Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 vs Polk Audio MagniFi Mini AX review

vs

l would like to share my experience after comparing and testing two soundbars – Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 vs Polk Audio MagniFi Mini AX. The Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 was rated 8.2, while the Polk Audio MagniFi Mini AX has a rating 7.6. The soundbars are equipped with a different number of buttons, power, volume down, volume up, input, mute for the MusicCast BAR 400 and power, source, demo, mute for the MagniFi Mini AX.

Audio features

Each of the models under consideration has active amplification type. A noticeable difference is the number of channels that MusicCast BAR 400 has 5.1 and MagniFi Mini AX has 3.1. These rivals can be compared in terms of power, 200 (overall) versus 10 (overall) according to devices. 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 Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 for audio features and specs, but the Polk Audio MagniFi Mini AX received 4 out of 10. Each of the competitors can play content from Spotify.

Connectivity

Both models have a wireless Wi-Fi interface. Soundbars from this comparison have Bluetooth support. There are 1/1 HDMI inputs/outputs in the Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 versus 1/0 HDMIs in the Polk Audio MagniFi Mini AX. As in the MusicCast BAR 400, so in the MagniFi Mini AX there is the HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). Connecting devices via USB is possible in both models. We rated the connectivity of the MusicCast BAR 400 at 8 out of 10, while the MagniFi Mini AX was rated 5/10. The manufacturer of the MagniFi Mini AX provides a device control application. The soundbars in this review are equipped with a microphone. The Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 may become part of a multiroom system.

Multichannel surround

Dolby Atmos audio decoder is onboard the MagniFi Mini AX. The MagniFi Mini AX can work with surround sound due to DTS:X support. The MusicCast BAR 400 was rated 6/10, while the MagniFi Mini AX received a mark of 10/10 for multichannel surround.

Advantages Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 over Polk Audio MagniFi Mini AX

Advantages Polk Audio MagniFi Mini AX over Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400