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Vizio unveils 2015 audio systems, with prices starting as low as $80

​Vizio has announced its 2015 line of audio devices, including sound bases and sound bars with an improved industrial design, and the least expensive one probably costs less than your headphones.

Ty Pendlebury Editor
Ty Pendlebury is a journalism graduate of RMIT Melbourne, and has worked at CNET since 2006. He lives in New York City where he writes about streaming and home audio.
Expertise Ty has worked for radio, print, and online publications, and has been writing about home entertainment since 2004. He majored in Cinema Studies when studying at RMIT. He is an avid record collector and streaming music enthusiast. Credentials
  • Ty was nominated for Best New Journalist at the Australian IT Journalism awards, but he has only ever won one thing. As a youth, he was awarded a free session for the photography studio at a local supermarket.
Ty Pendlebury
2 min read

Watch this: Vizio announces new audio systems

Vizio's new audio lineup comprises seven models, which start at $80 for a 29-inch sound bar and culminate in the 40-inch SB4051 for a premium price of $350.

The sound bars have been redesigned and now feature metallic construction, including aluminum end pieces. The 40-inch model goes a step further with an all-metal chassis.

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Sarah Tew/CNET

In the midst of the line are three different versions of the 38-inch sound bar: "as is," with a separate wireless sub, or with a sub and rear speakers. The main unit offers offers two analog inputs, digital optical and coaxial, in addition to USB.

Sarah Tew/CNET

The flagship of the line is he SB4051-C0, a 40-inch 5.1 surround sound bar. It features a three-channel sound bar, wireless subwoofer and rear satellite speakers that connect to the sub with physical wires.

The 40-inch model adds HDMI connectivity -- there's one in and one ARC-compatible output -- plus slightly better output levels, and adds aptX compatibility to its Bluetooth receiver.

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Sarah Tew/CNET

The sound bases have also been redesigned and now are only two inches tall -- and will fit underneath the new E and M series TVs. The SS2520-C6 2.1 Sound Stand adds a built-in subwoofer.

Higher-end models in the range include a remote with a built-in LCD screen. That makes it easier to adjust settings given that there's no display on the units apart from a volume indicator.

The full list is as follows:

  • SB2920 2.0 Sound Bar $80
  • SB3820-C6 38-inch 2.0 Sound Bar $100
  • SB3821-C6 38-inch 2.1 Sound Bar $180
  • SB3851-C0 38-inch 5.1 Sound Bar $250
  • SB4051-C0 40-inch 5.1 Sound Bar $350
  • SS2521-C6 2.0 Sound Stand $150
  • SS2520-C6 2.1 Sound Stand (with inbuilt subwoofer) $250