VIZIO SB362An-F6 36″ Sound Bar Review

By Olin Coles

Manufacturer: VIZIO, Inc.
Product Name: 36” 2.1 Sound Bar with Built-in Dual Subwoofers
Model Number: SB362An-F6
UPC: 845226016653
Price As Tested: $98 (Walmart)

Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by VIZIO.

Over the past several years home entertainment has undergone a transformation, slowly replacing bookshelf style speakers for sound bar systems. While many enthusiasts still cling to their large speaker systems, others have seen the wisdom in downsizing. Offering big sound for under $100, the 2018 VIZIO 36-Inch 2.1 Sound Bar with Built-in Dual Subwoofers (model SB362An-F6) delivers more than you might expect. In this article for Benchmark Reviews, we test this Bluetooth/wired 2.1-channel sound system using Dolby Audio and DTS media.

Information provided by Vizio, Inc.

Known for their value-priced home theater products, VIZIO offers their 36-Inch 2.1 Sound Bar with Built-in Dual Subwoofers (model SB362An-F6). New for 2018, this Bluetooth/wired 2.1-channel system sells for $98 (Walmart). The package includes the 36-Inch 2.1 sound bar, infrared remote control with AAA batteries, user manual, wall mount poster, 3.5mm to stereo RCA cable, 3.5mm male/male cable, TosLink cable, and wall two mount brackets.

The VIZIO sound bar measures 36.00″ wide x 2.05″ tall x 5.24″ deep (914.4mm x 52.1mm x 133.1mm), and weighs 5.61 Lbs. / 2.54 Kg. There are two round mounting brackets which can be screwed into a wall, allowing the sound bar to snap into place. The power cord measures two meters, allowing some flexibility in mounting location.

Although an infrared remote is supplied (with DuraCell AAA batteries included), the VIZIO 36-Inch 2.1 sound bar can also be configured using the option buttons at the left side of the system. These controls are simple, but there are many features worth learning about (and customizing) explained within the user manual.At the underside a is a recessed pocket, with inboard connections for: the power cable, TosLink digital optical cable, 3.5mm audio cable, or USB input. That USB input is a particularly unique feature, allowing the VIZIO 36-Inch 2.1 Sound Bar to play back audio files in WAV and MP3 file formats from a connected storage device. Connect a Bluetooth device to SB362An-F6, and you can stream any audio format you like to this sound bar.Although the fabric cover is not user-removable, the photo below accurately depicts the hardware hidden beneath it. For each channel (side) there is a pill shaped forward-firing 2.67″ full-range driver, a top-mounted 3″ subwoofer, and a top-mounted 3″ driver. Although VIZIO specifications indicate four speakers total, the subwoofers add two more.While you can configure the SB362An-F6 sound bar with the side panel controls, the included remote control makes that process much quicker and easier with dedicated buttons for all the specialized functions. If you don’t want one more remote cluttering the coffee table, VIZIO adds the ability for the sound bar to “learn” other brand remotes. If you already own a VIZIO television, then that remote may automatically work with this 36-inch 2.1 sound bar.

In the final section, I share my test experience and offer a final rating for the VIZIO 36” 2.1 Sound Bar with Built-in Dual Subwoofers…

Setup and configuration were surprisingly easy, perhaps because VIZIO designed this 36″ sound bar for the masses, and not everybody has a lifetime of experience with home theater equipment.

I typically use a 5.1 configuration for my home theater system, with a dual 6″ driver center channel, two large tower speakers with 12″ woofers for the front channels, a pair of 6″ speakers for side channels, and a 12″ subwoofer. While space consuming and expensive, this configuration does faithfully recreate the theater experience. So how well could VIZIO’s sub-$100 36-inch 2.1 channel sound bar compare to this? The answer is: quite well, actually.

Admittedly, the 3-inch “build-in dual subwoofers” were no match for a trio of 12″ speakers that frequently try to shake my house from it’s foundation… but they sure did try! The nearby devices did rattle as the base tones hit, and to my surprise, these ‘little’ subs were quite effective at reproducing lower frequency sound without distortion. They may not punch you in the gut, but your ears won’t bleed, either.

I connected SB362An-F6 two different ways for comparison: TosLink optical digital, and analog RCA. While I could not tell the difference using movies and music as a reference, digital will reproduce the signal more accurately than analog. Additionally, I decided to try this sound bar as a center channel replacement. While capable of working in this capacity, there are some considerations. For 7.1 and 5.1-channel audio, using this VIZIO sound bar as a center channel works really well. However, if the source is stereo, your other (front and side) speakers may create an echo.

After two-dozen hours with the VIZIO 36” 2.1 Sound Bar with Built-in Dual Subwoofers, I found that this model (SB362An-F6) performed surprisingly well when compared to my other more expensive sound bar, as well as my large 5.1 speaker system. Most impressive is the large sound coming from a relatively small speaker package.

In terms of appearance, it seems that VIZIO’s sound bar strikes the ideal balance of design and features. I like my speakers to blend in with their surroundings, and not stand out like a centerpiece. SB362An-F6 is small enough to hide below a 40″ or larger television, or discreetly mounted on a wall.

VIZIO has given special consideration to the construction of this sound bar, and it shows. Especially durable, I would expect it to survive the prying fingers of young children as well as careless adults. If the product happens to fail, non-commercial users receive one year of warranty coverage, while commercial users have 90-days.

Functionality is one area where the VIZIO 36″ 2.1 sound bar really sets itself apart from your average speaker set. While there’s plenty of utility in the driver arrangement complete with separate treble and bass tuning, there are also features such as DTS Virtual:X that projects room-filling sound. Other features, such as DTS TruVolume that flattens the various sound levels, or Energy Star that powers down the system after inactivity, are also quite handy.

As of July 2018, the VIZIO 36” 2.1 sound bar with built-in dual subwoofers was available for $98 (Walmart). Relative to the price of other sound bars, that’s a legitimate bargain as this model (SB362An-F6) is packed with value.

In conclusion, I was pleasantly surprised by how well the SB362An-F6 sound bar performed in all of my movie and music tests. Sound reproduction was reasonably faithful to their original frequency tones, and the drivers were tight enough to avoid distortion at high volume. For less than $100 you absolutely cannot go wrong. Recognizing outstanding quality and value, Benchmark Reviews awards VIZIO’s 36” sound bar with our Golden Tachometer.

+ Very affordable low price
+ High volume sound without distortion
+ Features DTS Virtual:X and DTS TruVolume
+ Digital, analog, and Bluetooth connectivity
+ Designed for wall mount or table placement
+ Remote control ‘learning’ features
+ Treble and bass sound tuning
+ Full-feature side panel controls

– It doesn’t lay golden eggs?

• Performance: 9.00
• Appearance: 8.75
• Construction: 9.50
• Functionality: 9.25
• Value: 9.25

Excellence Achievement: Benchmark Reviews Golden Tachometer Award.