Vizio 510, Vizio 210, JVC BA1 another Davyo shoot-out w/ pictures - Page 4

Originally Posted by Davo52

Just got my 510 from Costco today and was very pleased with the appearance and enclosure build quality. The high gloss black cabinets accented with polished aluminum are well-fitted and look very nice. I'm not so sure about the circuit build quality though.

I spent about 30 minutes trying to dial in the sound I wanted and was making progress (I thought) but have been sidetracked by an annoying whine reported by others (also present in some 210's) and a "snap, crackle, and pop" when changing TV channels. I have it connected via optical directly from my digital (AT&T Uverse/Motorola) cable box. Because of these aberrant noises, I have not even tried the 510 with my Oppo yet.

The whine is not loud but can be heard when the volume is muted or when the 510 is turned off - you have to unplug it for the whine to stop. The "snap, crackle, and pop" during channel changing is moderately loud. How many others have had these problems?

I really want the 510 to work for me. It fits so well with my system and oozes good looks and class (for relatively little $) and there is the hint of comparatively good sound with what I have heard so far. I expect that the prevailing advice would be to return it and see how the replacement 510 performs.

I read that Davyo had to return his first 510 and was quite pleased with his replacement and that others have had issues with their 210's. This does raise the possibility that Vizio may have a few circuit component quality control issues.

My comments are by no means a "rant" and because of the predominately positive opinions of the recent Vizio soundbars, I will go to the trouble to get another 510 from Costco and will report on the replacement.

David

Originally Posted by nokkieny

If not using rear speakers, should i get the Vizio 210 or JVC BA1.

Originally Posted by mike4361

I just read a Cnet review that complained about a constant whining noise that could only be stopped by unplugging the unit. Someone also complained about that here. Was that just a bad unit or are they all like that?

I also wonder if this unit would sound good in a 20 by 30 foot living room. I've always heard that soundbars are only good for small rooms. I bought a Bose 3 in 1 a few years back and even in a slightly smaller room I didn't notice any surround effect at all.

Thanks for the advice.

Originally Posted by mike4361

Thanks Davyo,

I've been reading your review and all your posts about the Vizio 510 and had decided to go to Costco today and pick one up until I heard about the whining problem in the Cnet review. Did you have that problem?

Originally Posted by mike4361

Thanks again Davyo,

I saw some end-of-2009 threads about a new JVC and also saw a JVC TH-bs7 soundbar. Are these any good?

My rear speakers are going to have to sit on the floor (very strong wife factor) so would this defeat the purpose of even having rear speakers? What would be the best unit without rear speakers?

One of my biggest concerns is the fact that both my wife and I have trouble understanding the voices on shows.

Also, when the specs say the wireless sub-woofer is line-of-sight does that mean it's has to be directly in front of the transmitter, like a remote control has to be?