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  1. Home
  2. Soundbar
  3. Compare
  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Style - Bar
    2. Style - Subwoofer
    3. Style - Satellites
    4. Dimensions - Bar
    5. Dimensions - Subwoofer
    6. Dimensions - Satellites
    7. Mounting
    8. Build Quality
    9. In The Box
  5. Sound
    1. Stereo Frequency Response
    2. Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
    3. Stereo Soundstage
    4. Stereo Dynamics
    5. Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
    6. Center
    7. Surround 5.1
    8. Height (Atmos)
    9. Sound Enhancement Features
  6. Connectivity
    1. Inputs/Outputs - Bar
    2. Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
    3. Audio Format Support: HDMI In
    4. Audio Format Support: Optical
    5. Audio Latency: ARC
    6. Audio Latency: HDMI In
    7. Audio Latency: Optical
    8. Video Passthrough To TV
    9. Wireless Playback
  7. Additional Features
    1. Interface
    2. Bar Controls
    3. Remote
    4. Voice Assistants Support
  8. Comments

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR vs Samsung HW-Q950A

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR
Samsung HW-Q950A

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Jan 17, 2024 02:23 PM

SEE PRICE
Walmart.com

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Jan 12, 2024 07:39 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Picture
Samsung HW-Q950A Picture
Channels
5.1
Channels
11.1.4

Variants

  • MagniFi MAX SR (Black)
  • HW-Q950A (Black)

Review

See Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Review
See Samsung HW-Q950A Review
0 
0 

Our Verdict

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR

Samsung HW-Q950A

The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR. The Samsung is better built, and it gets louder with less compression at max volume. Unlike the Polk Audio, it supports Atmos content and has built-in voice assistant capabilities. It also has better soundstage and surround performances. There are even more sound enhancement features available, including room correction and a graphic EQ.

0 

Check Price

Black
MagniFi MAX SR
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
HW-Q950A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
MagniFi MAX SR
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HW-Q950A
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
MagniFi MAX SR
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
HW-Q950A
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
MagniFi MAX SR
SEARCH
B&H
Black
HW-Q950A
SEARCH
B&H
 
Black
HW-Q950A
SEARCH
LG.com
Read more

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

7.7
8.4

Height (Atmos) 
 

0.0
6.6

Surround 5.1 
 

5.3
8.3

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

6.3
10

Stereo Dynamics 
 

7.6
8.8

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Style photo - bar
Samsung HW-Q950A Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Style photo - sub
Samsung HW-Q950A Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Style photo - satellites
Samsung HW-Q950A Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Dimensions photo - bar
Samsung HW-Q950A Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

42.9" (109.0 cm)
48.4" (123.0 cm)

Height  

2.0" (5.0 cm)
2.8" (7.0 cm)

Depth  

3.7" (9.5 cm)
5.4" (13.8 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Dimensions photo - sub
Samsung HW-Q950A Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

11.4" (29.0 cm)
8.2" (20.9 cm)

Height  

14.6" (37.0 cm)
15.8" (40.2 cm)

Depth  

13.8" (35.0 cm)
15.9" (40.3 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Dimensions photo - satellites
Samsung HW-Q950A Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

7.9" (20.0 cm)
4.9" (12.4 cm)

Height  

4.7" (12.0 cm)
8.0" (20.2 cm)

Depth  

3.7" (9.5 cm)
5.5" (14.0 cm)
Show Text 

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Bar Mounting Holes
Samsung HW-Q950A Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Satellite Mounting Holes
Samsung HW-Q950A Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes
Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

Yes
Yes

Mountable Satellites 
 

Yes
Yes

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

No
No

Build Quality 
 

7.0
7.5

Build quality photo  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Build quality photo
Samsung HW-Q950A Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR In The Box photo
Samsung HW-Q950A In The Box photo
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.4
8.2

Stereo Setup  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Stereo Setup
Samsung HW-Q950A Stereo Setup

