VIZIO Elevate 5.1.4 Home Theater Sound Bar with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X (P514a-H6)

The Vizio P514A-H6 is my third Vizio soundbar setup, following the SB3612 and the V51-J6. My V51-J6 served me well for nearly six years, having replaced my first system after it unfortunately died playing "Bombs Over Baghdad" by Outkast. What stood out most about the V51 was its exceptional bass performance for such a small, affordable subwoofer, achieving lows around 30Hz—a feat not often prioritized by soundbar manufacturers. However, the system wasn't without flaws. The rear speakers were underwhelming, and dialogue clarity often suffered, leading me to rely on closed captions for certain content. This year, I decided to upgrade and tested several alternatives, including the Hisense AX512H, the LG S80TR 9.1.3, and the Vizio M512A-H6. Here’s why they didn’t make the cut: The Hisense AX512H promised a unique feature to use both TV and soundbar speakers simultaneously with a compatible Hisense TV. Unfortunately, this functionality—though advertised in some regions—was not available in the U.S., with no ETA for implementation. The Vizio M512A-H6, as the successor to my V51-J6, seemed like a safe bet for maintaining the bass I loved. While it performed decently, it didn’t quite meet my expectations. The LG S80TR was the only soundbar I could test in-store, but despite its impressive clarity and height speakers, it lacked the deep bass I couldn’t sacrifice. When I saw the Vizio P514A-H6 on sale for $549, I decided to give it a try—and I’m glad I did. It outperformed my V51-J6 in nearly every way, particularly in bass response. It was a clear winner, and I quickly returned the other systems. Performance and Features The Vizio P514A-H6 delivers amazing bass, thanks to its powerful subwoofer. This was the standout feature for me, offering rumbling lows that bring action scenes to life. The system’s 18 speakers improve overall clarity, and the rear speakers, while still not perfect, show noticeable improvement over previous models. However, there are some drawbacks: Dialogue Clarity and Balance: While improved, dialogue still lacks midrange punch in certain scenes, occasionally sounding flat. Rotating Height Speakers: The rotating height speakers for Dolby Atmos content are innovative, but they’re noisy when they adjust and don’t always activate reliably. I’ve resorted to leaving them in the "up" position permanently. Rear Speaker Performance: During intense action scenes, the sound is immersive and booming, but in quieter dialogue-heavy moments, the rear speakers don’t contribute much, making the sound feel overly centered. The transition from dialogue to action can be jarring. Connectivity and App Issues: Setting up the system requires registering the product online to connect with the app—a detail not mentioned in the instructions but discovered through Andrew Robinson's YouTube review. Once connected, the app works well. Lag and Signal Issues: The system takes an unusually long time (up to a minute) to produce sound after being muted or rewinding a scene. Switching inputs, especially back to HDMI eARC, can result in a frustrating delay before audio resumes. Adding to this, the soundbar uses an outdated and overly robotic voice for status updates. Final Thoughts Despite its quirks, I’m thrilled with the Vizio P514A-H6. Its bass performance is exceptional, delivering the deep, rumbling lows I loved about the V51-J6, but with added power and immersion. Feeling the impact of explosions and action scenes through my couch, even at half volume (with bass and subwoofer settings maxed), makes it well worth the investment for me. While there’s room for improvement in dialogue clarity and rear speaker performance, the overall experience is impressive for its price point. For those prioritizing bass and cinematic immersion over absolute perfection, the Vizio P514A-H6 is a solid choice.