As the lights dimmed and the opening credits rolled, the TV’s hum filled the room. But something was different. The audio now filled the space, creating an immersive experience. This was the power of the Polk Audio Signa S4 soundbar.
It’s an entry-level home theater solution that brings Dolby Atmos surround sound to everyone. With a price tag from $259 to $399, it caught my eye. Could this soundbar deliver the cinematic audio I wanted without costing too much? As I explored its features, I was impressed by what it offered.
Key Takeaways
- The Polk Audio Signa S4 delivers room-filling sound with good bass performance, thanks to its included wireless subwoofer.
- It offers easy setup with a simple HDMI ARC connection, making it a hassle-free upgrade for your home theater.
- The Signa S4 supports Dolby Atmos, providing an immersive surround sound experience without the need for multiple speakers.
- While it lacks some advanced features like Wi-Fi connectivity and voice assistants, the Signa S4 excels as a competitively priced entry-level Dolby Atmos soundbar.
- Its 7/10 rating suggests a well-rounded performance, making it a recommended option for those seeking an affordable home theater upgrade.
Product Overview and First Impressions
The Polk Audio Signa S4 soundbar package is a great upgrade for your home theater. It offers an immersive audio experience with its sleek design and wireless subwoofer. Plus, it’s an affordable way to get Dolby Atmos sound.
What’s in the Box
The Polk Audio Signa S4 package comes with the soundbar, a wireless subwoofer, a remote, and cables. It has HDMI and optical connections for use with many TVs and devices.
Build Quality and Design Elements
The Polk Audio Signa S4 soundbar has a clean, fabric-wrapped design. It fits TVs 42 inches and larger well. It also has LED indicators for status and input.
The wireless subwoofer is compact and fits easily in your living room. It adds deep, powerful bass without taking up much space.
Initial Setup Experience
Setting up the Polk Audio Signa S4 is easy. Just connect it to your TV with HDMI ARC or optical audio. The subwoofer pairs automatically. The remote control makes adjusting settings simple.
“The Polk Audio Signa S4 soundbar package delivers an impressive Dolby Atmos experience at an accessible price point, making it a compelling choice for those seeking an upgrade to their home theater setup.”
Design and Physical Specifications
The Polk Audio Signa S4 soundbar has a sleek design. It features a fabric front and top, with rounded corners for a modern look. Five LED lights under the front cover add a touch of visual feedback.
The control panel is on the top rear, with five buttons for easy use. The subwoofer is covered in matte black vinyl and has rounded corners, matching the soundbar’s design.
The soundbar measures 1046x60x95mm, while the subwoofer is 200x328x280mm and weighs 4.3kg. This makes the Signa S4 perfect for any room size, from small to large.
| Specification | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Soundbar Dimensions | 1046 x 60 x 95 mm |
| Subwoofer Dimensions | 200 x 328 x 280 mm |
| Subwoofer Weight | 4.3 kg |
The Polk Signa S4 design is both stylish and functional. It fits well in any home theater setup. Its soundbar dimensions and subwoofer specifications ensure an immersive audio experience without taking up too much space.
Technical Features and Capabilities
The Polk Audio Signa S4 soundbar has amazing features that go beyond what you’d expect from an entry-level model. It has a 3.1.2-channel setup, giving you a Dolby Atmos experience. Inside, you’ll find seven drivers, including tweeters, mid-range speakers, a center driver, and two Atmos speakers for height.
Audio Technology
The Polk Signa S4 supports Dolby Atmos, bringing you the latest in three-dimensional sound. Its 3.1.2 channel setup and Atmos speakers create a soundstage that feels like you’re right in the action. Whether it’s a new movie or your favorite tunes, the Signa S4 promises an outstanding audio experience.
Connectivity Options
Connecting the Polk Signa S4 is easy, with an HDMI eARC port, an optical digital input, and a 3.5mm analog connection. It also has Bluetooth 5.0 for streaming music wirelessly from your devices. This mix of wired and wireless options makes it easy to fit into your home entertainment system.
Sound Modes
The Polk Signa S4 comes with different sound modes to enhance your listening. You can choose from Movie, Music, and Night modes. There’s also a Voice Adjust feature to make dialogue clearer, so you catch every word.
“The Polk Signa S4 delivers an impressive Dolby Atmos experience, considering its affordable price point.”