Raw Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Frequency Response Small  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Channels 
 

5.1
11.1.4

Tested Preset 
 

Music
Standard

Slope 
 

-0.28
0.30

Standard Error 
 

2.69 dB
2.65 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

27.5 Hz
33.2 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

17.5 kHz
19.1 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

8.4
8.4

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Music
Standard

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

-1
2

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

N/A
0

Slope 
 

-0.01
0.01

Standard Error 
 

2.44 dB
2.19 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

28.3 Hz
30.4 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

18.0 kHz
19.6 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

7.0
7.5

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

3.23 dB
2.24 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

7.6
8.8

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

95.2 dB SPL
98.8 dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

1.82 dB

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

3.08 dB
1.08 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

8.4

THD  

See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.18

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.27
Show Text 

Center 
 

8.5
8.8

Center Setup  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Center Setup
Samsung HW-Q950A Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

0.00
0.28

Std. Err. 
 

2.90 dB
2.19 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

94.5 dB SPL
96.6 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.35
0.17

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.22
0.86
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

5.3
8.3

Surround Setup  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Surround Setup
Samsung HW-Q950A Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-4.25
-0.36

Std. Err. 
 

12.78 dB
2.92 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

93.0 dB SPL
89.8 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.73
0.52

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

4.07
2.31

7.1 Rears 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

0.0
6.6

Height Setup  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Height Setup
Samsung HW-Q950A Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR H Frequency Response
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Not Supported
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)

Slope 
 

N/A
-0.28

Std. Err. 
 

N/A
4.20 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

N/A
90.5 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

N/A
0.54

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

N/A
1.03
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

4.8
9.5

Room Correction 
 

No
Yes

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
Yes

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Height Level Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Virtual Surround 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Samsung HW-Q950A Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Samsung HW-Q950A Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
1

HDMI Out 
 

ARC
eARC

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

No
No

Full HDMI In 
 

3
2

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

1
No

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

No
No

Ethernet 
 

1
No

Subwoofer Output 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

6.3
10

Dolby Atmos 
 

Not Supported
Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Not Supported
Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Not Supported
Supported

DTS 
 

Supported
Supported

DTS:X 
 

Not Supported
Supported

DTS-HD MA 
 

Not Supported
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
Up To 7.1
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

6.3
10

Dolby Atmos 
 

Not Supported
Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Not Supported
Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Not Supported
Supported

DTS 
 

Supported
Supported

DTS:X 
 

Not Supported
Supported

DTS-HD MA 
 

Not Supported
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
Up To 7.1
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

10
10

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Supported

DTS 
 

Supported
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
2.0
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

Audio Latency: HDMI In 
 

9.5
7.7

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 
 

80 ms

Optical 
 

60 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

59 ms
Show Text 

Audio Latency: Optical 
 

3.8

Optical Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

332 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

348 ms
Show Text 

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

7.8
8.5

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

120Hz
120Hz

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

120Hz
120Hz

4k Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz
60Hz

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz
60Hz

8k Max Refresh Rate 
 

30Hz
30Hz

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Yes
Yes

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

No
Yes

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

Yes
Yes

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

No
Yes

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

No
No

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

No
No

ALLM Passthrough 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

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
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Interface photo
Samsung HW-Q950A Interface photo

Display 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Controls photo
Samsung HW-Q950A Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Remote photo
Samsung HW-Q950A Remote photo
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

No
Yes (Built-in)

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
MagniFi MAX SR
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
HW-Q950A
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
MagniFi MAX SR
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
HW-Q950A
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
MagniFi MAX SR
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
HW-Q950A
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
MagniFi MAX SR
SEARCH
B&H
Black
HW-Q950A
SEARCH
B&H
 
Black
HW-Q950A
SEARCH
LG.com
Back to Top

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR

Samsung HW-Q950A

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR vs Samsung HW-Q950A: Main Discussion

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