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  1. Home
  2. Soundbar
  3. Compare
  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Style - Bar
    2. Style - Subwoofer
    3. Style - Satellites
    4. Dimensions - Bar
    5. Dimensions - Subwoofer
    6. Dimensions - Satellites
    7. Mounting
    8. Build Quality
    9. In The Box
    10. Back - Bar
    11. Back - Subwoofer
    12. Back - Satellites
  5. Sound
    1. Stereo Frequency Response
    2. Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
    3. Stereo Soundstage
    4. Stereo Dynamics
    5. Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
    6. Center
    7. Surround 5.1
    8. Height (Atmos)
    9. Sound Enhancement Features
  6. Connectivity
    1. Inputs/Outputs - Bar
    2. Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
    3. Audio Format Support: HDMI In
    4. Audio Format Support: Optical
    5. Latency
    6. Video Passthrough To TV
    7. Wireless Playback
    8. Connectivity - Subwoofer
    9. Connectivity - Satellites
  7. Additional Features
    1. Interface
    2. Bar Controls
    3. Remote
    4. Voice Assistants Support
    5. App
    6. Other Features
  8. Comments

Vizio SB36512-F6 vs Vizio M Series M21d-H8R

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Vizio SB36512-F6
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Jan 12, 2024 04:18 PM

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Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Jan 12, 2024 03:54 PM

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Vizio SB36512-F6 Picture
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Picture
Channels
5.1.2
Channels
2.1

Variants

  • SB36512-F6
  • M-Series M21d-H8R (Black)

Review

See Vizio SB36512-F6 Review
See Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Review
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Our Verdict

Vizio SB36512-F6

Vizio M Series M21d-H8R

The Vizio SB36512-F6 is a better soundbar than the Vizio M-Series M21d-H8R. The 5.1.2 SB36512-F6 has a more neutral sound profile and a better soundstage performance. Also, thanks to its dedicated center channel and dedicated surround speakers, it offers better center and surround channel performances. It supports Atmos, too. However, the 2.1 M-Series comes with a dialogue enhancement feature, which is handy.

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Standard
SB36512-F6
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Black
M-Series M21d-H8R
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Standard
SB36512-F6
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Black
M-Series M21d-H8R
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Standard
SB36512-F6
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Black
M-Series M21d-H8R
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Standard
SB36512-F6
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Black
M-Series M21d-H8R
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SB36512-F6
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M-Series M21d-H8R
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

7.8
6.8

Height (Atmos) 
 

6.0
0.0

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.1
7.3

Stereo Dynamics 
 

8.4
6.5

Center 
 

8.5
6.7

Surround 5.1 
 

6.8
4.4

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

No
Yes

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Style photo - bar
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Style photo - sub
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
No

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Integrated
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Style photo - satellites
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

Partial, wired to wireless sub
No
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Dimensions photo - bar
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

36.0" (91.5 cm)
36.0" (91.5 cm)

Height  

2.6" (6.6 cm)
2.2" (5.7 cm)

Depth  

3.4" (8.7 cm)
5.3" (13.5 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Dimensions photo - sub
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

7.0" (17.9 cm)
N/A

Height  

11.5" (29.2 cm)
N/A

Depth  

11.4" (29.0 cm)
N/A
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Dimensions photo - satellites
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R 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
Show Text 

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Yes

Mountable Satellites 
 

Yes

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

Yes

Build Quality 
 

7.0
7.5

Build quality photo  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Build quality photo
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Vizio SB36512-F6 In The Box photo
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R In The Box photo

HDMI Cable Length 
 

1.5 m (4.9 ft)

Digital Optical Cable Length 
 

1.5 m (4.9 ft)
Show Text 

Back - Bar  

Back photo - bar  

Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting 
 

Proprietary
Show Text 

Back - Subwoofer  

Back photo - sub  

Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Back photo - sub

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Integrated

Back - Satellites  

Back photo - satellites  

Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Back photo - satellites

Mounting 
 

No
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.1
7.3

Stereo Setup  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Stereo Setup
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Stereo Setup

Raw Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Frequency Response Small  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Tested Preset 
 

Direct
Music

Slope 
 

-0.49
-0.44

Std. Err. 
 

