ConsumerReports.org

< Go to Home theater systems page

Vizio VSB210WS

Approximate retail price:

$270

Summary: A 2.1 channel soundbar.

11 people have reviewed this model.

See all 11 user reviews

Write a review

Type: Soundbars

Specs
Video player disc capacity The number of discs that the video player can handle. Video player disc capacity	NA
Maximum video resolution The maximum video resolution of the video player. Models with Blu-ray players are capable of providing 1080p high-definition video for Blu-ray discs, and upconverted-to-1080p video for standard DVDs. Most models with DVD players are capable of providing upconverted-to-1080p video for standard DVDs; some low priced models are limited to standard-definition video (480p or even 480i). Note that upconversion of standard DVDs does not produce a true high-definition picture. Maximum video resolution	NA
Receiver dimensions (in., H x W x D) The height, width, and depth of the receiver, in inches. Receiver dimensions (in., H x W x D)	NA
Front speaker dimensions (in., H x W x D) The height, width, and depth of each of the left and right front speakers, in inches. Front speaker dimensions (in., H x W x D)	4.75 x 40 x 4.25
Center speaker dimensions (in., H x W x D) The height, width, and depth of the center channel speaker, in inches. Center speaker dimensions (in., H x W x D)	NA
Side surround speaker dimensions (in., H x W x D) The height, width, and depth of each of the left and right side surround speakers, in inches. Side surround speaker dimensions (in., H x W x D)	NA
Rear surround speaker dimensions (in., H x W x D) The height, width, and depth of each of the left and right rear surround speakers, in inches. Rear surround speaker dimensions (in., H x W x D)	NA
Subwoofer dimensions (in., H x W x D) Dimensions (HxWxD) represents the height, width, and depth of the subwoofer (bass unit) in inches. Subwoofer dimensions (in., H x W x D)	13 x 11.25 x 12
Separate video player dimensions (in., H x W x D) The height, width, and depth of the separate video player (if any) in inches. Separate video player dimensions (in., H x W x D)	NA

