The humble AV receiver (AVR) remains the prime choice for audiophiles that desire a surround sound experience. However, the web of wires and added complexity of AVR ownership isn’t for everyone and that’s where the new Vizio 40″ 5.1 Sound Bar System (SB4051-C0) saves the day. The SB4051 offers easy setup, convenient connection options, and a solid audio upgrade for weak TV speakers.
Read more about the Vizio SB4051-C0
Impressive aesthetics
True to its namesake, the Vizio SB4051-C0 40-inch 5.1 Sound Bar System ($350) includes a 3-speaker sound bar that measures exactly 40-inches wide (also 3-inches high and deep). The similarly-styled surround sound speakers and powered subwoofer feature matte-finished metal top plates that add a touch of substance and additional protection to each component.
The speakers’ are wrapped in finely-perforated metal grills that shrug off fingerprints and obvious signs of dust; a nice alternative compared to the glossy plastic used on many speaker systems. Vizio recommends its 40-inch sound bar for TVs 47-inches and larger, and the company also offers 38-inch and 54-inch 5.1 Sound Bar Systems.
Setup
Everything a person needs to connect the SB4051 to a TV or other audio source device is included in a well-organized accessory box. Cables for HDMI, optical audio, coaxial audio, and analog audio are provided and a clearly printed guide highlights what connections will provide the best audio experience.
Also in the box are wall-mount brackets for the sound bar and surround sound speakers, but Vizio expects would be wall-mounters to determine the wall type and purchase appropriate fasteners for attaching the brackets. The SB4051’s rubber padded feet add only a couple of millimeters of height to the sound bar helping it keep a low profile when positioned in front of a TV.
The sub’s wireless connection to the sound bar increases placement flexibility, and Vizio claims a range of up to 60-feet line-of-sight. A set of 25-foot color-coded wires connect the surround speakers to the subwoofer. This sat/sub configuration eliminates an unsightly wire run to the back of the room, and it provides ample range and wire length for most room configurations.
Remote
The SB4051’s uncluttered IR remote simplified operation with clearly labeled buttons and a context-sensitive 1-line display along the top edge that made it easy to access and configuration more than a dozen individual settings. The remote’s decent tactile feedback made up for its lack of a backlight, and a row of indicator lights along the sound bar’s left side act as a virtual level indicator for many settings. During normal operation, the indicator lights fade out leaving only a pleasingly subtle power indicator.
Port tech
The selection of inputs on the Vizio sound bar include analog and RCA style stereo inputs, coaxial and optical digital inputs, and an HDMI pass-through. The bar’s HDMI output is ARC-enabled (audio return channel) to receive sound from compatible TVs, and I had no issues using an auto-switch with the HDMI input to connect multiple devices.
Built in Bluetooth support made it simple to link a mobile device to the sound bar for easy audio streaming. The SB4051’s support of aptX streaming technology offers improved audio quality with supported mobile devices compared to a generic Bluetooth connection, and Apple is strangely absent from the lengthy list of manufacturers supporting aptX in its mobile products.
Supported audio formats include Dolby Digital, DTS, and up to 5.1-channel Linear PCM at 96kHz.
Adjustments
Each surround speakers incorporates a single 2.5-inch driver, and the sound bar’s 3-channels utilize 2.75-inch drivers. The ported subwoofer packs a 6-inch driver. My setup placed the surround speakers closer to my ears than the sound bar channels, and this configuration made the surrounds default levels slightly too loud. However, the remote and its useful display made it easy to manually dial the surrounds down to better balance the listening experience. The SB4051 has a basic speaker test to verify everything is connected properly but it lacks an automated speaker setup function that’s commonly included with AVRs.
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Ears on
I started my evaluation of the Vizio SB4051 by streaming some FLAC-encoded audio tracks via Bluetooth from my smartphone. Sound quality improved once I realized that my phone’s music player app enabled some audio processing effects by default. Vizio claims its sound bar system is rated to a sound pressure level of 102dB (<1% THD), and I can confirm that it pushed an ample amount of distortion-free bass and volume for a mid-sized room. The dialog of my favorite podcasts streamed over Bluetooth sounded clean and clear as did the various channels of broadcast TV that I sampled.
