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I Tested the Polk Audio MagniFi 2: Here’s the Truth About This Soundbar

ByAmpreviews

There’s an obvious trend towards simplification in the design of popular audio equipment today. On the outside, gear is becoming more minimalist and laconic, yet internally, it’s more complex than ever. The Polk Audio MagniFi 2 soundbar is a perfect example of this philosophy, a sleek bar designed to do much more than just improve your TV’s sound.

Check Out: Guide to Polk Audio Amplifiers: Best 4

Acoustics in this format have become so popular that they feel less like a “system” and more like an essential part of a modern home. It’s hard to believe that just twenty years ago, soundbars didn’t even exist. As flat-panel TVs replaced old CRTs, Polk Audio was one of the first companies to pioneer this new direction, and their experience shows.

The MagniFi 2 we’re testing belongs to the second generation of Polk’s smart soundbars, boasting network connectivity and features like built-in Chromecast. But in a crowded market, does it do enough to stand out? Let’s find out.

Design, Build, and What’s in the Box

At first glance, the MagniFi 2 looks nearly identical to its predecessor, the award-winning MagniFi MAX. The finish is a little more modest without the silver decorative insert, but it looks just as stylish, especially with its unique LED mode indicators.

Inside the box, you get:

  • The MagniFi 2 Soundbar
  • A wireless 8-inch active subwoofer
  • A surprisingly solid remote control
  • HDMI and Optical cables

Polk has removed the 3.5mm analog Aux input found on the previous model, but the essentials are all here. The subwoofer comes pre-paired with the soundbar, making setup a breeze. Just find a good spot for it (not crammed in a corner!), plug it in, and you’re ready to go.

Connectivity and Core Features

For a soundbar in its class, the MagniFi 2 is impressively equipped.

  • HDMI Inputs: You get three HDMI 2.0 inputs and one HDMI (ARC) output, all of which support 4K HDR and Dolby Vision passthrough.
  • Decoders: It handles all the basic Dolby and DTS formats.
  • Wireless: Connectivity is handled via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
  • Chromecast Built-in: This is a key feature, allowing you to stream high-resolution audio from dozens of apps like Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, and YouTube Music directly to the soundbar.

Polk’s Signature Sound Technology

It wouldn’t be a Polk product without some proprietary audio tech. The MagniFi 2 includes two of their most effective features:

  1. Voice Adjust™ Technology: This patented tech lets you independently control the level of the voice channel, making dialogue crystal clear and easy to understand, even during loud action scenes.
  2. Stereo Dimensional Array (SDA): Polk’s SDA technology uses a specific driver layout to create a wider, more immersive front soundstage than a typical soundbar can achieve. It adds scale and depth without relying on fake-sounding digital processing.

For those wanting even more immersion, the MagniFi 2 can be upgraded with optional wireless surround channels to create a true 5.1 system.

Performance: How Does It Sound?

To test its limits, I started with a Marvel blockbuster at high volume. The MagniFi 2 handled the chaos with confidence. Low-end hits from the subwoofer were meaty and impactful, and the effects of gunfire and explosions were dense and engaging. The system has a soft limiter that prevents distortion at extreme volumes, but I never felt a lack of power or dynamics at normal listening levels.

Thanks to the SDA technology, the soundstage felt impressively wide, avoiding the “small” sound that plagues many compact soundbars.

  • For Movies: The “Movie” preset works well, though it can soften the upper range slightly. The real star is Voice Adjust. It’s brilliant for movies with poorly mixed dialogue or bad dubbing. The “3D Audio” button on the remote creates a virtual surround effect, adding a sense of height and space that works surprisingly well.
  • For Music: Let’s be clear: this won’t replace a dedicated audiophile stereo system. However, thanks to Chromecast, its musical abilities are a step above most competitors. In the neutral “Music” mode, it reproduces bass and midrange with surprising clarity. While it lacks some transparency in the highest frequencies, its ability to stream Hi-Res Audio from virtually any service makes it an incredibly versatile music player.

MagniFi 2 vs. MagniFi MAX: What’s the Difference?

This was the big question. The MagniFi 2 is almost identical in form and function to the slightly more expensive MagniFi MAX, so where did Polk save money? The answer is in the amplification.

  • MagniFi 2: 200W total power (100W for the bar, 100W for the sub).
  • MagniFi MAX: 340W total power (160W for the bar, 180W for the sub).

While the MagniFi MAX has more power on paper, the MagniFi 2 never felt underpowered in a medium-sized room. The difference would likely only be noticeable in a very large space or if you consistently listen at near-deafening levels.

My Verdict:

The Polk Audio MagniFi 2 is a welcome exception in a market full of soundbars that over-promise and under-deliver. It doesn’t try to be a full-blown Atmos system, focusing instead on delivering a powerful, clear, and wide stereo presentation that excels with movies and is surprisingly capable with music.

Its combination of Polk’s proven Voice Adjust and SDA technologies, coupled with the incredible versatility of Chromecast, makes it a fantastic all-around performer. If you want to significantly upgrade your TV sound without the complexity of a full AV receiver system, the MagniFi 2 offers a brilliant balance of features, performance, and price.

Polk Audio MagniFi 2 – Specifications

  • Type: 2.1-channel soundbar system (expandable to 5.1 with optional surrounds)
  • Components: Soundbar + Wireless subwoofer
  • Dimensions (Soundbar): 37.5″ x 2.1″ x 4.25″ (95.3 x 5.3 x 10.8 cm)
  • Dimensions (Subwoofer): 14.6″ x 14.6″ x 7.4″ (37.1 x 37.1 x 18.8 cm)
  • Weight (Soundbar): 6.6 lbs (3 kg)
  • Weight (Subwoofer): 13 lbs (5.9 kg)

Speakers

  • Soundbar Drivers:
    • 2 × 0.75″ (19mm) soft-dome tweeters
    • 4 × 1″ x 3″ (25 x 76mm) full-range drivers
  • Subwoofer Driver:
    • 8″ down-firing woofer

Amplification

  • Total Power Output: 200W
    • Soundbar: 100W
    • Subwoofer: 100W

Audio Features

  • Dolby Digital & DTS decoding
  • Stereo Dimensional Array (SDA) technology
  • Polk Voice Adjust (dialogue enhancement)
  • 3D Audio surround effect
  • Preset EQ Modes: Movies, Music, Sports, Night mode

Connectivity

  • 3 × HDMI 2.0 (4K HDR / Dolby Vision passthrough)
  • 1 × Optical input
  • 1 × HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel)
  • 1 × Ethernet (RJ45)
  • Wi-Fi (802.11ac)
  • Bluetooth 4.2
  • Chromecast built-in

Controls

  • Remote control (included)
  • On-bar controls (power, volume, source)
  • Voice control (via Google Assistant when paired with a Google Home device)

Extras

Wall-mountable design

Wireless subwoofer (pre-paired out of the box)

Expandable with Polk SR1 wireless surround speakers (sold separately)

LED display indicators

Author: Ampreviews

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