REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
Simple
Sounds much better than built-in TV speakers
REASONS TO AVOID
Doesn't sound as good as more expensive models
Vizio 29" 2.0 Review
A huge step up over built-in TV speakers at a very low price
Credit: Vizio
RELATED: Best Sound Bar of 2024
Our Verdict
The Vizio 29" 2.0 offers decent sound at a very low price. It occupies a unique niche where it sounds much better than the built-in speakers of the vast majority of TVs, but also falls well short of providing a premium listening experience, allowing it to be sold at a relatively bargain-basement price. If you just can't stand how yout TV's speakers sound, but don't want to pay extra for a top-notch listening experience, the Vizio 29" 2.0 is the perfect compromise. It won't put much of a dent in your bank account, but can vastly improve your TV watching experience.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The inexpensive yet effective Vizio 29" 2.0 is one of the best ways we've found to improve the sound of your TV on a budget.
Performance Comparison
Credit: Laura Casner
Sound Quality
The Vizio 29" 2.0 isn't the most melodious soundbar on the market. However, it sounds noticeably better than the standard speakers that come built-in to most TVs, making it a great budget option for those that can't stand how bad their TV sounds.
The Vizio 29" 2.0 manages to produce a decent amount of bass that remains mostly unmuddled, along with decent clarity through the mid and treble ranges. When compared to average TV speakers, the Vizio 29" 2.0 adds much more depth and resonance, as well crip and clear dialogue. Yes, most soundbars on the market make bigger improvements in these regards, but most also cost much more than the Vizio 29" 2.0. For the cost, the Vizio 29" 2.0 offers a significant step-up over most TV speakers.
The Vizio 29" 2.0 sounds only mediocre when compared to other soundbars, but fantastic when compared to almost any Tv's built-in speakers.
Credit: Laura Casner
Ease of Use
The Vizio 29" 2.0 is quite easy to set up and use. It offers optical, coaxial, and RCA audio inputs. A slim and simple remote control allows you to adjust volume and select inputs with ease. There is also a set of buttons on the top of the soundbar that accomplish the same things, just in case you misplace the remote at an inopportune time. A strip of LEDs on the left side of the bar light up to display volume level and input mode when you make changes to those settings, and then quickly turn off so as to not disrupt the darkness of your home theater. The bar can also be set to turn on automatically when your TV turns on.
We do wish you could program the Vizio 29" 2.0 to respond to the volume button on your TV's standard remote. This can only be accomplished if you have a Vizio TV. Otherwise you'll have to adjust the volume with the soundbar's remote, turning channel surfing into a dual-remote affair.
The bar provides intuitive controls as well as a remote control.
Credit: Laura Casner
Sound Customization
The Vizio 29" 2.0 offers basic treble and bass adjustments, along with modes that are meant to dampen loud noises and increase the soundbar's surround sound effect. The bass and treble adjustments made noticeable differences in the sound, but we didn't notice much of a difference when engaging the quiet and surround sound modes.
Design/Style
The Black cloth covering and simple right angles of the Vizio 29" 2.0 make it look high quality and allow it to blend in with most decors. The only possible tripping points are the silver end caps, which either add a nice accent or make the soundbar a bit too conspicuous, depending on your home design proclivities.
The bar offers most standard inputs, with HDMI being conspicuously absent.
Credit: Laura Casner
Value
The Vizio 29" 2.0 is one of the more reasonably priced soundbars on the market, yet is likely to greatly improve your listening experience when watching TV and movies. Despite falling behind most other soundbars that we've tested in terms of overall performance, in our opinion the low price still makes it a great value.
Conclusion
The Vizio 29" 2.0 is one of the easiest and least expensive ways we've found to improve the quality of the sound emanating from your TV.
—
Max Mutter and Michelle Powell
You Might Also Like
