Sound bars are incredible gadgets that help boost the sound system from your TV, so that it’s not just the TV speakers anymore, but a more professional setup that allows for the best experience possible. And trust us, sound can make a big difference.
If you pair the sound bar with a bigger screen and dim the lights, you will feel as though you’re in the cinema rather than at home, and TV will be way more enjoyable and a lot more immersive overall.
Vizio sound bars are amongst the most popular ones that people opt for, and they are very well-known for providing an excellent boost to the sound of your TV.
But here’s the thing, if you’re quite good at tech, or you struggle with understanding all of these new gadgets, you might be a bit confused when you first have to install the sound bar, and if there are ever any problems with it.
Most of the time, the manual of instructions will come with everything you need to know. Not only to install the sound bar but also to solve any of the common issues that it might have down the line, before having to call a professional for help.
So to help you out, we’ve put together this summary with all the basics that you need to know, so that you can use your Vizio sound bar comfortably, and enjoy the sound without having to worry about anything!
Let’s get right into it!
What is a Vizio Sound Bar?
Before we begin, it’s probably a good idea to clarify exactly what a Vizio Sound Bar is so that you understand exactly what you’re dealing with, and so that you are able to identify the gadget with ease.
Well, a sound bar is essentially just a type of loudspeaker, used to project sound and audio from a wider enclosure. They are wider, rather than tall, in order to provide the right acoustics.
This also allows them to be easily positioned above or below a TV or computer monitor, depending on where you want to use them. With a sound bar setup, you give the sound system a big boost so that the audio quality is all-round better and louder, for a more immersive experience.
As for Vizio sound bars, they are a branded type of sound bar, from the Vizio brand.
The company was created by William Wang in 2002, based in Costa Mesa, California. Vizio specializes in sound bars and televisions and has a great reputation for providing very high-quality and well-designed products.
It is true that Vizio specializes more in their televisions, rather than in their sound bars, but that hasn’t stopped them from developing and improving the line of Vizio sound bars to a standard that is well-respected worldwide and with a strong customer base.
So if you have a Vizio sound bar, you basically have a sound bar from the Vizio brand. As simple as that!
Different types of Vizio Sound Bars:
As we have already mentioned, Vizio focuses primarily on producing televisions, but it also focuses greatly on sound bars and therefore offers a great selection of these. There are many different types of Vizio sound bars, as they cater to different needs, preferences, and designs.
As well as different sound bars having different capabilities and being built for different specific purposes, even if they all essentially act as a loudspeaker system.
The top-selling and most popular sound bars that Vizio has to offer can be categorized into three different series:
The Vizio Elevate Series:
The Vizio Elevate Series is the category in which you can find the most affordable sound bar options from Vizio, and it currently only has one model.
This sound bar has up to 18 high-performance speakers, all of them with separate tweeters and subwoofers. It can provide up to around 107dB, free of any distortion.
It is accessible and simple in its design, but it is still high-quality and effective, able to provide you with a cinematic experience in regards to the sound.
The Vizio M Series:
The Vizio M Series is in the middle-ground, between affordable and luxurious. There are currently three different sound bars within this category and they manage to balance a good price with a great value in regards to the features and quality of the designs.
With these sound bars, you can get up to 11 speakers, all of them with Dolby Atmos and DTS: X. They provide 103dB, with a 6-inch subwoofer that allows for more powerful bass. They’re great if you’re looking for something a bit more advanced that is still within a good budget.
The Vizio V Series:
The Vizio V Series is the category that hosts the most advanced and high-quality sound bars, for a more outstanding cinematic experience and the best sound system possible.
The sound bars in this category feature the DTS Virtual: X Technology, which provides a ceiling-to-floor virtualized 3D surround sound.
They have up to 6 speakers with excellent clarity and bass, delivering up to 98dB. They also come with a Bluetooth capability and therefore can also be connected to voice assistant devices for convenience.
Basically, they are the top range of sound bars that Vizio provides, and well worth the extra bit of money they cost.
