I had a chance to test and compare two models: Samsung HW-S60A vs Polk Audio MagniFi 2 and this review should help people who are looking for a good soundbar. The Samsung HW-S60A was rated 4.8, while the Polk Audio MagniFi 2 has a rating 6.6. Soundbars have the same set of buttons - power, source, demo, volume down, volume up.
Each of the models under consideration has active amplification type. A noticeable difference is the number of channels that HW-S60A has 5.0 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 7 out of 10 received the Samsung HW-S60A for audio features and specs, but the Polk Audio MagniFi 2 received 4 out of 10.
The MagniFi 2 can play audio from Spotify.
Wireless Internet connection is realized only in the MagniFi 2. Soundbars from this comparison have Bluetooth support. There are 0/1 HDMI inputs/outputs in the Samsung HW-S60A versus 3/1 HDMIs in the Polk Audio MagniFi 2. As in the HW-S60A, so in the MagniFi 2 there is the HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). We rated the connectivity of the HW-S60A at 7 out of 10, while the MagniFi 2 was rated 5/10.
The manufacturer of the MagniFi 2 provides a device control application. The Polk Audio MagniFi 2 equipped with a microphone. The models under consideration cannot become part of a multiroom system.
Dolby Atmos audio decoder support is not implemented in either the HW-S60A or MagniFi 2. Devices from this comparison cannot process surround sound due to lack of DTS:X. The HW-S60A was rated 6/10, while the MagniFi 2 received a mark of 5/10 for multichannel surround.