VIZIO SB36512-F6 Soundbar
By VIZIO · Soundbars · Desk & Streaming Setup
- 36-inch soundbar
- 5.1.2 channels
- Dolby Atmos
- subwoofer down to 40 Hz
- 400 W max output
Lowest price seen
$125.00
from $125.00 at Offerup · Checked Oct 31, 2026
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Summary
A 36-inch 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos soundbar system with a wireless 6-inch subwoofer and two wired satellite speakers, built for movie playback. Check your setup before buying: it decodes Dolby Atmos but not DTS:X, the surrounds must be wired to the subwoofer, and music playback is weaker than movies.
Strengths
- RTINGS praised its stereo performance, soundstage, Atmos support, and connectivity.
- Broad connectivity: HDMI in/out with ARC, optical, coaxial, USB, 3.5 mm, Ethernet, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi.
- Google Chromecast built in and Google Home compatible, with SmartCast app control.
- Three EQ presets (Movie, Music, Direct) that change the sound substantially.
- Good movie and Atmos immersion with bass extension to about 40 Hz in HomeTheaterHifi’s listening.
Weaknesses
- No DTS:X decoding, despite decoding DTS-HD Master Audio.
- Height speakers are quieter than the other channels, so Atmos effects can be subtle.
- Satellite speakers are wired to the subwoofer, limiting placement to the included 15 ft cables.
- No dialog-enhancement mode.
- SmartCast app is reported as slow, buggy, and laggy.
- Music playback is weaker than movie playback, with a narrower soundstage and recessed midrange.
Verified specifications
| Model | SB36512-F6; 5.1.2 channels (left, center, right, two surrounds, subwoofer, two height channels). |
|---|---|
| Decoding | Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital+, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos, DTS Surround, DTS-HD Master Audio. No DTS:X. |
| Drivers | soundbar forward-firing 2 x 1.89 x 2.99 in full-range per channel (left, right, center); up-firing 2 x 1.89 x 2.99 in full-range (left, right height); satellites 2 x 1.8 in full-range each; subwoofer 1 x 6 in full-range. |
| System frequency response | 40 Hz to 20 kHz. |
| System SPL | 101 dB. |
| Electrical | 120 VAC, 60 Hz. |
| Connections | HDMI in; HDMI out (ARC); optical (Toslink); coaxial; USB (WAV/MP3 only); 3.5 mm stereo; Ethernet (RJ45); Bluetooth; Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac. |
| Bluetooth | 4.0, without AptX/AptX HD. |
| Streaming/control | Google Chromecast built-in, VIZIO SmartCast app (iOS/Android), Google Home compatible. |
| Tone controls | bass, treble, subwoofer/center/surround levels, three EQ presets (Movie, Music, Direct). Direct mode plays the incoming signal as encoded with no enhancement or channel matrixing. |
| USB playback | up to 16-bit/44.1 kHz. |
| Satellite-to-subwoofer cables | 15 ft. |
| Included accessories | wall-mount brackets and screws with template, HDMI/optical/coaxial/RCA cables, power cables, remote. |
| Dimensions | soundbar 36 x 2.5 x 3.19 in, 5.6 lb; subwoofer 6.97 x 11.42 x 11.42 in, 10.2 lb; satellite 2.69 x 5.69 x 2.56 in, 0.88 lb each. |
| Finish | black fabric wrap with silver plastic endcaps on bar, subwoofer, and satellites. |
| Power | USB port DC 5 V 500 mA; AC input 120 V 60 Hz. No system wattage is stated in Vizio’s manual or quick-start guide. |
| Warranty | one year parts and labor for non-commercial use, ninety days for commercial use, from date of original purchase; original purchaser from an authorized US/Canada retailer. |
Full research notes and sources
Movie and Atmos performance
RTINGS scored it 7.8 out of 10, praising stereo performance, soundstage, Atmos support, and connectivity. Movie and Atmos playback is consistently rated above music playback across the reviews.
Music and soundstage
HomeTheaterHifi found music thin and recessed in the midrange with a narrow soundstage; EQ modes differ materially, with Movie bloated bass, Music flatter, and Direct flattest. CNET likewise noted music performance is not spectacular. Direct mode plays the incoming signal as encoded with no enhancement or channel matrixing.
Height channels and surround placement
The up-firing height drivers sit only in the bar, not in the satellites, unlike the step-up SB46514-F6. Height speakers are reported as quieter than the other channels, which can make height effects hard to hear. Satellite speakers are wired to the wireless subwoofer, so placement is constrained by the included 15 ft cables.
Connections, control and app
USB playback supports up to 16-bit/44.1 kHz. The SmartCast app is reported as slow, buggy, and laggy, and the front-panel LED-dot display is confusing when identifying the active input.
Warranty and upkeep
Warranty is one year parts and labor for non-commercial use and ninety days for commercial use, from the date of original purchase, for the original purchaser from an authorized US or Canada retailer. Vizio’s manual and quick-start guide give maintenance guidance: do not block subwoofer ports, allow 1 to 2 inches of space around all sides for ventilation, do not use the subwoofer upright without installing the legs, and the subwoofer pairs to the bar at the factory. No system wattage is documented by Vizio, so the 400 W figure seen in some retailer listings is unverified. Repairability and parts availability are not documented in the sources read.
Is it worth it?
At or below about $300: strong value for a 5.1.2 Atmos system with real rear speakers and broad connectivity. Above about $500: compare against the step-up SB46514-F6 and other Atmos bars, since music performance and output limits become more consequential. HomeTheaterHifi’s January 2019 review listed the system at $499.99, with significantly lower prices during the holiday season; CNET described it as the first Atmos soundbar at the $500 mark.
Which model this is
This page covers the VIZIO SB36512-F6, a 36-inch 5.1.2 system with a 6-inch wireless subwoofer and two wired satellite speakers. Do not confuse it with the step-up SB46514-F6, which has a subwoofer roughly three times larger and height modules in the satellite speakers. No color or revision variants are documented in the sources read. The Amazon listing for this model is ASIN B07JDMBK2N. Vizio’s model information page and the user manual and quick-start guide cover this single model.
Sources
Manufacturer:
Independent reviews:
Owner reports:
- No owner reports were found in the sources read.
