Vizio SB46514-F6  Soundbar Review

Reviewed Jan 30, 2020 at 07:59am
Retest Mar 01, 2022 at 11:11am
Tested using Methodology v1.0 
Vizio SB46514-F6
0.0
Mixed Usage 
0.0
Dialogue/TV Shows 
0.0
Music 
0.0
Movies 
 0

The Vizio SB46514-F6 is a good overall soundbar that can be used for a lot of different content. This soundbar has a 5.1.4 speaker configuration and supports Atmos, which results in an immersive listening experience with Atmos movies. Its stereo audio reproduction is pretty accurate as well and most people will be satisfied with how loud it can get. However, there are some pumping and compression artifacts at max volume. Overall, the bar is very versatile and has a lot of connection options, but the satellite speakers aren't wireless like some other setups and need to be wired to the subwoofer.

Our Verdict

0.0
Mixed Usage 

The Vizio SB46514-F6 is good for mixed usage. Its overall performance is good and is suitable for a wide variety of content. Whether you want to listen to music, podcasts, audiobooks, or have an immersive experience when watching a movie, this soundbar can do it. It can get loud enough for most people, and its sub packs a good amount of bass too.

Pros
  • Very-well built design.
  • Immersive experience with Atmos content.
  • Very good stereo performance.
Cons
  • Some pumping and compression artifacts at max volume.
0.0
Dialogue/TV Shows 

The Vizio SB46514-F6 is a very good soundbar for TV shows or content with lots of dialogue. Its stereo sound profile is very good, especially around the frequencies responsible for voices. The bar can also get very loud, but it doesn't have a dialogue enhancement feature. On the upside, you can easily stream audiobooks or podcasts to the bar using the Bluetooth connection or even use Wi-Fi.

0.0
Music 

The Vizio SB46514-F6 is a good soundbar for music. Its sound signature is very good, and its subwoofer packs a lot of bass. It's versatile for a wide variety of music genres and can get pretty loud. You can also easily stream music to the bar using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connections.

0.0
Movies 

The Vizio SB46514-F6 is a good soundbar for movies. It supports Atmos and has four up-firing speakers, which helps to create a height illusion. The bar also supports high-end audio signals.

  • 0.0
    Mixed Usage
  • 0.0
    Dialogue/TV Shows
  • 0.0
    Music
  • 0.0
    Movies
  • Changelog

    1.  Updated Mar 01, 2022: Confirmed HDMI In support with firmware update.
    2.  Updated Dec 10, 2021: Added third-party voice assistant compatibility.
    3.  Updated Sep 24, 2021: Changed RCA In from 'Yes' to 'No'.
    4.  Updated Mar 01, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.

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    Popular Soundbar Comparisons

    The Vizio SB46514-F6 is a good overall soundbar, but some people might feel like the price jump from the 36-inch 5.1.2 Vizio SB36512-F6 model might not be worth it. While the 46-inch model has two additional up-firing speakers on the surround speakers, its overall Atmos performance isn't that much better. On the upside, the SB46514-F6 has a nice build quality, but might not be worth the price when compared to other high-end products. See our recommendations for the best soundbars, the best Atmos soundbars, and if you're looking for something a bit more affordable, check out the best budget soundbars.

    Vizio V Series V51-H6

    The Vizio SB46514-F6 is a bit better for mixed usage than the Vizio V Series V51-H6. The SB46514-F6 is a better-built 5.1.4 setup that supports Dolby Atmos content. It has a better surround performance, and it offers more wireless playback options. However, the V Series has more sound enhancement features, including a dialogue enhancement mode.

    Vizio SB36512-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.

    Samsung HW-Q80R

    The Samsung HW-Q80R is slightly better than the Vizio SB46514-F6 when it comes to stereo sound, but it lacks dedicated surround speakers, so if you're looking for a soundbar for watching movies with an immersive experience, then the Vizio will be a better option.

    Samsung HW-Q90R

    The Samsung HW-Q90R is a better soundbar than the Vizio SB46514-F6. The Samsung is a 7.1.4 setup that reproduces a more extended low-bass. It has better soundstage and surround performances, and it can get louder with less compression at max volume. There's even a graphic EQ to help you customize its sound, as well as a dialogue enhancement feature.

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    Test Results

    perceptual testing image
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    RATINGS
    Category:
    All
    Design
    Style - Bar

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    Style - Subwoofer

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    Style - Satellites

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    Dimensions - Bar
    WidthLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    HeightLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    DepthLockedLock" (Lock cm)

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    Dimensions - Subwoofer
    WidthLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    HeightLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    DepthLockedLock" (Lock cm)

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    Dimensions - Satellites
    WidthLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    HeightLockedLock" (Lock cm)
    DepthLockedLock" (Lock cm)

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    Back - Bar
    Bar Mounting
    LockedLocked

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    Back - Subwoofer
    Enclosure
    LockedLocked

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    Back - Satellites
    Mounting
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Build Quality

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    In The Box
    HDMI Cable Length
    LockedLock m (Lock ft)
    Digital Optical Cable Length
    LockedLock m (Lock ft)

