Head-to-head

Vizio V-Series 2.1 vs Sonos Ray vs Vizio Elevate 5.1.4

Vizio V-Series 2.1

8.6 $180

Sonos Ray

8.7 $219

Vizio Elevate 5.1.4

8.9 $599

Verdict

Vizio V-Series 2.1

The biggest upgrade per dollar. Under $200 buys a bar and a wireless subwoofer, and real low end is the single biggest jump over thin TV speakers, with every cable in the box. The sub can get boomy and there's no Atmos, but nothing this cheap improves TV sound more.

Sonos Ray

The small-room pick. At 22 inches it tucks under a modest TV and delivers the crisp, forward dialogue most people want, at volumes that won't carry through walls. It's optical-only, so no HDMI or Atmos and bass is light, but for an apartment those are the right trade-offs.

Vizio Elevate 5.1.

The most theater per dollar. A full 5.1.4 system, bar, wireless sub, and rears, for what premium brands charge for just the bar, with motorized drivers that rotate up for real Atmos height. It runs a bit boomy, but for cinematic surround on a budget nothing beats it.

Best for

Vizio V-Series 2.1

Anyone upgrading from TV speakers on a tight budget who wants a clear, bassier 2.1 setup with a wireless sub for under $200.

Sonos Ray

Small rooms, bedrooms, and apartments: a compact, genuinely good-sounding bar that won't disturb neighbors and starts a Sonos system.

Vizio Elevate 5.1.

Value-focused movie fans who want real Atmos height and rear surround speakers without four-figure spending.

Avoid if

Vizio V-Series 2.1

You want Dolby Atmos height or true rear surround — at this price those aren't on the table; step up to the Vizio Elevate for a full system.

Sonos Ray

You want big bass or Atmos — the Ray has no subwoofer out and no height channels; choose the Beam or a 2.1 bundle if bass matters.

Vizio Elevate 5.1.

You want the simplest possible one-bar setup or you're in a small apartment — a standalone bar like the Bose or a compact pick is tidier.

Score breakdown

fit

Vizio V-Se

8.6

Sonos Ray

8.8

Vizio Elev

8.9

ease

Vizio V-Se

8.7

Sonos Ray

9.0

Vizio Elev

8.1

value

Vizio V-Se

9.3

Sonos Ray

8.8

Vizio Elev

9.2

quality

Vizio V-Se

8.1

Sonos Ray

8.4

Vizio Elev

8.6

Specs

size

~36in bar; compact sub

22 x 3.5 x 2.8 in; 4.3 lb; black/white

—

price

~$180 (list $200)

~$219 (MSRP $279)

~$599 (list $699)

in box

All cables + wall-mount brackets included

—

system

2.1 - soundbar + wireless subwoofer

—

5.1.4 - 48in bar + wireless sub + 2 rear satellites

tuning

EQ presets, bass/treble, dialogue + night modes

—

drivers

2 bar drivers + wireless sub woofer

2 tweeters + 2 midwoofers; forward-firing

18 drivers across 4 enclosures; up to ~107 dB

formats

DTS Virtual:X (virtual surround); Dolby Audio (no Atmos)

Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS Digital Surround (no Atmos)

Dolby Atmos + DTS:X

connectivity

HDMI ARC, optical, USB, aux, Bluetooth 5.0

Optical in + Ethernet; Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2 (no HDMI, no Bluetooth)

HDMI eARC + HDMI in, optical, Bluetooth, Chromecast

type

—

Compact 2.0 soundbar (no sub, no Atmos)

—

features

—

Sonos app, Trueplay tuning (iPhone), IR remote learning

—

expandable

—

Add Sonos Sub + rears later

—

rears

—

Wired satellite speakers (cabled to sub)

height

—

Motorized rotating Adaptive Height Speakers

subwoofer

—

Wireless 8-inch sub; deep bass (~30 Hz)

Buy →Buy →Buy →

	Vizio V-Series 2.1	Sonos Ray	Vizio Elevate 5.1.4
Score	8.6	8.7	8.9
Price	$180	$219	$599
Verdict	The biggest upgrade per dollar. Under $200 buys a bar and a wireless subwoofer, and real low end is the single biggest jump over thin TV speakers, with every cable in the box. The sub can get boomy and there's no Atmos, but nothing this cheap improves TV sound more.	The small-room pick. At 22 inches it tucks under a modest TV and delivers the crisp, forward dialogue most people want, at volumes that won't carry through walls. It's optical-only, so no HDMI or Atmos and bass is light, but for an apartment those are the right trade-offs.	The most theater per dollar. A full 5.1.4 system, bar, wireless sub, and rears, for what premium brands charge for just the bar, with motorized drivers that rotate up for real Atmos height. It runs a bit boomy, but for cinematic surround on a budget nothing beats it.
Best for	Anyone upgrading from TV speakers on a tight budget who wants a clear, bassier 2.1 setup with a wireless sub for under $200.	Small rooms, bedrooms, and apartments: a compact, genuinely good-sounding bar that won't disturb neighbors and starts a Sonos system.	Value-focused movie fans who want real Atmos height and rear surround speakers without four-figure spending.
Avoid if	You want Dolby Atmos height or true rear surround — at this price those aren't on the table; step up to the Vizio Elevate for a full system.	You want big bass or Atmos — the Ray has no subwoofer out and no height channels; choose the Beam or a 2.1 bundle if bass matters.	You want the simplest possible one-bar setup or you're in a small apartment — a standalone bar like the Bose or a compact pick is tidier.
Score breakdown
fit	8.6	8.8	8.9
ease	8.7	9.0	8.1
value	9.3	8.8	9.2
quality	8.1	8.4	8.6
Specs
size	~36in bar; compact sub	22 x 3.5 x 2.8 in; 4.3 lb; black/white	—
price	~$180 (list $200)	~$219 (MSRP $279)	~$599 (list $699)
in box	All cables + wall-mount brackets included	—	—
system	2.1 - soundbar + wireless subwoofer	—	5.1.4 - 48in bar + wireless sub + 2 rear satellites
tuning	EQ presets, bass/treble, dialogue + night modes	—	—
drivers	2 bar drivers + wireless sub woofer	2 tweeters + 2 midwoofers; forward-firing	18 drivers across 4 enclosures; up to ~107 dB
formats	DTS Virtual:X (virtual surround); Dolby Audio (no Atmos)	Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS Digital Surround (no Atmos)	Dolby Atmos + DTS:X
connectivity	HDMI ARC, optical, USB, aux, Bluetooth 5.0	Optical in + Ethernet; Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2 (no HDMI, no Bluetooth)	HDMI eARC + HDMI in, optical, Bluetooth, Chromecast
type	—	Compact 2.0 soundbar (no sub, no Atmos)	—
features	—	Sonos app, Trueplay tuning (iPhone), IR remote learning	—
expandable	—	Add Sonos Sub + rears later	—
rears	—	—	Wired satellite speakers (cabled to sub)
height	—	—	Motorized rotating Adaptive Height Speakers
subwoofer	—	—	Wireless 8-inch sub; deep bass (~30 Hz)
	Buy →	Buy →	Buy →

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