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Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR vs Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
Tested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Jan 17, 2024 02:23 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated May 12, 2025 07:14 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels5.1
Channels5.0
Variants
- MagniFi MAX SR (Black)
- Beam (Gen 2) (Black)
- Sonos Beam (Gen 2) (White)
Our Verdict
Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is better than the Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR. The Sonos is a small, compact standalone soundbar with a premium build. Unlike the Polk Audio, it supports Dolby Atmos content. It also has better soundstage and surround performances. Although the Polk Audio can reproduce a more extended low-bass, in our tests, there were some audio quality issues that really took away from the listening experience. Other listeners have also reported problems with compression and distortion.
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Black
MagniFi MAX SR
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Amazon.comBlack
Beam (Gen 2)
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Amazon.comBlack
MagniFi MAX SR
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BestBuy.comWhite
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
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Amazon.comBlack
MagniFi MAX SR
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Walmart.comBlack
MagniFi MAX SR
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B&HMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
7.7
7.4
Stereo Frequency Response
8.4
7.4
Height (Atmos)
0.0
5.7
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
6.3
9.6
Stereo Soundstage
7.0
8.0
Center
8.5
7.4
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
No
Enclosure
Ported
No Subwoofer
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
Yes
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
42.9" (109.0 cm)
25.6" (65.0 cm)
Height
2.0" (5.0 cm)
2.6" (6.7 cm)
Depth
3.7" (9.5 cm)
4.0" (10.1 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
11.4" (29.0 cm)
N/A
Height
14.6" (37.0 cm)
N/A
Depth
13.8" (35.0 cm)
N/A
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
No
Mountable Satellites
Yes
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
No
Build Quality
7.0
8.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
8.4
7.4
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
5.1
5.0
Tested Preset
Music
No Preset
Slope
-0.28
-0.56
Standard Error
2.69 dB
2.82 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
27.5 Hz
50.4 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
17.5 kHz
16.7 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.4
7.4
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Music
No Preset
Suggested Bass Setting
-1
-3
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
2
Slope
-0.01
0.05
Standard Error
2.44 dB
2.66 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
28.3 Hz
51.9 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
18.0 kHz
17.2 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.0
8.0
Crosstalk Error
3.23 dB
2.32 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.6
7.1
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
95.2 dB SPL
88.8 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
1.82 dB
N/A
DRC @ Max Volume
3.08 dB
1.70 dB
Center
8.5
7.4
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
0.00
0.24
Std. Err.
2.90 dB
3.73 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
94.5 dB SPL
72.3 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.35
0.63
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.22
1.54
Surround 5.1
5.3
5.9
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Phantom (Front Firing and Side Firing, Bar)
Slope
-4.25
-0.56
Std. Err.
12.78 dB
2.79 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
93.0 dB SPL
70.4 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.73
0.38
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
4.07
0.87
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
0.0
5.7
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Not Supported
Phantom (Front Firing, Bar)
Slope
N/A
1.01
Std. Err.
N/A
3.35 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
N/A
59.2 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
N/A
1.45
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
N/A
0.30
Sound Enhancement Features
4.8
5.4
Room Correction
No
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
No
No
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
No
Yes
EQ
Presets
No
Surround Level Adjustment
Yes
No
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
No
No
Virtual Surround
No
No
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
Adapter into HDMI ARC
HDMI Out
ARC
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
No
Full HDMI In
3
No
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
1
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
No
Ethernet
1
1
Subwoofer Output
No
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
6.3
9.6
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
Not Supported
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
Not Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Up To 7.1
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
6.3
0.0
Dolby Atmos
Not Supported
Not Supported
Dolby Digital
Supported
Not Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
Not Supported
Not Supported
Dolby TrueHD
Not Supported
Not Supported
DTS
Supported
Not Supported
DTS:X
Not Supported
Not Supported
DTS-HD MA
Not Supported
Not Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Not Supported
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
10
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
DTS
Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
2.0
Audio Latency: ARC
9.4
7.3
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
69 ms
61 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
69 ms
61 ms
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
N/A
79 ms
Dolby Digital
75 ms
111 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
N/A
121 ms
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
N/A
121 ms
Audio Latency: HDMI In
9.5
0.0
HDMI Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
68 ms
N/A
PCM-5.1 ch
68 ms
N/A
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
N/A
N/A
Dolby Digital
87 ms
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus
N/A
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
N/A
N/A
Audio Latency: Optical
3.8
7.8
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
332 ms
119 ms
Dolby Digital
348 ms
180 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
7.8
0.0
1080p Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
Not Supported
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
Not Supported
4k Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
Not Supported
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
Not Supported
8k Max Refresh Rate
30Hz
Not Supported
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
No
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
No
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
No
FreeSync Passthrough
No
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
No
ALLM Passthrough
No
No
Wireless Playback
9.0
3.0
Bluetooth
Yes
No
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
No
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
No
Yes (Built-in)
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
Yes
Check Price
Black
MagniFi MAX SR
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
Beam (Gen 2)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
MagniFi MAX SR
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comWhite
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comBlack
MagniFi MAX SR
SEE PRICE
Walmart.comBlack
MagniFi MAX SR
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Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
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Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR vs Sonos Beam (Gen 2): Main Discussion
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