This compact soundbar connects to your TV exclusively through an optical digital audio cable — there is no HDMI port of any kind. The optical connection supports Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS surround sound, but cannot carry Dolby Atmos or lossless audio formats. A 10/100 Ethernet port on the rear panel provides wired network connectivity for Sonos ecosystem integration. If your TV lacks an optical output, you will need a separate HDMI audio extractor to use this soundbar.
audio Devices
Sony's 2021 flagship 7.1.2-channel soundbar was one of the first to feature dual HDMI 2.1 inputs with full 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz passthrough — excellent for connecting gaming consoles and Blu-ray players simultaneously. The rear panel offers an unusually complete port selection for a soundbar: optical, 3.5mm analog in, USB, Ethernet, and a proprietary S-Center Out jack for using a compatible BRAVIA TV as a center speaker.
Sony's BRAVIA Theater Bar 9 packs 13 speaker drivers into a single soundbar with full HDMI 2.1 support including 4K 120Hz, VRR, ALLM, and Dolby Vision passthrough — ideal for routing a PS5 through the bar. Notably, there is no optical input, no Ethernet port, and no USB port; all networking is wireless only. An S-Center Out jack lets compatible BRAVIA TVs serve as a center channel speaker via a 3.5mm connection.
Only two of the six HDMI inputs support full 8K and 4K@120Hz — a notable limitation compared to rivals that offer three or more high-bandwidth ports. Both HDMI outputs are 8K-capable though, which is great for dual-display or Zone 2 setups. There's no built-in phono preamp, so turntable owners will need an external one. Four analog stereo inputs, one optical, and one coaxial cover most source components, while Sony's 360 Spatial Sound Mapping creates an immersive Dolby Atmos dome from compatible speakers.
Vizio's Elevate was the first soundbar with rotating up-firing speakers that physically tilt upward when Dolby Atmos content is detected. Two HDMI inputs support 4K Dolby Vision HDR passthrough from source devices like gaming consoles and Blu-ray players. The eARC output sends lossless Atmos audio from TV streaming apps back to the soundbar. A 3.5mm auxiliary input and optical port provide additional connection options for older devices.
Vizio M-Series M512a-H6 (2022)
This 5.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos soundbar packs a surprising amount of connectivity into a mid-range package. Two HDMI ports handle video passthrough and eARC, so you can route a single cable to your TV and get lossless Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio back. A dedicated 3.5mm voice assistant input lets you wire an Echo or other smart speaker directly into the system. Optical and USB-A round out the inputs for legacy devices and local file playback.
Three of the seven HDMI inputs are HDMI 2.1 with 8K@60Hz and 4K@120Hz support, while the other four run at HDMI 2.0 speeds — note that the 2.1 ports are capped at 24Gbps, so higher-bandwidth features rely on Display Stream Compression. The single HDMI output handles eARC for lossless Dolby Atmos and DTS-HD from your TV. A built-in MM phono stage, optical and coaxial digital inputs, and 100W per channel across 7.2 channels make this AVENTAGE model a solid mid-range choice. Dual subwoofer pre-outs allow a two-sub configuration.
Every one of the seven HDMI inputs on this AVENTAGE-series receiver is full HDMI 2.1 with 8K@60Hz and 4K@120Hz support — no compromises on which port you plug your console or media player into. Three HDMI outputs (two main plus one dedicated zone) make multi-room or dual-display setups straightforward. Dual optical and one coaxial digital input give plenty of room for legacy sources alongside a built-in MM phono stage. Yamaha's Surround:AI technology dynamically optimizes the 7.2-channel output in real time.
Seven HDMI inputs provide plenty of room for sources, though only the first three run at full HDMI 2.1 bandwidth with 8K@60Hz and 4K@120Hz support — the remaining four top out at HDMI 2.0 speeds. The single HDMI output supports eARC, so one cable to your TV handles both video and lossless audio return. A built-in MM phono stage lets you plug a turntable directly in without an external preamp. MusicCast multi-room streaming works over both Wi-Fi and the wired 100Mbps Ethernet connection.
