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Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR vs Samsung HW-Q800A
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR
Samsung HW-Q800A
Tested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Jan 17, 2024 02:23 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.1
Updated Jan 12, 2024 07:41 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels5.1
Channels3.1.2
Variants
- MagniFi MAX SR (Black)
- HW-Q800A (Black)
Our Verdict
Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR
Samsung HW-Q800A
The Samsung HW-Q800A is better than the Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR. The Samsung is better built and supports Dolby Atmos content. It has a better soundstage and more sound enhancement features, such as a graphic EQ. Also, it has built-in voice assistant support. That said, the Polk Audio has a better surrounds performance.
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Black
MagniFi MAX SR
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Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q800A
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Amazon.comBlack
MagniFi MAX SR
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BestBuy.comBlack
HW-Q800A
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Walmart.comBlack
MagniFi MAX SR
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Walmart.comBlack
HW-Q800A
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B&HBlack
MagniFi MAX SR
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B&HBlack
HW-Q800A
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BestBuy.comBlack
HW-Q800A
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Samsung.comNotice:
Two or more of the products selected have been tested with different test methodologies, so some of the results below aren't directly comparable.
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Main Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.7
8.1
Height (Atmos)
0.0
5.9
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
6.3
10
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
Yes
Enclosure
Ported
Ported
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
Yes
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
42.9" (109.0 cm)
38.6" (98.0 cm)
Height
2.0" (5.0 cm)
2.4" (6.0 cm)
Depth
3.7" (9.5 cm)
4.5" (11.5 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
11.4" (29.0 cm)
8.0" (20.4 cm)
Height
14.6" (37.0 cm)
15.8" (40.1 cm)
Depth
13.8" (35.0 cm)
15.8" (40.1 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
7.9" (20.0 cm)
N/A
Height
4.7" (12.0 cm)
N/A
Depth
3.7" (9.5 cm)
N/A
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
Yes
Mountable Satellites
Yes
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
No
Build Quality
7.0
8.0
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.4
8.4
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
5.1
3.1.2
Tested Preset
Music
Standard
Slope
-0.28
-0.62
Standard Error
2.69 dB
2.49 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
27.5 Hz
28.7 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
17.5 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.4
8.4
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Music
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
-1
0
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
0
Slope
-0.01
-0.56
Standard Error
2.44 dB
2.46 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
28.3 Hz
29.1 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
18.0 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.0
7.5
Crosstalk Error
3.23 dB
2.57 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.6
7.5
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
95.2 dB SPL
95.1 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
1.82 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
3.08 dB
2.57 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
7.7
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.40
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.40
Center
8.5
8.5
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
0.00
0.52
Std. Err.
2.90 dB
2.49 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
94.5 dB SPL
91.2 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.35
0.37
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.22
4.34
Surround 5.1
5.3
4.7
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
-4.25
-0.43
Std. Err.
12.78 dB
2.13 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
93.0 dB SPL
95.0 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.73
0.39
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
4.07
2.59
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
0.0
5.9
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Not Supported
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Slope
N/A
0.35
Std. Err.
N/A
4.25 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
N/A
83.3 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
N/A
1.05
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
N/A
0.76
Sound Enhancement Features
4.8
7.4
Room Correction
No
No
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
No
Yes
EQ
Presets
Graphic + Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Virtual Surround
No
Yes
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI ARC
1 (shared)
HDMI Out
ARC
1 (shared)
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Full HDMI In
3
1
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
1
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
No
Ethernet
1
No
Subwoofer Output
No
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
6.3
10
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital
Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
Not Supported
Yes
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
Yes
DTS
Supported
Yes
DTS:X
Not Supported
Yes
eARC
Yes
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
Yes
PCM Channels
2.0
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
Yes
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
6.3
10
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital
Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
Not Supported
Yes
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
Yes
DTS
Supported
Yes
DTS:X
Not Supported
Yes
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
Yes
PCM Channels
2.0
5.1 PCM
Yes
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Supported
Yes
DTS
Supported
Yes
PCM Channels
2.0
Audio Latency: ARC
9.4
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
69 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
69 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
N/A
Dolby Digital
75 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
N/A
Audio Latency: HDMI In
9.5
8.9
HDMI Latency Video
Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
68 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
68 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
N/A
Dolby Digital
87 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
N/A
ARC
31 ms
Optical
38 ms
Full HDMI In
-32 ms
Audio Latency: Optical
3.8
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
332 ms
Dolby Digital
348 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
7.8
0.0
1080p Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
8k Max Refresh Rate
30Hz
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
Yes
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
Yes
FreeSync Passthrough
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
ALLM Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
Yes
Wireless Playback
9.0
9.0
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
Yes
No
Apple AirPlay
No
Yes
Spotify Connect
No
Yes
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
No
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
Yes
Check Price
Black
MagniFi MAX SR
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
HW-Q800A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
MagniFi MAX SR
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
HW-Q800A
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
MagniFi MAX SR
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
HW-Q800A
SEARCH
B&HBlack
MagniFi MAX SR
SEARCH
B&HBlack
HW-Q800A
SEARCH
BestBuy.comBlack
HW-Q800A
SEARCH
Samsung.com
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Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR
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Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR vs Samsung HW-Q800A: Main Discussion
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