Vizio SB36512-F6 vs Samsung HW-Q80R Side-by-Side Soundbar Comparison

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Jan 11, 2024 07:55 PM

See Vizio SB36512-F6 Review

Channels5.1.2

Variants

SB36512-F6

HW-Q80R

Review

See Samsung HW-Q80R Review

Our Verdict

Vizio SB36512-F6

Samsung HW-Q80R

The Samsung HW-Q80R is a slightly better 5.1.2 soundbar setup than the Vizio SB36512-F6. It can get louder and its stereo soundstage feels a bit wider too. However, we didn’t test the Samsung with satellites. The surround performance of the Vizio is slightly better due to the discrete 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 as a hub for your different devices.

Check Price

Standard

SB36512-F6

Standard

HW-Q80R

Standard

SB36512-F6

Standard

HW-Q80R

Standard

SB36512-F6

Standard

HW-Q80R

Standard

SB36512-F6

Standard

HW-Q80R

Standard

HW-Q80R

Samsung.com

Notice: 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.

Threshold

0.10

Mixed Usage

7.8

8.1

Stereo Frequency Response

8.1

8.5

Dialogue Enhancement

Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode

Yes

Full Comparison

Mixed Usage

7.8

8.1

Dialogue/TV Shows

7.8

8.3

Music

7.8

8.2

Movies

7.7

8.0

Design

Style - Bar

Style photo - bar

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Style - Subwoofer

Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless

Yes

Enclosure

Ported

Show Text

Style - Satellites

Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless

Partial, wired to wireless sub

Show Text

Dimensions - Bar

Dimensions photo - bar

Width

36.0" (91.5 cm)

48.3" (122.7 cm)

Height

2.6" (6.6 cm)

3.1" (8.0 cm)

Depth

3.4" (8.7 cm)

5.4" (13.8 cm)

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Dimensions - Subwoofer

Dimensions photo - sub

Width

7.0" (17.9 cm)

7.9" (20.1 cm)

Height

11.5" (29.2 cm)

15.9" (40.4 cm)

Depth

11.4" (29.0 cm)

15.7" (39.8 cm)

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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

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Mounting

Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar

Yes

Bar Brackets Included

Yes

Mountable Satellites

Yes

Satellite Brackets Included

Yes

Build Quality

7.0

8.0

Build quality photo

Show Text

In The Box

In The Box photo

HDMI Cable Length

1.5 m (4.9 ft)

Digital Optical Cable Length

N/A

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Back - Bar

Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting

Universal (holes on underside)

Show Text

Back - Subwoofer

Back photo - sub

Enclosure

Ported

Show Text

Back - Satellites

Back photo - satellites

Mounting

Show Text

Sound

Stereo Frequency Response

8.1

8.5

Stereo Setup

Raw Frequency Response

Frequency Response Small

Tested Preset

Direct

Standard

Slope

-0.49

-0.52

Std. Err.

2.74 dB

2.49 dB

Channels

5.1.2

Low-Frequency Extension

33.6 Hz

26.3 Hz

High-Frequency Extension

19.9 kHz

18.2 kHz

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Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration

8.2

8.5

Frequency Response Calibrated

Suggested Preset

Direct

Standard

Suggested Bass Setting

-4

Suggested Treble Setting

Slope

0.13

-0.52

Std. Err.

2.43 dB

2.49 dB

Low-Frequency Extension

34.1 Hz

26.3 Hz

High-Frequency Extension

19.6 kHz

18.2 kHz

Stereo Soundstage

7.0

7.5

Crosstalk

Crosstalk Error

2.21 dB

2.35 dB

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Stereo Dynamics

8.4

Dynamic Range Compression

SPL @ Max Volume

94.4 dB SPL

100.4 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume

0.72 dB

2.06 dB

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Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion

7.4

8.4

THD

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.49

0.16

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

2.51

1.34

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Center

8.5

8.8

Center Setup

Frequency Response

Localization

Discrete

Slope

-0.12

-0.32

Std. Err.