Setup Process and Installation Guide
Setting up the Polk Audio Signa S4 soundbar is easy and quick. It only takes a few minutes. The HDMI ARC connection is key. It sends high-quality audio from your TV to the soundbar.
To start, connect the soundbar to your TV’s HDMI ARC port. This cable carries both audio and video, keeping your setup clean. Next, plug the wireless subwoofer into a power outlet. Press the Connect button on the subwoofer to pair it with the soundbar wirelessly.
You can place the soundbar on your TV stand or mount it on the wall. Make sure there’s enough space above for the Atmos speakers. Once everything is connected, you’re set to enjoy Dolby Atmos.
The Polk Signa S4 setup is easy and straightforward. The HDMI ARC and wireless subwoofer pairing make it simple. Follow these steps to enhance your home entertainment with the Polk Audio Signa S4 soundbar.
Sound Performance Analysis
The Polk Audio Signa S4 soundbar offers a great Dolby Atmos experience at a good price. It has a wide soundstage and height from the up-firing speakers. This makes the audio feel like you’re right in the action.
The subwoofer adds deep, resonant bass. This bass is perfect for exciting movie scenes and music.
Dolby Atmos Experience
The Signa S4’s Atmos speakers do a great job of adding height and depth. Sounds like helicopters or rain are placed just right. The soundstage is big but not too much.
This Atmos performance is amazing for a soundbar at this price.
Bass Response and Subwoofer Performance
The wireless subwoofer works well with the soundbar. It gives deep, impactful bass that doesn’t overpower other sounds. The Voice Adjust technology helps make dialogue clear, even in loud scenes.
Voice Clarity and Dialog Enhancement
The Signa S4’s audio processing makes it easy to hear different sounds clearly. You can enjoy both loud action and quiet details in Atmos soundtracks. The Voice Adjust technology lets you adjust dialogue levels to your liking.
In summary, the Polk Audio Signa S4 soundbar is a great choice. It offers excellent Dolby Atmos performance, balanced bass response, and Voice Adjust technology at a good price. It’s a top pick for those looking for an entry-level Atmos soundbar.
Polk Audio Signa S4 Soundbar Review: Performance Testing
The Polk Audio Signa S4 soundbar is designed to offer a great Dolby Atmos experience at a low price. It’s a compact 3.1.2-channel system that sounds much bigger than it looks. It creates a wide soundstage that goes beyond the soundbar’s 41.2-inch width.
The sound quality of the Signa S4 is well-balanced and warm. The wireless subwoofer adds solid bass, making the sound richer and deeper. At high volumes, there’s a slight mid-bass resonance, but adjusting the bass controls fixes this easily.
Dialogue clarity is a key feature of the Signa S4. The three-level Voice Adjust function makes voices clearer without adding harshness. It handles complex movie and TV mixes well, keeping background sounds and effects in the immersive Dolby Atmos soundscape.
In music tests, the Polk Signa S4 shows it can accurately capture room acoustics and detailed performances. Its wide soundstage and balanced sound make for a great listening experience. This soundbar is a good pick for those who love movies and music but are on a budget.
Remote Control and User Interface
The Polk Signa S4 soundbar comes with a compact remote. It lets you control your audio easily. You can change sources, adjust volume, and more with just a few clicks.
The remote is simple but doesn’t have backlit buttons. But, the soundbar’s front panel has LED indicators. These help you adjust settings even in the dark.
The Polk Signa S4’s interface is easy to use. It has only five buttons on the soundbar. You can quickly turn it on, change inputs, and adjust the volume.
This simplicity makes using the soundbar a breeze. You can enjoy your content without getting lost in menus.
The Polk Signa S4 doesn’t have a smartphone app. But, the physical remote and soundbar controls work well. They let you manage your audio settings easily without extra software.
“The Polk Signa S4’s remote control and user interface strike a balance between functionality and simplicity, allowing you to easily fine-tune your audio experience without getting bogged down in complex menus or settings.”
In summary, the Polk Signa S4’s remote and interface are easy to use. They’re perfect for those who want simple audio controls. This soundbar offers a great Dolby Atmos experience without being hard to use.
Connectivity Features and Options
The Polk Audio Signa S4 soundbar has many ways to connect, making it great for today’s home theaters. It has a single HDMI eARC port for easy connection with your TV and top-notch sound.
