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Vizio SB36512-F6 vs Vizio M Series M51a-H6
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Vizio SB36512-F6
Vizio M Series M51a-H6
Tested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Jan 12, 2024 04:18 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Sep 04, 2024 08:43 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels5.1.2
Channels5.1
Variants
- SB36512-F6
- M Series M51a-H6 (Black)
Our Verdict
Vizio SB36512-F6
Vizio M Series M51a-H6
The Vizio M Series M51a-H6 is a better soundbar than the Vizio SB36512-F6. The M Series has a more neutral sound profile out of the box and can get louder. It has a better surround performance and more sound enhancement features and supports DTS:X. However, the SB36512-F6 is Wi-Fi compatible and has Chromecast built-in.
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.
Main Differences for
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.8
8.0
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
Partial, wired to wireless sub
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
36.0" (91.5 cm)
36.0" (91.5 cm)
Height
2.6" (6.6 cm)
2.3" (5.8 cm)
Depth
3.4" (8.7 cm)
3.5" (9.0 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
7.0" (17.9 cm)
8.3" (21.2 cm)
Height
11.5" (29.2 cm)
9.9" (25.2 cm)
Depth
11.4" (29.0 cm)
11.7" (29.7 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
2.6" (6.6 cm)
5.7" (14.6 cm)
Height
5.7" (14.5 cm)
2.3" (5.8 cm)
Depth
2.9" (7.3 cm)
3.5" (9.0 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
7.0
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.1
8.0
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
5.1.2
5.1
Tested Preset
Direct
Direct
Slope
-0.49
-0.46
Standard Error
2.74 dB
3.35 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
33.6 Hz
31.3 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.2
8.0
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Direct
Direct
Suggested Bass Setting
-4
-5
Suggested Treble Setting
2
1
Slope
0.13
-0.20
Standard Error
2.43 dB
3.29 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
34.1 Hz
30.8 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.6 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.0
7.0
Crosstalk Error
2.21 dB
2.47 dB
Stereo Dynamics
8.4
8.4
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
94.4 dB SPL
96.0 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
0.23 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
0.72 dB
1.94 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.4
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.49
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.51
Center
8.5
8.4
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.12
-0.17
Std. Err.
2.33 dB
2.85 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
90.9 dB SPL
93.5 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.41
0.74
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.75
1.68
Surround 5.1
6.8
7.5
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-1.91
-0.10
Std. Err.
5.46 dB
4.15 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
90.2 dB SPL
94.7 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.47
0.32
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.26
1.06
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
6.0
5.9
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Front Firing, Satellites)
Slope
0.01
-0.03
Std. Err.
4.64 dB
4.06 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
90.2 dB SPL
86.9 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
1.91
2.29
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.02
0.33
Sound Enhancement Features
5.9
7.1
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
No
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
9.9
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 5.1
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
9.7
9.9
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 5.1
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
2.0
Audio Latency: ARC
7.3
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
98 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
105 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
103 ms
Dolby Digital
99 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
105 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
121 ms
Audio Latency: HDMI In
7.4
9.0
HDMI Latency Video
Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
105 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
82 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
95 ms
Dolby Digital
93 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
82 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
90 ms
ARC
56 ms
Optical
53 ms
Full HDMI In
-85 ms
Audio Latency: Optical
5.6
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
240 ms
Dolby Digital
156 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
7.8
8.7
1080p Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
120Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
120Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
60Hz
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
Yes
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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Vizio SB36512-F6
Vizio M Series M51a-H6
Comments
Vizio SB36512-F6 vs Vizio M Series M51a-H6: Main Discussion
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