Not entirely. As Electro zapped the Peter Parkers in Spider-man: No Way Home, the subwoofer delivered a satisfying rumble with the bolts of electricity. Plus, its a smart speaker with your choice of Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, This soundbar is proof that good things do come in small packages! This whole Dolby Atmos thing keeps getting more and more diluted as laptop makers and other tech companies throw the Atmos badge on products that often sound totally fine but rarely deliver any extra immersion. Heres the full lineup. PCMag.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering lab-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services. According to Polk, the answer is 14.5 inches. We were down peering at the back of the sub when one particularly impactful round of gunfire sent a waft of air from the port so substantial that it blew back our hair. The $499 MagniFi Mini AX bears a strong resemblance to its MagniFi siblings, but with one key difference: It supports both . You cant use it as a secondary input for connecting devices like streaming audio, CD, or Blu-ray players. Machine Learning Group - Saarland University With the Mini AX, sounds wont be heard from overhead (or beside/behind you unless you spring for the $200 optional wireless surround speakers). In addition to power and input selectors, it has several buttons to adjust the sound to your liking. But at least you dont have to worry about finding a long surface to place it on. You use Movie for most movie and TV fare, and you can hit 3D to jazz up any stereo drama at the expense of some clarity. Again, its not really my cup of tea looks-wise, but Im willing to overlook it thanks to its performance. Let our rigorous testing and reviews be your guidelines to A/V equipment not marketing slogans, Get a 1hr consultation with Gene for $200, *For your convenience, we've included a link to. 21 talking about this. Despite its visual similarity to the original Mini, the AX features different insides. The Home app invited me to set up the new speaker as soon as I opened it. MSRP $499.00. The black plastic-and-mesh unit will look best paired with small TVs and computer monitors, and the neutral design wont attract much attention. Why trust us? Theres also a USB port, but its for service only. The soundbar uses virtualization to present Atmos' immersive 3D effect through just a left and right channel, but it should still produce a more effective home theater sound than the S216, which relied on DTS Virtual:X. Polk has a new model in its MagniFi range of ultra-compact soundbars. What it does have that those soundbars lack, however, is a subwoofer, and that goes a long way in producing big sound for content with lots of bass. Which is a shame, as wed like to hear how much better this MagniFi Mini AX could sound with that additional rear delivery. The Magnifi-Mini will only [..], Out with the old, in with the new - The Signature Series, The Real American HiFi Home Theater Speaker, is replacing the Tsx line. is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Like other MagniFi products from Polk, the new soundbar will have access to millions of songs, podcasts, and more with Wi-Fi streaming via Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, as well as the convenience of Bluetooth connectivity. The layout is simple and intuitive, but theres no backlighting for use in darkened rooms. We're thinking office, small gameroom, or bedroom would be a perfect place for the MagniFi AX. Instead, the speaker virtualizes these channels through its five-driver array, with low-frequency effects being provided by the included wireless subwoofer. The crossover is set properly, so the subwoofer handles most of the bass synth notes and kick drum hits and the soundbar doesnt distort even at high volumes, for a properly wall-thumping sound. The MagniFi Mini AX manages to hack over 10 inches off of that, and frankly its dimensions and top-panel controls make it look more like a Bluetooth speaker than home theater gear. The opening acoustic guitar plucks dont reach quite low enough to set off the subwoofer unless at high volume levels, but they still manage to sound full. The MagniFi Mini AX packs five speakers inside that Polk says are capable of "deep bass, detailed highs and an expansive 3D soundstage" when paired with the sub. Thanks to Polks Stereo Dimensional Array (SDA) technology, which projects sound outward at various angles not just straight ahead this speaker totally fills a medium-sized room with punchy, dynamic sound. Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR Review - RTINGS.com But on the whole, its another thumbs-up for the Polk combo with music. The code for 1-Spectral Clustering is published as free software under the terms of the GNU GPL v3.0. Heres how it works. The $249 Denon DHT-S217 will be available starting in May from Denon.com and authorized Denon retailers. Hes written about music and technology for more than 20 years for a raft of publications including Wired, Mens Journal, PC World and Macworld. 