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  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
  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. Audio Latency: ARC
    6. Audio Latency: HDMI In
    7. Audio Latency: Optical
    8. Video Passthrough To TV
    9. Wireless Playback
  7. Additional Features
    1. Interface
    2. Bar Controls
    3. Remote
    4. Voice Assistants Support
  8. Comments

Vizio SB36512-F6 vs Vizio V Series V51-H6

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Vizio SB36512-F6
Vizio V Series V51-H6

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Jan 12, 2024 04:18 PM

SEE PRICE
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Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Oct 24, 2024 02:30 PM

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Amazon.com
Vizio SB36512-F6 Picture
Vizio V Series V51-H6 Picture

Variants

  • SB36512-F6
  • V Series V51-H6 (Black)

Our Verdict

Vizio SB36512-F6

Vizio V Series V51-H6

The Vizio SB36512-F6 is a better overall soundbar than the Vizio V Series V51-H6. The SB36512-F6 supports Atmos content and has a better surround performance. Also, it has more connectivity options, including a Full HDMI In port that allows for 4k passthrough, and Wi-Fi and Chromecast compatibility. That being said, the V Series has a dialogue enhancement feature, which the SB36512-F6 lacks.

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Standard
SB36512-F6
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Black
V Series V51-H6
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Standard
SB36512-F6
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
V Series V51-H6
SEE PRICE
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Standard
SB36512-F6
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Black
V Series V51-H6
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

7.8
7.4

Height (Atmos) 
 

6.0
0.0

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.1
7.6

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

9.7
0.0

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

No
Yes

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Style photo - bar
Vizio V Series V51-H6 Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Style photo - sub
Vizio V Series V51-H6 Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Style photo - satellites
Vizio V Series V51-H6 Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

Partial, wired to wireless sub
Partial, wired to wireless sub
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Dimensions photo - bar
Vizio V Series V51-H6 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)
3.2" (8.2 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Dimensions photo - sub
Vizio V Series V51-H6 Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

7.0" (17.9 cm)
8.3" (21.2 cm)

Height  

11.5" (29.2 cm)
9.8" (25.0 cm)

Depth  

11.4" (29.0 cm)
8.3" (21.2 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Dimensions photo - satellites
Vizio V Series V51-H6 Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

2.6" (6.6 cm)
4.8" (12.1 cm)

Height  

5.7" (14.5 cm)
2.2" (5.7 cm)

Depth  

2.9" (7.3 cm)
3.2" (8.2 cm)
Show Text 

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Bar Mounting Holes
Vizio V Series V51-H6 Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Satellite Mounting Holes
Vizio V Series V51-H6 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  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Build quality photo
Vizio V Series V51-H6 Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Vizio SB36512-F6 In The Box photo
Vizio V Series V51-H6 In The Box photo
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.1
7.6

Stereo Setup  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Stereo Setup
Vizio V Series V51-H6 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

Channels 
 

5.1.2
5.1

Tested Preset 
 

Direct
Direct

Slope 
 

-0.49
-0.66

Standard Error 
 

2.74 dB
3.28 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

33.6 Hz
40.0 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

8.2
7.7

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Direct
Direct

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

-4
-3

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

2
1

Slope 
 

0.13
0.07

Standard Error 
 

2.43 dB
2.76 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

34.1 Hz
43.0 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.6 kHz
19.9 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

7.0
7.0

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

2.21 dB
2.14 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

8.4
8.6

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

94.4 dB SPL
95.3 dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

0.21 dB

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

0.72 dB
0.97 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

7.4

THD  

See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.49

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

2.51
Show Text 

Center 
 

8.5
8.1

Center Setup  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Center Setup
Vizio V Series V51-H6 Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-0.12
-0.81

Std. Err. 
 

2.33 dB
3.42 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

90.9 dB SPL
91.1 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.41
0.63

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.75
1.68
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

6.8
7.0

Surround Setup  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Surround Setup
Vizio V Series V51-H6 Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-1.91
-1.86

Std. Err. 
 

5.46 dB
4.85 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

90.2 dB SPL
90.2 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.47
0.87

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

2.26
2.61

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

6.0
0.0

Height Setup  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Height Setup
Vizio V Series V51-H6 Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
Vizio V Series V51-H6 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
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
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Vizio V Series V51-H6 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Vizio V Series V51-H6 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
1

HDMI Out 
 

ARC
ARC

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

No
No

Full HDMI In 
 

1
No

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

1
1

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

1
1

Ethernet 
 

1
No

Subwoofer Output 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

8.3
6.3

Dolby Atmos 
 

Supported
Not Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Supported
Not Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

DTS 
 

Supported
Supported

DTS:X 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

DTS-HD MA 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
2.0
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

9.7
0.0

Dolby Atmos 
 

Supported
Not Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Not Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Supported
Not Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Supported
Not Supported

DTS 
 

Supported
Not Supported

DTS:X 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

DTS-HD MA 
 

Supported
Not Supported

PCM Channels 
 

Up To 5.1
Not Supported
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

10
10

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Supported

DTS 
 

Supported
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
2.0
Show Text 

Audio Latency: ARC 
 

7.3

ARC Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

N/A

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

N/A

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

109 ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

N/A
Show Text 

Audio Latency: HDMI In 
 

7.4
0.0

HDMI Latency Video  

Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

N/A

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

N/A

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

N/A

ARC 
 

56 ms

Optical 
 

53 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

-85 ms
Show Text 

Audio Latency: Optical 
 

6.9

Optical Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

366 ms
Show Text 

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

7.8
0.0

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

120Hz
Not Supported

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

120Hz
Not Supported

4k Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz
Not Supported

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz
Not Supported

8k Max Refresh Rate 
 

30Hz
Not Supported

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Yes
No

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

No
No

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

No
No

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

Yes
No

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

No
No

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

No
No

ALLM Passthrough 
 

Yes
No
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
No
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Interface photo
Vizio V Series V51-H6 Interface photo

Display 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Controls photo
Vizio V Series V51-H6 Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

Vizio SB36512-F6 Remote photo
Vizio V Series V51-H6 Remote photo
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

No
No

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Check Price

Standard
SB36512-F6
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
V Series V51-H6
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Standard
SB36512-F6
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
V Series V51-H6
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Standard
SB36512-F6
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
V Series V51-H6
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Vizio SB36512-F6

Vizio V Series V51-H6

Comments

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Vizio SB36512-F6 vs Vizio V Series V51-H6: Main Discussion

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