Polk Audio Signa S2 Soundbar Review

Quick Summary

The Polk Audio Signa S2 Sound Bar & Wireless Subwoofer is an excellent choice for anyone looking to upgrade their home theater experience without breaking the bank. This ultra-slim soundbar, equipped with Polk’s exclusive VoiceAdjust technology and Dolby Digital decoding, offers crystal-clear audio that significantly enhances the sound quality of your TV. The inclusion of a wireless subwoofer adds deep bass, making movies, music, and TV shows more immersive. With a sleek design that fits easily in front of most TVs and the ability to stream music wirelessly via Bluetooth, the Signa S2 combines style, functionality, and top-notch performance. Whether you’re a movie buff, a music lover, or just looking for a way to improve your TV’s sound, the Polk Audio Signa S2 is a solid investment.

Now you can click on the button below to check it’s price.

See Price On Amazon

Introduction to Polk Audio Signa S2 Soundbar

When it comes to enhancing your TV’s audio quality, soundbars have become an essential accessory in home entertainment systems. The Polk Audio Signa S2 Sound Bar stands out in a crowded market, offering a blend of advanced audio technologies, user-friendly features, and a sleek, low-profile design. This soundbar is engineered to deliver a cinema-like experience in your living room, allowing you to enjoy your favorite movies, TV shows, and music with improved clarity and depth.

Polk Audio, a brand renowned for its commitment to quality and innovation in audio products, has packed the Signa S2 with features that cater to both casual viewers and audiophiles. With its easy setup process, universal compatibility, and wireless streaming capabilities, the Signa S2 is designed to integrate seamlessly with your existing home entertainment setup.

In this Polk Audio Signa S2 Soundbar review, we will delve into the features and benefits of this soundbar, exploring how it enhances your audio experience and why it is a great addition to any home. We’ll cover everything from its design and setup to its audio performance, connectivity options, and overall user experience.

Design and Build Quality

Sleek and Slim Design

One of the first things you’ll notice about the Polk Audio Signa S2 is its ultra-slim design. Measuring just over 2 inches in height, this soundbar is incredibly sleek, allowing it to fit comfortably in front of most TVs without obstructing the screen or the IR remote sensor. The slim profile also makes it easy to wall-mount, providing flexibility in how you set up your home theater system.

The minimalist design of the Signa S2 ensures that it blends seamlessly with any room decor. The black finish gives it a modern, understated look that doesn’t draw too much attention but still adds a touch of elegance to your entertainment space. The soundbar’s compact size makes it an excellent choice for those with limited space, whether you’re placing it in a small apartment or a cozy living room.

Durable Build

Despite its slim appearance, the Signa S2 is built to last. Polk Audio has used high-quality materials in the construction of this soundbar, ensuring durability and longevity. The soundbar feels solid and well-made, with no flimsy parts or weak spots. The included wireless subwoofer is equally well-built, featuring a sturdy casing that protects the internal components while providing excellent sound output.

Subwoofer Design

The wireless subwoofer included with the Signa S2 is compact yet powerful. It’s designed to deliver deep bass that adds richness to your audio experience. The subwoofer connects wirelessly to the soundbar, allowing for flexible placement options around your room. You can place it anywhere that suits your space and enjoy a clutter-free setup without the hassle of running cables across the floor.

The combination of the slim soundbar and compact subwoofer makes the Signa S2 an ideal choice for those who want powerful sound in a discreet package. Whether you place it on a TV stand or mount it on the wall, this soundbar system will enhance your home theater experience without taking up too much space.

Setup and Installation

Quick and Easy Setup

Setting up the Polk Audio Signa S2 is a breeze, even for those who are not particularly tech-savvy. The soundbar comes with everything you need for a quick and easy installation, including an HDMI cable, optical cable, and power cords. Polk Audio has designed this soundbar with user convenience in mind, ensuring that the setup process is straightforward and hassle-free.

To get started, simply connect the soundbar to your TV using the included HDMI ARC or optical cable. If your TV supports HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel), this is the preferred connection method as it allows you to control the soundbar’s volume using your TV remote. Once connected, plug in the power cords for both the soundbar and subwoofer, and you’re ready to go.

Wireless Subwoofer Connection

One of the standout features of the Signa S2 is its wireless subwoofer, which connects to the soundbar automatically without the need for any additional setup. This wireless connection not only simplifies the installation process but also provides flexibility in where you place the subwoofer. You can position it anywhere in the room, allowing you to optimize the sound quality based on your room’s layout.

