Polk AudioMagniFi Max AX SR 7.1.2 Channel Sound Bar with 10" Wireless Subwoofer & SR2 Surround Speakers, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X Certified, Polk's Patented VoiceAdjust & SDA Technologies, Black

Update July, 2025: Works pretty great except for the random pops the subwoofer makes. They're rare, but they are definitely there. I didn't upgrade the firmware yet (unless that happens automatically?) so not sure whether this issue has been resolved.Dec 2024: I previously used the much higher-end Bose 700 speaker, but I actually prefer the Polk for the overall experience. While the Bose 700 has a more elegant design and probably better sound quality, it lacks any controls on the device itself, has a cluttered and confusing remote, and requires configuration through the Bose remote and app. In contrast, Polk is incredibly intuitive to set up and use. The remote is straightforward and intuitive, and the device’s buttons are just as user-friendly. Plus, when using the remote, you get visual feedback directly on the device, which enhances the overall ease of use.Update 1: After few days: I am using this soundbar in combination with TCL TV over HDMI eARC and the compatibility isn't great. Switching between YouTube and Netflix introduces a delay, the sound is often out of sync, the sound sometimes stops or there are audible hick-ups. It's hard to understand which device causes this, but online research shows it's TCL to blame. Casting audio from my Pixel phone to the Polk (so not using TCL at all) is flawless.Update 2: Got another problem, when watching YouTube and someone is speaking, the voice's volume goes in and out, in a wave pattern the volume goes up and down. This even happens when the voice setting is set to zero.

Most of the reviews here are for an earlier version of this product, the Max. The Max AX model came out in September, 2022 and that is the model I purchased. There seems to be a number of complaints about that earlier model. Reviewers mention hearing snap, crackle and pops coming through the system. The system has 4 components...soundbar, 2 rear surround speakers and the sub. The soundbar connects to the other units through a private WiFi network at 2.4Ghz, which is completely independent of your home set up. Interference with this network likely was the cause of the earlier problem. Polk says the new AX version has an improved chip set for a better connection, and improved rejection of other nearby signals.After over 100 hours of listening through both the ARC HDMI and Bluetooth inputs, I can report that all I ever hear is clean sound. Not a single pop or crackle ever. If there was a problem with the earlier version, I believe Polk has fixed it.Next up is the subwoofer. I have designed, built and installed many subs in the car audio business. My experience is that the most critical part of a sub is NOT the speaker...It's all in the enclosure. A proper enclosure can make an average speaker sound great. It's critical that the enclosure be as strong as possible to avoid any flexing in the box. With this newer AX model, Polk has moved on from the cheaper composite material used in the Max and now uses MDF (medium density fiberboard) in the Max AX. This is an excellent choice and the go to material used in the subs of the "boom" cars in your neighborhood. The material is heavy, and that's why the sub weighs so much.To my ears, it sounds great. A single 10" sub is not going to shake your windows, but it will give you the boom when the explosions hit in the movie your watching. More importantly, it does a good job of delivering harmonic overtones...the "rattle" that follows the boom as it fades away. For the price, Polk has done a good job with the improved performance of the sub.I also read here complaints about the "feel" of the remote. All I can say is that a gentle push of the buttons activates the function. It works just fine for me. Don't know if Polk upgraded this piece or not.I have the AX SR version, which adds the rear speakers. There is plenty of audio signals present in the rear channels of every movie I watch on Amazon or Netflix. They really do add to the whole experience. I also use this set up to watch and listen to live concerts on YouTube, streamed from a laptop through the standard HDMI input. When I do, I move the rear speakers to the front of the room, and switch the sound mode on the Polk to stereo. In this mode, the front left and right signals are ALSO sent to the rear speakers for a true 2 channel set up. Moving the rear speakers to the front of the room expands my sound stage another 10 feet across the front. So this is a versatile unit that can be used for more than just TV sound. Just a note...while the rear speakers look identical, they are not. Each has a dedicated WiFi receiver to only operate as left or right. Turn them over and they are labeled on the bottom as to L or R.Last thought is the manual. No reason for Polk to include it as most people won't read it. You can locate and download it in 10 seconds with a Google search. It is loaded with info, including several additional functions not labeled on either the soundbar itself or the remote. These involve pushing 2 buttons at the same time to activate a feature. Like how to turn off the "sleep" function.In summary, I have no real complaints. A true home theater costs thousands of dollars and of course wires everywhere. Polk has done a great job of "shrinking" everything into a compact unit that sounds great. Every feature works for me and there was never a time when something didn't work. You might think about spending a little extra to get this AX model which is a definite improvement over the earlier versions. Thanks for reading and good luck with your purchase.

