36 51 Vizio Smartcast Sound Bar System Review

Test Results

Design

The bar of this setup is covered by fabric at the front end and the top, which unfortunately can easily get dirty or damaged. The back and the underside are made of plastic and the 2 sides are covered by silvery-colored plastic with the Vizio logo in the center.

The sub has a very similar mode to the bar. It also has its front and summit faces covered by fabric. The port is establish on the back and is fabricated of plastic. The two sides have large silvery-colored plates with the Vizio logo in the centre.

The satellites follow the aforementioned mode. Fabric at the front end and peak, plastic at the back, and two argent-colored plates at the sides with the Vizio logo. If you want an Atmos soundbar but don't accept space for satellites, check out the Polk Sound Signa S4.

Width 36.0" (91.5 cm)

Height 2.6" (6.six cm)

Depth 3.iv" (eight.7 cm)

The bar isn't too wide, only might non fit betwixt the legs of a 55" Tv set, depending on its stand up. It's too not too tall, so it's unlikely that it'll block the lesser function of your screen unless your Telly sits flush on the tabular array, like the Sony A9F.

Width 7.0" (17.ix cm)

Pinnacle eleven.5" (29.2 cm)

Depth 11.4" (29.0 cm)

The subwoofer is about the size of an average desktop PC and won't take up too much space. Unlike the Vizio SB36312-G6's subwoofer, this subwoofer can simply exist placed in an upright position.

Width ii.half dozen" (6.6 cm)

Height five.7" (xiv.five cm)

Depth 2.9" (vii.iii cm)

The satellites aren't too large. Unfortunately, they don't pair wirelessly and take to connect to the sub by a cable to get their bespeak. This places some limitations as to where you can place the sub, every bit the satellites are surround speakers and have to be placed on the side, slightly behind your couch for an optimal sound experience.

Bar Mounting Universal (holes on back)

The back of the bar is plastic and has two openings where the input ports are. If you wall-mount it, it won't sit affluent on the wall due to its blueprint.

Enclosure Ported

The back of the sub has the port in the middle. The ability cable connects at the lesser, so you can easily hibernate information technology. At the back, yous'll also observe the jacks for the two satellites and ii buttons: one for ability and one for pairing with the bar.

Mounting Universal (holes on back)

The satellites have a plain back. They simply have one connexion for the signal cable that connects to the sub and a hole for wall-mounting them.

The Vizio SB36512-F6 has decent build quality. All components of the setup have a very like style, with a fabric covering the top and front faces and two silverish-colored plates on the sides. Unfortunately, the fabric can hands collect dust and get ripped. The back and the sides are made of good quality plastic but don't feel premium. If you're looking for a improve congenital five.1.ii setup, bank check out the LG SN9YG.

HDMI Cable Length 1.8 g (five.9 ft)

Digital Optical Cable Length 1.5 m (iv.9 ft)

• Transmission
• HDMI Cablevision
• Remote & Batteries
• Power Cables (x2)
• Satellite Speaker Sound Cables (x2)
• Stereo RCA to 3.5mm Audio Cablevision
• 3.5mm to iii.5mm Audio Cablevision
• Digital Optical Cable
• Wall-mounting brackets
• Wall-mounting screws

Sound

Tested Preset Direct

Slope -0.49

Std. Err. two.74 dB

Depression-Frequency Extension 33.6 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 19.9 kHz

The stereo frequency response of the Vizio SB36512-F6 is peachy. The depression-frequency extension is quite depression, which is good. This system will be able to reproduce the deep rumble, thump, and dial of bass. However, there was audible sub-bass port noise in our testing. The rest of the response is quite authentic and flat, resulting in a neutral audio profile with a fleck of extra bass.

Suggested Preset Direct

Suggested Bass Setting -4

Suggested Treble Setting 2

Slope 0.xiii

Std. Err. 2.43 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 34.ane Hz

High-Frequency Extension nineteen.half-dozen kHz

Crosstalk Mistake 2.21 dB

When listening to the Vizio SB36512-F6, the soundstage is decent. It seems the sound comes from the edges of the bar, simply about the aforementioned width equally the Samsung HW-Q60R. The bar doesn't do whatsoever tricks to widen the soundstage fifty-fifty further and sounds quite focused, which is good. Objects in the soundstage come up from an authentic pinpoint location rather than a general area.

