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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

Yamaha YAS-209 vs Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Yamaha YAS-209
Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Oct 23, 2024 07:59 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.3

Updated Jan 17, 2024 02:23 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Yamaha YAS-209 Picture
Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Picture

Variants

  • YAS-209 (Black)
  • MagniFi MAX SR (Black)

Our Verdict

Yamaha YAS-209

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR

The Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR is better than the Yamaha YAS-209 for most uses. The Polk Audio is a 5.1 setup with better center and surround performances. It gets louder, albeit with more compression at max volume. However, the 2.1 Yamaha has built-in voice assistant support. Also, we noticed some audio issues with our Polk Audio model, which may not be ideal for all users.

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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

6.9
7.7

Center 
 

6.4
8.5

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.1
8.4

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

No
Yes

Full Comparison

Design

Style - Bar  

Style photo - bar  

Yamaha YAS-209 Style photo - bar
Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Style photo - bar
Show Text 

Style - Subwoofer  

Style photo - sub  

Yamaha YAS-209 Style photo - sub
Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Style photo - sub

Sub Wireless 
 

Yes
Yes

Enclosure 
 

Ported
Ported
Show Text 

Style - Satellites  

Style photo - satellites  

Yamaha YAS-209 Style photo - satellites
Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Style photo - satellites

Satellite Wireless 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Dimensions - Bar  

Dimensions photo - bar  

Yamaha YAS-209 Dimensions photo - bar
Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Dimensions photo - bar

Width  

36.4" (92.4 cm)
42.9" (109.0 cm)

Height  

2.4" (6.2 cm)
2.0" (5.0 cm)

Depth  

4.0" (10.2 cm)
3.7" (9.5 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Subwoofer  

Dimensions photo - sub  

Yamaha YAS-209 Dimensions photo - sub
Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Dimensions photo - sub

Width  

7.5" (19.0 cm)
11.4" (29.0 cm)

Height  

16.5" (42.0 cm)
14.6" (37.0 cm)

Depth  

15.8" (40.2 cm)
13.8" (35.0 cm)
Show Text 

Dimensions - Satellites  

Dimensions photo - satellites  

Yamaha YAS-209 Dimensions photo - satellites
Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Dimensions photo - satellites

Width  

N/A
7.9" (20.0 cm)

Height  

N/A
4.7" (12.0 cm)

Depth  

N/A
3.7" (9.5 cm)
Show Text 

Mounting 
 

Bar Mounting Holes  

Yamaha YAS-209 Bar Mounting Holes
Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Bar Mounting Holes

Satellite Mounting Holes  

Yamaha YAS-209 Satellite Mounting Holes
Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Satellite Mounting Holes

Mountable Bar 
 

Yes
Yes

Bar Brackets Included 
 

No
Yes

Mountable Satellites 
 

No
Yes

Satellite Brackets Included 
 

No
No

Build Quality 
 

7.0
7.0

Build quality photo  

Yamaha YAS-209 Build quality photo
Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Build quality photo
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box photo   

Yamaha YAS-209 In The Box photo
Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR In The Box photo
Show Text 
Sound

Stereo Frequency Response 
 

8.1
8.4

Stereo Setup  

Yamaha YAS-209 Stereo Setup
Polk Audio MagniFi MAX 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 
 

2.1
5.1

Tested Preset 
 

Stereo
Music

Slope 
 

0.04
-0.28

Standard Error 
 

2.87 dB
2.69 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

33.6 Hz
27.5 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
17.5 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration 
 

8.1
8.4

Frequency Response Calibrated  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Suggested Preset 
 

Stereo
Music

Suggested Bass Setting 
 

0
-1

Suggested Treble Setting 
 

N/A
N/A

Slope 
 

0.05
-0.01

Standard Error 
 

2.90 dB
2.44 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

33.6 Hz
28.3 Hz

High-Frequency Extension 
 

19.9 kHz
18.0 kHz
Show Text 

Stereo Soundstage 
 

7.0
7.0

Crosstalk  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Crosstalk Error 
 

2.71 dB
3.23 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Dynamics 
 

7.2
7.6

Dynamic Range Compression  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

83.9 dB SPL
95.2 dB SPL

DRC @ 90dB 
 

1.82 dB

DRC @ Max Volume 
 

0.65 dB
3.08 dB
Show Text 

Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion 
 

7.5

THD  

See details on graph tool

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.63

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.91
Show Text 

Center 
 

6.4
8.5

Center Setup  

Yamaha YAS-209 Center Setup
Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Center Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Phantom
Discrete

Slope 
 

0.04
0.00

Std. Err. 
 

