Comparing VIZIO SB36512-F6 and Bose Smart Soundbar 300 makes sense because it shows what devices in their segment can offer. Smart Soundbar 300 offers better sound and bass than its opponent - SB36512-F6. According to the results of our comparison, SB36512-F6 received 7.4 points out of 10 possible, and Smart Soundbar 300 was rated 7.6 points.
The SB36512-F6 is rated 8 of 10 against 5 for the Smart Soundbar 300 according to the audio features rating.
It worth understanding the difference between the two types of amplification: a passive soundbar does not have its own amplifier and receives amplification from the signal source, while an active soundbar has a built-in amplifier. The same active type of amplification is used in the SB36512-F6 and the Smart Soundbar 300.
There are stereo soundbars and multichannel ones. It is with the help of multichannel devices that you can get volumetric sound. It is worth noting one of the main differences, the SB36512-F6 has 5.1.2 channels, while the Smart Soundbar 300 has 3.0 channels.
SB36512-F6 | Smart Soundbar 300 | |
---|---|---|
Built-in channels | 5.1.2 | 3.0 |
Amplification type | active | active |
Output power, W | N/A | N/A |
Separate speaker (in package) | 2 | 0 |
Separate speaker connections | wireless | wireless |
Soundbars can have a built-in or external subwoofer. The first type is inseparable from the soundbar body, but for the second, you can choose a good location for deep bass. The SB36512-F6 comes with an external subwoofer. VIZIO SB36512-F6 has the ability to handle wireless connections from an external subwoofer, while Bose Smart Soundbar 300 only has wired and wireless connections.
SB36512-F6 | Smart Soundbar 300 | |
---|---|---|
Built-in subwoofer | ✖ | ✖ |
Separate subwoofer (in package) | ✔ | ✖ |
Separate subwoofer connections | wireless | wired, wireless |
Unlike stereo, when reproducing multichannel sound, each specific direction of sound corresponds to its dedicated channel with a separate independent loudspeaker, which creates a three-dimensional sound stage. The SB36512-F6 received rating 7 out of 10 for multichannel audio processing, but the Smart Soundbar 300, in the same category, earned 4 out of 10 points.
The peculiarity of Dolby Atmos is that this format is object-oriented, that is, each object of the audio signal is sounded separately and linked to its spatial location. Dolby Atmos surround sound support is implemented only in VIZIO SB36512-F6.
DTS:X is an algorithm for processing sound scenes by the processor, linking directly to objects, rather than channels, and calculating the optimal distribution of sound output in a room. This ability to reproduce surround sound with DTS:X technology is not implemented in any of the soundbars in this comparison.
SB36512-F6 | Smart Soundbar 300 | |
---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos | ✔ | ✖ |
Dolby (other) | Dolby Digital | Dolby Digital |
DTS:X | ✖ | ✖ |
DTS (other) | has not | has not |
The possibility to listen online to millions of songs from one device has become a reality thanks to streaming services. For the ability to work with streaming services, the SB36512-F6 received 7 points, and the Smart Soundbar 300 - 10 on a 10-point scale.
The popular Spotify service is available on both soundbars.
SB36512-F6 | Smart Soundbar 300 | |
---|---|---|
Apple Music (AirPlay) | ✖ | AirPlay 2 |
Amazon Music | ✖ | ✔ |
Spotify | ✔ | ✔ |
Other streaming services | Pandora, TIDAL, VIZIO SmartCast, Chromecast | Pandora,Tuneln, Deezer, iHeart, SiriusXM |
The existence of a sufficient number of current connectors significantly expands the functionality of the device. For example, only through HDMI is it possible to implement the transfer of object-oriented formats, and the presence of a Bluetooth connection will allow remote control, etc. Connectivity of competitors was rated 8 out of 10.
The presence of Wi-Fi in the soundbar allows you to get rid of wires when connected to a sound source and get minimal audio latency when playing content from streaming services. Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible on both devices.
Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for speaker systems, which provides excellent quality and minimal audio latency. The availability of Bluetooth protocol, we can see in both models. The competitors in this comparison has 1/0 HDMI inputs/outputs.
HDMI ARC is a very usefull technology that creates a two-way communication channel between a TV and another device. This is convenient since there is no need to use optical and other cables in the system. HDMI ARC is basic for both soundbars.
SB36512-F6 | Smart Soundbar 300 | |
---|---|---|
WI-FI | ✔ | ✔ |
Bluetooth | ✔ | ✔ |
Ethernet (RJ45) | 1 | 0 |
NFC | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI input/output | 1/0 | 1/0 |
HDMI ARC | ✔ | ✔ |
HDMI eARC | ✖ | ✖ |
HDMI CEC | ✔ | ✔ |
Optical digital input/output | 1/0 | 1/0 |
USB | 1 (USB 2.0) | ✖ |
Coaxial digital input/output | 1/0 | 0/0 |
Analog audio input/output (RCA) | 1/0 | 0/0 |
Headphone output | 0 | 0 |
Subwoofer output | 0 | 1 |
Voice control is designed to make operating the device more convenient. This allows you to control basic soundbar functions from anywhere in the room.
Proprietary applications allow you to control your soundbars remotely. This is possible both via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The ability to control the soundbar using the application is implemented in each of the competitors. Only Bose Smart Soundbar 300 has a built-in microphone.
Some soundbars can be part of a multi-room system and it is an affordable solution for sounding the whole house. It is possible to create a multiroom system based on each of these soundbars.
SB36512-F6 | Smart Soundbar 300 | |
---|---|---|
Voice control | ✖ | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
App control | ✔ | ✔ |
Microphone | ✖ | ✔ |
Remote control | ✔ | ✔ |
Multi-room | ✔ | ✔ |
SB36512-F6 | Smart Soundbar 300 | |
---|---|---|
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in | 91.4 x 6.3 x 8.1/36 x 2.5 x 3.1 | 66 x 5 x 10.1/26.5 x 2.2 x 4 |
Weight, kg/pounds | 2.5/5.6 | 3.6/8 |