2.74 dB
2.64 dB

Channels 
 

5.1.2
2.1

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

33.6 Hz
53.4 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

8.2
7.3

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Direct
Music

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

-4
-2

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

2
2

Slope 
 

0.13
0.05

Std. Err. 
 

2.43 dB
2.56 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

34.1 Hz
54.2 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.6 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

7.0
6.5

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

2.21 dB
3.37 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

8.4
6.5

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

94.4 dB SPL
96.2 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

0.72 dB
4.88 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

7.4
8.1

THD  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.49
0.29

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

2.51
1.46
Show Text 

Center 
 

8.5
6.7

Center Setup  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Center Setup
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Phantom

Slope 
 

-0.12
-0.72

Std. Err. 
 

2.33 dB
3.06 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

90.9 dB SPL
92.9 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.41
0.37

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.75
1.50
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

6.8
4.4

Surround Setup  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Surround Setup
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Stereo (Downmix)

Slope 
 

-1.91
-0.66

Std. Err. 
 

5.46 dB
2.86 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

90.2 dB SPL
94.6 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.47
0.32

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

2.26
1.55

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

6.0
0.0

Height Setup  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Height Setup
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R H Frequency Response

Localization 
 

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Not Supported

Slope 
 

0.01
N/A

Std. Err. 
 

4.64 dB
N/A

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

90.2 dB SPL
N/A

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

1.91
N/A

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.02
N/A
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

5.9
4.6

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
Yes

EQ 
 

Presets
Presets

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Height Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Virtual Surround 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
1

HDMI Out 
 

ARC
1 (shared)

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

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

HDMI ARC 
 

1 (shared)
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

8.3
7.1

Dolby Atmos 
 

Supported
No

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Supported
No

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Not Supported
No

DTS 
 

Supported
Yes

DTS:X 
 

Not Supported
No

eARC 
 

No

DTS-HD MA 
 

Not Supported
No

PCM Channels 
 

2.0

5.1 PCM (eARC only) 
 

No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

9.7
6.4

Dolby Atmos 
 

Supported
No

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Yes

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Supported
No

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Supported
No

DTS 
 

Supported
No

DTS:X 
 

Not Supported
No

DTS-HD MA 
 

Supported
No

PCM Channels 
 

Up To 5.1

5.1 PCM 
 

No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

10
10

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Yes

DTS 
 

Supported
Yes

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
Show Text 

Latency 
 

7.4
5.0

Latency Video  

ARC 
 

56 ms
195 ms

Optical 
 

53 ms
179 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

-85 ms
49 ms
Show Text 

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
Yes

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

No

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

No

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

Yes

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough 
 

Yes

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

No

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

No

ALLM Passthrough 
 

Yes

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough 
 

Yes

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough 
 

Yes
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

Connectivity - Subwoofer 
 

Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1  

Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1

Physical controls subwoofer photo 1  

Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Physical controls subwoofer photo 1

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
No

Connectivity - Satellites 
 

Physical inputs satellites photo 1  

Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Physical inputs satellites photo 1

Physical controls satellites photo 1  

Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless 
 

Partial, wired to wireless sub
No
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Interface photo
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Interface photo

Display 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Controls photo
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Remote photo
Vizio M Series M21d-H8R Remote photo

Universal Remote 
 

No
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

No
No

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

No
Show Text 

App 
 

App image  

Vizio M Series M21d-H8R App image

App Name  

No App

iOS  

No

Android  

No

Acts As A Remote 
 

No

Controls Soundbar's Settings 
 

No

Casts Device Files 
 

No

Other Features 
 

Power Saving 
 

Auto-off

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control) 
 

Yes
Show Text 

Check Price

Standard
SB36512-F6
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Black
M-Series M21d-H8R
Searching
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Standard
SB36512-F6
Searching
Finding store
Black
M-Series M21d-H8R
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Finding store
Standard
SB36512-F6
Searching
Finding store
Black
M-Series M21d-H8R
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Finding store
Standard
SB36512-F6
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Black
M-Series M21d-H8R
Searching
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Standard
SB36512-F6
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Finding store
Black
M-Series M21d-H8R
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Vizio SB36512-F6

Vizio M Series M21d-H8R

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Vizio SB36512-F6 vs Vizio M Series M21d-H8R: Main Discussion

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