This cheap Dolby Atmos soundbar could be a great budget alternative to the Sonos Arc

Date:
Wed, 15 Dec 2021 09:01:09 +0000

Description:
The Polk Audio Signa S4 comes with upfiring tweeters that should deliver convincing Dolby Atmos sound.

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If youve been lusting over the Sonos Arc but cant afford the hefty price tag, the latest soundbar from Polk Audio could be an excellent cheaper
alternative.

The Polk Signa S4 comes with support for immersive Dolby Atmos sound - and unlike Sonos budget option, the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) , the new Polk bar
features two upfiring speakers that can bounce sound off of your ceiling.
This should deliver a more convincing sense of height from your film and game soundtracks - a key component in creating the sensation that sound is coming at you from every angle.

Many other budget Atmos soundbars rely on digital signal processing to trick your brain into thinking the sound is truly three-dimensional; however,
theyre rarely capable of matching true Dolby Atmos speakers .

Costing a very reasonable $349.99 / 329.99, the Signa S4 also comes with a wireless subwoofer to boost those bass frequencies. While were still waiting on Australian pricing and availability, that works out to about AU$490.
(Image credit: Polk Audio)

The new soundbar is also able to upmix non-Dolby Atmos sources, rendering height, surround, and center channels to give the impression of 3D sound.

Even without upmixing, the Polk Signa S4 should sound pretty powerful. Its seven-speaker array features a discrete center channel and left/right
tweeters and woofers for a wide soundstage. There are also different modes to make dialogue sound clearer, the bass more powerful, and to reduce the bass and increase dialogue levels to avoid disturbing your neighbors when using
the soundbar at night.

You can hook the new soundbar up to your TV via the HDMI eARC, optical, or AUX-in ports, and it works with Bluetooth so you can use it to play music wirelessly from your phone. Analysis: should you buy the Polk Signa S4 over the Sonos Beam (Gen 2)? (Image credit: Polk Audio)

While we havent tested the Polk Signa S4 yet, it could be a really compelling alternative to Sonos range of soundbars - especially the latter's cheapest offering, the Sonos Beam (Gen 2).

Thats because it comes with true Atmos drivers rather than relying on psychoacoustic techniques to give the impression of height from your movie soundtracks. This was something that we didnt feel the second-gen Beam was particularly successful at. Sure, it has a lovely, wide soundstage, but 3D sound? Were not convinced.

Otherwise, the Signa S4 shares many of the same specs as the Beam (Gen 2). It has a sleek, compact design and support for HDMI eARC connectivity.

What it doesnt have, is integration into Sonos excellent wireless multiroom ecosystem . But, if you dont have other Sonos speakers and dont plan to add
to your home cinema setup, the Signa S4 is considerably cheaper than the Beam (Gen 2) - and the addition of a wireless subwoofer at no extra cost only sweetens the deal.

Well be interested to see if Polks new soundbar lives up to the companys claims of delivering exceptional sound quality coupled with great value - and if it can compete with Sonos soundbars, Polk will be on to a real winner.
Read our guide to the best soundbars you can buy today



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/this-cheap-dolby-atmos-soundbar-could-be-a-grea t-budget-alternative-to-the-sonos-arc/


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