Vizio M21d-H8 vs Samsung HW-N950

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

M21d-H8 vs HW-N950 comparison chart

Overall
Vizio M21d-H8
5
Samsung HW-N950
8.6
6
10
Multichannel surround
5
7

Vizio M21d-H8 vs Samsung HW-N950 review

Vizio M21d-H8
vs
Samsung HW-N950

To get acquainted with the specs of the devices, we suggest you familiarize with the comparison of Vizio M21d-H8 and Samsung HW-N950. It shows us that the HW-N950 is a better choice as a home soundbar than the M21d-H8. According to the results of our comparison, M21d-H8 received 5 points out of 10 possible, and HW-N950 was rated 8.6 points.

Advantages Vizio M21d-H8 over Samsung HW-N950

  • Has an integrated subwoofer
  • Available the Apple Music service

Advantages Samsung HW-N950 over Vizio M21d-H8

  • Comes with 2 separate speakers
  • Separate subwoofer provided
  • Available the Amazon Music service
  • Stream music with Spotify
  • Supports object-oriented sound with Dolby Atmos technology
  • Surround sound with DTS:X support
  • Possible to create a multi-room system
  • Wireless connection via Wi-Fi
  • App for remote control

Audio features

The M21d-H8 is rated 5 of 10 against 9 for the HW-N950 according to the audio features rating.

M21d-H8
5
HW-N950
9

It worth understanding the difference between the two types of amplification: a passive soundbar does not have its own amplifier and receives amplification from the signal source, while an active soundbar has a built-in amplifier. The same active type of amplification is used in the M21d-H8 and the HW-N950.

There are stereo soundbars and multichannel ones. It is with the help of multichannel devices that you can get volumetric sound. It is worth noting one of the main differences, the M21d-H8 has 2.1 channels, while the HW-N950 has 7.1.4 channels.

M21d-H8 HW-N950
Built-in channels2.17.1.4
Amplification typeactiveactive
Output power, WN/A512 (overall)
Separate speaker (in package)02
Separate speaker connectionshas notwireless

Subwoofers

Soundbars can have a built-in or external subwoofer. The first type is inseparable from the soundbar body, but for the second, you can choose a good location for deep bass. A built-in subwoofer is only present in the M21d-H8. The HW-N950 comes with an external subwoofer.

M21d-H8 HW-N950
Built-in subwoofer
Separate subwoofer (in package)
Separate subwoofer connectionswireless

Multichannel surround

Unlike stereo, when reproducing multichannel sound, each specific direction of sound corresponds to its dedicated channel with a separate independent loudspeaker, which creates a three-dimensional sound stage. The M21d-H8 received rating 5 out of 10 for multichannel audio processing, but the HW-N950, in the same category, earned 7 out of 10 points.

M21d-H8
5
HW-N950
7

The peculiarity of Dolby Atmos is that this format is object-oriented, that is, each object of the audio signal is sounded separately and linked to its spatial location. Dolby Atmos surround sound support is implemented only in Samsung HW-N950.

DTS:X is an algorithm for processing sound scenes by the processor, linking directly to objects, rather than channels, and calculating the optimal distribution of sound output in a room. The manufacturer has implemented DTS:X technology only in HW-N950.

M21d-H8 HW-N950
Dolby Atmos
Dolby (other)Dolby DigitalDolby Digital
DTS:X
DTS (other)DTS Virtual:Xhas not

Streaming services

The possibility to listen online to millions of songs from one device has become a reality thanks to streaming services.

M21d-H8
0
HW-N950
10

The popular Spotify service is available on the HW-N950.

M21d-H8 HW-N950
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming serviceshas notPandora, Tuneln, Deezer, Chromecast

Connectivity

The existence of a sufficient number of current connectors significantly expands the functionality of the device. For example, only through HDMI is it possible to implement the transfer of object-oriented formats, and the presence of a Bluetooth connection will allow remote control, etc. The devices received different ratings for connectivity: Vizio M21d-H8 was rated 6 out of 10, and Samsung HW-N950 was rated 7 out of 10.

M21d-H8
6
HW-N950
7

The presence of Wi-Fi in the soundbar allows you to get rid of wires when connected to a sound source and get minimal audio latency when playing content from streaming services. Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible on the HW-N950.

Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for speaker systems, which provides excellent quality and minimal audio latency. The availability of Bluetooth protocol, we can see in both models. The M21d-H8 has 1/1 HDMI inputs/outputs, but the HW-N950 got 2/0 HDMI inputs/outputs from the manufacturer.

HDMI ARC is a very usefull technology that creates a two-way communication channel between a TV and another device. This is convenient since there is no need to use optical and other cables in the system. HDMI ARC is basic for both soundbars. Connecting external devices via USB can be done on both models.

M21d-H8 HW-N950
WI-FI
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)00
NFC
HDMI input/output1/12/0
HDMI ARC
HDMI eARC
HDMI CEC
Optical digital input/output1/01/0
USB1 (USB 2.0)1 (USB 2.0)
Coaxial digital input/output0/00/0
Analog audio input/output (RCA)1/00/0
Headphone output00
Subwoofer output00

Features

Voice control is designed to make operating the device more convenient. This allows you to control basic soundbar functions from anywhere in the room.

Proprietary applications allow you to control your soundbars remotely. This is possible both via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The HW-N950 has its own remote control application. Both soundbars have a built-in microphone.

Some soundbars can be part of a multi-room system and it is an affordable solution for sounding the whole house. The HW-N950 has the ability to use a multiroom system.

M21d-H8 HW-N950
Voice controlAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, SiriAmazon Alexa
App control
Microphone
Remote control
Multi-room

Dimensions

M21d-H8 HW-N950
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in98 x 11.4 x 18.8/39 x 5 x 7122.4 x 8.1 x 13.4/48.2 x 3.2 x 5.3
Weight, kg/pounds3/68.8/19.4
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