Sonos Beam vs Polk Audio MagniFi 2 review

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I had a chance to test and compare two models: Sonos Beam vs Polk Audio MagniFi 2 and this review should help people who are looking for a good soundbar. The Sonos Beam was rated 6, while the Polk Audio MagniFi 2 has a rating 6.6. The soundbars are equipped with a different number of buttons, volume down, volume up, microphone, play/pause for the Beam and power, source, demo, volume down, volume up for the MagniFi 2.

Audio features

Each of the models under consideration has active amplification type. A noticeable difference is the number of channels that Beam has 3.0 and MagniFi 2 has 2.1. The built-in subwoofer is not implemented in any of these models. An external subwoofer can be connected to any of the units in this comparison. Rate 6 out of 10 received the Sonos Beam for audio features and specs, but the Polk Audio MagniFi 2 received 4 out of 10. The MagniFi 2 can play audio from Spotify.

Connectivity

Both models have a wireless Wi-Fi interface. Soundbars from this comparison have Bluetooth support. There are 1/0 HDMI inputs/outputs in the Sonos Beam versus 3/1 HDMIs in the Polk Audio MagniFi 2. The HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) is implemented only in the MagniFi 2. We rated the connectivity of the Beam at 6 out of 10, while the MagniFi 2 was rated 5/10. Each of the soundbars can be controlled using the application. The soundbars in this review are equipped with a microphone. The models under consideration cannot become part of a multiroom system.

Multichannel surround

Dolby Atmos audio decoder support is not implemented in either the Beam or MagniFi 2. Devices from this comparison cannot process surround sound due to lack of DTS:X. The Beam was rated 4/10, while the MagniFi 2 received a mark of 5/10 for multichannel surround.

Advantages Polk Audio MagniFi 2 over Sonos Beam