After 8 months of using this system - No changes to my initial review. Has worked smoothly so far. No issues with connectivity, the system has been super stable. Polk hasn't issued any firmware updates in this period, so no new features to talk about.The Polk Magnifi Max AX SR (2023) system is a great performing system that gets overshadowed by the more hyped up systems like those from Samsung, Sonos, etc. I tested this Polk system against Samsung's flagship Q990D and couldn't notice the difference when it came to Dolby 5.1 with or without Atmos. Indeed, some aspects of the Polk system were better than Samsung's. The best aspects of the Polk system are:1. Very easy setup. No app or login to the vendor site needed. Just plug in the soundbar, connect to TV with HDMI, and plug in the subwoofer and surround speakers. It just works. You may use the Google Home app to connect the soundbar to Wifi, but that's optional.2. Easy to use remote with a substantial text display on the soundbar visible across the room. This is as simple as it gets. You may think that the lack of an app to fiddle with a lot of features is a drawback, but the system has the right controls on the remote and the minimalist design actually works well.3. It automatically responds to your TV remote. No programming of any kind needed.4. Provides 3 HDMI input ports, a rarity in this price range. With the right setting on the connected devices (I have a Fire Stick connected), the soundbar automatically switches to the right input when the corresponding device is activated. The TV is also turned on automatically via the HDMI CEC. A must-have feature if you have more than one device connected to the soundbar.5. Dolby 5.1 with or without Atmos sounds very good. The subwoofer is substantial (10 inch, another rarity in this price range), and the surround speakers, though small, are loud and make a big difference. Compared to the Samsung flagship Q990D on the same scenes, I couldn't tell any difference. The thing to note though is that the sound quality varies as per the source material. You need premium subscriptions with Netflix, Amazon, Paramount+, etc to get Dolby Atmos, and movies from Max often sound subdued compared to these other streamers. Best performance will be with Blurays presenting uncompressed multichannel sound tracks.6. The All-Stereo mode allows you to play music on all speakers, which is a great feature. Adds life to stereo 2.0 sources. I didn't see this in the Samsung Q990D.7. The Polk system also allows you to balance the volume between the right and left surrounds. This is a very useful feature that lets you position the surround speakers wherever there is room in your setting and just adjust the balance to suit your seating position.On the flip side, I cannot tell whether the two upfiring speakers make any difference. Not just in this Polk system, but also in the Samsung flagship, which as up and side firing speakers. The sound always seem to come from the soundbar, not magically above your head. Perhaps this depends on your setup. The surrounds do make a big difference.Overall, the Polk Magnifi Max AX SR performs well and a great value for money especially if it's on sale. It's solidly built, easy to set up and use, and makes a difference in your movie experience. There is no hype or cult behind Polk, but it performs as good as more expensive systems at less than half the price.For those curious about the power output, there is no specs available from Polk. We can only deduce this from the input power consumption. The soundbar is rated at 120W, the subwoofer at 128W, and surround speakers at 18W each. Compare this to Samsung Q990D/F. Main soundbar input power is 41W, Subwoofer: 48W and Surround speakers: 19W each.