200 watts; Total Frequency Response: SOUND BAR. If immersive Dolby Atmos is your primary goal, consider the $500 Vizio M-Series M512a-H6. Ports: HDMI (eARC), optical digital, 3.5mm, USB-A (updates only) Great deals on consumer electronics delivered straight to your inbox, curated by Engadgets editorial team. Ive reviewed more than a thousand different consumer electronics products including headphones, speakers, TVs, and every major game system and VR headset of the last decade. 2023 Vox Media, LLC. While the soundbar comes with a wireless subwoofer, Polk offers a set of wireless rear satellite speakers to expand your surround sound setup for 5.1-channel audio. Announced in May 2017, Polk's latest addition to the MagniFi soundbar line is making its first sounds at CEDIA 2017. He makes music as well as enjoying it, is alarmingly wedded to the notion that Led Zeppelin remains the highest point of rock'n'roll yet attained, though remains willing to assess modern pretenders. Why you can trust Tom's Guide? Theres source switching from TV (HDMI or optical) to Aux (analogue) or Bluetooth. New York, By Ben Patterson Senior Writer, TechHive Mar 15, 2022 12:00 am PDT. There are buttons for establishing connections to the included wireless subwoofer or optional surround speakers (the sub comes paired with the soundbar, so I didnt need to do anything). The DHT-S217 contains several significant improvements over the DHT-S216, which also sells for $249. The AXs 15.6 x 14.6 x 7.2-inch subwoofer looks comically large compared to the soundbar itself, but it isnt really that big by subwoofer standards. Crisp and clear dialogue with VoiceAdjust (tm) Makes virtually any TV sound incredible 1 year warranty* Built-in music streaming Read More Color options Black $299.00 As low as $27 /mo with Affirm . The lozenge unit offers three physical audio inputs: HDMI with eARC to connect with a similarly-equipped HDMI input on your TV, an optical digital input as a fallback connection for TVs with neither eARC nor ARC, and as a last resort a 3.5mm analogue minijack input. Similar to the original MagniFi Mini, the AX doesnt look like your typical soundbar. Now Polk Audio announced its latest sound bar system, the ultracompact MagniFi Mini AX that is designed to provide music and movie enthusiasts with immersive audio playback with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X built-in. If Wi-Fi isnt an option, or you simply want a quick and easy way to stream from your phones or other devices, Bluetooth is available as well. The Mini AX works well for music, thanks to its wide and bassy sound. The back of the unit has easy-to-access ports for connecting to your TV via HDMI (with support for eARC), optical digital or 3.5mm cables. Wi-Fi runs a close second, and Bluetooth is perfectly acceptable for casual listening but I dont recommend it for a serious listening session. For $449, you can get a Sonos Beam, a better all-around soundbar that also delivers more immersive virtual surround sound. Anyway, this mode seemed to select itself by default when streaming music, as Movie and 3D seemed to do with surround/stereo from the TV input, so you wont spend time getting lost in the sound modes, as can happen on some rival bars. https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/polk-audio-magnifi-mini-ax. By comparison, the Sonos Beam, another small soundbar, is 25.6 x 3.9 x 2.7 inches. Amazon.com: Polk MagniFi Mini AX Sound Bar (2022 Model), Dolby Atmos and DTS:X Certified, Polk's Patented VoiceAdjust & SDA Technologies, Ultra-Compact Design, Easy Setup : Everything Else MINI Saarland | Saarbrcken - Facebook Pros Exciting, dynamic. MagniFi 2 Sound Bar & Wireless Subwoofer | Polk Audio The larger tweeters helped the AX deliver fuller treble tones than the Mini. All this through just three front channels, five drivers in all, plus the subwoofer. It reminded us of a line in the Polks website blurb where it says Guests will ask, where are all the speakers? They may indeed. If you read reviews of previous MagniFi speakers, youll probably note a common thread: They sound way bigger and better than their diminutive size would normally suggest. Movie mode is narrower than 3D but made it easier to hear voices. The MagniFi Mini AX soundbar itself is a downright puny black trapezoid measuring 3.1 by 14.4 by 4.1 inches (HWD) with grille cloth covering its front, back, and sides. You dont need to use the remote if you just want to control the volume your existing TV remote should work with it. The MagniFi Mini AX is available now for $499 (479/429). The Polk MagniFi Mini AX adds Dolby Atmos to its compact soundbar and delivers big By Michael Gowan