Allison Murray/ZDNET

For anyone who has been contemplating an upgrade to their home audio setup, this limited-time opportunity should not be overlooked. The Vizio 5.1 Soundbar SE, a system highly regarded for its ability to deliver immersive and dynamic sound whether you are enjoying cinematic blockbusters or listening to your favorite music, is now available at a notable discount just before the Labor Day weekend.

Additionally, if you are browsing current holiday promotions, you will find that Walmart is offering the JBL Bar 700 at a reduced price as well. Specifically, this model is discounted by $30, bringing the cost down to just under $200, an attractive figure for a high-quality soundbar with advanced features.

Turning our attention back to the Vizio 5.1 Soundbar SE, buyers receive an integrated system that includes a 33-inch soundbar, a wireless subwoofer to enhance the richness of low-end frequencies, and two additional surround speakers designed to be positioned behind the listener’s seating area. It is precisely this placement that creates genuine surround sound, enveloping the viewer in audio from multiple directions. Furthermore, the system supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technologies, formats renowned for producing three-dimensional soundscapes. The published specifications state a frequency response ranging from 45Hz to 16kHz with a variance of +/- 5dB, ensuring coverage across both deep bass tones and higher-frequency details.

When I personally tested this soundbar last year, I was impressed by its ability to generate an acoustic experience rivaling far more expensive models found at the higher end of the market. The inclusion of the two rear speakers made an especially dramatic impact during film playback, adding spatial depth and realism to every scene and transforming a typical living room into a miniature theater.

Complementing the hardware, Vizio provides a dedicated mobile application that extends the system’s customizability. Within the app, users have access to three equalizer profiles—movie, music, and direct—allowing them to optimize sound depending on the content being played. Beyond these presets, listeners can fine-tune settings such as treble, bass, and subwoofer levels in order to tailor the output to their personal preferences, which is essential for those who demand a highly individualized audio experience.

Because promotions like this are time-sensitive, it is worth emphasizing that this offer may expire or sell out. If you are convinced by the combination of performance and value, now is the moment to consider purchasing the Vizio 5.1 Soundbar SE directly from Walmart before availability changes.

How I rated this deal:
According to ZDNET’s structured deal-rating methodology, a discount of 13% would customarily merit a rating of 2 out of 5. However, based on my hands-on experience and my personal assessment of this particular model, I assigned it a slightly higher rating of 3 out of 5. My reasoning is straightforward: despite the modest percentage reduction, this soundbar delivers exceptional audio quality, and the newly reduced price—below $200—makes it an especially compelling option. The balance of cost and high-quality audio performance gives it more value than comparable bargains at this discount tier.

It is also important to note that all deals come with some level of unpredictability, as stock levels fluctuate and retailers change prices without notice. At ZDNET, we remain committed to ensuring that our readers have immediate access to the best active offers available. Our expert team continually reviews and verifies deals so that shoppers can confidently pursue legitimate savings. If this particular bargain has expired by the time you read this, rest assured we are constantly uncovering new opportunities to help you maximize value, which you can consistently find highlighted at ZDNET.com.

Our broader mission is to provide shoppers with clear guidance that is founded on expertise and decades of testing experience. ZDNET carries over 33 years of authority in the technology space, employing 30 active reviewers and operating within 10,000 square feet of labs where devices are rigorously evaluated. This allows us to offer insights backed by first-hand analysis rather than surface-level impressions.

In 2025, we refined our approach to deal evaluation even further, introducing a transparent scoring system designed to provide readers with measurable criteria for understanding savings opportunities. Most deals you encounter on our platform now include an editorial badge reflecting this internal rating, thus making it easier for consumers to gauge whether a particular offer aligns with both financial value and product quality.

Underlying the system is a percentage-based calculation of discounts, balanced with additional context such as brand reputation, product relevance, and market frequency. This combination of quantitative measurement and expert qualitative judgment produces a curated list of savings that are selected with our readers in mind. Ultimately, the deals highlighted on ZDNET are chosen to reflect not only cost savings but also real value, offering an assurance that the recommendations we share are well worth your attention.

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By following this refined process and consistently updating the deals we feature, our goal remains to help you make smarter purchasing decisions while ensuring you never miss an opportunity to secure a meaningful saving on technology products that enhance your home and lifestyle.

Sourse: https://www.zdnet.com/article/this-vizio-soundbar-has-impressive-surround-sound-and-its-on-sale/