Features
Floor standing front speakers Indicates if system comes with floorstanding front speakers or with stands that can be used to make the front speakers floorstanding. Floor standing front speakers	No
Active subwoofer Has a built-in amplifier and typically has a bass level control (independent of controls on a receiver). Active subwoofer	Yes
Wireless subwoofer Yes' indicates that the model comes with a powered wireless subwoofer. "Optional' indicates that accessories (transmitter and wireless amplifiers) are available that allow signals to be wirelessly transmitted the amplifers that power a subwoofer. 'No' indicates that the models does not provide for wireless operation of a subwoofer. Wireless subwoofer	Yes
Amplified rear surround channels Indicates whether the rear surround channels of a 7.1 channel receiver have a built in amplifier. Those that don't will need a separate two channel amplifier for full 7.1 channel functionality. Amplified rear surround channels	NA
Bass and treble tone controls Allows adjustment of low and high tones to improve speaker tonal accuracy and/or suit personal preference. Bass and treble tone controls	No
Selection of pre-set tone settings Has a selection of pre-set tone settings that can be used to possibly improve speaker tonal accuracy or to suit personal preference. Selection of pre-set tone settings	No
Receiver OSD Receiver OSD Onscreen display lets you view the receiver's menus on a TV screen, a squint-free alternative to using the receiver's LED or LCD display. Receiver OSD	No
Auto speaker calibration System comes with a microphone to automatically adjust speaker sound levels, delays, and possibly more to balance the surround effect for your room size and speaker setup. Auto speaker calibration	No
Speaker set-up test tone function System has a built-in test tone for manual adjustment of speaker sound levels. Speaker set-up test tone function	No
Video player Systems with separate video players and receivers tend to offer fuller functionality and more connections than those that integrate both units in one box. Integrated units are somewhat simpler to set up, but they may not allow you to connect video devices other than a TV to the receiver. NA indicates the system does not come with a video player. Video player	NA
Plays 3D Blu-ray discs Plays 3-D Blu-ray discs; for 3D operation, it requires a 3D TV and 3D glasses, as well a 3D Blu-ray movie. Plays 3D Blu-ray discs	NA
Up-converts standard DVDs to pseudo HD Can up-convert standard DVDs from 480i or 480p to 720p, 1080i, and for most models, 1080p. Note that upconversion does not produce a true HD picture. Up-converts standard DVDs to pseudo HD	NA
Analog to HDMI video conversion Can convert analog video input signals (Composite, S-Video, Component) to digital and output them via the HDMI connection. Analog to HDMI video conversion	NA
3D capable HDMI switching Will pass a 3-D video signal when switching HDMI cable connected 3-D source devices to a 3-D TV. 3D capable HDMI switching	NA
FM tuner Receiver has a built-in FM radio tuner. FM tuner	No
AM tuner Receiver has built-in AM radio tuner. AM tuner	No
XM-ready Allows you to listen to XM satellite radio with an optional accessory and subscription from XM. XM-ready	No
SIRIUS-ready Allows you to listen to SIRIUS satellite radio with an optional accessory and subscription from SIRIUS. SIRIUS-ready	No
Station presets The number of preset radio stations the receiver can store by radio band. Station presets	NA
Direct frequency tuning Receiver allows radio stations to be tuned in by punching in the station frequency numbers on the remote and/or console. Direct frequency tuning	NA
Dolby Digital 5.1 digital audio decoding Can decode Dolby Digital 5.1 digital audio signals found on DVDs, Blu-ray discs, and some digital TV broadcasts. Dolby Digital 5.1 digital audio decoding	No
Dolby Digital Plus digital audio decoding Can decode Dolby Digital Plus digital audio signals found on some Blu-ray discs. Dolby Digital Plus is an advanced version of Dolby Digital that is capable of providing 7.1 channels of audio at a higher resolution than Dolby Digital 5.1. Dolby Digital Plus digital audio decoding	No
Dolby True HD digital audio decoding Models with this feature can internally decode the Dolby True HD audio track and send it (as PCM) via HDMI to a receiver for playback. Blu-ray players that lack this particular decoding ability but which have bitstream output capability can pass along these digital signals via HDMI to a receiver that can then decode them. Dolby TrueHD is an advanced, lossless multi-channel digital audio format found on some Blu-ray discs that is capable of providing a bit-for-bit reproduction of the studio master of the audio contained in the movie. Up to 8 channels of audio are available with a higher fidelity than Dolby Digital Plus. Dolby True HD digital audio decoding	No
