VIZIO SS2521-C6 Review – How Does it Hold Up to the Competition?

In our increasingly technological world, many companies are taking it upon themselves to create, and craft to perfection, all kinds of different devices and systems to allow us better quality and easier convenience in the comfort of our homes. Being a lover of music for listening pleasure and paying close attention to audio cues in movies and TV shows alike, I firmly believe the quality of the speakers we hear audio through can make all the difference in the world.

With the right speakers and sound systems, our music sounds brighter and allows us to appreciate notes we have never noticed before. High notes soar higher with crystal clarity, and we can feel low tones rumble our bones with the right bass-enhancing subwoofer.

Gone are the days of low quality factory speakers muffling our televisions; we can finally have that ever-desired theater quality in our living rooms thanks to the efforts of brands like Vizio, who proclaims itself as one of the top user-trusted brands since 2014, and their incredible speakers and soundbars such as the Vizio SS2521-C6 sound stand.

VIZIO SS2521-C6

What is a sound stand? Plainly put, the sound stand works similarly to a sound bar in that one hooks it up and places it underneath their television for a higher quality sound experience. The Vizio SS2521-C6 is a wireless stand that measures 25" x 15.5" x 2" in with a weight of 11.24 lbs and is perfect for fitting underneath televisions of 55" or below. The SS2521-C6 manufacturers have specially designed for this sound stand with a wider range in mind that one can see in its clever design choice of a front-pointing chevron.

Along with dual drivers in the front measuring 1.6" x 3.6" in and an internal subwoofer measuring 4.5" in for desired bass quality, this handsomely designed sound stand is an optimal choice for beginners and experienced audio device users alike. Consumers have placed it at #6 out of 70 on the Best Sound Bases list found across the internet. Customers show 65% above the average satisfaction sentiment with this product than with most sound bases.

Product Specs

There are many exciting features packed into the Vizio SS2521-C6, and the manufacturing experts have carefully developed the correct ratios and measurements to optimize the highest quality professional sound at an affordable price.

Some of these specifications include a 55-19,000Hz frequency response, total harmonic distortion at an impressive 1%, an output level of 101 dB, integrated audio amplifier, capabilities of both wireless and wired connectivity, bass and treble control options, besides the standard remote controlled volume, and high quality built-in decoders such as DTS TruSurround, DTS decoder, and Dolby Digital.

 The sound stand also features two different speaker channels available out of the box, one being the stereo and the other being the subwoofer. These drivers (full-range and subwoofer) have diameters of 3.6 mm and 4.5 mm respectively.

How it Compares

We picked three similar products available on the market to see how they compare:  the ZVOX SoundBase 440 28, the Pyle PSBV600BT with Bluetooth, and the Bose Solo 5 TV Sound System.v

VIZIO S2121w-D0 2.1 Channel Sound Stand

ZVOX SoundBase 440 28

Pyle Soundbar With Bluetooth

The Pyle soundbar takes the #2 spot on the list of 126 of the Best Sound Bases found across the internet. It boasts Bluetooth wireless streaming capabilities with 3D surround sound and five internal speakers. (two 1-inch tweeters, two 3-inch full-range speakers, and one 5.25-inch woofer)

It is compatible with all televisions equal to and under 55 inches, computers, media players, and home theater systems. The length, width, and height are 23.8'' x 9.8'' x 4.7'' respectively and the bar puts out a maximum of 300 watts of power. The handsome wooden case painted with sleek piano-black finish paired with a blue back light LED display adds an aesthetically pleasing touch to any room it's placed in.

​Bose Solo 5 TV Sound System

The Bose Solo 5 TV Sound System is ranked #7 on a list of 70 of the Best Sound Bases found on the web. Bose offers a variety of quality speakers, and this one is no exception. This simplistic, sleek, black sound system can be placed practically anywhere because of its smaller size. It can even mount on the wall! The unit is 3.38'' x 21.5'' x 2.75'' in and weighs 3.7 lbs. It features a dialog mode to make each word stand out with clarity and wireless Bluetooth capabilities for easy listening through your favorite mobile device. The universal remote it comes with offers the standard volume control and additional bass controls. Single cable setup makes getting started with this sound system a snap.

Conclusion

The Vizio SS2521-C6 Sound Stand is a formidable product for its price range. Although it seems underwhelming in its simplistic outside appearance, its chevron design and built-in high-quality decoders give it an impressive boost in the sound that will attract new and experienced consumers alike. Because it is the cheapest audio enhancing device on the comparison list, it will not have such specs as multiple tweeters and subwoofers as the Pyle soundbar does, or output leveling systems like the Pyle and ZVOX do, it also has no FM radio capabilities to speak of.

The overpowering bass can be this speaker's downfall at higher levels, and with louder listening, users note it cannot hold up like other speakers can. The sound stand also produces unwanted vibrations at higher bass volumes. At maximum wattage, the subwoofer causes the lower and mid-range notes to become muddled and lost due to lack of articulation and clarity.

Besides these issues, the LED usage lights on the sound stand have also proven to be less than ideal. While the lights are helpful in theory, they do not label the LED displays that show volume control, input selection, and other functions. Understanding the LEDs becomes impossible without consulting the manual, and one can see this as an inconvenience.

The setup itself also proves to be a meticulous process:  they place the inputs at the backside of the sound stand and moving one's television to the side, or out of the way completely, becomes necessary during setup. If one has a television they cannot move for whatever reason, the only setup option is contorting their fingers awkwardly to wire the connections.

Although it has a wide range due to its design shape, the sound stand needs to be at ear level for optimal listening. Standing or sitting above where the stand makes the sound easy to locate below the television. This means its horizontal coverage is stellar, but its floor to ceiling coverage is lacking.

These critiques aside, the SS2521-C6 offers impressive overall quality for the cost. Vizio understands what consumers desire and does its best to deliver. The superior TruSurround and TruVolume decoders equalize sound volumes to avoid spikes in opposing audio files and offer impressive 3D surround sound. Despite its multiple speakers, it remains as one unit making it not too intimidating or bulky. The sound stand excels in making dialog crystal clear for enhanced television or movie watching.