Skip to main content

Vizio debuts three soundbars with Dolby Atmos to complement its 2018 4K TVs

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Vizio unveiled its 2018 4K TV lineup today, but any home theater enthusiast knows that the picture is only part of the equation — sound is equally important. Vizio is clearly aware of this, as alongside the new TVs, the company also announced three new soundbars, all of which feature Dolby Atmos object-based surround sound for maximum immersion.

Recommended Videos

In case you’re not familiar, Dolby Atmos takes surround sound beyond the typical 5.1-channel setup by adding height information. This is generally accomplished by upward-facing speakers to bounce sound off the ceiling, so instead of 5.1, you’ll see numbers like 5.1.4 or 5.1.2, with the third number being the number of height channels. This allows for effects like the sound of a helicopter not only going left to right, but going above you as well.

“Vizio is continuously engineering ways to improve the home-entertainment experience for consumers, and this next iteration of audio solutions proves just that,” Vizio chief technology officer Bill Baxter said in a statement. “By integrating Dolby Atmos into our all-new home theater sound bar systems, we’re able to bring premium, multidimensional cinema-quality audio into the home. Our flagship 46-inch 5.1.4 system features four upward-firing speakers that allow sound to reflect off the ceiling, encapsulating listeners and wrapping the entire viewing area with sound.”

Vizio’s new 2018 soundbars include, from top to bottom, a 46-inch 5.1.4-channel model, a 36-inch 5.1.2-channel model, and a 36-inch 2.1-channel entry-level model. The 5.1 models support Dolby Atmos, while the 2.1 model supports Dolby Audio and DTS Virtual:X. Image used with permission by copyright holder

In addition to the flagship 46-inch 5.1.4-channel model, another 46-inch model is available in a 3.1.2-channel configuration. A smaller 36-inch 5.1.2-channel model is also available for those who are looking to save a little space. Each model features Google Chromecast Built-In, enabling Chromecast-enabled apps like Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, and Google Play Music to easily play music through the soundbar. The three soundbars also feature Google Assistant integration with voice-control, allowing the soundbars to act as a hub for your compatible smart home devices.

The flagship soundbar model (top) has a metal construction, while the entry-level Dolby Atmos soundbar (below) uses plastic. Image used with permission by copyright holder

Alongside the three Atmos soundbars, Vizio also announced the new 36-inch 2.1 Sound Bar with Dual Subwoofers. This model, designed for secondary televisions in the house, doesn’t boast all the features of the above models, but does include support Dolby Audio and DTS Virtual:X as well as Bluetooth connectivity. It also has a different industrial design, with angled speakers. Vizio said that it gives it a slimmer profile for fitting underneath a TV.

The 36-inch 2.1 soundbar uses a new industrial design that gives it a slimmer profile. Image used with permission by copyright holder

Vizio hasn’t announced pricing for the new soundbars, or an exact release date, but says that the systems will hit retailers this summer. We haven’t heard these new soundbars in person, but Vizio’s SB3621 is our current pick for the best budget soundbar you can buy, so we’re expecting good things. In the meantime, if you’re considering buying a soundbar, be sure to check our buying guide.

Kris Wouk
Former Contributor
Kris Wouk is a tech writer, gadget reviewer, blogger, and whatever it's called when someone makes videos for the web. In his…
TCL’s 2024 Dolby Atmos soundbars have room calibration and start at $180
TCL 2024 S Class S45H soundbar.

After a disappointing showing in 2023, when TCL didn't announce any Dolby Atmos soundbars, the company came roaring back at CES 2024 with an entirely new lineup featuring Dolby Atmos on every model -- including a new 7.1.4 Q Class flagship. At this point, we know a lot more about the two new series (S Class and Q Class), including details on a surprise feature: the S Class now offers automatic room calibration via the TCL Home mobile app -- something was previously only available on the Q Class.

The entry-level S45H comes in at $180, while the top-of-the-line Q85H has been priced at $1,000. The two S Class models are available immediately, while the two Q Class soundbars will be released during the summer, but we don't have exact timing.

Read more
Vizio shrinks the price of a Dolby Atmos soundbar to $99
Vizio QuickFit soundbar mounting system.

If you thought the impending acquisition of Vizio by Walmart might slow Vizio's progress on pumping out new products, think again. The company has just released its 2024 lineup of soundbars, all of which include Dolby Atmos and DTS:X processing. They also possess a new mounting system that lets them quickly and easily attach to the bottom of select Vizio TVs. But perhaps the most remarkable aspect is the price. The collection of speakers starts at just $99 -- the first time we've seen a Dolby Atmos-capable soundbar sell for less than $100.

Some of the new Vizio soundbars will be available on the company's website starting May 13, however, the full lineup will roll out gradually over the coming months, with some models not appearing until the fall.

Read more
Sony debuts the Bravia 9, its brightest 4K TV ever, alongside new 2024 models
2024 Sony Bravia 9 4K mini-LED TV.

It's a new era for Sony. The company, once famous for its horrible product names that more closely resembled serial numbers, has finally landed on a simple naming convention. Take its new 2024 TVs, for instance. Every new model is now called "Bravia," with a single digit to denote where it stands in the lineup.

The simplified naming convention also applies to the company's 2024 soundbar lineup, with the hope that buyers will want to pair their new Bravia TV with a matching new Bravia Theater soundbar.

Read more