HDMI eARC Implementation
The HDMI eARC port on the Signa S4 makes sending audio easy. You can control the soundbar’s volume and settings with your TV’s remote. This makes setting it up simple and user-friendly.
Thanks to eARC, the Signa S4 can get high-quality audio formats like Dolby Atmos. This gives you a full, immersive sound experience.
Bluetooth and Other Inputs
- The Signa S4 also has a 3.5mm analog audio input. This lets you connect devices like smartphones, tablets, or MP3 players.
- It has Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless audio streaming. This adds more flexibility to your entertainment setup.
- But, it doesn’t have Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay, or Google Chromecast. This might limit its use in smart home systems or streaming services.
The Polk Audio Signa S4 soundbar has good connectivity options, like HDMI eARC and Bluetooth 5.0. It might not have all the smart features some want. Yet, it’s a solid choice for your home entertainment needs.
Value Proposition and Price Analysis
The Polk Audio Signa S4 soundbar is priced at $399/£329. It offers great value for those looking for an entry-level Dolby Atmos soundbar. Compared to pricier models like the Sonos Beam Gen 2, the Signa S4 is a big step up from TV speakers at a lower cost.
The Signa S4 may not have all the bells and whistles of more expensive soundbars. Yet, it packs a punch for its price as an entry-level Atmos soundbar. It creates a full surround sound experience with a wireless subwoofer, showing its value for money.
| Feature | Polk Signa S4 | Sonos Beam Gen 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399/£329 | $449/£449 |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless Subwoofer | Yes | No |
| HDMI Inputs | 2 | 1 |
| Voice Assistant | No | Yes (Amazon Alexa) |
In summary, the Polk Audio Signa S4 price and its features make it a top choice. It’s a great value for money option for those wanting an entry-level Atmos soundbar. It boosts your home theater experience without costing too much.
Comparison with Competing Models
When thinking about buying the Polk Audio Signa S4 soundbar, it’s smart to compare it with other entry-level Atmos soundbars. The Denon DHT-S517 is a big competitor, as it has similar design and features to the Signa S4.
Denon DHT-S517 vs Signa S4
The Denon DHT-S517 and Polk Audio Signa S4 are both affordable Dolby Atmos soundbars. They aim to give you an immersive audio experience. The Signa S4 is cheaper, at $399, while the Denon costs $499.
Both soundbars look sleek and simple. But, the Denon has an HDMI passthrough. This lets you connect more devices to your TV through the soundbar. The Signa S4 doesn’t have this feature.
The Signa S4 and Denon DHT-S517 have similar sound quality. They both support Dolby Atmos, have good bass, and clear dialogue. The Signa S4 might have less bass, which is better for those who like balanced sound.
Market Position Analysis
The Polk Audio Signa S4 is a standout in the entry-level Atmos soundbar market. It’s priced at $399, making it cheaper than many higher-end models. For example, the Sonos Arc costs $799 and the Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 is $999.
The Signa S4 is also one of the most affordable Atmos soundbars. It competes with the Denon DHT-S517 and the Roku Streambar Pro 5.1 Soundbar System. Its dedicated subwoofer is a plus compared to some compact soundbars.
In summary, the Polk Audio Signa S4 is a great deal. It offers Dolby Atmos at a lower price than many other soundbars. Its balanced sound and easy design make it a top choice in the entry-level market.
Music Playback Performance
The Polk Audio Signa S4 soundbar offers a great music experience, thanks to Bluetooth streaming. It shows off clear sounds and detailed musical arrangements. This lets you enjoy the full range of music genres.
The Bluetooth audio quality is excellent, filling the room with sound. The Music mode puts vocals and lead instruments in the spotlight. But, the bass might get too loud at high volumes, overpowering other sounds.
Not having Wi-Fi streaming means missing out on some music features. Yet, the Polk Signa S4’s music performance is enjoyable and clear. It proves to be a versatile choice for music lovers.
“The Polk Signa S4 offers a surprisingly robust music experience, delivering an immersive and room-filling sound that showcases the true polk signa s4 music performance of this affordable Dolby Atmos soundbar.”
In short, the Polk Audio Signa S4 is great for music, thanks to Bluetooth. Its balanced sound and clear details make it a good pick for music fans. It’s perfect for both TV and movie watching.
Movie and TV Show Experience
The Polk Audio Signa S4 soundbar excels in movie and TV show performance. It has Dolby Atmos technology, making audio more immersive. This adds a new level to your entertainment.
