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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 Jan 17, 2024 02:50 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Sep 01, 2023 07:07 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels3.1.2
Channels7.1.2
Variants
- Signa S4 (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.
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Notice: Two or more of the products selected have been tested with different test methodologies, so some of the results below aren't directly comparable. Learn how our test benches and scoring system work, and read more about the latest changes to our soundbars test methodology.
Main Differences for
Threshold
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
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
Yes
Yes
Enclosure
Ported
Ported
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
Yes
Dimensions - Bar
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)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
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)
Dimensions - Satellites
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)
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
No
No
Mountable Satellites
No
Yes
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
7.3
8.1
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
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
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.4
8.1
Frequency Response Calibrated
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
Stereo Soundstage
7.0
7.0
Crosstalk Error
1.83 dB
2.56 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.0
8.6
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
87.5 dB SPL
101.7 dB SPL
DRC @ 90dB
N/A
DRC @ Max Volume
1.10 dB
2.04 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
8.2
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.23
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.37
Center
7.5
8.6
Center Setup
Frequency Response
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
Surround 5.1
3.4
7.1
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
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
Height (Atmos)
5.8
4.7
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
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
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
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
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
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
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
Audio Format Support: Optical
6.5
10
Dolby Digital
Supported
Supported
DTS
Not Supported
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
2.0
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
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
Audio Latency: Optical
6.3
Optical Latency Video
PCM-2.0 ch
140 ms
Dolby Digital
386 ms
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
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
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
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Polk Audio Signa S4
Polk Audio Magnifi Max AX SR
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Polk Audio Signa S4 vs Polk Audio Magnifi Max AX SR: Main Discussion
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