Dolby Pro Logic II analog audio processing Can create 5-channel (left, right, center, left surround, and right surround) audio from any stereo audio program. Dolby Pro Logic II analog audio processing	NA
Dolby Pro Logic IIx analog audio processing Can create 6.1 (left, right, center, left surround, right surround, rear surround, and subwoofer) or 7.1 (left, right, center, left surround, right surround, left rear surround, right rear surround, and subwoofer) multi-channel audio from any stereo or 5.1 multi-channel audio program. Dolby Pro Logic IIx analog audio processing	NA
DTS 5.1 digital audio decoding Can decode Digital Theater Systems (DTS) 5.1 digital audio signals found on many DVDs and Blu-ray discs. DTS 5.1 digital audio decoding	No
DTS-HD High Res. audio digital audio decoding Can decode DTS-HD High Resolution Audio digital audio signals found on some Blu-ray discs. DTS-HD High Resolution Audio is an advanced multi-channel digital audio format that is capable of providing 7.1 channels of audio at a higher resolution than DTS. DTS-HD High Res. audio digital audio decoding	No
DTS-HD Master Aud Essential digital audio decoding Models with this feature can internally decode the DTS multi-channel digital audio formats, including the high-resolution lossless type, and send it (as PCM) via HDMI to a receiver for playback. Blu-ray players that lack this particular decoding ability but which have bitstream output capability can pass along these digital signals via HDMI to a receiver that can then decode them. DTS-HD Master Audio Essential supports lossless multi-channel digital audio as found on some Blu-ray discs that is capable of providing a bit-for-bit reproduction of the studio master of the audio contained in the movie. It is capable of providing up to 7.1 channel audio with higher fidelity than DTS-HD High Resolution Audio. It is similar to DTS-HD Master Audio but excludes a few of the esoteric formats. DTS-HD Master Aud Essential digital audio decoding	No
DTS-HD Master Audio digital audio decoding Models with this feature can internally decode the DTS multi-channel digital audio formats, including the high-resolution lossless type, and send it (as PCM) via HDMI to a receiver for playback. Blu-ray players that lack this particular decoding ability but which have bitstream output capability can pass along these digital signals via HDMI to a receiver that can then decode them. DTS-HD Master Audio supports lossless multi-channel digital audio as found on some Blu-ray discs that is capable of providing a bit-for-bit reproduction of the studio master of the audio contained in the movie. It is capable of providing up to 7.1 channel audio with higher fidelity than DTS-HD High Resolution Audio. DTS-HD Master Audio digital audio decoding	No
Other DSP modes Has other DSP (digital sound processing) modes besides Dolby Pro logic to create various multi-channel sound environments from stereo or multi-channel sources. Other DSP modes	Yes
BonusView BonusView is a Blu-ray player picture-in-picture feature that allows secondary video and accompanying audio (such as a director's commentary) contained on the disc to play in a small window while the main feature is onscreen, when used with BonusView-enabled Blu-ray discs. BonusView	NA
BD-Live BD-Live lets you download online content, such as new movie trailers and movie-based games, when used with Internet-enabled BD-Live Blu-ray discs. It's available on most new models. To use this feature a broadband internet connection is required, and at least 1GB of memory in the player. Some models are BD-Live-ready, meaning they require additional memory to use this feature, in the form of a memory card or USB flash drive. BD-Live	NA
Internet streaming access Can receive audio or video streams from various online entertainment services, such as movies from Netflix or Amazon Video on Demand, or Pandora Internet radio. Requires a broadband internet connection and -- depending on the service -- a subscription. Internet streaming access	No
Universal remote Controls not only its accompanying device but also other components, such as TVs of various brands. Universal remote	No
Updatable software/firmware Firmware or software can be update to incorporate new features that become available for the system. Updatable software/firmware	NS
Sleep timer function Can be set to shut off after a predetermined time period. Sleep timer function	No
Other features Other features not mentioned above. Other features	Wireless subwoofer. Only decodes PCM digital audio.