last updated 16 May 2022 Comments (0) (Image: Tom's Guide) Tom's Guide Verdict The. Throw the included batteries into the remote, and youre in business. The Polk Audio MagniFi Mini AX is a 3.1-channel soundbar, with a trio of 51mm mid-range drivers supplying audio to the left, center, and right channels; the left and right channels . So an unusual sound lozenge and subwoofer solution. We were impressed with the sound coming out of such a small package as well as the connectivity options and the ability for the system to work with your existing remotes. Though it may not be the best Atmos soundbar, its wide and tall soundstage and excellent clarity make it ideal for Broadway-style musicals. Of course a proper hi-fi with stereo speakers will have many sonic advantages, but for a soundbar, particularly one at this price which also does movies well, this is a good performance. Samsung has been pretty quiet about its 2023 lineup of Dolby Atmos soundbars since it announced the new collection back at CES 2023, but we finally have all of the models, prices, and features. One of the more convincing attempts at an ultra-compact immersive soundbar, the Polk MagniFi Mini AX delivers a sound that's bigger and more dynamic than expected. A good amount of string texture also comes through, though its not quite as crisp as it could be. The Polk MagniFi Mini's mix of features, performance and compact size makes it one of the best sound bars for the money. To connect to your Wi-fi network, you use the Google Home app. The MagniFi Mini AX is amazing for movies and shows. And for its size, you cant beat the overall performance. Audible brings immersive Dolby Atmos to its audiobooks, JBL reveals its new flagship soundbar at CES 2023: 15 channels and 1170W of Dolby Atmos power, Polks latest Dolby Atmos soundbars make for compelling Sonos Arc alternatives, Nakamichis wild Dragon 11.4.6 Dolby Atmos soundbar goes up for preorder this week, Samsung confirms its 2023 QD-OLED TVs start at just $1,900, are available now, LGs 2023 soundbars go wireless, get on-screen controls, and game-friendly inputs, Sonys latest Dolby Atmos soundbar is smart, modular, and one of its most affordable, Samsung releases its 2022 soundbars including an 11.1.4-channel flagship with wireless Dolby Atmos, Wireless Dolby Atmos (with compatible Samsung TV), 2 HDMI inputs, one HDMI (eARC) output with 4K, HDR10+ passthrough, 1 HDMI input, 1 HDMI (eARC) output with 4K, HDR10+ passthrough, Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast, works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant. With inch tweeters, 2-inch midrange drivers, and a 5x7-inch woofer, you'll get a quality sound experience at a fraction of the size. We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices. We had the volume up loud for the Sex Pistols first try-out performance in Pistol on Disney+ (which is in 5.1, not Atmos) and at the moment Jones has a nervous meltdown the swirling soundtrack was pushed up high and wide in an airy and expansive soundfield. Polk engineers further enhanced the surround experience by integrating On the front is an OLED ticker for relaying key information like sound adjustments. While the soundbar supports Atmos, it lacks upward-firing speakers so you wont get the height aspect of the object-based audio experience. Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Weight: Not specified Specifications. All Rights Reserved, By submitting your email, you agree to our. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. There are two ways to connect the main unit to your home Wi-Fi network. These allow control of a pair of wireless rear speakers that are available as an upgrade option; we didnt have access to these during our review. The Polk MagniFi Mini AX soundbar may be smaller than most soundbar systems, but it still packs a punch. The MagniFi 2 sound bar features four 1" midranges and two 3/4" tweeters and comes with an 8" wireless subwoofer to provide an immersive experience. For tracks with less deep bass, like Yes Roundabout, the soundbar does most of the heavy lifting, but it still performs impressively for its size. Take incredible sound everywhere with Roam. Polk Audio says that the new MagniFi AX is "a powerful The AX definitely delivers more bass. If it doesnt, youll need to change the audio settings to use the HDMI/optical output. There are 13 individual drivers, including three 3/4-inch dome tweeters, six 2-inch cone bass/midranges, two 2-inch cone Atmos (height) drivers, and twin 4-inch subwoofers -- all powered by 400 watts of amplification. The app identified the new device and walked me through getting it connected to the network. Raid your fridge without losing your cool. Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Since theres no way to adjust EQ directly, youll need to flip around between these modes to see what sounds best to you. Polk Audio MagniFi Mini AX Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer (2022 sound bar system (that) provides deep bass, detailed highs, and an expansive Qty Included:1; Im guessing that rubber membrane will be way easier to clean when you inevitably spill liquid on it. The code for sparse PCA is published as free software under the terms of the GNU GPL v3.0. Polk MagniFi Mini AX review | What Hi-Fi? This soundbar has an HDMI eARC port for a high-quality audio experience. Sign up for Verge Deals to get deals on products we've tested sent to your inbox daily. The MagniFi AX also comes with an OLED display to make the settings easy to understand and disappears when not Polk Audio is bringing [..], Polk recently released their new DTS Play-Fi wireless speaker system for their Omni Series, giving great sounding wireless options for your house. But at that level it sounded harsh and too bright; listening was more comfortable in the 75-85 decibel range still plenty loud enough. That means theres a power brick youll need to hide. The MagniFi Mini AX is no exception. Add the two additional surround speakers for $200/pair and for $700 you have a surround system that can be setup with ease in minutes instead of hours. But as another part of Sound United has pointed out to us, there is no DTS available on any major streaming service pretty much anyway in the world, and even if you were to play a DTS:X disc from a disc player into your TV, the TV will be highly unlikely to pass DTS:X via HDMI eARC either. For a small soundbar, the MagniFi Mini AX impresses with a wide sound, thanks to 3D mode, and full bass from the wireless sub. The solution has been used in Polk speakers for more than 30 years, by positioning additional drivers to deliver a precisely derived cancellation signal to your ears, although given the minimal driver count here, it may equally be achieved by this 4th generation of soundbar SDA by including a polarity-reversed signal to each channel to cancel the expected crosstalk element from the other. This lozenge is physically discreet, while the system delivers a solid entertainment performance for those seeking a simple solution at this price, and we're not at all surprised to see it further recognised by a gong in the 2022/2023 EISA Awards. If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. Polk MagniFi Mini AX review: Small soundbar, big sound It doesnt have upward-firing drivers like the $499 Bose Smart Soundbar 600 or the $699.99 Philips Fidelio FB1. Theres even a fourth set of volume controls labelled surround. PCMag supports Group Black and its mission to increase greater diversity in media voices and media ownerships. If youre wanting to stream music, the Mini AX is compatible with several streaming platforms, including Google Chromecast, Apple Airplay2, and Spotify Connect. Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? LG's Gram laptops provide a stellar experience for whatever you need. The Polk Maginifi Max SR soundbar and subwoofer combo is available for pre-order for $500 while the package with wireless surround speakers included goes for just $600. Digital Trends Media Group may earn a commission when you buy through links on our sites. See our ethics statement. My review unit had trouble with AirPlay, but using the Google Home app to configure the Mini AX with Chromecast was quick and easy. There are no up-firing drivers to create the signature Atmos height channel effect, so Polk uses digital signal processing to virtualize these channels. After it was connected, the unit automatically updated its firmware. The soundbar is equipped with two tweeters and three midrange drivers for left, center, and right channels. But I hope that you do have a Wi-Fi connection if youre thinking of buying the MagniFi Mini AX, because it also supports high-quality music playback over Apple AirPlay 2 and Chromecast, which are both much better alternatives to Bluetooth. We sat down for a brief audition, and what we heard has us thinking this may be the soundbar to beat this year. Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Add the two additional surround speakers for $200/pair and for $700 you have a surround system that can be setup with ease in minutes instead of hours. Taking an if-it-aint-broke-dont-fix-it approach for 2023, the Q990 returns with all of the features that made the B-variant a hit, plus a few nice updates like. As noted, there are no drivers beyond 3.1 channels here, so any attempt to deliver the immersive surround or height of Dolby Atmos soundtracks can only be done by virtual trickery. This sound bar also includes a powerful wireless down-firing subwoofer that delivers a deep powerful bass. By now, a lot of folks have realized that soundbars are the easiest way to improve your TVs sound. And there are volume controls lots of them, indeed. It