It handles everything from loud action scenes to quiet dialogue well. The surround sound makes you feel like you’re right in the action. The up-firing speakers add height and depth, like a real home theater.
The soundbar’s voice clarity and dialog enhancement make conversations clear. The Night mode adjusts bass levels for quiet viewing. This way, you get great sound without disturbing others.
Watching movies or TV shows is better with the Polk Signa S4 soundbar. It’s great for Dolby Atmos movies and TV audio enhancement. It’s a top pick for Polk Signa S4 movie performance.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Dolby Atmos Support | The Polk Signa S4 offers true Dolby Atmos surround sound, creating a more immersive and lifelike audio experience. |
| Voice Clarity | The soundbar’s dialog enhancement features ensure clear and natural-sounding dialogue, even in complex scenes. |
| Night Mode | The Night mode adjusts the bass levels to prevent disturbing others during late-night viewing. |
| Upgrade from TV Speakers | The Signa S4 provides a significant improvement in audio quality and immersion compared to the built-in speakers of most TVs. |
The Polk Audio Signa S4 soundbar offers an amazing movie and TV show experience. Its Dolby Atmos, voice clarity, and other features make it stand out. It’s a great choice for anyone wanting top-notch audio for their home entertainment.
Pros and Cons Analysis
The Polk Audio Signa S4 Soundbar is a great choice for those looking for an affordable Dolby Atmos experience. It comes with a wireless subwoofer, which boosts the bass. The setup is easy, making it simple to add to your home entertainment system. Its sleek design also fits well in most living rooms.
The soundbar’s sound quality is good, thanks to its Voiceadjust™ technology. This tech improves dialogue clarity. But, the virtual surround sound might not feel as real as true Atmos setups. It also lacks Wi-Fi and has limited smart features, which might be a drawback for some.
Despite its minor downsides, the Polk Audio Signa S4 Soundbar is a great value. It’s affordable, has a wireless subwoofer, and sounds good. It’s a solid choice for those new to Atmos soundbars, even with its limited connectivity and smart features.
FAQ
What is the Polk Audio Signa S4?
The Polk Audio Signa S4 is a budget-friendly soundbar system. It has Dolby Atmos support and a wireless subwoofer. This makes it great for an immersive home theater experience.
What are the key features of the Polk Signa S4?
The Polk Signa S4 has several key features. It supports Dolby Atmos and has dedicated up-firing speakers. It also comes with a wireless subwoofer for better bass.
It has HDMI ARC for easy setup and Voice Adjust technology for clearer dialog. It offers simple sound modes for different listening scenarios. Plus, it has a compact and attractive design with a fabric-wrapped exterior.
How does the setup process work for the Polk Signa S4?
Setting up the Polk Signa S4 is easy. First, connect the soundbar to your TV’s HDMI ARC port. Then, plug in the wireless subwoofer and press the Connect button to pair them.
You can place the soundbar on a TV stand or mount it on the wall. Make sure there’s enough space for the up-firing Atmos speakers.
What kind of audio performance can I expect from the Polk Signa S4?
The Polk Signa S4 offers a great Dolby Atmos experience at a good price. It has a wide soundstage and adds height with its up-firing speakers. The wireless subwoofer provides deep bass.
The Voice Adjust technology makes dialog clear. The soundbar handles action scenes and subtle details well in Atmos soundtracks.
What are the connectivity options on the Polk Signa S4?
The Polk Signa S4 has several connectivity options. It has HDMI eARC for high-quality audio, an optical digital input, and a 3.5mm analog input. It also supports Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless audio streaming and has a USB-A port for firmware updates.
How does the Polk Signa S4 compare to other entry-level Atmos soundbars?
The Polk Signa S4 is a strong competitor in the entry-level Atmos soundbar market. It offers features and performance similar to the Sonos Beam Gen 2. But, it includes a wireless subwoofer, making it a better value than some pricier models without Atmos support.
The Signa S4 stands out with its impressive audio quality and features in the entry-level Atmos soundbar market.
What is the pricing and value proposition of the Polk Signa S4?
The Polk Signa S4 is priced at 9/£329. It offers good value for a Dolby Atmos-enabled soundbar with a wireless subwoofer. It’s more affordable than the Sonos Beam Gen 2 but provides a significant upgrade from built-in TV speakers.
While it lacks some features of premium models, the Signa S4 delivers impressive performance for its price.
