Last Updated: January 12, 2020 (Refresh Now)
VIZIO SB46514 F6 46 Inch 5 1 4 Premium Home Theater Sound System with Dolby Atmos and Wireless Subwoofer Plus Rear Surround Speakers
Last Updated: January 12, 2020 (Refresh Now)
6.5
SCORE
/10
Total Reviews
98
Old Reviews
0
Unverified
21
Spam Test
PASS
10 meters
SIZE
Yes
BLUETOOTH
Yes
WIFI
Review Analysis - 77 recent, verified reviews
Detailed Mode
Sound Quality
60sound bar, vizio, subwoofer, atmos, surround sound
+85%
-15%
" ... Once it's done unplug the sound bar, should be working. ... "
" ... I recommend this product to anyone looking for a higher end surround sound system! ... "
" ... The first thing you'll notice (once you get the box through your door) is just how big the subwoofer is. ... Once everything was hooked up and set up, I settled in for some viewing/listening. ... This seems to help reduce the crossover 'breathiness' and the sub still has plenty of power to make any low-end sound effects stand out. ... It sounds great while listening to TV and Movies (I haven't done much music - but a few 'cast' sessions on Pandora sounded good to me) and getting some of the ATMOS demos make it sound great considering how little setup there is involved. ... "
" ... I really wanted to love this, it was really easy to set up and sounds awesome. ... "
" ... When it comes to home audio, I've always been more traditional (ie, tuner, amp, speakers). ... Last year I picked up the little brother to this, the one that does 5.1 for our bedroom and was surprised by the sound quality and power the little package provided. ... The sound is clear, the voices are present, and the power . ... "
" ... This VIZIO sound bar system is far more than I expected. ... "
" ... Brilliant budget sound system. ... May not be a legit sound system with the individual speakers, heights, & receiver, BUT it's great I was testing with Matrix Revolutions ... Happy with my purchase, although the price is the major downfall for a excellent sound quality. ... Also the subwoofer . ... "
" ... I had the last iteration of the sound bar. ... The 5.1.4 is amazing, you can clearly hear each channel and the subwoofer almost got me kicked out of my apartment . ... "
Software Platform
21vizio, soundbar, firmware, updates, smartcast app
+71%
-29%
" ... Hopefully future vizio and xbox updates will correct it. ... "
" ... The sub was very strong but controllable with the smart cast app/remote. ... Edit: 12/2/2018, I have looked back and reviewed my correspondance with the vizio people on facebook They actually didn't confirm the use of actual DTS-X. ... "
" ... Other streaming devices like Amazon Fire Stick, Roku, Chromocast, etc., do not pass through the Dolby Atmos from all the streaming services that the Apple TV 4K does. ... "
" ... I've even managed to re-install the google home app without triggering any duplicates or issues. ... "
" ... My other two are in other rooms through the house, and with the cast app, my house is one big sound system! ... "
" ... Integrates with Vizio TV for volume control and Google’ SmartCast ... "
" ... Rely on the mobile app instead -- once you jump through the initial hoops to set that up, it works perfectly every time and you'll no longer need a separate remote. ... I'm trying to open a self-service support ticket online right now and the form is just hanging in multiple browsers. ... "
" ... The app setup worked fine and within minutes I had easy access to more functions than the remote. ... "
Device Compatibility
21vizio, connected, bar, chromecast, apple tv
+52%
-48%
" ... I've tried Bluetooth and it connects perfectly BUT NO AUDIO. ... "
" ... I previously had Vizio's 38" 3.1 soundbar attached, but immediately wanted to upgrade to the Atmos bar once I heard about it over a year ago ... or, if they do, may not have things connected properly, hence aren't getting the most out of their system. ... "
" ... Under "speaker set up" select "Dolby Atmos for Home Theater". ... Then under "Audio Bitstreaming To External Device" select "Enabled (= receiver decodes audio)". ... "
" ... However, since the sound bar is connected through ARC and I have Anynet+ enabled on my Samsung, I was using the Samsung remote before getting the Apple TV device. ... "
" ... I was really excited to get them and we both have Vizio TVs. ... "
" ... Set up was a breeze, syncing and connecting to my home wifi was easy. ... Way to go Vizio! ... "
" ... Can now power up the Soundbar and TV using voice commands. ... Love this bar because of it's simplicity, integration into smart homes and insane audio power and quality. ... "
