Vizio V-Series 2.1 Soundbar V21x-J8
Vizio's long-running entry-level 2.1 soundbar, still sold and reviewed years after its original 2021 release. Based on published specifications and aggregated reviews including RTINGS and Newsweek, it remains one of the most straightforward ways to meaningfully upgrade a TV's audio for well under $200, with a wireless subwoofer included and DTS Virtual:X surround processing.
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Our Verdict
RTINGS' long-standing entry point into real soundbar sound: a wireless subwoofer and DTS Virtual:X surround processing for well under $200. It's ranked last because it has no true Dolby Atmos decoding, only standard HDMI ARC rather than eARC, and the lowest rated max output of any system here — but for a first upgrade from TV speakers, it remains a clear step up.
Score Breakdown
Pros & Cons
Pros
- •Included wireless subwoofer adds real bass a TV's internal speakers can't reproduce, for well under $200
- •DTS Virtual:X widens the soundstage more convincingly than most soundbars in its price range
- •Simple one-cable HDMI ARC or optical setup with no app required
- •Bluetooth streaming for music from a phone or tablet
Cons
- •No true Dolby Atmos decoding — height effects rely entirely on DTS Virtual:X's virtual processing, not discrete channels
- •Standard HDMI ARC rather than eARC limits pass-through of the highest-bitrate audio formats
- •Vizio's stated 96dB max output is the lowest of any soundbar in this list, so it can run out of headroom in larger rooms
Specifications
| Channels | 2.1ch (soundbar + wireless subwoofer) |
| Dolby Atmos | No (DTS Virtual:X virtual surround only) |
| Subwoofer | Included (wireless) |
| HDMI eARC | No (HDMI ARC only) |
| Wireless Streaming | Bluetooth only |
| Voice Assistant | None built-in |
| Width | 36 inches |
Who Is This For?
Best For
- First-time soundbar buyers
- Small bedrooms, dorms, and apartments
- Anyone replacing built-in TV speakers on a strict budget
Not For
- Buyers wanting true Dolby Atmos height channels
- Large or open-concept living rooms
- Home theater enthusiasts wanting eARC/hi-res passthrough
Where to Buy
Appears In
Customer Reviews
Alternatives to Consider
Samsung HW-Q990F
Samsung
Samsung's flagship Q-series soundbar for 2025-2026, a redesigned successor to the HW-Q990D with an updated wireless subwoofer and refined bass tuning. Based on aggregated reviews, it is the highest-scoring soundbar RTINGS has tested, combining a genuine 11.1.4-channel discrete surround system — soundbar, wireless subwoofer, and two wireless rear speakers, all included — with hardware Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding rather than software virtualization.
Sonos Arc Ultra
Sonos
Sonos's second-generation flagship soundbar, replacing the original Arc. Aggregated reviews consistently rate it among the best-sounding single-bar Dolby Atmos systems available, largely thanks to Sonos's new Sound Motion woofer design, which produces bass depth previously only achievable with an external subwoofer, paired with a 9.1.4-channel driver array for genuine height cues.
Polk Audio MagniFi Mini AX
Polk Audio
Polk's ultra-compact Atmos soundbar, designed for small TV stands and apartments where a full-size bar won't fit. Based on published specifications and aggregated reviews including Tom's Guide, it is among the few sub-$500 systems that pairs a genuinely compact footprint with real Dolby Atmos and DTS:X certification and an included wireless subwoofer.
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
Sonos
The compact sibling to the Arc Ultra in Sonos's current lineup, and RTINGS' pick among Sonos options for smaller rooms. Based on published specifications and aggregated reviews, it delivers a genuinely spacious, virtualized Dolby Atmos presentation and easy setup, but it is a five-channel system without any upward-firing drivers or an included subwoofer.