most people are Look for one of two things in a soundbar: the most affordable option or the best-sounding option. While it’s easy to find a product that meets one of these criteria, Vizio’s M-Series Elevate attempts to meet both.
In terms of price, features, and quality, this $700 soundbar system sits in the gap between the company’s $500 M-Series and the $1,000 Elevate. Like the original Elevate we reviewed in 2021, the new M-Series Elevate uses rotating ceiling-firing drivers for Dolby Atmos height channels. However, the new bar opts for a wired setup and ditches extra features like Wi-Fi to keep costs down.
This “best of both worlds” approach easily leaves the M-series Elevate in a no-man’s-land compromise, but it manages to be one of the rare Goldilocks options, offering a great 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos package at a relatively cheap price .
outside the box
One of the main reasons to choose a soundbar over a full speaker configuration is ease of setup, and the M-Series Elevate definitely delivers. It uses a mostly wired setup (where each speaker is physically connected to the subwoofer, not just a power outlet), which might put some users off, but the process is pretty straightforward.
The soundbar connects to your TV via the HDMI ARC/eARC port, and you can connect external devices such as streaming media boxes or video game consoles via the additional HDMI input. You can also connect the soundbar to a TV or other device via the included USB or digital optical audio cable.
The two surround speakers connect to the subwoofer via the included 3.5mm cable and power cord. The only wireless component in the core setup is the subwoofer, which automatically syncs to the soundbar when you turn it on; no pairing steps to deal with, and its wireless nature means no unsightly cables run through the middle of your room. Because the surround sound is connected to the subwoofer, it is best to place it in the middle or back of the room.
Alternatively, you can connect an Echo Dot speaker to the soundbar to enable voice control, and you can pair it with a smartphone or other Bluetooth device to stream music to the M-Series Elevate.
Aesthetically, the M-Series Elevate is subtle and easily adapts to most people’s decor. The soundbar is slightly rounded and covered in a simple charcoal grey fabric, and the surround speakers and subwoofer share the same sleek design. Few setups stand out—though the surround speakers are positioned horizontally, and if installed, would stick out a few inches from the wall. That said, they’re small enough to fit on most shelves.
The only standout visual feature is the tiny speakers that pop up on either end of the soundbar in Dolby Atmos mode. These tiny drives rotate upwards to act as height channels facing the ceiling. Customizable colored LEDs inside the speakers make Atmos mode more visible, but you can turn off the lighting if that’s not your style. It’s worth noting that this feature adds a little to the soundbar’s footprint — something to keep in mind if you’re limited in space.
sound design
Photo: Vizio
The physical setup is simple, but depending on your needs, dialing into the M-Series Elevate’s setup can be tedious. To Vizio’s credit, there are plenty of options in the bar, and I appreciate the granular control you have over every aspect of the listening experience. The problem is really just navigating through all these menus.