Wall-Mounting Option

If you prefer a wall-mounted setup, the Signa S2 accommodates this as well. The soundbar comes with wall-mount spacers that make it easy to secure to the wall. This option is particularly useful for those who want a clean, streamlined look in their living room. Mounting the soundbar on the wall also helps to optimize sound projection, especially in smaller spaces.

Universal Compatibility

The Polk Audio Signa S2 is designed to work with virtually any TV, whether you have a modern 4K TV or an older HD model. The soundbar is compatible with both HDMI ARC and optical inputs, giving you multiple options for connecting it to your TV. This universal compatibility ensures that you can enjoy high-quality sound regardless of your TV model.

Audio Performance

Dolby Digital Decoding

One of the key features that set the Polk Audio Signa S2 apart from other soundbars in its class is its Dolby Digital decoding capability. Dolby Digital is a widely-used audio compression technology that delivers high-quality surround sound. With Dolby Digital decoding, the Signa S2 can reproduce audio that is rich, detailed, and immersive, providing a cinema-like experience in your home.

Whether you’re watching a blockbuster movie, streaming your favorite TV show, or playing video games, the Dolby Digital decoding ensures that you get the best possible audio quality. The soundbar is able to process and decode Dolby Digital signals, which results in clearer dialogue, more defined sound effects, and an overall enhanced listening experience.

Polk VoiceAdjust Technology

Polk Audio has equipped the Signa S2 with its exclusive VoiceAdjust technology, which is designed to enhance dialogue clarity. This feature allows you to customize the voice levels, making it easier to hear dialogue over background noise, music, or sound effects. VoiceAdjust is particularly useful when watching movies or TV shows with lots of action or special effects, where dialogue can sometimes get lost in the mix.

With VoiceAdjust, you can adjust the dialogue levels to your preference, ensuring that you never miss a word. This feature is especially beneficial for viewers with hearing difficulties, as it makes dialogue more prominent and easier to understand. Whether you’re watching a quiet drama or a fast-paced action movie, VoiceAdjust ensures that every word comes through loud and clear.

Full-Range Drivers

The Polk Audio Signa S2 is equipped with five powerful full-range drivers that deliver a wide soundstage with rich, detailed audio. These drivers are designed to reproduce a wide range of frequencies, from deep bass to high treble, ensuring that you get a balanced and dynamic sound output. The full-range drivers work in harmony with the wireless subwoofer to create a complete audio experience that fills the room.

The soundbar’s full-range drivers are capable of handling everything from subtle background music to explosive sound effects, making it a versatile addition to your home theater setup. Whether you’re watching an action-packed movie or listening to your favorite music, the full-range drivers ensure that every sound is reproduced with clarity and precision.

Wireless Subwoofer Performance

The wireless subwoofer that comes with the Signa S2 is a game-changer when it comes to bass performance. This subwoofer is designed to deliver deep, impactful bass that adds depth and richness to your audio experience. The subwoofer’s performance is particularly noticeable when watching movies or listening to music with lots of low-frequency sounds, such as explosions, drum beats, or bass-heavy tracks.

The wireless connection between the subwoofer and the soundbar ensures that there is no loss of sound quality, and the subwoofer can be placed anywhere in the room for optimal bass performance. The deep bass provided by the subwoofer complements the soundbar’s full-range drivers, creating a balanced and immersive audio experience that enhances your home theater setup.

Surround Sound Experience

Although the Polk Audio Signa S2 is a 2.1-channel soundbar, it is capable of delivering a convincing surround sound experience thanks to its advanced audio technologies. The combination of Dolby Digital decoding, full-range drivers, and the wireless subwoofer creates a soundstage that envelops you in sound, making you feel like you’re in the middle of the action.

The surround sound experience is particularly impressive when watching movies or TV shows with complex soundscapes. The soundbar’s ability to project sound around the room creates a sense of space and depth that adds to the overall immersion. While it may not fully replace a dedicated multi-speaker surround sound system, the Signa S2 offers a significant upgrade over your TV’s built-in speakers and delivers a cinematic audio experience.

Connectivity and Compatibility

HDMI ARC and Optical Inputs

The Polk Audio Signa S2 offers multiple connectivity options, making it easy to integrate with your existing home entertainment setup. The soundbar features an HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) input, which is the preferred method of connection for most modern TVs. HDMI ARC allows you to control the soundbar’s volume using your TV remote, simplifying your home theater experience.

If your TV doesn’t support HDMI ARC, the Signa S2 also includes an optical input, which provides high-quality audio transmission. The optical input is compatible with a wide range of TVs, making the Signa S2 a versatile choice for any home theater setup. Both the HDMI ARC and optical inputs support Dolby Digital decoding, ensuring that you get the best possible audio quality regardless of how you connect the soundbar.

