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Vizio SB36512-F6 vs Vizio M Series Elevate M512E-K6
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Vizio SB36512-F6
Vizio M Series Elevate M512E-K6
Tested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Jan 12, 2024 04:18 PM
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Walmart.comTested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Aug 21, 2023 04:16 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels5.1.2
Channels5.1.2
Variants
- SB36512-F6
- M512E-K6 (Black)
Our Verdict
Vizio SB36512-F6
Vizio M Series Elevate M512E-K6
The Vizio SB36512-F6 and the Vizio M Series Elevate M512E-K6 are both 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos soundbars, and they each have different strengths. The Elevate is a 2022 bar with a unique design, as its sides rotate upwards when you watch Atmos content, providing a more immersive sound. It has more sound enhancement features, and it's better built. The SB36512-F6 is still a versatile alternative, with more wireless playback options. Since it's older, you may be able to find it at a better price, meaning it may be a better value for some users.
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Standard
SB36512-F6
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M512E-K6
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SB36512-F6
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M512E-K6
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SB36512-F6
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M512E-K6
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SB36512-F6
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M512E-K6
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SB36512-F6
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M512E-K6
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Finding storeMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.8
8.0
Dialogue Enhancement
No
Yes
Stereo Dynamics
8.4
7.2
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
Partial, wired to wireless sub
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
36.0" (91.5 cm)
41.3" (105.0 cm)
Height
2.6" (6.6 cm)
2.6" (6.6 cm)
Depth
3.4" (8.7 cm)
4.7" (11.9 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
7.0" (17.9 cm)
7.9" (20.0 cm)
Height
11.5" (29.2 cm)
9.6" (24.4 cm)
Depth
11.4" (29.0 cm)
13.8" (35.0 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
2.6" (6.6 cm)
6.3" (16.0 cm)
Height
5.7" (14.5 cm)
2.6" (6.6 cm)
Depth
2.9" (7.3 cm)
4.7" (11.9 cm)
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
Yes
Mountable Satellites
Yes
Yes
Satellite Brackets Included
Yes
Yes
Build Quality
7.0
8.0
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.1
8.1
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
Direct
Direct
Slope
-0.49
-0.23
Std. Err.
2.74 dB
3.03 dB
Channels
5.1.2
5.1.2
Low-Frequency Extension
33.6 Hz
32.7 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.2
8.1
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Direct
Direct
Suggested Bass Setting
-4
-3
Suggested Treble Setting
2
-1
Slope
0.13
-0.07
Std. Err.
2.43 dB
2.80 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
34.1 Hz
32.7 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.6 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.0
7.5
Crosstalk Error
2.21 dB
2.58 dB
Stereo Dynamics
8.4
7.2
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
94.4 dB SPL
98.0 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
0.72 dB
3.92 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.4
7.9
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.49
0.31
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.51
2.15
Center
8.5
8.3
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.12
0.41
Std. Err.
2.33 dB
2.60 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
90.9 dB SPL
89.6 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.41
0.69
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.75
2.04
Surround 5.1
6.8
7.6
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-1.91
-0.67
Std. Err.
5.46 dB
3.54 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
90.2 dB SPL
91.1 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.47
0.34
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.26
1.18
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
6.0
6.3
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Slope
0.01
-0.63
Std. Err.
4.64 dB
3.32 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
90.2 dB SPL
84.2 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.91
1.82
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.02
0.38
Sound Enhancement Features
5.9
7.4
Room Correction
No
No
Dialogue Enhancement
No
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
Yes
Yes
EQ
Presets
Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Virtual Surround
Yes
Yes
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
1
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
10
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Not Supported
Supported
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
9.7
10
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
DTS:X
Not Supported
Supported
DTS-HD MA
Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 5.1
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
2.0
Latency
7.4
7.3
Latency Video
ARC
56 ms
88 ms
Optical
53 ms
98 ms
Full HDMI In
-85 ms
54 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
7.8
9.0
1080p Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
120Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
120Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
120Hz
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
60Hz
8k Max Refresh Rate
30Hz
30Hz
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
Yes
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
Yes
Dolby Vision Passthrough
No
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
Yes
Yes
FreeSync Passthrough
No
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
No
ALLM Passthrough
Yes
Yes
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
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Standard
SB36512-F6
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M512E-K6
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SB36512-F6
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M512E-K6
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SB36512-F6
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M512E-K6
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SB36512-F6
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M512E-K6
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SB36512-F6
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M512E-K6
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Vizio SB36512-F6
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Vizio SB36512-F6 vs Vizio M Series Elevate M512E-K6: Main Discussion
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