Identifying your Vizio Sound Bar – How to find the model number:
When it comes to installing and using your Vizio sound bar, one of the things that not many people do but that everybody should do, is read the manual of instructions.
The manual of instructions is where all the most important information about your Vizio sound bar is, from how to install it, to the basic instructions of use, to the different possible solutions to the most common issues that might occur at any given moment.
However, sometimes you lose the manual of instructions, or you can’t remember where you put it. This isn’t a problem, you can usually find the manuals online and can simply download them or print them out, so you have them on hand again.
The problem is that not all sound bars have the same manual of instructions, because not all sound bars are the same. Even amongst Vizio sound bars, despite belonging to the same brand, the different designs and models will have slightly different capabilities and layouts.
This means that it’s really important that you get the right manual, and to do this you need to check the model number of your sound bar.
But how can you know what model number your sound bar has? You need this not only to find the right manual but also to identify it when asked about it by a professional or by customer service!
There are three main ways of locating the model number of your Vizio sound bar, here they are:
- Look for the model number on the side of the original packaging the sound bar came in. (This is why it’s a good idea to check it over when you first purchase the sound bar, and to take note of the model number before binning the packaging.)
- Look for the model number on the back of the device. (Not all sound bars will have it there, but some will.)
- Use the quick start guide on your sound bar to look up the model number.
Basic Instructions for the Vizio Sound Bar:
If you have purchased a Vizio sound bar for the first time, and you’re a bit worried about being able to install it and knowing how to use it, then the manual of instructions is your lifesaver.
In the manual, you will be able to find information about everything that the sound bar comes with, as well as how to install and set it up for the first time.
And if there are any issues there will usually be a section dedicated to troubleshooting, so that you can have a go at solving the problem yourself before having to call in a professional.
Some manuals can be pretty tricky to read through, and they can be more confusing than helpful. However, all of the instruction manuals that come with Vizio products, including the Vizio sound bars, are regarded as being pretty user-friendly and easy to understand.
Of course, you need to make absolutely sure that you have the right manual that corresponds to your Vizio sound bar, so always check the model number beforehand!
Now, the key to navigating the user manual is to understand the layout, so you know exactly what section to go to depending on the information you need to look up.
Manuals can be different depending on the model, but almost all Vizio sound bar manuals have the same layout, pertaining to a few main different sections.
To help you out, we’ve summarized all of the main different sections:
- The package contents:
This is the section where all of the contents of the sound bar will be listed and explained. So the sound bar, with all the important details about it, and any other accessories that came with the product, such as remote controls or power cables.
This section is great for understanding what you’re dealing with and getting to know the equipment a bit better. Plus it can be a great checklist for when making sure every little bit is there and accounted for!
- The controls and connections:
Connecting your sound bar, with the proper power cables and wires, can be one of the trickiest parts of installing it, which is why this section is one of the most important.
The controls and connections will tell you everything you need to know about the controls and connections, usually with pictures of the cables and color-coded instructions, so you know exactly what goes where, and how to plug it all together so that it works.
Sometimes, manuals will come with a link to watch an online video, as some people do better with a visual explanation. So double check if your manual has this!
- The first-time setup:
In this section, you will find tips and advice on how to install and set up your sound bar for the very first time. If you’ve never used a sound bar before, this section is perfect for helping you understand, as it is aimed at beginners and it explains everything in simple terms, so that it’s easy to follow.
Usually there will be a step-by-step guide, maybe even with pictures and diagrams, of how to install the sound bar, how to power it on and configure it for the first time, and how to start using it.
This section essentially helps you get the sound bar up and running, so that you can start to enjoy it.
- How to program the sound bar:
In order to get the full use and enjoyment out of your sound bar, you need to program it so that it uses your preferred settings, and is in full working condition and properly paired with your TV or device.
In this section, the manual will explain how to program it, with instructions on how to open up the settings and how to choose from different options.
- Help and troubleshooting:
If any issues or problems come up, such as error messages or the sound bar not working correctly, this is the section that covers all of the most common causes of problems, and how to fix them, step by step.
If this section doesn’t end up helping, that’s when you call a professional in.
