One of the best cheap soundbars I've tested performs as well as models twice its price, and it's on sale

ZDNET's key takeaways

The Vizio 5.1 Soundbar SE system is sold for $250. It has immersive surround sound at an affordable price thanks to customizable EQ settings and sound modes. The Bluetooth connection can sometimes be spotty, and be prepared to hide lots of wires.

What's the deal? 

Get $80 off the Vizio 5.1 Soundbar SE when you purchase it at Best Buy, making it cost just $170. 

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One of the easiest ways to upgrade your movie- or TV-viewing experience is by upgrading your TV's sound with a soundbar. However, not all soundbars are created equal. Your decision depends on what you're looking for. Do you prefer a more surround-sound feel? Do you like punchy bass to your sound? Most importantly, how much are you willing to spend?

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The Vizio 5.1 Soundbar SE is a compromise on all these requirements, especially with its price tag of $250. It's a great budget soundbar with immersive surround sound and customizable features. I went hands-on with this soundbar for a few months and watched sports games, scary movies, reality TV shows, and listened to hours of music; overall, I was impressed by this setup.

Vizio's 5.1 Soundbar SE comes with a 33-inch soundbar, a wireless subwoofer, and two surround sound speakers to place behind your couch (this is where the surround sound comes in). The soundbar also has Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, and a listed frequency response of 45Hz-16kHz +/- 5dB.

While Vizio says this soundbar is "our simplest setup ever", I found getting it up and running a little tricky, especially since my TV isn't a Vizio TV. A Vizio TV allows you to adjust soundbar settings easily through an integrated menu.

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Once set up, you can use the accompanying Vizio app to choose between three EQ modes: movie, music, or direct. You can also personalize your sound and play with the treble, bass, and subwoofer settings.

The soundbar's sound shines through in movie mode, thanks to the two surround sound speakers. Whispering dialogue is easily heard, and detailed sounds like footsteps or shuffling leaves immerse you into the plot.

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A couple of gripes I had with this soundbar are the number of wires. The cables are long and a little unnecessary, so it took some configuring to hide them and make them look good in my room's setup. Also, the Bluetooth on the soundbar frequently goes in and out, so you have to reconnect with your mobile app more often than not, which is sometimes a little frustrating.

ZDNET's buying advice

Still, for $250, the Vizio 5.1 Soundbar SE enables the kind of sound I have only heard in higher-end and more expensive soundbars, such as the Philips FidelioFB1 soundbar. I recommend this soundbar for those looking for a budget soundbar, especially if surround sound interests you.

Having a Vizio TV would definitely make using this soundbar easier, but those who are more tech-inclined shouldn't have an issue setting it up.