Bluetooth Streaming

In addition to its TV connectivity options, the Polk Audio Signa S2 also features Bluetooth streaming, allowing you to wirelessly stream music from your smartphone, tablet, or other Bluetooth-enabled devices. This feature adds versatility to the soundbar, transforming it into a wireless speaker system for your home.

Bluetooth streaming is easy to set up and use, with a simple pairing process that connects your device to the soundbar in seconds. Once paired, you can stream your favorite music, podcasts, or audiobooks directly to the Signa S2, enjoying high-quality sound without the need for additional speakers. The soundbar’s full-range drivers and wireless subwoofer ensure that your music sounds rich and dynamic, with deep bass and clear vocals.

Universal Remote Compatibility

The Polk Audio Signa S2 is designed to be user-friendly, and one of the ways it achieves this is through universal remote compatibility. The soundbar can be controlled using your TV’s remote control, eliminating the need for multiple remotes cluttering your living room. This feature is made possible by the HDMI ARC connection, which allows for seamless integration with your TV’s controls.

For those who prefer to use a dedicated remote, the Signa S2 comes with its own remote control that is simple and easy to use. The remote allows you to adjust volume levels, switch between different sound modes, and control the wireless subwoofer’s bass levels. The buttons are clearly labeled, making it easy to find the function you need without any confusion.

User Experience

Enhanced Dialogue Clarity

One of the most noticeable improvements when using the Polk Audio Signa S2 is the enhanced dialogue clarity. Thanks to the VoiceAdjust technology, dialogue is crisp and clear, even during scenes with lots of background noise or sound effects. This feature is especially appreciated by viewers who often struggle to hear dialogue over the sound of explosions, music, or other loud noises.

The ability to adjust the dialogue levels means that you can customize your listening experience to suit your preferences. Whether you’re watching a quiet drama or an action-packed blockbuster, you can be sure that every word will come through clearly, making for a more enjoyable viewing experience.

Immersive Audio Experience

The combination of the soundbar’s full-range drivers, Dolby Digital decoding, and the wireless subwoofer creates an immersive audio experience that brings your movies, TV shows, and music to life. The surround sound effect, while not as pronounced as in a multi-speaker setup, is still impressive for a 2.1-channel soundbar. The Signa S2 does an excellent job of filling the room with sound, making you feel like you’re part of the action.

The deep bass provided by the wireless subwoofer adds a new dimension to your audio experience, making explosions, drum beats, and other low-frequency sounds more impactful. This added depth and richness enhance the overall sound quality, making the Signa S2 a significant upgrade over your TV’s built-in speakers.

Versatile Music Streaming

The Bluetooth streaming feature of the Signa S2 makes it a versatile addition to your home audio setup. Whether you’re hosting a party, relaxing at home, or working on a project, you can easily stream your favorite music directly to the soundbar. The sound quality is excellent, with rich, full-bodied audio that is perfect for any genre of music.

The convenience of wireless streaming means that you can control your music from anywhere in the room, using your smartphone or tablet. This feature adds value to the Signa S2, making it more than just a soundbar for your TV. It becomes a central part of your home audio system, capable of delivering high-quality sound for all your entertainment needs.

Conclusion and Recommendation

Why Choose the Polk Audio Signa S2 Soundbar?

The Polk Audio Signa S2 Sound Bar & Wireless Subwoofer offers a fantastic combination of sound quality, design, and value for money. Its ultra-slim design makes it a perfect fit for any room, while its powerful audio performance transforms your home entertainment experience. The inclusion of advanced features like Dolby Digital decoding and Polk’s VoiceAdjust technology ensures that you get clear, immersive sound whether you’re watching TV, streaming movies, or listening to music.

The wireless subwoofer adds deep, impactful bass that enhances your audio experience, making the Signa S2 a great choice for anyone looking to upgrade their home theater setup. With its easy setup process, multiple connectivity options, and universal remote compatibility, the Signa S2 is user-friendly and versatile, making it a great option for both tech enthusiasts and casual users.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the Polk Audio Signa S2 is a highly recommended soundbar for anyone looking to improve their TV’s audio quality without investing in a complex or expensive surround sound system. Its sleek design, excellent audio performance, and user-friendly features make it a standout choice in its price range. Whether you’re a movie lover, a music enthusiast, or someone who just wants better sound for everyday TV viewing, the Signa S2 is an excellent investment that will enhance your home entertainment experience.