Vizio SB36512-F6 vs Vizio SB46514-F6 Side-by-Side Soundbar Comparison

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Jan 12, 2024 04:16 PM

See Vizio SB36512-F6 Review

Channels5.1.2

Channels5.1.4

Variants

SB36512-F6

SB46514-F6 (Black)

Review

See Vizio SB46514-F6 Review

Our Verdict

Vizio SB36512-F6

Vizio SB46514-F6

The Vizio 46-inch 5.1.4 F6 isn't that much better than the Vizio 36-inch 5.1.2 F6 soundbar. Their performances are quite similar, but the 5.1.4 soundbar setup has two additional up-firing speakers on the surround satellites. We also measured a bit more compression on the 46-inch model, although we don't expect most people to notice this. However, the 46-inch 5.1.4 F6 has a better overall surround performance. For most people, the 36-inch will offer better value.

Check Price

Standard

SB36512-F6

Black

SB46514-F6

Standard

SB36512-F6

Black

SB46514-F6

Standard

SB36512-F6

Black

SB46514-F6

Standard

SB36512-F6

Black

SB46514-F6

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

No major differences between these soundbars for mixed usage. See full list of tests below.

Full Comparison

Mixed Usage

7.8

Dialogue/TV Shows

7.8

Music

7.8

Movies

7.7

7.8

Design

Style - Bar

Style photo - bar

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Style - Subwoofer

Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless

Yes

Enclosure

Ported

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Style - Satellites

Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless

Partial, wired to wireless sub

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Dimensions - Bar

Dimensions photo - bar

Width

36.0" (91.5 cm)

46.1" (117.0 cm)

Height

2.6" (6.6 cm)

2.6" (6.5 cm)

Depth

3.4" (8.7 cm)

3.3" (8.5 cm)

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Dimensions - Subwoofer

Dimensions photo - sub

Width

7.0" (17.9 cm)

14.0" (35.5 cm)

Height

11.5" (29.2 cm)

14.4" (36.5 cm)

Depth

11.4" (29.0 cm)

14.0" (35.5 cm)

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Dimensions - Satellites

Dimensions photo - satellites

Width

2.6" (6.6 cm)

3.0" (7.7 cm)

Height

5.7" (14.5 cm)

6.6" (16.7 cm)

Depth

2.9" (7.3 cm)

2.6" (6.7 cm)

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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

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In The Box

In The Box photo

HDMI Cable Length

1.9 m (6.2 ft)

Digital Optical Cable Length

1.5 m (4.9 ft)

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Back - Bar

Back photo - bar

Bar Mounting

Universal (holes on back)

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Back - Subwoofer

Back photo - sub

Enclosure

Ported

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Back - Satellites

Back photo - satellites

Mounting

Universal (holes on back)

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Sound

Stereo Frequency Response

8.1

Stereo Setup

Raw Frequency Response

Frequency Response Small

Tested Preset

Direct

Slope

-0.49

-0.43

Std. Err.

2.74 dB

2.70 dB

Channels

5.1.2

5.1.4

Low-Frequency Extension

33.6 Hz

High-Frequency Extension

19.9 kHz

19.1 kHz

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Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration

8.2

8.1

Frequency Response Calibrated

Suggested Preset

Direct

Suggested Bass Setting

-4

Suggested Treble Setting

Slope

0.13

-0.43

Std. Err.

2.43 dB

2.70 dB

Low-Frequency Extension

34.1 Hz

33.6 Hz

High-Frequency Extension

19.6 kHz

19.1 kHz

Stereo Soundstage

7.0

Crosstalk

Crosstalk Error

2.21 dB

2.20 dB

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Stereo Dynamics

8.4

8.2

Dynamic Range Compression

SPL @ Max Volume

94.4 dB SPL

96.7 dB SPL

DRC @ Max Volume

0.72 dB

1.59 dB

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Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion

7.4

6.8

THD

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.49

0.59

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

2.51

5.66

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Center

8.5

8.2

Center Setup

Frequency Response

Localization

Discrete

Slope

-0.12

-0.05

Std. Err.

2.33 dB

3.27 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

90.9 dB SPL

93.8 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.41

0.98

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

1.75

6.95

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Surround 5.1

6.8

7.5

Surround Setup

Frequency Response

Localization

Discrete

Slope

-1.91

-1.17

Std. Err.

5.46 dB

3.98 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

90.2 dB SPL

92.7 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

0.47

0.23

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

2.26

1.16

7.1 Rears

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Height (Atmos)

6.0

6.4

Height Setup

H Frequency Response

Localization

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)

Slope

0.01

-0.77

Std. Err.

4.64 dB

4.59 dB

SPL @ Max Volume

90.2 dB SPL

90.4 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB

1.91

2.65

Weighted THD @ Max Volume

1.02

0.47

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Sound Enhancement Features

5.9

5.8

Room Correction

Dialogue Enhancement

Auto-Volume/Night Mode

Yes

Subwoofer Level Adjustment

Yes

Bass Adjustment

Yes

Treble Adjustment

Yes

EQ

Presets

Surround Level Adjustment

Yes

Rear Level Adjustment

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

8.4

Dolby Atmos

Supported

Yes

Dolby Digital

Supported

Yes

Dolby Digital Plus

Supported

Yes

Dolby TrueHD

Not Supported

DTS

Supported

Yes

DTS:X

Not Supported

eARC

DTS-HD MA

Not Supported

PCM Channels

2.0

5.1 PCM (eARC only)

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Audio Format Support: HDMI In

9.7

9.9

Dolby Atmos

Supported

Yes

Dolby Digital

Supported

Yes

Dolby Digital Plus

Supported

Yes

Dolby TrueHD

Supported

Yes

DTS

Supported

Yes

DTS:X

Not Supported

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

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Latency

7.4

7.6

Latency Video

ARC

56 ms

63 ms

Optical

53 ms

89 ms

Full HDMI In

-85 ms

67 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

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

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Connectivity - Satellites

Physical inputs satellites photo 1

Physical controls satellites photo 1

Sat Wireless

Partial, wired to wireless sub

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Additional Features

Interface

Interface photo

Display

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Bar Controls

Controls photo

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Remote

Remote photo

Universal Remote

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Voice Assistants Support

Amazon Alexa

Google Assistant

Apple Siri

Microphone Mute

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App

App image

App Name

Vizio SmartCast

iOS

Yes

Android

Yes

Acts As A Remote

Yes

Controls Soundbar's Settings

All

Casts Device Files

Yes

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Other Features

Power Saving

Auto-off

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)

Yes

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Check Price

Standard

SB36512-F6

Black

SB46514-F6

Standard

SB36512-F6

Black

SB46514-F6

Standard

SB36512-F6

Black

SB46514-F6

Standard

SB36512-F6

Black

SB46514-F6