Nathan Rizzuti, dedicated to Gadget Review for over 4 years, specializes in home entertainment technology and purchasing decisions. Outside of work, Nathan finds solace in playing bluegrass. With 50 months of consistent contributions at GadgetReview, Nathan’s expertise lies in navigating the realms of home entertainment technology and aiding purchasing decisions. His insightful articles, such as “Oh Ballers of Pittsburgh, Where Art Thou,” reflect a unique perspective that resonates with readers.
The Vizio SB36512-F6 soundbar offers impressive sound quality and Dolby Atmos support for an immersive experience. However, it lacks dialogue enhancement features. Overall, it’s a good buy for the price, considering the impressive sound quality.
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Table of Contents
Product Snapshot
Overview
The Vizio SB36512-F6 is a mid-range 5.1.2 soundbar that made its debut back in 2018, promising Dolby Atmos support and an immersive soundstage for movie content. This system has a remarkably neutral sound profile out of the box, producing pleasant music and movie content. Although it comes with satellite surround speakers, the surround performance is a bit disappointing.
Check out our list of the best-rated speakers for more immersive speakers. This soundbar has a great selection of wired connectivity options that include Optical, shared HDMI ARC+Out, and the full HDMI in.
Other ports are 3.5 mm, USB, and Ethernet. Users can stream content via both Bluetooth and Chromecast too. With its dedicated wireless subwoofer, this soundbar produces deep bass that will bring movies and music to life. It has decent audio latency, so users won’t notice any discrepancy between the lips and audio and video during dialogue movie segments. +
It achieves a top output of 94.4 dB, getting loud enough to fill large rooms and small parties. Continue reading our Vizio SB36512-F6 review below and see how it compares with the top-rated soundbars on the market today.
Consensus
our Verdict
The Vizio SB36512-F6 soundbar is versatile, with average latency and various connectivity options, including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi playback. The Dolby Atmos support adds an immersive dimension to the sound, but these positive aspects are balanced by occasional sound interruptions or system shutdowns during use.
The sound quality is impressive, providing clear dialogue reproduction, deep thumpy bass, and a neutral sound profile. However, the initial setup can be challenging due to the SmartCast app’s limitations and connectivity issues.
Despite these technical frustrations, the Vizio SB36512-F6 offers a versatile sound solution. The wireless subwoofer and satellite speakers create a more encompassing audio experience. However, the lack of a dialogue enhancement feature and some remote control inconsistencies are notable drawbacks. The controls are easy to use but are very basic.
ReasonS to Buy
Great sound quality and great clear dialogue reproduction
Dolby Atmos support for immersive audio
Versatile connectivity options with wireless subwoofer
Good build quality with fabric finish
Quality stereo performance
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi playback options
Supports advanced sound formats over HDMI
Reason to Avoid
Challenging initial setup with the SmartCast app
Connectivity issues causing sound loss or shutdown
Inconsistent remote control functionality
Lack of dialogue and room correction enhancement features
App slow, buggy, and laden with ads
Limited wireless casting capability
Occasional shutdowns or loss of sound during use
Vizio SB36512-F6 Specs
Bluetooth Enabled
Yes
Depth
3.2"
Dialogue Enhancement Feature
na
Energy Star Certified
Yes
HDMI ARC
Yes
Height
2.5"
Number of Audio Channels
5.1.2
Subwoofer
Included
Surround Sound Supported
Dolby Atmos
Voice Assistant
na
Wall Mountable
Yes
Weight
5.6 lbs
Width
36"
Wireless Connectivity
Bluetooth
Wireless Subwoofer Connectivity
na
Works With
Google Assistant
All Specs
Test Results
These are the most important criteria to test for Soundbars based on our comprehensive Testing Methodology.
Low End Roll Off (Hz)
62.586
High End Roll Off (Hz)
16,254.986
Max Volume Test (db)
94.4
Latency (ms)
56
THD @ 80dB
0.49
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The Vizio SB36512-F6 is a mid-range 5.1.2 soundbar that made its debut back in 2018, promising Dolby Atmos support and an immersive soundstage for movie…
The Vizio SB36512-F6 is a mid-range 5.1.2 soundbar that made its debut back in 2018, promising Dolby Atmos support and an immersive soundstage for movie content. This system has a remarkably neutral sound profile out of the box, producing pleasant music and movie content. Although it comes with satellite surround speakers, the surround performance is a bit disappointing.
Check out our list of the best-rated speakers for more immersive speakers. This soundbar has a great selection of wired connectivity options that include Optical, shared HDMI ARC+Out, and the full HDMI in.
Other ports are 3.5 mm, USB, and Ethernet. Users can stream content via both Bluetooth and Chromecast too. With its dedicated wireless subwoofer, this soundbar produces deep bass that will bring movies and music to life. It has decent audio latency, so users won’t notice any discrepancy between the lips and audio and video during dialogue movie segments. +
It achieves a top output of 94.4 dB, getting loud enough to fill large rooms and small parties. Continue reading our Vizio SB36512-F6 review below and see how it compares with the top-rated soundbars on the market today.
With two extra up-firing channels on the surround satellite speakers, the 46-inch Vizio SB46514-F6 is more immersive than the 36-inch Vizio SB36512-F6. It also provides…
With two extra up-firing channels on the surround satellite speakers, the 46-inch Vizio SB46514-F6 is more immersive than the 36-inch Vizio SB36512-F6. It also provides a better surround soundstage. That said, the Vizio SB36512-F6 is the cheaper option. However, If you prefer the 46-inch system, check out our Vizio SB46514-F6 review today.
The Vizio m512a-H6 offers a wider stereo soundstage and boasts a better surround performance than the Vizio SB36512-F6. It is also equipped with a dialogue…
The Vizio m512a-H6 offers a wider stereo soundstage and boasts a better surround performance than the Vizio SB36512-F6. It is also equipped with a dialogue enhancement feature, unlike the Vizio SB36512-F6. On the other hand, the Vizio SB36512-F6 boasts built-in Chromecast, unlike the Vizio m512a-H6. Check out our Vizio m512a-H6 review to learn more today.
Equipped with built-in Chromecast, the Vizio SB36512-F6 offers a wider range of wireless streaming options than the Sonos Arc, which doesn’t support Chromecast. It also…
Equipped with built-in Chromecast, the Vizio SB36512-F6 offers a wider range of wireless streaming options than the Sonos Arc, which doesn’t support Chromecast. It also produces deeper extended low bass and boasts equalizer presets, unlike the standalone Sonos Arc. That said, the Sonos Arc comes with a built-in voice assistant and has a room correction feature, unlike the Vizio SB36512-F6.
