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Polk Audio Signa S2 vs Samsung HW-B550
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Polk Audio Signa S2
Samsung HW-B550
Tested using Methodology v1.1
Updated May 09, 2025 01:09 PM
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BestBuy.comTested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Jan 14, 2025 08:37 PM
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Channels2.1
Channels2.1
Variants
- Signa S2 (Black)
- Signa S2D (Black)
- HW-B550 (Black)
Our Verdict
Polk Audio Signa S2
Samsung HW-B550
The Samsung HW-B550 is better than the Polk Audio Signa S2. They're both budget-friendly 2.1 bars, but the Samsung soundbar performs best. It has more sound enhancement features, like a graphic EQ that lets you customize its sound to your liking. It's better-built, too, with a more balanced sound out-of-the-box than the boomy Polk.
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Signa S2
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HW-B550
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Signa S2D
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HW-B550
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BestBuy.comMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
6.6
7.3
Stereo Frequency Response
7.2
8.0
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
No
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
35.4" (89.9 cm)
33.9" (86.0 cm)
Height
2.0" (5.0 cm)
2.2" (5.6 cm)
Depth
3.1" (7.9 cm)
3.0" (7.6 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
6.7" (17.1 cm)
7.2" (18.4 cm)
Height
13.7" (34.9 cm)
13.5" (34.2 cm)
Depth
12.3" (31.3 cm)
11.7" (29.7 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
N/A
Height
N/A
N/A
Depth
N/A
N/A
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
No
Yes
Mountable Satellites
No
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
No
Build Quality
7.0
7.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.2
8.0
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Channels
2.1
2.1
Tested Preset
Music
Standard
Slope
-0.44
-0.32
Standard Error
3.26 dB
2.40 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
49.0 Hz
38.3 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
17.2 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.2
8.0
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Music
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
0
0
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
0
Slope
-0.44
-0.32
Standard Error
3.26 dB
2.40 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
49.0 Hz
38.3 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
17.2 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.0
7.0
Crosstalk Error
2.45 dB
2.57 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.5
8.5
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
95.6 dB SPL
94.1 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
0.26 dB
DRC @ Max Volume
2.66 dB
0.68 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
6.3
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.58
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
10.19
Center
5.8
6.0
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom
Phantom
Slope
-1.44
-1.43
Std. Err.
5.48 dB
4.91 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
93.6 dB SPL
90.6 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.55
0.38
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
3.22
3.20
Surround 5.1
3.3
3.4
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
-1.47
-1.50
Std. Err.
5.51 dB
5.10 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
91.2 dB SPL
87.9 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.72
0.39
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
2.04
2.60
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
0.0
0.0
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Not Supported
Not Supported
Slope
N/A
N/A
Std. Err.
N/A
N/A
SPL @ Max Volume
N/A
N/A
Weighted THD @ 80dB
N/A
N/A
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
N/A
N/A
Sound Enhancement Features
4.5
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
No
No
Rear Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Height Level Adjustment
No
No
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
HDMI Out
No
ARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Full HDMI In
No
1
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
1
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
1
Ethernet
No
No
Subwoofer Output
No
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
6.1
6.3
Dolby Atmos
No
Not Supported
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
No
Not Supported
Dolby TrueHD
No
Not Supported
DTS
No
Supported
DTS:X
No
Not Supported
eARC
No
DTS-HD MA
No
Not Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
No
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
0.0
6.3
Dolby Atmos
No
Not Supported
Dolby Digital
No
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
No
Not Supported
Dolby TrueHD
No
Not Supported
DTS
No
Supported
DTS:X
No
Not Supported
DTS-HD MA
No
Not Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
5.1 PCM
No
Audio Format Support: Optical
6.0
10
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
DTS
No
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Audio Latency: ARC
8.8
ARC Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
85 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
N/A
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
N/A
Dolby Digital
85 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
N/A
Audio Latency: HDMI In
7.3
8.9
HDMI Latency Video
Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
84 ms
PCM-5.1 ch
N/A
Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos
N/A
Dolby Digital
97 ms
Dolby Digital Plus
N/A
Dolby Digital Plus Atmos
N/A
ARC
83 ms
Optical
75 ms
Full HDMI In
N/A
Audio Latency: Optical
7.2
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
140 ms
Dolby Digital
181 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
0.0
5.3
1080p Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
30Hz
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
8k Max Refresh Rate
Not Supported
HDR10 Passthrough
No
No
HDR10+ Passthrough
No
Dolby Vision Passthrough
No
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
No
FreeSync Passthrough
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
ALLM Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
No
Wireless Playback
6.0
6.0
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
No
No
Chromecast built-in
No
No
Apple AirPlay
No
No
Spotify Connect
No
No
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
No
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
No
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
No
Check Price
Black
Signa S2
Searching
Finding storeBlack
HW-B550
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
Signa S2D
Searching
Finding storeBlack
HW-B550
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
HW-B550
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
HW-B550
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
HW-B550
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
HW-B550
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.comBlack
HW-B550
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
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Polk Audio Signa S2
Samsung HW-B550
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Polk Audio Signa S2 vs Samsung HW-B550: Main Discussion
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