If you give the Polk lozenge a compatible HDMI eARC connection, then set-up could hardly be more simple. We gave the lozenge and the subwoofer power, plugged in that HDMI cable – our smart TV recognised that an Atmos-capable ‘receiver’ was attached, and its sound was routed almost immediately through both the lozenge and its wirelessly-connected subwoofer. The new MagniFi Max AX is not using any previously seen design and instead borrows certain design cues from the MagniFi Mini soundbars but on a bigger scale. Unlike Denon who opted to use just a few discreet speakers in their DHT-S217 2.1 Dolby Atmos Soundbar, Polk is using an 11-speaker array featuring dedicated center channels, up-firing height speakers and Polk’s Stereo Dimensional Array (SDA) technology.

Polk Magnifi Max AX Dolby Atmos Soundbar Review - Great sound

Earlier this year, Polk Audio pulled off a real tour de force with the Polk MagniFi Mini AX soundbar, an ultra-compact model capable of creating surround sound in Dolby Atmos and DTS:X without obscuring the screen. A compactness made possible by the brand’s exclusive Stereo Dimensional Array (SDA) processing. The Polk MagniFi Mini AX soundbar offers an enveloping soundstage from a compact, discreet device thanks to Stereo Dimensional Array (SDA) spatialization technology. As for the rest, the unit is Roku TV ready which means that if you have a Roku equipped TV setting up and controlling the unit can be a lot easier. Lastly you have the ability to expand the system to a 7.1.2 channels setup with the addition of the optional Polk SR2 Wireless Rear Surround Speakers. We test every soundbar we review thoroughly over an extended period of time. We use industry standard tests to compare features properly. We’ll always tell you what we find. We never, ever, accept money to review a product.DTS:X immersive audio content places sound where it would naturally occur in space, creating lifelike, multi- dimensional audio. DTS Neural:X upmixer offers heightened realism for legacy content. Getting the whole lot to connect wirelessly is incredibly easy, thanks to sync buttons on each piece of kit. I didn’t have any problem with reliability, either. By simply speaking to an Alexa-enabled device, you can play music, adjust volume, switch inputs, and perform other functions without needing to use physical buttons or remotes. Polk-patented SDA (Stereo Dimensional Array) technology creates an expansive soundstage and detailed stereo image, while delivering a multi-dimensional sound experience.

POLK AUDIO MagniFi Max AX SR Dolby Atmos 5.1 Soundbar POLK AUDIO MagniFi Max AX SR Dolby Atmos 5.1 Soundbar

And there are volume controls – lots of them, indeed. One pair of buttons for the main volume. A second pair labelled ‘Voice’ to individually adjust the centre channel (presumably the function inspiring a mysterious bottom section to the lozenge engraved with the words “Voice Adjust”; we have no idea why else it’s there). The unit comes with a music mode so we opted to use that for this part of our testing. But as we always say, choosing a specific sound mode has to do a lot with the personal preferences of each user so we strongly advise you to try them all and decide for yourself which one sounds better to your ears. At the top face we get the built-in buttons with Polk using physical buttons in the shape of their functionality. To be honest we like these much more that the touch sensitive ones that some brands are using as these are much less prone to fail or accidental input. There is nothing else visible at the top as the up-firing drivers are hidden under the cloth grille keeping a very minimalistic look.Again, the MagniFi Mini AX’s sense of height effects is more generally defined than specific, but for a small soundbar, it gets the tone of sounds right. The MagniFi Max AX and MagniFi Max AX SR leverage 50 years of Polk speaker design expertise to deliver Polk’s best sound bar to date, and with Polk’s patented Stereo Dimensional Array (SDA) and Voice Adjust technologies, the Magnify Max AX and MagniFi Max AX SR will fill any room with exceptional sound without filling the room with speakers. Add built-in wireless music streaming and you have the ultimate all-in-one entertainment hub.

Magnifi Max AX | Polk Audio Magnifi Max AX | Polk Audio

Big respect for Polk. I have heard a couple of their speakers and most recently the Signa S4 but I never tried the MagniFi series. I like them really and having such affordable prices make them a far more affordable brand than some other very known names in the filed. Excellent review you got there, keep up the good work! Kind regards Erica Reply Another option to consider is Vizio’s M-Series Elevate Dolby Atmos soundbar, which includes not only a subwoofer like Polk’s bar, but also surround speakers. To get there, you forego any Wi-Fi streaming options, though, and it only includes one spare HDMI input.MacRumors attracts a broad audience of both consumers and professionals interested in the latest technologies and products. We also boast an active community focused on purchasing decisions and technical aspects of the iPhone, iPod, iPad, and Mac platforms. Now, there are soundbars we had tested before that could push the sound even further to each side but nevertheless what the MagniFi Max AX was able to give us was more that what we were expecting. If there is one area where the soundbar failed a bit, that would be in its surround activity. The soundbar does try to create a multi-dimensional immersion bubble but with no rear speakers it can do so much with what it has. If you really want surround sound you will have to either buy the optional rear speakers kit or go for the Polk Audio MagniFi Max AX SR bundle that is the same soundbar with the rear speakers included. MagniFi Max AX includes a remote and works with most TV remotes out of the box. Its intuitive front-panel OLED display indicates adjustments and automatically dims when not in use. And MagniFi MAX AX is Roku TV-ready for even easier configuration and control. New Flagship Systems Elevate Movie, TV, Gaming and Music Experiences with Immersive Surround Sound and Deep Bass Impact