The Blu-ray movie Master and Commander has an epic soundtrack that highlighted the system’s bass response and surround sound capabilities. During the quiet portions of the movie, the wooden ship’s subtle creaks and groans enveloped the room. And when the cannons roared, the subwoofer added its appreciable impact as the action convincingly panned around the room. The Blu-ray audio disc of Beck’s Sea Change with its 6-channel high bitrate presentation was another good showcase for the Vizio sound bar system and its ability to clearly reproduce vocals and a variety of stringed instruments. The system’s subwoofer did an admirable job of adding low-end punch to the relatively small speaker drivers.
Bottom line
The Vizio B4051-C0 40-inch 5.1 Sound Bar System ($349.99) impressed me by providing a simple, clean looking setup with attractively styled components. The system’s ample volume, solid vocal clarity, and low-end oomph proved adept at handling a variety of content and listening situations. Although uncommon with sound bar systems, an automated speaker setup tool for adjusting levels and timing is something I’d like to see Vizio incorporate in future iterations, provided it can be done in an affordable way. With its numerous input options and convenient Bluetooth link, the Vizio Sound Bar System is a compelling and flexible audio upgrade without the complexity of an AVR.HD Guru awards the Vizio B4051-C0 a 4.5 out of 5 Hearts 
rating.
Disclosure: The Vizio B4051-C0 review sample is a manufacturer’s loan
By Robert Heron
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12 Comments
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The Vizio SB4051-C0 is a true audiophile-quality sound system. The speakers are incredibly efficient and in terms of overall sound quality put far pricier equipment to shame. The bass is slightly colored but a marginal adjustment to its output control will fix that issue. I am a former high-end stereo salesman and professional musician, so I am very finicky about sound quality. But keep in mind that you will need quality source material to fully appreciate the Vizio SB4051-C0.
I have the same problem with Alantic stand. What speaker stands work for the satellite speakers? I ordered on Amazon a pair of “mount-it! ” brand stands, but the plugs on the satellite speaker cables were large enough to interfere with the mounting, and also too large to pass through the speaker stands.
What speaker stands work for the satellite speakers? I ordered on Amazon a pair of “mount-it! ” brand stands, but the plugs on the satellite speaker cables were large enough to interfere with the mounting, and also too large to pass through the speaker stands.
Saw the Vizio SB 4051-Co at Costco last week for $279.99.Today the same item had an $80 rebate which makes the price $200.
Best Buy will match any price but as far as I know nobody can match Costco’s return policy in case that anything does go wrong.
Can the subwoofer be under a table and out of sight or does it need to be in line of sight of the sound bar?
@ GM
“Is the 4051 worth 40 bucks more than the 3851? ”
I definitely think so, for two main reasons:
HDMI is absent in the 3851. HDMI audio quality is considered to be better than the rest of the connection types.
4051 has something called Bluetooth aptX which allows for higher quality audio over Bluetooth. Makes a difference if you plan to stream internet music audio on your phone and want to listen to it on the SB.
Also, at $280, the 4051 is deeper discounted than the 3851. The MSRP difference between the two is actually $100.
Is the 4051 worth 40 bucks more than the 3851? They each can be gotten at Costco for 280 and 240 and Best Buy will price match it.
I love the bass on this SB. I tried a full component audio system from BB (~ $1000) as well as a Samsung SB before trying this beauty and she performs better than any other at this price point and beyond. I highly recommend this SB, other than the remote issue I pointed out below.
“The remote’s decent tactile feedback made up for its lack of a backlight”.
Completely not true and actually the lack of a backlight even on the screen makes the remote pretty useless other than for the volume. The statement above *might* have been accurate had the remote had dedicated buttons for each input etc. That is not the case.
The cnet reviewers screwed up. There are 2 separate settings. One for bass, one for subwoofer. They overlooked subwoofer and thought BASS was the only way to lower it. That’s why they had this issue. I own the system and subwoofer can be turned all the way down. This is a non-issue and a careless error on the Cnet reviewer’s part. They should update the review. Subwoofer is flawless and not overbearing at all and can be adjusted to whatever degree you like, all the way down to zero.
Thanks for the reply Syv! Since you have sound system, I have another question for you. How does music sound on it? Some people seem to have music fading in and out of the surround speakers while playing music. Do you see the same behavior on your unit?
CNET (http://www.cnet.com/products/vizio-sb4051-c0/) says the subwoofer stands out too much even when turned all the way down. Did you experience this too?
How does it compare to last years 4221/4251 Vizios?