" ... Sometimes when I turn on the system I'll have no sound unless I unplug the chromecast and plug it back in. ... "
Setup
18set, soundbar, easy to install, easy, simple
+94%
-6%
" ... I have a simple, powerful setup at home and I was waiting for a Dolby Atmos soundbar. ... "
" ... For the price and ease of setup, it's a great soundbar. ... "
" ... It was super easy to install - everything just automatically connected with the TV. ... "
" ... Highly recommend starting with a connected app for easy setup. ... "
" ... It took longer to take down my "traditional" setup than it did to set this up. ... "
" ... Pretty simple set up. ... "
" ... Set up was a breeze, syncing and connecting to my home wifi was easy. ... "
" ... My setup is a little complicated, but I like having the option of not having to use the system, so split my signals. ... "
Ease of Use
16set, simple, setup, easy to install, system
+81%
-19%
" ... It was easy to setup, and seems very well made with aluminum end panels on all the speakers. ... "
" ... Really liked the sound , didn't like that it isn't intuitive. ... "
" ... I really wanted to love this, it was really easy to set up and sounds awesome. ... "
" ... It is easy to install and run as well. ... "
" ... Highly recommend starting with a connected app for easy setup. ... This isn’t an audiophile unit, so both setup, and everyday controls are limited/simple/easy, especially with the app. ... "
" ... Set up was easy as expected. ... "
" ... Pretty simple set up. ... "
" ... But the sound is great for the room it is in and it was very easy to install. ... "
Price
13sale, pay, money, friday, cost
+92%
-8%
" ... well worth the 599 price tag. ... "
" ... I bought it when it was on sale for 900 but I'd pay the full 1000 for it. ... "
" ... Then for black friday the knocked $300 off the price, so I had to jump on it. ... Hey, if you can get it cheaper, then by all means, but if you want Atmos at a reasonable price, this is hard to beat, even at full price. ... "
" ... Being that I have purchased 2 others before this one, It is an investment that is worth every dollar. ... "
" ... With a little tuning to your preferences it is easily the best for the price. ... "
" ... I got this on sale during Black Friday, and the price was great. ... "
" ... I buying a second one as soon as I save enough money to pay for it. ... "
" ... The price was right for the quality of sound! ... "
Apps
12smartcast app, soundbar, google home, vizio smartcast app, vizio
+75%
-25%
" ... Plus, in the app, whatever audio source is going through is labeled, so if you're playing Atmos content, it'll show. ... "
" ... Love the app. ... "
" ... It plays very well with Google Assistant lending itself as part of the homegroup so music flows in every room of the house. ... "
" ... Rely on the mobile app instead -- once you jump through the initial hoops to set that up, it works perfectly every time and you'll no longer need a separate remote. ... "
" ... Smart Cast app is really nifty but needs polishing. ... "
" ... Highly recommend starting with a connected app for easy setup. ... "
" ... The sub was very strong but controllable with the smart cast app/remote. ... The app makes it easier but the only display that the sound bar has is a series of LED dots that are hard to interpret without the user guide. ... "
" ... I've even managed to re-install the google home app without triggering any duplicates or issues. ... "
Ports
12arc, soundbar, vizio, chromecast, cec
+67%
-33%
" ... With HDMI ARC it switches to the TV's built-in Chromecast output automatically. ... "
" ... ARC HDMI worked with my LG C8 OLED TV ... "
" ... Sometimes when I turn on the system I'll have no sound unless I unplug the chromecast and plug it back in. ... "
" ... Once you selected that, more options will open and then select "HDMI connection", and under "Bitstreaming Formats" click and select everything. ... "
" ... Remember to use and HDMI cable in the ARC port on the soundbar and your tv for that sweet, sweet Dolby Atmos sound ecstasy. ... "
" ... All of the cables are neatly bundled - kudos to Vizio for including nearly every cable you could possibly need (RCA, 3.5mm, optical, HDMI). ... "
" ... Using the ARC HDMI makes it so easy to use. ... "
" ... I use a Chromecast Ultra on the ARC port. ... "
Bass
11bass, really, solid, bit, voices
+82%
-18%
" ... Subwoofer is 3x size and really adds low end bass and thump to sound track. ... "
