VIZIO
VIZIO SB3821-C6 38-Inch 2.0 Channel Sound Bar Review
If you want to take your indoor entertainment to the next level, a home theater system can prove to be a good investment. The only problem is that all the wiring and cabling makes for unnecessary clutter, and this is not something you want to deal with in a confined apartment.
Luckily with the introduction of soundbars there are no longer issues with wiring and cabling. A soundbar comes with a minimalist design that saves you all the clutter while offering you the kind of sound quality upgrade you were looking for in a home theater.
One of the best soundbar options you can get in the market is the VIZIO SB3821-C6 38-Inch 2.0 Channel Sound Bar, and this review will tell you just why!
VIZIO SB3821-C6 38-Inch 2.0 at a Glance: Specs and Features
Last Updated: October 2023
SB3821-C6 Review
While there are numerous soundbar models in the market, the VIZIO SB3821-C6 boasts a reputation of being among the best for those looking to buy on a budget. It’s been described as a high-performance affordable sound bar with amazing audio quality and enough punch to offer you a memorable sound experience.
However, this could easily pass as hearsay without putting the SB3820-C6 to the test. That’s why in this review, I want to delve deeper into the features and specs of the sound bar to find out if the hype around it is legit.
Whether you’re searching for an early Christmas present or looking to get a home audio system without breaking the bank, this VIZIO SB3820-C6 review will let you know if it’s worth investing in!
VIZIO SB3821-C6 38-Inch 2.0 Design and Construction
It seems like designing a sound bar is a relatively thoughtless process when you consider the overall simple look. Well, this is almost true for the VIZIO brand, looking at the design history of their products.
I’ve noticed that the manufacturer tends to stick with a minimalistic and streamlined design, and this is exactly what you get on the SB3821-C6.
Simplicity, after all, saves you the trouble of finding the right fit for your home decor. With dimensions of 38 x 3 x 3 inches, the VIZIO is among the larger soundbars in the market yet maintains a lightweight build at only 5.7lbs.
While most brands use a metal mesh covering on their sound bars, VIZIO chose to go with a breathable black fabric instead. This gives the SB3820-C6 a sleek and modern design that should blend easily into your living room.
The end caps of the sound bar are coated with aluminum and the same goes for the logo. For a larger unit, this soundbar takes very little space, allowing you to fit it into the home entertainment system with very little trouble.
Its relatively lightweight design ensures that you can perform the installation without needing an extra pair of hands.
This also saves you the trouble of removing and reinstalling when you want to redecorate your space . Overall, the build quality is decent with a fabric-covered front and top while the underside and rear feature nice quality plastic.
The only problem is that the fabric covering can easily collect dust and get punctured. So, I recommend you install the unit higher above the ground.
On the back panel, you’ll find two openings. The first one is used for the detachable power cable whereas the second one features a couple of control and connectivity inputs, including a Bluetooth input button, as well as two volume controls.
You also get a subwoofer output, a digital optical cable input, auxiliary 3.5mm, coaxial cable digital audio input, RCA, and a USB port for unlimited connectivity.
The VIZIO SB3821-C6 acts as a reliable alternative to an entire home surround system, which spares you the headache of fitting the extra five speakers in a small room and the complicated installation process.
The sound is produced via two 2.72-inch full-range drivers and the manufacturer is so confident in the bass quality of the unit that they didn’t include an external subwoofer.
Thanks to the integrated Dolby Digital and DTS TruSurround, all the sounds are produced clearly.
This allows you to get the most out of family movie nights. The wireless sound bar can also be connected via Bluetooth to listen to your favorite playlist.
VIZIO SB3821-C6 Performance and Sound Quality
Sound quality is the biggest factor in a sound system; so how does the SB3821-C6 fair? Well, the up to 100dB that the sound bar can produce is a worthy mention. It manages to do this with a crisp clear sound and limited harmonic distortion. You’ll easily be able to distinguish between notes and chords when you listen to solo guitar performances on TV.
There is no vibration at higher pitches and you get to revel in your musical experience without the rattling sound associated with bass sounds.
With a frequency range of 60 Hz to 19 kHz, I must say the VIZIO SB3821-C6 comes to its own in the midrange. Usually, this is where most dialogs in movies fall, making for unrivaled movie experiences.
You get to hear the whispers in movies clearly and distinguish who is talking, thanks to 2.0 audio. I like how the sound is evenly spread throughout the room; I didn’t have to focus my attention on the center when watching my favorite movie. This is not something I expected from a speaker at this price range.
The VIZIO is powered by Dolby Digital, which is the standard of sound used for DVDs, cinemas, Blu-rays, as well as for streaming content. It offers great dimension to any audio tracks you listen through.
The soundtracks are not only more defined but also make for an unrivaled live listening experience.
Furthermore, the sound bar comes with built-in TruSurround. This is a virtual surround feature that allows the device to create an actual surround environment, helping to enhance your audio experience.
The Bluetooth connection also allows you to stream as many music files as you want from a relevant Bluetooth device. You can play your favorite tunes remotely from any room in the house with a simple touch of a button.
When it comes to bass boost, you’ll notice an obvious enhancement in lower end responses, albeit fairly limited. Overall, VIZIO’s bass boost modules prove to be reliable when you don’t want to beef up the bass with an external subwoofer.
I like how the manufacturer integrated the LED displays on the relatively simplistic and minimalistic sound bar, helping to give it a touch of contemporary class. However, some people feel that it is unnecessary.
Another great thing about this device is that you can mount it pretty much anywhere.
VIZIO SB3821-C6 Weighing The Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Conclusion
For less than $100, the VIZIO SB3821-C6 is a versatile way to upgrade your home audio system. It provides up to 100dB of high-quality and distortion-free sound, which makes it a great alternative to complicated home theater systems or surround sound setup.
Overall, it will be a reliable acquisition if you’re looking for a soundbar to pair with your 42”+ flat-screen TV for movie watching. The Dolby DTS feature ensures that you get high-quality surround sound to provide you with unforgettable movie nights.
Not to mention that you get a 1-year warranty when you purchase the SB3821-C6 sound bar system!
About the author:
Barry Allen
I grew up to be a self-proclaimed stuck-up audiophile, and I – partially – blame Pinnacle Speakers for it.
The whole point of me starting this website was to keep the tradition going. Although the means have changed, the mission remains the same: Bringing „sterling sound“ as they once put it into home theaters and sound systems worldwide!