SPL @ Max Volume 94.4 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 0.72 dB

The Vizio SB36512-F6 tin get pretty loud and will be suited for large rooms and crowded environments. There's no aural dynamic range pinch in our testing, but nosotros did notice some with real-life content.

Weighted THD @ 80dB 0.49

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 2.51

The THD performance of the Vizio soundbar is good. At a normal listening volume, the amount of THD is within very good limits and the bar will reproduce pure and clean sound. All the same, when pushing the bar at its maximum book, there'south a noticeable jump in THD, especially in the bass range.

Localization Discrete

Gradient -0.12

Std. Err. 2.33 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 90.9 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 0.41

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 1.75

This Vizio is a 5.1.2 arrangement setup that has excellent functioning in the center channel. Due to its configuration, the Vizio SB36512-F6 has a dedicated middle speaker, which results in a clearer and more authentic audio reproduction of the dialog in movies. The frequency response is great across the whole range and you'll be able to get a decent loudness level.

Localization Discrete

Slope -one.91

Std. Err. 5.46 dB

SPL @ Max Volume xc.ii dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 0.47

Weighted THD @ Max Volume two.26

7.1 Rears No

The Vizio SB36512-F6 has defended side environment speakers, but has adequately mediocre performance. The audio profile is very bass-heavy and dark. On the upside, thanks to their localization, surround objects seem to be coming effectually you lot rather than in front, similar a typical stereo system, which is skilful. For an even more than immersive experience, check out the Vizio SB46514-F6 or the Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra ix.2Ch with its four dedicated surround sound satellite speakers.

Localization Phantom (Upwards Firing, Bar)

Slope 0.01

Std. Err. iv.64 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 90.2 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB ane.91

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 1.02

The Atmos performance of this Vizio soundbar is decent. The bar has two up-firing speakers that ricochet the sounds off the ceiling, which creates the illusion of top. Yet, the localization of objects is diffused. It doesn't audio as real as a discrete localization provided by downwardly-firing speakers. The Atmos sound is too much quieter than the other sounds coming from the other speakers, so information technology might be a flake difficult to hear the height audio effects. On the upside, there'southward a peak level adjustment setting within the app, and then y'all might need to set information technology to your preference. It also does better than similar five.1.ii setups like the onn. 42" five.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar.

Room Correction No

Dialogue Enhancement No

Auto-Volume/Night Mode Yeah

Subwoofer Level Adjustment Yes

Bass Adjustment Aye

Treble Adjustment Yes

EQ Presets

Surround Level Adjustment Yeah

Rear Level Adjustment No

Height Level Adjustment Yep

Virtual Surround Yes

Update 07/twenty/2020: We incorrectly listed this soundbar as not having a Height Level Adjustment. However, this characteristic is available when using the Vizio SmartCast app. This review has been updated to reverberate these changes.

The Vizio SB36512-F6 has sub-par audio enhancements. It doesn't have a room correction feature, meaning it might sound differently depending on your room. It besides lacks a dialog enhancement for making voices clearer. On the upside, information technology has both an auto-volume and a night-mode. Y'all can likewise customize the audio profile a chip cheers to the EQ presets and the private bass and treble adjustments. You can turn the acme speakers on/off, or use the Virtual setting, which creates a virtual height speaker effect using the front end-firing speakers according to the manufacturer. You can also arrange the height level via the companion app.

Connectivity

Optical Audio In i

HDMI ARC 1 (shared)

HDMI Out 1 (shared)

Full HDMI In 1

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 1

RCA In No

USB for Files 1

Ethernet 1

The Vizio SB36512-F6 is very versatile, every bit information technology has a pretty consummate set of physical inputs. You should exist able to connect whatsoever device using one of the available inputs. Unlike the JBL Bar five.ane Surround, this bar even has an AUX port and then that you can play audio from some older devices.

eARC No

Dolby Atmos Yes

Dolby Digital Yep

Dolby Digital Plus Yes

DTS Aye

DTS:X (eARC only) No

Dolby TrueHD (eARC simply) No

DTS-HD MA (eARC only) No

5.1 PCM (eARC only) No

The Vizio SB36512-F6 has great sound format support over ARC. It supports the common Dolby Digital and DTS environment sound formats found on streaming platforms and Blu-ray discs. Information technology too offers a more than immersive sound experience cheers to the back up of Dolby Atmos, an object-based environment audio format. Unfortunately, there'southward no support for uncompressed sound formats like 5.ane PCM, over this port. Too, unlike the Vizio M Series M51a-H6, information technology doesn't support DTS:Ten content.