" ... One of the first things I noticed was just how 'boomy' the subwoofer was - I like my bass, but I feel like it tends to cut in and be noticeable on certain shows or movies - anything with continuous bass is fine (action scenes, etc.) ... "
" ... Deep, punchy bass ... "
" ... The subwoofer is great and the full surround sound is really impressive. ... "
" ... The subwoofer is an absolute beast. ... "
" ... Additionally, the subwoofer has really solid bass that keeps everything tight. ... "
" ... The subwoofer really puts out some great thumping lows and it should given how big this thing is. ... "
" ... The clarity and immersive 360 degree sound . ... "
Product Reliability
11weeks, update, system, issues, couple
+27%
-73%
" ... The quality is is very bad, iv'e went through two in little over a year. ... The first one was within 10 months then the 2 refurbished they gave me is dead within two months. ... "
" ... When it's not working, it works with none of them. ... "
" ... When it's doing this it will become completely unresponsive. ... "
" ... For 3 months the soundbar would work okay. ... I rambled but in the end after having this product for 8 months I am on my second sound bar having the same issue. ... "
" ... until it died. ... "
" ... This is a lie of course since it's been about 5 months and the updates that have come through have done nothing. ... "
" ... Other CEC compatibility issues. ... This update will be rolling out slowly over the next couple of weeks ... "
" ... I have had a few instances where the system would shut off unexpectedly. ... These issues are too infrequent for me to stop enjoying the system. ... "
Remote
11vizio, soundbar, control, remotes, sound bar
+55%
-45%
" ... The nice thing is you can control most functions from the great little remote control or from an app on your phone or tablet. ... "
" ... The app setup worked fine and within minutes I had easy access to more functions than the remote. ... "
" ... The remote control is fairly easy to use and will run your TV commands if you choose to use that exclusively. ... However, since the sound bar is connected through ARC and I have Anynet+ enabled on my Samsung, I was using the Samsung remote before getting the Apple TV device. ... The other neat remote control feature is if you don't know what type of audio format is currently coming through your sound system, you can press the "info" command on the remote and it speaks what format is coming through. ... "
" ... And this isn't an issue of someone sitting on the remote - I was in the kitchen today with nobody else in the house and thought my movie turned off because the audio just stopped. ... "
" ... -Straight forward use (after going through remote once) ... "
" ... The remote menu allows you to easily adjust the sounds to you liking. ... "
Volume
10loud, speakers, room, surround sound, soundbar
+60%
-40%
" ... Two of the speakers in the bar are pointed at your ceiling. ... "
" ... With THIS 5.1.4 Atmos system as my main home theater room/living room, the sound is crystal clear! ... "
" ... In my small 15x15 room these speakers and sub-woofer sounds absolutely incredible, far better for movies and music than the expensive bookshelf speakers that replaces. ... The speakers can be small, but they must be of high quality because they sound really really good, and of course now I can hear all these high quality surround sound formats. ... You can use it at low volume without changing any setting, and still sounds very good. ... "
" ... Fantastic sound, especially if you have a smaller room with reasonable ceiling height--remember: sound reflection plays a big role in how well these sound. ... "
" ... But it sure does sound great once you turn up the volume. ... "
" ... The audio is crisp, clear, and can get quite loud. ... "
Resolution
9apple tv 4k, atmos, hdr, hdmi, dolby atmos
+89%
-11%
" ... ARC HDMI worked with my LG C8 OLED TV ... "
" ... Changing to 5 because finally I was able to find a way to watch high quality 4K MKV files with Dolby Atmos, or DTS HD sound. ... Prior this configuration I was having video and audio issues while playing these large 4K video files, but now everything is perfect. ... "
" ... Remember to use and HDMI cable in the ARC port on the soundbar and your tv for that sweet, sweet Dolby Atmos sound ecstasy. ... Remember that you need to have the Ultra HD subscription on Netflix to get 4K/Dolby Atmos and you need to have a device capable of playing 4K content (I use the Apple TV 4K model). ... Immersive height channels ... "
