The Vizio SB2020n-G6 is a compact 2.0 soundbar. Although it can't be wall-mounted and it doesn't get loud enough to fill a large room, its compact size can be a good addition to a computer setup as it isn't very tall and it shouldn't obscure your screen, unless your monitor sits flush on the table. It has a balanced and neutral mid-range, which is alright for dialogue content, and its bass can pack a punch. However, as it doesn't have a subwoofer, it lacks thump and rumble. At the same time, there's a little bit of distortion audible from the bass range, even at a normal listening volume. While it offers several connectivity options, it lacks an HDMI In port, and it can only support PCM-format content.
Our Verdict
The Vizio SB2020n-G6 is disappointing for mixed use. This soundbar is more suited for a computer setup and it shows in its performance. Its dark sound profile lacks a thumpy bass, which can affect your immersion into action films or music. It doesn't get very loud either, which may be a problem for house parties or large rooms. However, it should be more than enough if you're listening to vocal-centric content.
- Compact size.
- Auto-off power saving feature.
- Only supports PCM-format content.
- Distortion may be audible, even at a normal listening volume.
- Can't be wall-mounted.
The Vizio SB2020n-G6 is alright for dialogue and TV shows. Although it has a neutral-sounding mid-range, which is suited for vocal-centric content, it lacks a dialogue enhancement feature to bring out vocals. It doesn't get very loud, either, but it should still be adequate if you're listening to your favorite TV shows. The auto-volume mode can also help balance the volume between different audio content such as between TV shows and commercials.
The Vizio SB2020n-G6 is passable for music. It has a dark sound profile, so some detail and clarity get lost in your mix. The soundbar doesn't have a subwoofer either, and while the bass is still punchy, fans of EDM and hip-hop may find the thump and rumble lacking. There's some distortion in the bass-range that may be audible, even at lower volumes. You can adjust the bass and treble, which is nice, but this soundbar only has two EQ presets to choose from. It doesn't get that loud either, so it's not suited for house parties or large rooms.
The Vizio SB2020n-G6 is poor for movies. Since it doesn't have a subwoofer, it lacks thump and rumble, which can make action movies less immersive. Although it can still produce a punchy bass, there's some compression that may be audible, even at more reasonable volumes. The soundstage is slightly wider than the bar itself but it also sounds both centered and diffused, depending on the sound. This soundbar can't decode or downmix surround sound content to stereo either.
Changelog
- Updated Apr 29, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Sep 23, 2020: The Dynamics tests have been reconducted due to a value input bug.
- Updated Jun 04, 2020: Review published.
- Updated Jun 02, 2020: Early access published.
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Popular Soundbar Comparisons
The Vizio SB2020n-G6 is a compact 2.0 channel soundbar. It's the smallest Vizio soundbar we've tested so far and it's similarly compact as the Bose Solo 5. Unlike 2.1 soundbars, it doesn't have a dedicated subwoofer, though, so it lacks decent thump and rumble. It can only support PCM-format content and it lacks some common sound enhancement features like a dialogue enhancement mode. If you're still shopping around for soundbars, check out our recommendations for the best small soundbars, the best budget soundbars, and the best soundbars under $200.
The Vizio SB3220n-F6 is a better 2.0 soundbar than the Vizio SB2020n-G6. Although they both have a similarly decent build, the SB3220n-F6 can be wall-mounted, and it also has a slightly better-balanced sound profile. It even supports Dolby Digital content thanks to its optical connection. However, the SB2020n-G6 has an auto-off feature.
The Vizio SB2020n-G6 is a slightly better performing soundbar than the TaoTronics TT-SK023. The Vizio is slightly better-balanced, it has an auto-volume mode as well as bass and treble adjustments, and it has a USB input so that you can play files directly from your flash drive. However, the TaoTronics can get louder, and you can also wall-mount it.
The Bose Solo 5 and Vizio SB2020n-G6 are both similarly small soundbars, but the Bose Solo 5 has a better overall performance. The Bose has a better-balanced sound profile, and it supports Dolby Digital content by downmixing it via its optical connection. While it doesn't have a dedicated center channel, the Bose can also create a phantom center that still has a decent performance. However, even though the Vizio has limited sound enhancement features such as only two EQ presets, the Bose doesn't have any at all.
The Sony HT-S100F is a better 2.0 soundbar than the Vizio SB2020n-G6. While the Sony has a slightly less balanced sound profile, it can downmix surround content into stereo. It can also get louder than the Vizio, it has an HDMI In port, and you can wall-mount it. However, the Vizio has a more neutral mid-range, and you can also adjust its bass and treble. If you're low on space, the Vizio is also very compact and can be a suitable choice if you're looking for a soundbar for your computer setup.
Test Results
