Bose Soundbar 500 vs Polk Audio MagniFi 2 review

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I had a chance to test and compare two models: Bose Soundbar 500 vs Polk Audio MagniFi 2 and this review should help people who are looking for a good soundbar. The Bose Soundbar 500 was rated 7.4, while the Polk Audio MagniFi 2 has a rating 6.6. The soundbars are equipped with a different number of buttons, microphone for the Soundbar 500 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 Soundbar 500 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 Bose Soundbar 500 for audio features and specs, but the Polk Audio MagniFi 2 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 1/0 HDMI inputs/outputs in the Bose Soundbar 500 versus 3/1 HDMIs in the Polk Audio MagniFi 2. As in the Soundbar 500, so in the MagniFi 2 there is the HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC). Connecting devices via USB is possible in both models. We rated the connectivity of the Soundbar 500 at 8 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 is onboard the Soundbar 500. Devices from this comparison cannot process surround sound due to lack of DTS:X. The Soundbar 500 was rated 4/10, while the MagniFi 2 received a mark of 5/10 for multichannel surround.

Advantages Bose Soundbar 500 over Polk Audio MagniFi 2

Advantages Polk Audio MagniFi 2 over Bose Soundbar 500