Dolby Atmos Aye

DTS:X No

Dolby Digital Yes

Dolby Digital Plus Yes

DTS Yeah

Dolby TrueHD Yes

DTS-HD MA Yes

5.1 PCM Yes

Excellent audio format support through the Full HDMI In. You'll be able to playback the virtually advanced sound formats. Yous can playback surround audio and object-based formats like Dolby Atmos, or even lossless formats like PCM 5.1. These audio formats are common in Blu-rays and streaming platforms like Netflix.

Dolby Digital Yes

DTS Yes

The Optical Sound has splendid back up for environment sound. Dolby Digital and DTS formats are usually establish on streaming platforms like Netflix or Blu-ray discs. DTS is usually plant every bit the fallback of the DTS-Hard disk MA which is mutual on near recent Blu-rays.

ARC 56 ms

Optical 53 ms

Full HDMI In -85 ms

Update 03/23/2021: In that location was a fault in our methodology where nosotros measured the latency using every second frame (eg. 120fps). We at present re-evaluated the footage using every frame at 240fps for more than accurate results.

Bluetooth Yeah

Wi-Fi Yeah

Chromecast built-in Yes

Apple AirPlay No

Update ten/xvi/2019: A user pointed out that this bar does support Wi-Fi and Chromecast congenital-in. The review and text have been updated.

The wireless playback on this bar is excellent. Yous can enjoy your music past connecting a phone or a tablet wirelessly using Bluetooth, use Wi-Fi and cast content using the Chromecast built-in.

4k @ lx Hz Passthrough Aye

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough Aye

4k @ lx Hz @ four:iv:iv Passthrough Yeah

HDR10 Passthrough Yes

The Vizio SB36512-F6 tin can passthrough the highest bandwidth signals. This means that when connected between your PC and the Tv set, text volition look clear on your Television.

Sub Wireless Yeah

The subwoofer connects wirelessly to the bar, but there's a wired connection to each of the two surround satellites and as well the power cable.

Sat Wireless Partial, wired to wireless sub

The satellites connect to the sub using two very long cables. The sub connects to the bar wirelessly.

Additional Features

Display No

The interface consists of a set of lights in the front end face that wink according to your settings. Unfortunately, they aren't easy to tell apart and you'll take a hard fourth dimension distinguishing which ane is which.

The Vizio SB36512-F6 has a fix of physical buttons on the top confront under the cloth. They serve bones functions like power on/off, input pick, volume control, and Bluetooth pairing.

Universal Remote No

The remote is fairly simple and allows you to control playback and basic functions of the bar. It has a modest screen on the tiptop which is informing yous of the inputs, etc. Unfortunately, it's very hard to read due to the lack of any backlight, which is either non-existent or did not work in our case.

Amazon Alexa No

Google Banana No

Apple Siri No

App Proper noun Vizio SmartCast

iOS Yes

Android Yes

Acts As A Remote Yes

Controls Soundbar's Settings All

Casts Device Files No

The app serves as a consummate remote replacement but also does more than things like allowing y'all to update the soundbar. Unfortunately, information technology's very laggy and doesn't requite yous immediate feedback on the state of the soundbar. This can be abrasive at times, similar in our case where the soundbar updated itself and the app informed united states of america that it wasn't connected.

Power Saving Auto-off

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control) Yes

The Vizio SB36512-F6 has an Auto-Off feature which volition plough itself off after some fourth dimension of inactivity. Also, thanks to HDMI CEC support you can take bones command of the bar using the Idiot box's remote.

Compared To Other Soundbars

The Vizio SB36512-F6 is a very good soundbar, especially for the price. It has very expert performance regardless of what blazon of content you're listening to and its full setup with a sub and satellites gives you an immersive listening experience. Notwithstanding, the satellites are wired to the sub, which isn't ideal, and the app is one of the virtually difficult to navigate seamlessly and without bugs. Run into our recommendations for the all-time soundbars, the all-time small soundbars, and the best soundbars for music.

The Vizio M Series M512a-H6 is slightly better than the Vizio SB36512-F6. The M Series is ameliorate-built, with amend soundstage and surround performances. It also comes with more sound enhancement features like dialogue enhancement. That said, the SB36512-F6 supports more wireless playback options.

