in package)
Separate subwoofer connectionswireless

Multichannel surround

Unlike stereo, when reproducing multichannel sound, each specific direction of sound corresponds to its dedicated channel with a separate independent loudspeaker, which creates a three-dimensional sound stage. The M21d-H8 received rating 5 out of 10 for multichannel audio processing, but the DHT-S517, in the same category, earned 7 out of 10 points.

M21d-H8
5
DHT-S517
7

The peculiarity of Dolby Atmos is that this format is object-oriented, that is, each object of the audio signal is sounded separately and linked to its spatial location. Dolby Atmos surround sound support is implemented only in Denon DHT-S517.

DTS:X is an algorithm for processing sound scenes by the processor, linking directly to objects, rather than channels, and calculating the optimal distribution of sound output in a room. This ability to reproduce surround sound with DTS:X technology is not implemented in any of the soundbars in this comparison.

M21d-H8 DHT-S517
Dolby Atmos
Dolby (other)Dolby DigitalDolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD
DTS:X
DTS (other)DTS Virtual:XDTS

Streaming services

The possibility to listen online to millions of songs from one device has become a reality thanks to streaming services.

M21d-H8
0
DHT-S517
0

None of the two models is not implemented AirPlay function. The popular Spotify service cannot be used on both soundbars.

M21d-H8 DHT-S517
Apple Music (AirPlay)
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming serviceshas nothas not

Connectivity

The existence of a sufficient number of current connectors significantly expands the functionality of the device. For example, only through HDMI is it possible to implement the transfer of object-oriented formats, and the presence of a Bluetooth connection will allow remote control, etc. The devices received different ratings for connectivity: Vizio M21d-H8 was rated 6 out of 10, and Denon DHT-S517 was rated 7 out of 10.

M21d-H8
6
DHT-S517
7

The presence of Wi-Fi in the soundbar allows you to get rid of wires when connected to a sound source and get minimal audio latency when playing content from streaming services. Such connection as via Wi-Fi is not possible on any of the devices in comparison.

Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for speaker systems, which provides excellent quality and minimal audio latency. The availability of Bluetooth protocol, we can see in both models. The competitors in this comparison has 1/1 HDMI inputs/outputs.

HDMI ARC is a very usefull technology that creates a two-way communication channel between a TV and another device. This is convenient since there is no need to use optical and other cables in the system. HDMI ARC is basic for both soundbars.

M21d-H8 DHT-S517
WI-FI
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)00
NFC
HDMI input/output1/11/1
HDMI ARC
HDMI eARC
HDMI CEC
Optical digital input/output1/01/0
USB1 (USB 2.0)0
Coaxial digital input/output0/00/0
Analog audio input/output (RCA)1/00/0
Headphone output00
Subwoofer output00

Features

Voice control is designed to make operating the device more convenient. This allows you to control basic soundbar functions from anywhere in the room.

Proprietary applications allow you to control your soundbars remotely. This is possible both via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The DHT-S517 has its own remote control application. Only Vizio M21d-H8 has a built-in microphone.

Some soundbars can be part of a multi-room system and it is an affordable solution for sounding the whole house. However, it is impossible to create a multiroom system based on each of these soundbars.

M21d-H8 DHT-S517
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri
App control
Microphone
Remote control
Multi-room

Dimensions

M21d-H8 DHT-S517
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in98 x 11.4 x 18.8/39 x 5 x 778x4.4x7/35.4x2.1x3.2
Weight, kg/pounds3/62.5/5.5
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