" ... To maximize Dolby Atmos available media, I connected it up to the Apple TV 4K. ... Apple TV 4K is the only device that currently supports all major streaming services with Dolby Atmos content therefore the positive plug for Apple TV in my review. ... "
" ... I also have a Roku Ultra and Panasonic 4k Blu Ray player, which I obviously want to get the best audio from. ... After searching and searching and searching, I finally arrived at the HDFury AVR Key 18Gbps | HDMI Audio Extractor | 4K HDR Splitter ... Next, the audio signal from the Panasonic and Roku go to an HDMI selector, which runs to the soundbar, and their video signals go to a separate selector that runs to the TV--a bit robust, I know, but it works and has not given me any headaches (both selectors are from ROOFull, which looks like many other brands, but has been the most solid in terms of performance for me and fully supports 4k and Atmos). ... "
" ... I immediately started up one of my Atmos enabled 4k videos and noticed it immediately. ... "
" ... ARC, CEC, 4K UHD & HDR passthru, and Atmos sound from my Xbox One X all worked instantly with zero hassle. ... "
" ... I have a lot of 4K UHD HDR 7.1 Atmos BD films, and they all come through clearer, louder and more defined on this bar than the last. ... Full 4K + HDR passthrough, all tested. ... "
Firmware
6vizio, support, updating, latest, soundbar
+17%
-83%
" ... I called Vizio support and after manually updating the firmware, the rep walked me through the procedure for a "hard reset." ... "
" ... The 5.1.2 bar was unrecoverable until forcing the firmware to reinstall itself which is a 30 minute ordeal. ... I was on the current firmware with the latest breakage, and it has happened across the previous two versions of firmware on each of the previous two occurrences. ... "
" ... It crapped out on me after updating the firmware. ... "
" ... Tried updating firmware and moving sub to improve line of sight with sound bar. ... "
" ... I was sure to have the latest firmware installed. ... "
Codecs
6format, movie, atmos, playback, music
+83%
-17%
" ... I like the range of the speakers and the richness of the sound it delivers and supports many of the audio decoding formats available today. ... "
" ... dolbt atmos is awesome when watching a movie that supports the format . ... "
" ... Changing to 5 because finally I was able to find a way to watch high quality 4K MKV files with Dolby Atmos, or DTS HD sound. ... The are many audio codecs for Windows ... Prior this configuration I was having video and audio issues while playing these large 4K video files, but now everything is perfect. ... "
" ... Movie/Music mode for different kinds of playback experiences ... "
" ... Regarding the audio, this soundbar is pretty impressive even without playing Dolby Atmos content. ... The other neat remote control feature is if you don't know what type of audio format is currently coming through your sound system, you can press the "info" command on the remote and it speaks what format is coming through. ... "
Size
6thing, big, really
+100%
" ... It sounds amazing while taking up very little space. ... "
" ... I liked the relatively compact footprint and simplicity of the thing. ... "
" ... just wow big & small BOOMing sfx it's great. ... "
" ... I spent a small fortune on it. ... "
" ... This thing is big, heavy and powerful. ... "
" ... The satellites have some decent weight to them and look good. ... "
Fit
6mount, vizio, stands, screws, satellites
+83%
-17%
" ... The only downside is that the satellites have molded on plugs, which makes setup really easy, but means they don't fit easily inside of the speaker stands I got (molded plug is too big to go inside the speaker stand column). ... "
" ... The Echogear mounts come with the needed screw to mount the Vizio speakers to their mount. ... They mount easily and hold the speakers just fine. ... "
" ... To my untrained ear, this 46-inch soundbar sounds pretty gosh good ... "
" ... I received 4 screws that all fit the sound bar which is a different size . ... "
" ... The sub looks like it would fit in well with any hardwired true 5.1 or 5.2 system. ... "
Returns
5amazon, back, window, units, unfortunately
+20%
-80%
" ... Sending it back :( ... "
" ... The worst part to this ordeal was that the seller did not bother to contact me even after multiple requests to get this issue fixed. ... "
" ... Unfortunately, I have had to send back the second unit I purchased. ... I was still in my return window for Amazon, so I’m packing it up and sending it back. ... It would be a lot of trouble to have to package up and send back two units, but because of the discount and I truly do believe in Vizio’s workmanship, I am going to try again. ... "