2.33 dB

2.38 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

90.9 dB SPL

97.8 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.41

0.33

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

1.75

1.05

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Surround 5.1

6.8

5.1

Surround Setup

Frequency Response

Localization

Discrete

Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)

Slope

-1.91

0.84

Std. Err.

5.46 dB

6.72 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

90.2 dB SPL

92.4 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.47

0.34

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

2.26

1.47

7.1 Rears

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Height (Atmos)

6.0

6.1

Height Setup

H Frequency Response

Localization

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)

Slope

0.01

0.10

Std. Err.

4.64 dB

4.79 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

90.2 dB SPL

93.7 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

1.91

0.32

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

1.02

0.91

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Sound Enhancement Features

5.9

6.3

Room Correction

Dialogue Enhancement

Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode

Yes

Subwoofer Level Adjustment

Yes

Bass Adjustment

Yes

Treble Adjustment

Yes

EQ

Presets

Graphic + Presets

Surround Level Adjustment

Yes

Rear Level Adjustment

Yes

Height Level Adjustment

Yes

Virtual Surround

Yes

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Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In

HDMI Out

ARC

1 (shared)

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth

Full HDMI In

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)

RCA In

USB for Files

Ethernet

Subwoofer Output

HDMI ARC

1 (shared)

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Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC

8.3

Dolby Atmos

Supported

Yes

Dolby Digital

Supported

Yes

Dolby Digital Plus

Supported

Yes

Dolby TrueHD

Not Supported

Yes

DTS

Supported

Yes

DTS:X

Not Supported

Yes

eARC

Yes

DTS-HD MA

Not Supported

Yes

PCM Channels

2.0

5.1 PCM (eARC only)

Yes

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Audio Format Support: HDMI In

9.7

Dolby Atmos

Supported

Yes

Dolby Digital

Supported

Yes

Dolby Digital Plus

Supported

Yes

Dolby TrueHD

Supported

Yes

DTS

Supported

Yes

DTS:X

Not Supported

Yes

DTS-HD MA

Supported

Yes

PCM Channels

Up To 5.1

5.1 PCM

Yes

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Audio Format Support: Optical

Dolby Digital

Supported

Yes

DTS

Supported

Yes

PCM Channels

2.0

Show Text

Latency

7.4

7.3

Latency Video

ARC

56 ms

85 ms

Optical

53 ms

67 ms

Full HDMI In

-85 ms

89 ms

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Video Passthrough To TV

7.8

0.0

1080p Max Refresh Rate

120Hz

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate

120Hz

4k Max Refresh Rate

60Hz

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit

Not Supported

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate

60Hz

8k Max Refresh Rate

30Hz

HDR10 Passthrough

Yes

HDR10+ Passthrough

Dolby Vision Passthrough

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough

Yes

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough

Yes

FreeSync Passthrough

G-SYNC Passthrough

ALLM Passthrough

Yes

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough

Yes

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough

Yes

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Wireless Playback

9.0

8.0

Bluetooth

Yes

Wi-Fi Playback

Yes

Chromecast built-in

Yes

Apple AirPlay

Spotify Connect

Show Text

Connectivity - Subwoofer

Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1

Sub Wireless

Yes

Show Text

Connectivity - Satellites

Physical inputs satellites photo 1

Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless

Partial, wired to wireless sub

Show Text

Additional Features

Interface

Interface photo

Display

Yes

Show Text

Bar Controls

Controls photo

Show Text

Remote

Remote photo

Universal Remote

Show Text

Voice Assistants Support

Amazon Alexa

Google Assistant

Apple Siri

Microphone Mute

Show Text

App

App image

App Name

Samsung SmartThings

iOS

Yes

Android

Yes

Acts As A Remote

Yes

Controls Soundbar's Settings

Some

Casts Device Files

Yes

Show Text

Other Features

Power Saving

Auto-off

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)

Yes

Show Text

Check Price

Standard

SB36512-F6

Standard

HW-Q80R

Standard

SB36512-F6

Standard

HW-Q80R

Standard

SB36512-F6

Standard

HW-Q80R

Standard

SB36512-F6

Standard

HW-Q80R