While Vizio is a household name in the home theatre industry, it’s isn’t a 100% guarantee that you won’t come across a disappointing product from the brand. Is Vizio SB3621N-F8M gonna be one of those?
No need to wonder, our expert audio testers did a thorough Vizio SB3621N-F8M review below to answer your questions.
Note: If you’re looking for a better deal, check out a similar soundbar with added SmartCast features and rear speakers HERE.
What We Like
- DTS Virtual immersive sound
- Wireless external subwoofer
- Bluetooth supported for streaming
- High power 100 dB of room-filling sound
- Minimal harmonic distortion
- Comes with everything in the box
- Sleek and modern design
- Sound enhancement technology
- 1-year warranty
- Frequency response range of 50 Hz to 20 kHz
What We Don't Like
- No Wi-Fi
- No HDMI arc
Design
The sleek and modern design of the Vizio SB3621N-F8M makes it perfect for any interior. It stands only 2.1 inches tall, so it’s easy to place in a variety of spaces.
With these dimensions, the soundbar won’t block the screen if you place it on your entertainment system. That way, you can still control your TV because there’s no obstruction blocking the remote’s IR blaster.
A smooth black mesh fabric covers the top of the SB3621N-F8M, while the sides have silver plastic caps with a distinct letter “V” to complete the look. All the buttons at the top are covered by the fabric as well, making them seem like touch buttons although they have a solid tactile press to them.
Also, the construction is sturdy enough to limit vibrations which could harm the sound quality. So even with loud and rumbling audio, you can expect this soundbar to stay put.
The subwoofer has a similar design to the soundbar itself, although the silver panel with the “V” mark is in front instead of the sides. When it comes to placement, the subwoofer can be put anywhere at your convenience as long as there are no obstructions. We do suggest placing it along the front wall of the room for optimum results.
Placement
Weighing only 4.4 pounds (which is slightly lighter than other models in this series), the soundbar can be easily placed on your entertainment unit or mounted on the wall. The soundbar itself is 36 inches, which makes it compatible with TVs that are slightly bigger, like 55-inch TVs.
The subwoofer, however, will demand more space. So for those who want a soundbar with an external sub, you might need to look at the size of your room and space before you buy this model.
Display
You won’t find a display panel (LED screen) on the Vizio SB3621N-F8M, and the remote doesn’t offer this feature either. It does, however, feature small LED lights to show you what your settings are.
This may not be very important for some users as the settings will be displayed on the screen anyway. Still, the LED lights are helpful indicators when it comes to volume and other settings.
Features
Remote
The remote control is a basic device that allows you to tweak the settings on your soundbar, but other TV remotes could work as well [1]. However, the remote that comes with the bar does afford you the convenience of adjusting the treble and bass levels to tune it to your personal preferences.
Having a remote come with the soundbar makes it easier for setup as you would see essentially what’s going on with your gadget. not to mention the ease of adjusting the settings without having to get up off the couch.
Sound Quality
The SB3621N-F8M is a 2.1 soundbar. That means it has two points of sound emission and one subwoofer, getting you close to true surround sound. You can find out how a 2.1 differs from a 3.1 soundbar here.
Since the Vizio SB3621N-F8M supports DTS and Dolby Digital audio, it provides you the sound quality that rivals the cinemas in your own home. You can enjoy up to 100 dB of room-filling expansive sound that fully immerses you in the content.
DTS and Dolby Technology are features you should be able to find in this price range. While the quality doesn’t match what you’ll get with Atmos, you’ll still hear crystal clear speech, great sound effects, and well-balanced music.
Subwoofer
Like other desirable soundbars on the market, the Vizio SB3621N-F8M comes with its very own wireless subwoofer. This subwoofer is an external addition to the soundbar that boosts the bass tones of your audio.
For bass fans, an external subwoofer is important for that deep, rumbling bass. While some soundbars may have the subwoofer built right into the soundbar, the Vizio SB3621N-F8M’s added sub will definitely outperform a smaller embedded subwoofer any day of the week.
If space is an issue for you, then the 3820-C6, with its impressive internal sub, might be preferable.
Bluetooth
In a Bluetooth supported device, streaming and playing content from multiple mobile devices is possible. If your TV supports Bluetooth connection as well, then you can bypass the unsightly wires required to connect your new Vizio SB3621N-F8M to your TV.
Bluetooth is a convenient feature as it allows you to control and stream content from anywhere in the house. It’s not hard to find in most soundbars today, so it’s only fitting that the SB3621N-F8M has it.
Connectivity
The number of connectivity options that a soundbar has will affect its functions and the number of devices that can be paired with it. Any good soundbar would have a variety of wired and wireless connections.
In this Vizio soundbar, your options include the digital optical cable, digital coaxial cables, RCA, and 3.5mm. What is noticeably missing is the HDMI and HDMI arc connections, which could be a problem if you were relying on these types of connections.
HDMI arc allows for better connections and better quality playback from your device. This is a feature that may not be found in more affordable products so we don’t find this to be a very big surprise.
But as a bonus, the Vizio SB3621N-F8M also supports USB drives that can be plugged right into the device, which allows for playback.
Easy Setup
When it comes to technology, the easier it is to set up and use, the better. Since the Vizio SB3621N-F8M comes with everything you need, setting up is relatively simple.
You can choose between a wired or a wireless setup, both being equally convenient and easy. With the included manual, remote, and cables included in the package, it will only take you minutes to get this soundbar up and running.
Price
The price is quite affordable for a device that comes with its own dedicated subwoofer. And considering that you’ll get crisp and clear sound with minimal harmonic distortion, this Vizio soundbar is hard to pass up.
Another thing that justifies the price is the ability to tune the sound to defined room specifications. That way, you’re sure that you’re getting the optimum sound settings for your space.
Vizio SB3621N-F8M Review Conclusion
The Vizio SB3621N-F8M soundbar offers DTS and Dolby technology for an affordable price tag. With its sleek design, immersive sound quality, rich bass, and easy setup, the soundbar is definitely a worthy upgrade to your TV speakers.
