To get acquainted with the specs of the devices, we suggest you familiarize with the comparison of VIZIO M51ax-J6 and Denon Home Sound Bar 550. It shows us that the Home Sound Bar 550 is a better choice as a home soundbar than the M51ax-J6. According to the results of our comparison, M51ax-J6 received 5.4 points out of 10 possible, and Home Sound Bar 550 was rated 7.4 points.
The M51ax-J6 is rated 7 of 10 against 4 for the Home Sound Bar 550 according to the audio features rating.
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 M51ax-J6 and the Home Sound Bar 550.
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 M51ax-J6 has 5.1 channels, while the Home Sound Bar 550 has 2.1 channels.
M51ax-J6 | Home Sound Bar 550 | |
---|---|---|
Built-in channels | 5.1 | 2.1 |
Amplification type | active | active |
Output power, W | N/A | 53 (overall) |
Separate speaker (in package) | 2 | 0 |
Separate speaker connections | wireless | has not |
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. The M51ax-J6 comes with an external subwoofer. VIZIO M51ax-J6 has the ability to handle wireless connections from an external subwoofer, while Denon Home Sound Bar 550 only has wired connections.
M51ax-J6 | Home Sound Bar 550 | |
---|---|---|
Built-in subwoofer | ✖ | ✖ |
Separate subwoofer (in package) | ✔ | ✖ |
Separate subwoofer connections | wireless | wired |
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 M51ax-J6 received rating 8 out of 10 for multichannel audio processing, but the Home Sound Bar 550, in the same category, earned 6 out of 10 points.
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. If we consider the models in terms of support for Dolby Atmos, then both soundbars can work with this technology.
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 included in each of these soundbars.
M51ax-J6 | Home Sound Bar 550 | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✔ |
Dolby (other) | ✖ | ✖ |
DTS:X | ✔ | ✔ |
DTS (other) | ✖ | ✖ |
The possibility to listen online to millions of songs from one device has become a reality thanks to streaming services.
The popular Spotify service is available on the Home Sound Bar 550.
M51ax-J6 | Home Sound Bar 550 | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | ✖ | ✔ |
Amazon Music | ✖ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✖ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | has not | Pandora, SoundCloud |
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. Connectivity of competitors was rated 8 out of 10.
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. Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible on the Home Sound Bar 550.
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. Connecting external devices via USB can be done on both models.
M51ax-J6 | Home Sound Bar 550 | |
---|---|---|
WI-FI | ✖ | ✔ |
Bluetooth | ✔ | ✔ |
Ethernet (RJ45) | 0 | 1 |
NFC | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI input/output | 1/1 | 1/1 |
HDMI ARC | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI CEC | ✖ | ✖ |
Optical digital input/output | 1/0 | 1/0 |
USB | 1 (USB 2.0) | 1 (USB 2.0) |
Coaxial digital input/output | 0/0 | 0/0 |
Analog audio input/output (RCA) | 0/0 | 0/0 |
Headphone output | 0 | 0 |
Subwoofer output | 0 | 1 |
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 Home Sound Bar 550 has its own remote control application. Only Denon Home Sound Bar 550 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.
M51ax-J6 | Home Sound Bar 550 | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | ✔ | ✔ |
App control | ✖ | ✔ |
Microphone | ✖ | ✔ |
Remote control | ✔ | ✔ |
Multi-room | ✖ | ✖ |
M51ax-J6 | Home Sound Bar 550 | |
---|---|---|
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in | 91.4x5.6x8.8/36x2.2x3.5 | 65.7x7.3x11.9/25.9x2.9x4.7 |
Weight, kg/pounds | 3.5/7.6 | 3.5/7.8 |