" ... I returned both sets of units. ... "
Wifi
5subwoofer, connecting, times, set, easy
+40%
-60%
" ... But the subwoofer and rear surrounds kept dropping out - it sounded like streaming over a really bad wifi connection. ... "
" ... I spelled out my name 3 times, read off the model number and was told this unit didn't support wifi . ... "
Controls
4sound, control, tv, remote, power
+75%
-25%
" ... Integrates with Vizio TV for volume control and Google’ SmartCast ... "
" ... The remote menu allows you to easily adjust the sounds to you liking. ... "
" ... The app makes it easier but the only display that the sound bar has is a series of LED dots that are hard to interpret without the user guide. ... "
Video Playback
4movie, playback, music, movies, mode
+100%
" ... I attached a video of the sound bar by my TV and a pic of the speakers on my couch table, as well as rhe woofer next to the couch. ... "
" ... If you want to watch movies or videos, choose a soundbar or home theater system. ... "
" ... I loved the tv but I couldn't get over how immersive the movie clips they showed felt. ... Movie/Music mode for different kinds of playback experiences ... "
Capacity
3subwoofer, room, okay, loud, living
+100%
" ... I purchased 2 of these systems and the smaller atmos bars for myself and my parents. ... "
" ... -Simplifies a surround setup for the average family room ... "
" ... The 5.1.4 is amazing, you can clearly hear each channel and the subwoofer almost got me kicked out of my apartment . ... "
Frequencies
3mids, bass, soundbar, bit
+67%
-33%
" ... The voices come in super crisp but the treble is overpowered and nothing sounds rich. ... "
" ... The audio was well balanced with lows mids and highs. ... "
Cables
3rca, vizio, satellite, kabeldirekt, subwoofer
+100%
" ... I think it sounds as good as the old system and I got rid of a whole lot of wires (and the bulky receiver). ... "
" ... KabelDirekt RCA Stereo Cable, Cord (25 feet Long, Dual 2 x RCA Male to 2 x RCA Male Audio Cable, Digital & Analogue, Double-Shielded, Pro Series) Supports (Amplifiers, AV Receivers, Hi-Fi) ... "
" ... plug the subwoofer into power and plug the rear satellites into the subwoofer via their included cables. ... All of the cables are neatly bundled - kudos to Vizio for including nearly every cable you could possibly need (RCA, 3.5mm, optical, HDMI). ... The rear satellite cables are nicely done with double RCA ends and color coding. ... The only drawback I noticed is that because the cables are so nicely finished, you may have difficulty hiding them (I have some speaker stands that have a pathway for speaker wire, but the Vizio cables can't use this because the ends are permanently attached.) ... "
Defective Delivery
3+33%
-67%
" ... Currently, I'm giving this rating based on my experience which may be incorrect as the product delivered to us could be defective. ... "
" ... The optical output arrived damaged. ... "
Display Clarity
3sound, led, vizio, soundbar, series
+100%
" ... it’s paired with an 86-inch screen, so we really appreciate the wide native sound field. ... "
" ... Then i saw Vizio display their new TV that will be coming out this year (P-series Quantum X) paired with this bad@$$ surround sound. ... Light status dots on the soundbar aren’t super clear (they’re not bad but a screen might be better) ... "
" ... The app makes it easier but the only display that the sound bar has is a series of LED dots that are hard to interpret without the user guide. ... Maybe it can be updated to give an on screen menu with vizio TVs later on. ... The screen may go black, the sound will cut, then the picture will suddenly re appear and the sound will be back to where it was. ... "
Call quality
3audio, voice, surround sound, speakers, really
+100%
" ... Very cool, even if it’s just making a talking head speak from its mouth, but especially when sounds appear to come from everywhere and anywhere on encoded audio streams. ... "
" ... The speakers can be small, but they must be of high quality because they sound really really good, and of course now I can hear all these high quality surround sound formats. ... "
" ... and boy, do you truly hear it all around you. ... "
Design
3sleek, nice, looks
+100%
" ... I love the looks of the system as well , "less is more" design theme, looks clean and elegant. ... "
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Specifications
Body
Size: 10 meters
Connectivity
Bluetooth: Yes
WiFi: Yes
Recommendations
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