Choosing Between Modern Atmos Soundbars: An In-Depth Comparison

When it comes to upgrading your TV's audio, today's soundbars offer impressive home theater sound without the complexity of traditional surround systems. Let's dive deep into comparing two popular options: the budget-friendly Polk Audio Signa S4 ($269.85) and the premium Samsung HW-Q800D ($663.09).

Understanding Modern Soundbars

Today's soundbars have evolved far beyond simple stereo speakers. They now incorporate sophisticated audio processing, upward-firing drivers for height effects, and wireless subwoofers to create immersive soundscapes. Dolby Atmos, a technology that places sounds in three-dimensional space, has become a key feature even in more affordable models.

The core difference between basic and premium soundbars often comes down to how convincingly they can create this 3D sound bubble. This depends on factors like the number of speakers (channels), processing power, and overall audio engineering.

The Technology Behind These Models

The Polk Signa S4, released in 2022, represents an impressive entry point into true Atmos sound. It uses a 3.1.2 configuration, meaning:

• 3 front channels (left, center, right)
• 1 subwoofer
• 2 upward-firing height channels

In contrast, the Samsung HW-Q800D, released in 2024, offers a more advanced 5.1.2 setup:

• 5 channels (adding two surround channels)
• 1 more powerful subwoofer
• 2 upward-firing height channels
• More sophisticated processing

Performance Deep Dive

Sound Quality and Processing

Both soundbars handle basic TV and movie audio well, but there are notable differences in their capabilities:

The Polk delivers clear dialogue and good stereo separation, with its VoiceAdjust technology helping speech stand out. However, its sound stage is more limited due to fewer channels and simpler processing.

Samsung's Q800D leverages more advanced processing and additional channels to create a wider, more enveloping sound. Its SpaceFit Sound Pro feature uses built-in microphones to optimize audio for your specific room - something the Polk lacks.

Atmos Performance

Dolby Atmos creates height effects by bouncing sound off your ceiling. Both bars handle this differently:

The Polk Signa S4 provides basic Atmos effects that work best in rooms with flat, 8-11 foot ceilings. The height effects are noticeable but somewhat subtle.

The Samsung HW-Q800D creates more convincing height effects thanks to:

• More powerful upward-firing speakers
• Better processing
• Additional surround channels that help create a more cohesive sound bubble
• Support for DTS:X (another 3D audio format)

Bass Response

Subwoofer performance is crucial for movie impact:

• Polk's smaller sub provides adequate bass for TV and basic movie watching
• Samsung's larger 8" sub delivers deeper, more impactful bass that you can feel
• Samsung offers more bass adjustment options for fine-tuning

Features and Flexibility

Connectivity Options

The Polk keeps things simple with:

• HDMI eARC
• Optical input
• Bluetooth
• Basic remote control

Samsung adds:

• HDMI input with 4K passthrough
• WiFi connectivity
• Apple AirPlay 2
• Chromecast built-in
• Smart home integration
• More comprehensive remote

Sound Customization

Both bars offer different approaches to sound adjustment:

Polk provides:

• Basic sound modes (Movie, Music, Night)
• Voice enhancement
• Bass adjustment

Samsung offers:

• Full 7-band equalizer
• Individual channel level controls
• AI-powered room correction
• Game Pro mode
• Q-Symphony (syncs with Samsung TV speakers)

Value Consideration

The price difference between these bars ($400+) is significant, but so are the feature differences. The Polk Signa S4 delivers impressive performance for its price point, especially if you:

• Want basic Atmos capability
• Have a smaller room
• Prefer simple setup
• Are on a tighter budget

The Samsung HW-Q800D justifies its higher price if you:

• Want more immersive surround sound
• Have a larger room to fill
• Value additional features like WiFi streaming
• Plan to expand with rear speakers later

Real-World Performance

In actual use, both bars excel at different price points. The Polk handles regular TV watching and occasional movies well, with clear dialogue and decent effects. The Samsung creates a more theater-like experience, with more precise sound placement and better dynamics.

For streaming music, the Samsung's additional processing power and WiFi connectivity provide better overall quality. The Polk is perfectly adequate for casual listening but lacks the same refinement.

How to Decide

Consider your priorities:

If you primarily watch regular TV with occasional movies and want Atmos capability without spending too much, the Polk Signa S4 offers excellent value. It's a significant upgrade from TV speakers and provides a taste of immersive audio.

Choose the Samsung HW-Q800D if you:

• Watch lots of movies and want more immersive sound
• Have a larger room to fill
• Value additional features like WiFi streaming and room correction
• Might want to add rear speakers later
• Can justify the higher cost for better performance

Remember that room acoustics play a huge role in soundbar performance. Both models work best in rooms with regular rectangular shapes and standard ceiling heights. The Samsung's room correction gives it an advantage in challenging spaces.

Future-Proofing Considerations

The Samsung's additional features and processing power make it more future-proof. Its support for multiple audio formats, ability to add rear speakers, and smart platform integration mean it's less likely to feel limited as your needs grow.

The Polk, while more basic, handles current audio formats well and should remain a solid performer for years to come, especially if your needs are straightforward.

Final Thoughts

These soundbars represent different approaches to home theater audio. The Polk Signa S4 makes Atmos accessible at a budget price point, while the Samsung HW-Q800D delivers a more premium experience with additional features and better performance.

Your choice ultimately depends on your budget, room size, and how important advanced features are to your viewing experience. Either way, both represent significant upgrades over built-in TV speakers and can dramatically improve your home entertainment experience.

Polk Audio Signa S4 Dolby Atmos Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer Deals and Prices

Samsung HW-Q800D 5.1.2 Channel Soundbar Deals and Prices