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  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 Signa S4 vs Polk Audio Magnifi Max AX SR

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Polk Audio Signa S4
Polk Audio Magnifi Max AX SR

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated May 12, 2025 06:54 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Sep 01, 2023 07:07 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Polk Audio Signa S4 Picture
Polk Audio Magnifi Max AX SR Picture

Variants

  • Signa S4 (Black)
  • Signa S4D (Black)
  • Magnifi Max AX SR (Black)

Our Verdict

Polk Audio Signa S4

Polk Audio Magnifi Max AX SR

The Polk Audio Magnifi Max AX SR is better than the Polk Audio Signa S4. The Max AX SR is a better-built soundbar with discrete satellites to improve its surround sound. It gets louder, too, and it offers a more extended low-bass. You have more wireless playback options, too.

0 

Check Price

Black
Magnifi Max AX SR
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Magnifi Max AX SR
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
 
Black
Magnifi Max AX SR
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Black
Magnifi Max AX SR
B&H
 
Black
Magnifi Max AX SR
Lenovo.com
Read more

Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

6.9
8.1

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.3
8.1

Surround 5.1 
 

3.4
7.1

Stereo Dynamics 
 

7.0
8.6

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

0.0
10

Center 
 

7.5
8.6

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Polk Audio Signa S4 Style photo - bar
Polk Audio Magnifi Max AX SR Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Polk Audio Signa S4 Style photo - sub
Polk Audio Magnifi Max AX SR Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Polk Audio Signa S4 Style photo - satellites
Polk Audio Magnifi Max AX SR Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Polk Audio Signa S4 Dimensions photo - bar
Polk Audio Magnifi Max AX SR Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

41.1" (104.5 cm)
45.1" (114.5 cm)

Height  

2.4" (6.0 cm)
2.8" (7.2 cm)

Depth  

3.7" (9.5 cm)
4.6" (11.8 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Polk Audio Signa S4 Dimensions photo - sub
Polk Audio Magnifi Max AX SR Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

7.9" (20.0 cm)
11.9" (30.2 cm)

Height  

12.9" (32.7 cm)
15.7" (39.8 cm)

Depth  

11.0" (28.0 cm)
16.0" (40.7 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Polk Audio Signa S4 Dimensions photo - satellites
Polk Audio Magnifi Max AX SR Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

N/A
7.8" (19.9 cm)

Height  

N/A
4.4" (11.3 cm)

Depth  

N/A
3.9" (9.9 cm)
Show Text 

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Polk Audio Signa S4 Bar Mounting Holes
Polk Audio Magnifi Max AX SR Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Polk Audio Signa S4 Satellite Mounting Holes
Polk Audio Magnifi Max AX SR Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes
Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

No
No

Mountable Satellites 
 

No
Yes

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

7.0
7.5

Build quality photo  

Polk Audio Signa S4 Build quality photo
Polk Audio Magnifi Max AX SR Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Polk Audio Signa S4 In The Box photo
Polk Audio Magnifi Max AX SR In The Box photo
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

7.3
8.1

Stereo Setup  

Polk Audio Signa S4 Stereo Setup
Polk Audio Magnifi Max AX SR 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 
 

3.1.2
7.1.2

Tested Preset 
 

Music
Music

Slope 
 

-0.83
-0.80

Standard Error 
 

3.32 dB
3.53 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

47.6 Hz
27.9 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

16.7 kHz
17.5 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

7.4
8.1

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Music
Music

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

-3
-2

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

N/A
2

Slope 
 

-0.15
-0.02

Standard Error 
 

2.69 dB
3.22 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

49.7 Hz
32.2 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

17.0 kHz
19.3 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

7.0
7.0

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

1.83 dB
2.56 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

7.0
8.6

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

87.5 dB SPL
101.7 dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

N/A

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

1.10 dB
2.04 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

8.2

THD  

See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.23

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

1.37
Show Text 

Center 
 

7.5
8.6

Center Setup  

Polk Audio Signa S4 Center Setup
Polk Audio Magnifi Max AX SR Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Discrete
Discrete

Slope 
 

-0.92
-0.51

Std. Err. 
 

