Vizio's 5.1 sound bar packs wireless rear speakers, innovative remote
The Vizio S4251W sound bar adds wireless rear speakers for true surround sound, plus features a slick remote with a built-in display.
LAS VEGAS--Many sound bars promise to deliver "virtual surround sound," but with a few exceptions, you can't get the true surround without actual rear speakers.
The newly announced Vizio S4251W tries to have the best of both worlds, pairing up a traditional sound bar with wireless rear speakers, so you get the ease of the sound bar up front with true immersive surround effects in the back. It's actually not the first time Vizio has offered the sound-bar-plus-rear-speakers arrangement; I was a fan of the VHT510 when I reviewed it back in 2011.
Bluetooth will be built-in, along with a healthy set of ports on the back that includes an optical, coaxial, analog, and minijack input. The included subwoofer is wireless with a 6.5-inch driver. The sound bar itself is relatively packed with drivers: four 3-inch left/right midrange drivers, two 0.75-inch right/left tweeters, two 2.5-inch center channel drivers drivers, and each rear channel has a 2.5-inch driver.
While Vizio isn't officially announcing any other sound bars at CES 2013, the company says the S4251W represents the new design guidelines for its sound bars this year. All of the company's 2013 sound bars will include built-in Bluetooth, included cables for every port and the new "industrial" design look. Any sound bar designed to be paired with TVs 42 inches and larger will also include the new remote design.
The Vizio S4251W will have a list price for $330 and is scheduled to be released in the spring.
Editors' note (January 14, 2013): The Vizio was picked as the best home theater and audio product of CES 2013 after the Dish Hopper with Sling was removed from consideration due to active litigation involving our parent company CBS Corp. Read The 2013 Best of CES Awards: CNET's story for a more comprehensive version of this story.