Connections
Stereo analog audio (in/out) Stereo analog audio (in/out) lists the number of stereo (two-channel) analog audio input and output connections. These are useful for connecting two-channel analog audio devices such as a TV, set-top box, non-integrated video disc player, etc. Stereo analog audio (in/out)	2/0
5.1 analog audio input Can be used to connect devices with 5.1 multi-channel analog audio outputs like SACD, DVD-Audio, or Blu-ray players that decode advanced digital audio formats like Dolby True HD or DTS-HD Master Audio. 5.1 analog audio input	No
7.1 analog audio input Can be used to connect devices with 7.1 or 5.1 multi-channel analog audio outputs like SACD, DVD-Audio, or Blu-ray players that decode advanced digital audio formats like Dolby True HD or DTS-HD Master Audio. 7.1 analog audio input	No
Active subwoofer pre-amp out Has an output connection for a subwoofer with a built-in amplifier. Active subwoofer pre-amp out	No
External rear surround speaker amp pre-amp out Has an output connection for an external amplifier for the rear surround speakers. External rear surround speaker amp pre-amp out	No
Coaxial digital audio (in/out) The number of these input and output connections. Digital-audio connections are important only if your home-theater system lacks HDMI connections. As an alternative, you can pipe the digital audio signals--both stereo and multichannel--from the external Blu-ray or DVD player, or television set-top box into the digital receiver. Coaxial digital audio interconnect, also called SPDIF cable, sends digital audio signals over a coaxial cable. This coaxial cable is the same as a composite-video cable -- both use common RCA connectors. Digital-audio, via coax or optical, supports multichannel Dolby Digital and DTS audio, but not the more advanced formats available over HDMI. When choosing your home-theater-in-a-box, consider the models that have the inputs and outputs to match the connections on your external Blu-ray or DVD player, and set-top box. Coaxial digital audio (in/out)	0/0
Optical digital audio (in/out) The number of these input and output connections. Digital-audio connections are important only if your home-theater system lacks HDMI connections. As an alternative, you can pipe the digital audio signals--both stereo and multichannel--from the external Blu-ray or DVD player, or television set-top box into the digital receiver. Optical digital audio interconnects, also called Toslink cables, send digital audio signals as pulses of light over optical fiber rather than an electrical signal over coaxial cable. Digital-audio, via optical or coax, supports multichannel Dolby Digital and DTS audio, but not the more advanced formats available over HDMI. Most optical cables use the small, squarish Toslink connector, but there's also a smaller mini optical connector, which looks a lot like a standard 1/8-inch mini-plug. When choosing your home-theater-in-a-box, consider the models that have the inputs and outputs to match the connections on your external Blu-ray or DVD player, and set-top box. Optical digital audio (in/out)	1/0
HDMI (in/out) The number of these input and output connections. HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a relatively new form of digital audio/video connection found on TVs, monitors, Blu-ray players, DVD players, receivers, cameras and digital TV tuners. HDMI has become the preferred connection method instead of component, etc., as it carries audio and video signals on the same cable. HDMI supports a range of standard- and high-definition video formats, although it can vary for each product. HDMI supports up to eight channels of uncompressed, 24-bit/192kHz audio. HDMI version 1.3, doubled the bandwidth of its predecessor (HDMI 1.2), and added support for 30-, 36- and 48-bit color depth and a new "xvYCC" color standard, as well as the new Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master lossless audio formats (See "Dolby True HD" and "DTS-HD Master Audio") used in Blu-ray discs. HDMI version 1.4 added full support for 3D television, an audio return path, and ethernet network connection. Some Blu-ray discs, in order to be viewed in high-definition, will require that the Blu-ray player and the HDTV/display be connected using an HDMI cable as a copy-protection measure. HDMI allows content providers to limit the quality of the component video outputs, and your ability to record the content. HDMI (in/out)	0/0
Component-video (in/out) The number of these input and output connections. Component-video is a high quality analog video connection that can be used to transmit standard definition (480i), progressive-scan (480p), and upconverted and high definition (720p, 1080i, and 1080p) video signals. Component-video connections use three separate jacks that separate the video signal into three parts: two for color and one for luminance (the black and white signal). These connections are found on most video components that provide 480p through 1080p video. Note that most Blu-ray and upconverting DVD players will only transmit upconverted (720p, 1080i, or 1080p) video via an HDMI connection and will not transmit it through a Component-video connection. Component-video (in/out)	0/0
