Vizio Elevate SE 5.1.2 Soundbar: Affordable Audio Delight with Unique Features

While many leading soundbar manufacturers are striving for innovation by adding more features, Vizio is taking a different approach by simplifying. The brand’s newest Elevate soundbar, the SE 5.1.2, is surprisingly minimalistic when it comes to inputs, omitting Wi-Fi streaming and smart capabilities, and replacing a physical remote with a unified app. The pleasant aspect is that this feature reduction is aimed directly at your wallet.

In a time of soaring costs, the Elevate SE impressively provides exhilarating Dolby Atmos and DTS:X 3D-audio performance for $500 or less. The sleek and fashionable design features elements that competitors at this price point won’t offer, such as a dedicated subwoofer and dual surround speakers. You’ll also receive the signature spinning side speakers that distinguished earlier Elevate models, which face forward for standard stereo and traditional surround soundtracks, and rotate upward to create an enveloping dome of sound with 3D audio.

There is no shortage of ways to invest half a grand in sound, ranging from higher-fidelity, network-ready standalone soundbars to fully-powered bookshelf speakers packed with inputs. Nonetheless, there are very few comparably priced systems that distribute the sound as effectively as the Elevate SE, allowing you to simply sit back, get comfortable, and relish in the immersive experience.

Curvy Cube Connection

The Elevate SE ships in a concise package that’s pleasantly easy to transport into your living room. You might doubt that all the components could fit in such a compact box, but everything is included, from the fabric-covered tube of the main bar to the adorable little oval surround speakers you’ve ever seen. When I say everything is provided, I mean what Vizio has included—which, disappointingly, does not feature a remote or, in the case of my review unit, any basic instructions.

Instead, I encountered a QR code for Vizio’s control app, accompanied by a box of accessories containing power cords, an HDMI cable, and long cables to connect the surround speakers to the pillar-shaped subwoofer. The setup is largely intuitive; the bar and subwoofer sync automatically once plugged in, while labels on the surround speakers and color-coded cable tips ensure proper setup. The most challenging aspect is running the speaker cables through your space, but fortunately, Vizio provides sufficient length to accommodate most configurations.