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    Sound
    0.0
    Stereo Frequency Response
    SAMPLE
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    SAMPLE
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    Tested Preset
    LockedLocked
    Slope
    LockedLock
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Channels
    Locked5.1.4
    Low-Frequency Extension
    LockedLock Hz
    High-Frequency Extension
    LockedLock kHz

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    0.0
    Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
    SAMPLE
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    Suggested Preset
    LockedLocked
    Suggested Bass Setting
    LockedLock
    Suggested Treble Setting
    LockedLock
    Slope
    LockedLock
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    Low-Frequency Extension
    LockedLock Hz
    High-Frequency Extension
    LockedLock kHz
    0.0
    Stereo Soundstage
    SAMPLE
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    Crosstalk Error
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Stereo Dynamics
    SAMPLE
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    SPL @ Max Volume
    LockedLock dB SPL
    DRC @ Max Volume
    LockedLock dB

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    0.0
    Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
    SAMPLE
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    Weighted THD @ 80dB
    LockedLock
    Weighted THD @ Max Volume
    LockedLock

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    0.0
    Center
    SAMPLE
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    Localization
    LockedLocked
    Slope
    LockedLock
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    SPL @ Max Volume
    LockedLock dB SPL
    Weighted THD @ 80dB
    LockedLock
    Weighted THD @ Max Volume
    LockedLock

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    0.0
    Surround 5.1
    SAMPLE
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    Localization
    LockedLocked
    Slope
    LockedLock
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    SPL @ Max Volume
    LockedLock dB SPL
    Weighted THD @ 80dB
    LockedLock
    Weighted THD @ Max Volume
    LockedLock
    7.1 Rears
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Height (Atmos)
    SAMPLE
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    Localization
    LockedLocked
    Slope
    LockedLock
    Std. Err.
    LockedLock dB
    SPL @ Max Volume
    LockedLock dB SPL
    Weighted THD @ 80dB
    LockedLock
    Weighted THD @ Max Volume
    LockedLock

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    0.0
    Sound Enhancement Features
    Room Correction
    LockedLocked
    Dialogue Enhancement
    LockedLocked
    Auto-Volume/Night Mode
    LockedLocked
    Subwoofer Level Adjustment
    LockedLocked
    Bass Adjustment
    LockedLocked
    Treble Adjustment
    LockedLocked
    EQ
    LockedLocked
    Surround Level Adjustment
    LockedLocked
    Rear Level Adjustment
    LockedLocked
    Height Level Adjustment
    LockedLocked
    Virtual Surround
    LockedLocked

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    Connectivity
    Physical Inputs - Bar
    Optical Audio In
    LockedLocked
    HDMI ARC
    LockedLocked
    HDMI Out
    LockedLocked
    Full HDMI In
    LockedLocked
    Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
    LockedLocked
    RCA In
    LockedLocked
    USB for Files
    LockedLocked
    Ethernet
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Audio Format Support - ARC
    eARC
    LockedLocked
    Dolby Atmos
    LockedLocked
    Dolby Digital
    LockedLocked
    Dolby Digital Plus
    LockedLocked
    DTS
    LockedLocked
    DTS:X (eARC only)
    LockedLocked
    Dolby TrueHD (eARC only)
    LockedLocked
    DTS-HD MA (eARC only)
    LockedLocked
    5.1 PCM (eARC only)
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
    Dolby Atmos
    LockedLocked
    DTS:X
    LockedLocked
    Dolby Digital
    LockedLocked
    Dolby Digital Plus
    LockedLocked
    DTS
    LockedLocked
    Dolby TrueHD
    LockedLocked
    DTS-HD MA
    LockedLocked
    5.1 PCM
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Audio Format Support - Optical
    Dolby Digital
    LockedLocked
    DTS
    LockedLocked

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    0.0
    Latency
    SAMPLE
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    Vizio SB46514-F6 Latency Video Sample
    ARC
    LockedLock ms
    Optical
    LockedLock ms
    Full HDMI In
    LockedLock ms
    0.0
    Wireless Playback
    Bluetooth
    LockedLocked
    Wi-Fi
    LockedLocked
    Chromecast built-in
    LockedLocked
    Apple AirPlay
    LockedLocked

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    Other Input Specifications
    4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
    LockedLocked
    4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
    LockedLocked
    4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
    LockedLocked
    HDR10 Passthrough
    LockedLocked

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    Connectivity - Subwoofer
    Sub Wireless
    LockedLocked

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    Connectivity - Satellites
    Sat Wireless
    LockedLocked

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    Additional Features
    Interface
    Display
    LockedLocked

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    Bar Controls

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    Remote
    Universal Remote
    LockedLocked

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    Voice Assistants Support
    Amazon Alexa
    LockedLocked
    Google Assistant
    LockedLocked
    Apple Siri
    LockedLocked

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    App
    App NameLockedLocked
    iOSLockedLocked
    AndroidLockedLocked
    Acts As A Remote
    LockedLocked
    Controls Soundbar's Settings
    LockedLocked
    Casts Device Files
    LockedLocked

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    Other Features
    Power Saving
    LockedLocked
    HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)
    LockedLocked

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