S-Video (in/out) The number of these input and output connections. S-video is a high quality standard definition (480i) analog video connection; however, it is present on less and less newer video components. Because it separates the color (chrominance) and black and white (luminance) signals, an S-video connection provides a picture with more detail and less color artifacts than you can get using a composite-video connection. S-video and composite-video connections cannot transmit progressive scan (480p), upconverted HD video, and HD video signals. HDMI has become the preferred connection method instead of S-video, etc., as it carries audio and video signals on the same cable, and supports high-definition video formats. S-Video (in/out)	0/0
Composite video (in/out) The number of these input and output connections. Composite-video carries only the video signal and not the audio, but provides a better picture quality than RF. It is often used to connect old equipment like a VCR. It can only carry standard-definition (480i) video; it cannot carry progressive-scan or high-definition video. Composite video (in/out)	0/0
Headphone jack Headphone jacks let you listen to audio output through standard stereo headphones. Headphone jack	No
Front A/V inputs Provides easy access for hooking up a camcorder or game system that may not be permanently connected. Front A/V inputs	No
iPod dock An iPod dock comes with the system, allowing you to connect your iPod and perform at least basic functions like play, pause, fast forward, reverse, and skip, with the included system remote. iPod dock	No
Mini-jack input for MP3 player An MP3 minijack provides an easy connection for portable audio players and allows music stored on them to be played through the system's speakers. Mini-jack input for MP3 player	No
Connections for front 'B' speakers Has connections for a second pair of front speakers that can be used in a different room for stereo music reproduction. Connections for front 'B' speakers	No
Wireless surround speaker amps 'Yes' indicates that the model comes with accessories (transmitter and wireless receiver) that allow signals to be wirelessly transmitted from the receiver to the surround speaks. 'Optional' indicates that accessories (transmitter and wireless receiver) are available that allow signals to be wirelessly transmitted from the receiver to the surround speaks. 'No' indicates that the model does not provide for wireless operation of the surround speakers. Wireless surround speaker amps	NA
USB ports Allows a USB memory device ("thumb drive"), MP3 player, or card reader to be plugged in. This allows you to display the still images and video clips, and play audio files stored on the memory device. USB ports	0
Memory card reader A slot that accepts a memory card for viewing still images from digital cameras, video clips from camcorders, and playing MP3 audio files. Secure Digital is the most common memory card type that's supported, but some TVs may also accept xD-Picture Card, Memory Stick, CompactFlash, and/or other media. Memory card reader	No
WiFi connection 'Yes' indicates that the models comes with built-in Wi Fi or Wi Fi adapter for wireless connection to the Internet. 'Optional' indicates that accessory Wi Fi adapters are available that allow the system to wirelessly connect to the internet. WiFi connection	No
AC outlets (switched/unswitched) Lists the number of switched and unswitched AC outlets on the receiver, which are handy for powering components that are related to the receiver such as separate video disc players or graphic equalizers. Swiched AC outlets will only provide power to the connected device when the receiver is turned on, while unswitched AC outlets will provide power to the connected device regardless of whether the receiver is turned on or off. AC outlets (switched/unswitched)	0/0
Other connections Other connections not mentioned above. Other connections	None
Ethernet connection 'Yes' indicates that a model has an Ethernet jack for a wired connection to the Internet. 'Optional' indicates that accessory Ethernet adapters are available that allow the system to connect to the internet. Ethernet connection	No

Additional Information (The information below has been supplied by an external source.)

General Information
Manufacturer	Vizio, Inc
Manufacturer Website Address	www.vizio.com
Product Model	VSB210WS
Product Name	VSB210WS Multimedia Speaker System
Product Type	Speaker System

Technical Information
Frequency Response	35 Hz to 80 Hz

Audio
Speaker Configuration	2.1
RMS Output Power	55 W

Power Description
Input Voltage	110 V AC

Physical Characteristics
Subwoofer Height	12.77"
Subwoofer Width	11.18"
Subwoofer Depth	11.84"
Subwoofer Weight (Approximate)	15.50 lb

Warranty
Standard Warranty	1 Year

Recommended Ratings

Nobody Tests Like We Do: Our testers put 100s of products through their paces at our National Testing and Research Center. Learn more about how we test for:; Performance; Safety; Reliability; Learn more

To find the model that is right for you, read our expert advice on which features to consider and how to find the best value. Here's one tip: Don't pay for more features than you'll use.

Home theater systems

Consumer Reports Network