Bose Soundbar 500 vs Polk Audio MagniFi Mini AX review

vs

l would like to share my experience after comparing and testing two soundbars – Bose Soundbar 500 vs Polk Audio MagniFi Mini AX. The Bose Soundbar 500 was rated 7.4, while the Polk Audio MagniFi Mini AX has a rating 7.6. The soundbars are equipped with a different number of buttons, microphone for the Soundbar 500 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 Soundbar 500 has 3.0 and MagniFi Mini AX has 3.1. 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 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. 1/0 HDMI inputs/outputs are in each of soundbars. As in the Soundbar 500, 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 Soundbar 500 at 8 out of 10, while the MagniFi Mini AX 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

Manufacturers equipped both units with Dolby Atmos audio decoder. The MagniFi Mini AX can work with surround sound due to DTS:X support. The Soundbar 500 was rated 4/10, while the MagniFi Mini AX received a mark of 10/10 for multichannel surround.

Advantages Polk Audio MagniFi Mini AX over Bose Soundbar 500