The Vizio One thousand Serial M51a-H6 is a better soundbar than the Vizio SB36512-F6. The Yard Series has a more neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, and it can get louder. It has a better surrounds functioning, more than audio enhancement features, and it supports DTS:X. All the same, the SB36512-F6 is Wi-Fi compatible and has Chromecast built-in.

The Vizio Thou Series M51ax-J6 is a bit better for mixed usage than the Vizio SB36512-F6. The M Serial has a better surrounds functioning, and it comes with more sound enhancement features like dialogue enhancement. As well, it has an AUX VA In port for connecting tertiary-party voice assistant devices. However, the SB36512-F6 has more wireless playback options.

The Vizio SB36512-F6 is a somewhat better soundbar for mixed usage than the standalone Sonos Arc. The Vizio offers more wireless playback options and reproduces a more extended low-bass. Information technology comes with EQ presets and a Full HDMI In port, and a dedicated subwoofer and satellites. That said, the Sonos is ameliorate congenital and offers a amend soundstage performance. It likewise has built-in voice assistant support, a room correction feature, and a dialogue enhancement mode. You can also upgrade it every bit the Sonos Arc with Sub + 1 SL Speakers for improve operation.

The Vizio SB36512-F6 is a better overall soundbar than the Vizio V Series V51-H6. The SB36512-F6 supports Atmos content, and information technology has a better surrounds performance. Also, it has more connectivity options, including a Full HDMI In port that allows for 4k passthrough, and Wi-Fi and Chromecast compatibility. That being said, the V Series has a dialogue enhancement feature, which it SB36512-F6 lacks.

The Vizio Elevate is better than the Vizio SB36512-F6. The Drag is meliorate built, and it has a unique design with sides that rotate upwardly to help create a better soundstage performance. It even comes with some more sound enhancement features, similar dialogue enhancement mode.

The Vizio SB36512-F6 is a bit better for mixed usage than the Samsung HW-Q600A. The Vizio is a five.ane.2 setup with discrete satellites that offers amend environment and Atmos performances. There's also less compression when y'all play it at max volume. However, it isn't as well-built equally the Samsung. Also, the Samsung offers more sound enhancement features, like a graphic EQ.

The Vizio 46-inch 5.1.4 F6 isn't that much better than the Vizio 36-inch 5.1.2 F6 soundbar. Their performances are quite similar, merely the 5.1.4 soundbar setup has two additional up-firing speakers on the surround satellites. We also measured a bit more compression on the 46-inch model, although we don't expect most people to notice this. Nevertheless, the 46-inch 5.one.4 F6 has a better overall surround performance. For about people, the 36-inch will offer amend value.

The Vizio SB36512-F6 is a improve soundbar than the Vizio Thou-Series M21d-H8R. The v.1.2 SB36512-F6 has a more neutral sound profile and a ameliorate soundstage performance. Also, thank you to its dedicated heart channel and defended surroundings speakers, it offers improve centre and surround aqueduct performances. It supports Atmos, too. All the same, the 2.1 K-Series comes with a dialogue enhancement feature, which is handy.

The Vizio SB36512-F6 and the LG SN9YG are similarly performing soundbars. The Vizio comes with two satellites, it has a slightly more neutral sound profile, and it can get as loud as the LG with less compression. Its center and top performances are better, and it has an AUX port for older devices. The LG, on the other hand, feels much meliorate congenital, its surround operation is better built, and information technology has more than sound enhancement features bachelor, including room correction. It likewise supports eARC and DTS:10 via its full HDMI In port.

The Vizio SB36512-F6 is a better soundbar than the Vizio V Serial V21-H8. The 5.1.2 SB36512-F6 has a better-balanced sound profile that'southward suited for an even wider array of audio content. It also has discrete environs speakers, and information technology supports Atmos content, different the 2.ane Five Series. It also more connectivity options and is compatible with more wireless playback options, like Chromecast and Wi-Fi. It can as well be controlled via its companion app. That said, the V Serial comes with a dialogue enhancement feature, which the SB36512-F6 lacks.

The Vizio SB36512-F6 is a much improve soundbar setup than the Vizio SB3220n-F6. The SB36512 has v.1.2 channels and can back up Dolby Atmos for a significantly superior surround sound experience. That said, the SB3220n is the ameliorate selection if y'all're tight on space and want something easier to install and use.