2.86 dB
2.90 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

82.7 dB SPL
94.5 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.63
0.35

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.83
1.22
Show Text 

Surround 5.1 
 

4.0
5.3

Surround Setup  

Yamaha YAS-209 Surround Setup
Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Surround Setup

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Localization 
 

Stereo (Downmix)
Discrete

Slope 
 

0.04
-4.25

Std. Err. 
 

2.85 dB
12.78 dB

SPL @ Max Volume 
 

82.6 dB SPL
93.0 dB SPL

Weighted THD @ 80dB 
 

0.62
0.73

Weighted THD @ Max Volume 
 

0.82
4.07

7.1 Rears 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Height (Atmos) 
 

0.0
0.0

Height Setup  

Yamaha YAS-209 Height Setup
Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Height Setup

H Frequency Response  

Yamaha YAS-209 H Frequency Response
Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR 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
Show Text 

Sound Enhancement Features 
 

4.4
4.8

Room Correction 
 

No
No

Dialogue Enhancement 
 

Yes
Yes

Auto-Volume/Night Mode 
 

No
Yes

Subwoofer Level Adjustment 
 

Yes
No

Bass Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Treble Adjustment 
 

No
No

EQ 
 

Presets
Presets

Surround Level Adjustment 
 

No
Yes

Rear Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Height Level Adjustment 
 

No
No

Virtual Surround 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 
Connectivity

Inputs/Outputs - Bar 
 

Physical Connections Bar Photo 1  

Yamaha YAS-209 Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Physical Connections Bar Photo 1

Physical Connections Bar Photo 2  

Yamaha YAS-209 Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Physical Connections Bar Photo 2

Optical Audio In 
 

1
1

HDMI ARC 
 

1 (shared)

HDMI Out 
 

1 (shared)
ARC

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth 
 

No

Full HDMI In 
 

1
3

Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux) 
 

No
1

RCA In 
 

No
No

USB for Files 
 

No
No

Ethernet 
 

1
1

Subwoofer Output 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC 
 

7.1
6.3

Dolby Atmos 
 

No
Not Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

No
Not Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

No
Not Supported

DTS 
 

Yes
Supported

DTS:X 
 

No
Not Supported

eARC 
 

No

DTS-HD MA 
 

No
Not Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0

5.1 PCM (eARC only) 
 

No
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: HDMI In 
 

8.3
6.3

Dolby Atmos 
 

No
Not Supported

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Supported

Dolby Digital Plus 
 

No
Not Supported

Dolby TrueHD 
 

No
Not Supported

DTS 
 

Yes
Supported

DTS:X 
 

No
Not Supported

DTS-HD MA 
 

No
Not Supported

PCM Channels 
 

2.0

5.1 PCM 
 

Yes
Show Text 

Audio Format Support: Optical 
 

10
10

Dolby Digital 
 

Yes
Supported

DTS 
 

Yes
Supported

PCM Channels 
 

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 
 

8.8
9.5

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 
 

-41 ms

Optical 
 

-36 ms

Full HDMI In 
 

20 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 
 

0.0
7.8

1080p Max Refresh Rate 
 

120Hz

1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

120Hz

4k Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz

4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit 
 

Not Supported

4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate 
 

60Hz

8k Max Refresh Rate 
 

30Hz

HDR10 Passthrough 
 

Yes
Yes

HDR10+ Passthrough 
 

No

Dolby Vision Passthrough 
 

Yes

HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough 
 

No

4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough 
 

Yes

FreeSync Passthrough 
 

No

G-SYNC Passthrough 
 

No

ALLM Passthrough 
 

No

4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough 
 

Yes

4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough 
 

Yes
Show Text 

Wireless Playback 
 

8.0
9.0

Bluetooth 
 

Yes
Yes

Wi-Fi Playback 
 

Yes
Yes

Chromecast built-in 
 

No
Yes

Apple AirPlay 
 

No
No

Spotify Connect 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 
Additional Features

Interface 
 

Interface photo  

Yamaha YAS-209 Interface photo
Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Interface photo

Display 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Bar Controls 
 

Controls photo  

Yamaha YAS-209 Controls photo
Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Controls photo
Show Text 

Remote  

Remote photo  

Yamaha YAS-209 Remote photo
Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Remote photo
Show Text 

Voice Assistants Support 
 

Amazon Alexa 
 

Yes (Built-in)
No

Google Assistant 
 

No
No

Apple Siri 
 

No
No

Microphone Mute 
 

Yes
No

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Yamaha YAS-209

Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR

Comments

  1. Comparison

Yamaha YAS-209 vs Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR: Main Discussion

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