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Vizio SB36512-F6 vs Polk Audio Signa S4
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Vizio SB36512-F6
Polk Audio Signa S4
Tested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Jan 12, 2024 04:18 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Jan 17, 2024 02:50 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels5.1.2
Channels3.1.2
Variants
- SB36512-F6
- Signa S4 (Black)
Our Verdict
Vizio SB36512-F6
Polk Audio Signa S4
The Vizio SB36512-F6 is better than the Polk Audio Signa S4. The Vizio is a 5.1.2 setup with discrete satellites. It has a better surround performance and can reproduce a more extended low-bass than the Polk. Unlike the Polk, it even has a Full HDMI In port for video passthrough. If you don't have space for satellites, the Polk is still a decent choice.
Check Price
Standard
SB36512-F6
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Amazon.comBlack
Signa S4
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comStandard
SB36512-F6
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BestBuy.comBlack
Signa S4
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BestBuy.comStandard
SB36512-F6
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Walmart.comBlack
Signa S4
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Walmart.comStandard
SB36512-F6
SEARCH
B&HBlack
Signa S4
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B&HNotice:
Two or more of the products selected have been tested with different test methodologies, so some of the results below aren't directly comparable.
Learn how our test benches and scoring system work, and read more about the latest changes to our
soundbars test methodology.
Read more
Main Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.8
6.9
Stereo Frequency Response
8.1
7.3
Surround 5.1
6.8
3.4
Stereo Dynamics
8.4
7.0
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
9.7
0.0
Dialogue Enhancement
No
Yes
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
Yes
Enclosure
Ported
Ported
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
Partial, wired to wireless sub
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
36.0" (91.5 cm)
41.1" (104.5 cm)
Height
2.6" (6.6 cm)
2.4" (6.0 cm)
Depth
3.4" (8.7 cm)
3.7" (9.5 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
7.0" (17.9 cm)
7.9" (20.0 cm)
Height
11.5" (29.2 cm)
12.9" (32.7 cm)
Depth
11.4" (29.0 cm)
11.0" (28.0 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
2.6" (6.6 cm)
N/A
Height
5.7" (14.5 cm)
N/A
Depth
2.9" (7.3 cm)
N/A
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
No
Mountable Satellites
Yes
No
Satellite Brackets Included
Yes
No
Build Quality
7.0
7.0
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.1
7.3
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
5.1.2
3.1.2
Tested Preset
Direct
Music
Slope
-0.49
-0.83
Standard Error
2.74 dB
3.32 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
33.6 Hz
47.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
16.7 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.2
7.4
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Direct
Music
Suggested Bass Setting
-4
-3
Suggested Treble Setting
2
N/A
Slope
0.13
-0.15
Standard Error
2.43 dB
2.69 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
34.1 Hz
49.7 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.6 kHz
17.0 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.0
7.0
Crosstalk Error
2.21 dB
1.83 dB
Stereo Dynamics
8.4
7.0
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
94.4 dB SPL
87.5 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
N/A
DRC @ Max Volume
0.72 dB
1.10 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.4
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.49
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.51
Center
8.5
7.5
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.12
-0.92
Std. Err.
2.33 dB
4.35 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
90.9 dB SPL
84.0 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.41
0.97
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.75
2.25
Surround 5.1
6.8
3.4
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
-1.91
-1.69
Std. Err.
5.46 dB
4.58 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
90.2 dB SPL
86.2 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.47
0.95
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.26
2.59
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
6.0
5.8
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Slope
0.01
-1.33
Std. Err.
4.64 dB
4.72 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
90.2 dB SPL
83.6 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.91
0.70
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.02
0.95
Sound Enhancement Features
5.9
4.5
Room Correction
No
No
Dialogue Enhancement
No
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
Yes
No
EQ
Presets
Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Virtual Surround
Yes
No
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI Out
ARC
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
No
Full HDMI In
1
No
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
1
1
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
1
1
Ethernet
1
No
Subwoofer Output
No
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
8.3
8.1
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Not Supported
DTS:X
Not Supported
Not Supported
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
Not Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
9.7
0.0
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Not Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Not Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Not Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Not Supported
DTS
Supported
Not Supported
DTS:X
Not Supported
Not Supported
DTS-HD MA
Supported
Not Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 5.1
Not Supported
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
6.5
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Not Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
2.0
Audio Latency: ARC
8.1
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
87 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
88 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
73 ms
Dolby Digital
94 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
97 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
102 ms
Audio Latency: HDMI In
7.4
0.0
HDMI Latency Video
Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
N/A
PCM-5.1 ch
N/A
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
N/A
Dolby Digital
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
N/A
ARC
56 ms
Optical
53 ms
Full HDMI In
-85 ms
Audio Latency: Optical
6.3
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
140 ms
Dolby Digital
386 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
7.8
0.0
1080p Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
Not Supported
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
Not Supported
4k Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
Not Supported
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
Not Supported
8k Max Refresh Rate
30Hz
Not Supported
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
No
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
No
No
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
Yes
No
FreeSync Passthrough
No
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
No
ALLM Passthrough
Yes
No
Wireless Playback
9.0
6.0
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
No
Chromecast built-in
Yes
No
Apple AirPlay
No
No
Spotify Connect
No
No
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
No
No
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
No
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
No
Check Price
Standard
SB36512-F6
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Signa S4
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comStandard
SB36512-F6
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
Signa S4
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comStandard
SB36512-F6
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
Signa S4
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comStandard
SB36512-F6
SEARCH
B&HBlack
Signa S4
SEE PRICE
B&H
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Vizio SB36512-F6
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Vizio SB36512-F6 vs Polk Audio Signa S4: Main Discussion
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