Designed for the home theater enthusiast, it works with most HDTVs. The "universal" sound bar can also be connected to a Mac, though it's an awkward combo as the Vizio system measures 9.95 x 4.82 x 4.33 and overwhelms any computer to which it's connected -- especially as you'll want the speaker system to sit in front of your desktop or laptop. That's an arrangement that, at least for me, just doesn't work -- though you will be pumping some serious sound out of your Mac if that's the way you go. But all products like this are designed to sit in front of or under flat-panel HDTVs.

The Sound Bar doesn't have the encompassing, just-like-at-the-movie-theater experience of a true 5.1 Surround Sound System. However, it comes close, thanks to technologies such as SRS TruSurroundHD, SRS TruVolume and SRS Dialog Clarity. The bass is rich and dialog is crisp and clear.

The Sound Bar features four three-inch mid/bass transducers, two three-quarter-inch aluminum neodymium tweeters, a "high excursion" driver, and a 2.4Ghz wireless subwoofer. Oh yes, and a remote control. You can place the subwoofer anywhere within 30 feet of the bar itself. However, you'll need a clear line-of-sight from the remote to the subwoofer.
 
The Vizio Sound Bar sports a black front cloth covering, and a piano-gloss rear section where the connections are located, as is the DC-in outlet. If you don't want to use the remote (or, like is common at our house, can't find it) you can implement the speaker system's functions via recessed buttons atop the unit. The Sound Bar has connections for one optical digital and two analog audio inputs. IT comes with analog cables but not an optical cable, so you'll probably want to spring an extra $15-20 for one of these.

Other than this oversight, the Vizio system is easy to set up. You do have to "pair" the bar and the subwoofer, but that simply entails pressing two buttons simultaneously.

The Vizio bar can handle frequencies from 80Hz to 20kHz, while the wireless subwoofer -- which, of course, also has to have its own power supply -- handles frequencies from 35Hz to 80Hz.

Though it's a 2.1-channel system -- with two 20-watt amplifier channels in the soundbar and another 65 watts in the sub -- the Vizio solution does a decent job of emulating "true" Surround Sound. It really adds to your movie-viewing experience, and music sounds rich and warm, as well. If you like to crank up the volume, you can do so with little distortion.

System setup is quite simple, as you only need to hook up your audio connections to the VSB210WS and adjust the subwoofer volume to your taste. But since the VSB210WS doesn't switch video sources, you'll have to manually switch 'em on your TV.

If you don't want the hassles and wiring of implementing a true Surround Sound System, but aren't satisfied by the built-in speakers on your TV, Vizio's solution is worth a look. It offers impressive sound in an attractive design at a reasonable price.

Macsimum rating: 8 out of 10

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