The Vizio SB36512-F6 is better than the Samsung HW-Q60R. The Vizio comes with rear satellite speakers that provide a much better surround sound feel. Information technology also has a more than balanced sound signature and a wider option of inputs. Information technology supports more audio formats as well, but the Samsung has a better build quality and more sound enhancement features.

The Vizio SB36512-F6 is a slightly improve soundbar setup than the Samsung HW-Q70R without satellites. The sub of the Samsung performs better, and both back up Atmos. Nonetheless, the Samsung completely cuts out surround content rather than downmixing, which is frustrating, while the environs performance of the Vizio is decent thanks to the dedicated satellites.

The Vizio SB36512-F6 is improve than the Samsung HW-A650. The Vizio is a 5.1.two setup with discrete satellites that supports Dolby Atmos content, unlike the Samsung. It has a better surrounds performance, and it gets louder with less compression at max volume. That said, the 3.1 Samsung is amend built.

The Vizio SB36512-F6 is a better overall soundbar than the LG SK9Y since nosotros haven't tested the SK9Y with the optional satellites. The Vizio can get louder and has a great stereo frequency response. Its dedicated center channels also perform quite significantly better for dialog, but the Vizio lacks a dialog enhancement feature, which the LG does have. The LG soundbar is as well better-built and should perform meliorate with detached surroundings speakers. Information technology also has Wi-Fi compatibility and Chromecast built-in.

The Samsung HW-Q90R is a better soundbar system than the Vizio SB36512-F6. It's a 7.1.four setup ameliorate congenital and has better soundstage and environment performances. It can also get louder with less compression at max book. There are fifty-fifty more sound enhancement features, such as a graphic EQ and a dialogue enhancement mode.

The Vizio SB36512-F6 is a better soundbar system than the Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra nine.2Ch for almost people, particularly for the price. It has dandy overall functioning, with a very good, neutral sound profile. On the other hand, its surround audio listening experience isn't as immersive as the Nakamichi soundbar with its four dedicated surround speakers.

The Vizio SB36512-F6 is amend than the Polk Sound Signa S4. The Vizio is a 5.ane.two setup with discrete satellites. It has a amend surroundings operation and tin reproduce a more than extended low-bass than the Polk. Unlike the Polk, it fifty-fifty has a Full HDMI In port for video passthrough. If y'all don't take infinite for satellites, the Polk is still a decent pick.

The Vizio SB36512-F6 is a better soundbar than the LG SL6Y. The Vizio is an Atmos-enabled 5.1.two soundbar while the LG is only iii.1. The Vizio sounds much ameliorate, does a much better job with environment content thanks to its defended satellite speakers, and has Wi-Fi for ameliorate wireless music playback. On the other mitt, the LG feels better-congenital and has a screen on the bar to better meet your input selections.

The Vizio SB36512-F6 is amend than the onn. 42" 5.1. 2. Dolby Atmos Soundbar. They're both budget-friendly 5.i.2 setups, just the Vizio offers improve surround and Atmos performances. Information technology comes with discrete satellites, unlike the onn, and there are more sound enhancement features available. Besides, information technology tin can reproduce a more extended depression-bass to assist you feel the rumble in action-packed movies and bass-heavy music.

The Samsung HW-Q80R is a slightly better 5.one.2 soundbar setup than the Vizio SB36512-F6. It can get louder and its stereo soundstage feels a flake wider too. However, we didn't test the Samsung with satellites. The environs performance of the Vizio is slightly better due to the detached localization of the surround speakers. On the other hand, the Samsung is Wi-Fi compatible and has an extra HDMI In port for you to use your bar every bit a hub for your unlike devices.

The Vizio SB36512-F6 is a meliorate performing soundbar than the Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar. It has a better stereo frequency response performance and has a defended sub and surroundings speakers, while the Sennheiser is but a bar that tries to exercise it all. On the other hand, the Sennheiser does have a virtual surround way that is quite impressive for a stand up-lone bar. It'southward also better-built, although very large and heavy.

The Vizio SB36512-F6 is a improve 5.1.2 setup than the Monoprice SB-600. The Vizio has a more than neutral sound profile and can produce a more extended low-bass. It likewise has a better height performance, and it has support for Wi-Fi and built-in Chromecast. However, the Monoprice has a slightly more immersive surrounds operation, and it comes with a dialogue enhancement feature.

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Source: https://www.rtings.com/soundbar/reviews/vizio/sb36512-f6

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