isnt for anyone looking for accurate directional imaging despite its Dolby Atmos support, but it can produce big sound for its size, with plenty of wireless streaming options for music and other music. The nonlinear IPM for sparse PCA has been developed by Matthias Hein and Thomas Bhler, Department of Computer Science, Saarland University, Germany. Polks latest Dolby Atmos soundbars make for compelling Sonos Arc alternatives, Polk brings Dolby Atmos to its compact MagniFi soundbar, Vizio 2021 soundbars go big on Dolby Atmos and HDMI eARC support, What is MPEG-H? Copyright 19982023 Audioholics, LLC. Polk's new $499 MagniFi Mini AX is an attempt to solve both concerns by sticking a virtualized Dolby Atmos/DTS:X sound system inside an enclosure that's smaller than some portable Bluetooth. Vizios soundbars dont have Wi-Fi for AirPlay or Chromecast streaming, however, so they should be considered primarily TV enhancers. This review originally appeared in Sound+Image magazine, one of What Hi-Fi?s Australian sister publications. Simon Cohen covers a variety of consumer technologies, but has a special interest in audio and video products, like, Denons new soundbar delivers Dolby Atmos at a budget price, Polk brings Dolby Atmos to its compact MagniFi soundbar, B&W Panorama 3 soundbar: Easy Dolby Atmos for $1,000. Polk Audio Soundbar - MagniFi Mini AX - YouTube Theres also a 3D audio mode that transforms stereo audio to 360-degree surround sound. That last trick isnt particularly novel and usually has mixed results, but its another trick in this soundbars large bag of them. Behind its dark gray acoustic fabric grille is a scrolling OLED display that provides easy-to-read info for your current input, volume/subwoofer/voice levels, and the speakers various sound modes. But the price premium is hard to justify. Hear your favorite movie, TV show, video game, or a song like never before. Some models also come with wireless Dolby Atmos, which negates the need for HDMI cables when connected to a compatible Samsung TV, and Samsungs SpaceFit Sound, which automatically analyzes your room and fine-tunes the soundbars acoustics to match. If you want a small footprint soundbar that can virtualize Dolby Atmos and deliver a musical performance that is sure to satisfy, the $449 Sonos Beam Gen 2 is an excellent alternative. Check that 8cm height against your own screen and youll know whether you can accommodate the first Mini bit of Polks pairing here. in use. Do I expect an ultra-compact soundbars audio to blow me away? POLK AUDIO MAGNIFI-MINI-AX - walts.com - A weekly roundup of our favorite tech deals. Never miss a word again with Polk's patented VoiceAdjust speech-clarifying technology that works by bringing up the voice audio without affecting the background audio. And there were oodles of underlying ominous bass through the close of Pistol episode 2 as well, pulling slightly to the subwoofers position (bass is not entirely non-directional) but the clean crossover to the lozenge meant that the combination certainly delivered the impression of something far larger than Polks physical solution. If you want to listen to Dolby Atmos or DTS:X content, the HDMI port is a must neither of these sound formats are compatible with optical connections, which simply lack the bandwidth needed to transmit the extra audio information. Streaming music is also very enjoyable, but seasoned listeners may notice a lack of midrange detail. However, its now joined by the HW-Q900C a more affordable version for folks who dont need the 990Cs surround speakers, but who nonetheless may want to add them at a later date. The MagniFi Mini AX is available now for $499 (479/429). Polk really covered all the bases here. 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 its there). The original Magnify Mini costs $200 less; while that model doesnt support Atmos, the impact of adding the latest surround sound tech is minimal in the overall experience with a soundbar that lacks upward firing speakers. Michael Gowan covers soundbars, TVs, portable speakers and other audio- and video-related topics for Toms Guide. The MagniFi Mini AX comes with a remote that is common for Polk soundbars. Polk manages to keep it closely tied to the soundbars range, always supporting the soundtrack and never smacking you in the face with bass. Confused about what AV Gear to buy or how to set it up? By subscribing, you are agreeing to Engadget'sTerms andPrivacy Policy. Sure, they might not be quite as good as a full, conventional home theater system, but for most people, the simplicity they offer more than outweighs any concerns on that front. We havent tested this exact model, but weve reviewed many of Vizios other Atmos models like the flagship Elevate and the affordable M-Series M51a-H6, and theyre generally excellent performers.
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