4.35 dB
3.07 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

84.0 dB SPL
99.6 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.97
0.25

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

2.25
1.40
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

3.4
7.1

Surround Setup  

Polk Audio Signa S4 Surround Setup
Polk Audio Magnifi Max AX SR Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Stereo (Downmix)
Discrete

Slope 
 

-1.69
-0.58

Std. Err. 
 

4.58 dB
5.56 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

86.2 dB SPL
99.0 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.95
0.31

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

2.59
1.56

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

5.8
4.7

Height Setup  

Polk Audio Signa S4 Height Setup
Polk Audio Magnifi Max AX SR Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)

Slope 
 

-1.33
-1.19

Std. Err. 
 

4.72 dB
7.32 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

83.6 dB SPL
81.9 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.70
6.69

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.95
0.34
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

4.5
5.9

Room Correction 
 

No
No

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
Presets

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Height Level Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Virtual Surround 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Polk Audio Signa S4 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Polk Audio Magnifi Max AX SR Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Polk Audio Signa S4 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Polk Audio Magnifi Max AX SR Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
1

HDMI Out 
 

eARC
eARC

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

No
No

Full HDMI In 
 

No
3

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

1
No

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

1
1

Ethernet 
 

No
No

Subwoofer Output 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

8.1
10

Dolby Atmos 
 

Supported
Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Supported
Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Supported
Supported

DTS 
 

Not Supported
Supported

DTS:X 
 

Not Supported
Supported

DTS-HD MA 
 

Not Supported
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

Up To 7.1
Up To 7.1
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

0.0
10

Dolby Atmos 
 

Not Supported
Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

Not Supported
Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

Not Supported
Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

Not Supported
Supported

DTS 
 

Not Supported
Supported

DTS:X 
 

Not Supported
Supported

DTS-HD MA 
 

Not Supported
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

Not Supported
Up To 7.1
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

6.5
10

Dolby Digital 
 

Supported
Supported

DTS 
 

Not Supported
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0
2.0
Show Text 

Audio Latency: ARC 
 

8.1

ARC Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

87 ms

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

88 ms

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

73 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

94 ms

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

97 ms

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

102 ms
Show Text 

Audio Latency: HDMI In 
 

0.0
5.7

HDMI Latency Video  

Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

N/A

PCM-5.1 ch 
 

N/A

Dolby MAT (PCM) Atmos 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

N/A

Dolby Digital Plus Atmos 
 

N/A

ARC 
 

162 ms

Optical 
 

159 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

47 ms
Show Text 

Audio Latency: Optical 
 

6.3

Optical Latency Video  

PCM-2.0 ch 
 

140 ms

Dolby Digital 
 

386 ms
Show Text 

Video Passthrough To TV 
 

0.0
8.5

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported
120Hz

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported
120Hz

4k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported
60Hz

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit 
 

Not Supported
Not Supported

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported
60Hz

8k Max Refresh Rate 
 

Not Supported
30Hz

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

No
Yes

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

No
Yes

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

No
Yes

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

No
Yes

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

No
No

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

No
No

ALLM Passthrough 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Wireless Playback 
 

6.0
10

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
Yes

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

No
Yes

Chromecast built-in 
 

No
Yes

Apple AirPlay 
 

No
Yes

Spotify Connect 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Polk Audio Signa S4 Interface photo
Polk Audio Magnifi Max AX SR Interface photo

Display 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Polk Audio Signa S4 Controls photo
Polk Audio Magnifi Max AX SR Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

Polk Audio Signa S4 Remote photo
Polk Audio Magnifi Max AX SR Remote photo
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

No
No

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
Magnifi Max AX SR
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Magnifi Max AX SR
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
 
Black
Magnifi Max AX SR
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Black
Magnifi Max AX SR
B&H
 
Black
Magnifi Max AX SR
Lenovo.com

Polk Audio Signa S4

Polk Audio Magnifi Max AX SR

Comments

  1. Comparison

Polk Audio Signa S4 vs Polk Audio Magnifi Max AX SR: Main Discussion

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