When it comes to upgrading your TV's audio in 2024, soundbars have become an incredibly popular choice - and for good reason. They provide impressive sound quality without the complexity of a traditional home theater setup. Today, we're comparing two compelling options at different price points: the $269-349 Polk Signa S4 and the $369-449 Sonos Beam Gen 2.
Before diving into specifics, let's talk about what makes today's soundbars different from models just a few years ago. The biggest advancement has been Dolby Atmos support - a technology that creates three-dimensional sound by precisely placing audio in virtual space around you. Think of it like having invisible speakers surrounding you, even above your head.
Most modern soundbars also include smart features, improved connectivity, and better processing power. The key is understanding which features actually matter for your specific needs.
The Polk Signa S4 and Beam Gen 2 take notably different approaches to sound delivery:
The Signa S4 follows a more traditional home theater philosophy with its 3.1.2 setup. Let's break that down:
Those physical upward-firing speakers bounce sound off your ceiling to create genuine overhead effects. In my testing, this creates a more convincing "rain falling from above" or "helicopter flying overhead" experience compared to virtual solutions.
The included wireless subwoofer is a significant advantage, providing deep bass that you can physically feel during explosive movie scenes. You can place it anywhere in the room, though I recommend experimenting with placement to find what works best.
The Beam Gen 2 takes a different route with its 5.0 configuration:
While it lacks physical upward-firing speakers, Sonos compensates with sophisticated audio processing. The result is impressive for its size, though the Atmos effect is more subtle than the Polk's physical solution.
In actual use, both soundbars excel in different scenarios:
The Polk Signa S4 shines with movies, particularly action scenes and soundtracks with significant dynamic range. The dedicated subwoofer provides impactful explosions and deep musical scores, while the true Atmos implementation creates a more immersive experience.
The Beam Gen 2 handles dialogue exceptionally well and creates a surprisingly wide soundstage for its size. However, without a subwoofer, it can't match the Polk's low-end impact. The virtual Atmos works best in smaller rooms with flat ceilings.
For music, the Beam Gen 2 shows its sophistication with precise stereo imaging and balanced frequency response. The Sonos ecosystem makes streaming from various services seamless.
The Polk delivers more bass impact for electronic music and hip-hop, though its musical presentation is slightly less refined overall. Its Bluetooth connectivity is convenient but doesn't match Sonos's streaming capabilities.
This is where the products diverge significantly:
The Beam Gen 2 offers:
The Signa S4 provides:
Both soundbars support HDMI eARC, which allows for high-quality audio transmission from your TV with a single cable. However, their setup processes differ significantly:
The Polk Signa S4 offers a straightforward physical setup - connect the HDMI cable, plug in both units, and you're largely done. The subwoofer pairs automatically.
The Beam Gen 2 requires more initial setup through the Sonos app, including room calibration if you have an iOS device. While more involved, this process helps optimize sound for your specific space.
When considering value, we need to look beyond just the price tag:
The Polk Signa S4 at $269-349 includes:
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 at $369-449 offers:
Consider these key factors when making your choice:
The Polk Signa S4 and Sonos Beam Gen 2 represent different philosophies in modern soundbar design. The Polk focuses on delivering the best possible home theater experience at its price point, while the Sonos offers a more versatile, feature-rich solution for the modern connected home.
For pure home theater performance and value, the Polk Signa S4 is my recommendation. However, if you're invested in building a smart home audio system or prioritize streaming features, the Beam Gen 2's additional capabilities justify its higher price tag.
Remember that both options represent significant upgrades over built-in TV speakers, and your specific needs should guide your final choice.
| Polk Audio Signa S4 | Sonos Beam Gen 2 |
|---|---|
| Price - Key factor in value proposition | |
| $269-349 (includes subwoofer) | $369-449 (subwoofer extra) |
| Dolby Atmos Implementation - Affects immersion quality | |
| True Atmos with physical up-firing speakers (3.1.2) | Virtual Atmos using digital processing (5.0) |
| Bass Performance - Critical for movie impact | |
| Includes wireless subwoofer for deep bass | No subwoofer, limited bass extension |
| Channel Configuration - Determines sound field coverage | |
| 3.1.2 channels (3 front, 1 sub, 2 height) | 5.0 channels (5 drivers, no sub) |
| Connectivity Options - Affects usage flexibility | |
| HDMI eARC, Optical, Bluetooth | HDMI eARC, WiFi, AirPlay 2, Ethernet |
| Smart Features - Important for streaming and control | |
| Basic remote control, Voice Adjust technology | Voice assistants, app control, multi-room audio |
| Room Size Suitability - Impacts performance | |
| Better for medium to large rooms | Ideal for small to medium rooms |
| Additional Features - Adds value beyond basic audio | |
| Night mode, Bass adjust, Voice adjust | TruePlay tuning, streaming services, regular updates |
| Ecosystem Integration - Important for expandability | |
| Standalone system | Full Sonos ecosystem compatibility |
| Setup Complexity - Affects initial experience | |
| Simple plug-and-play setup | More involved app-based setup, iOS required for TruePlay |
The Polk Signa S4 is better for movies due to its true Dolby Atmos speakers and included subwoofer, providing more immersive sound and deeper bass for action scenes.
The Polk Signa S4 delivers significantly better bass performance thanks to its wireless subwoofer. The Beam Gen 2 lacks a subwoofer and has more limited bass response.
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 can be expanded with additional Sonos speakers for surround sound or multi-room audio. The Polk Signa S4 is a standalone system that cannot be expanded.
The Polk Signa S4 is better suited for larger rooms due to its more powerful output and subwoofer. The Beam Gen 2 is ideal for small to medium-sized rooms.
No, neither requires ceiling speakers. The Polk Signa S4 uses up-firing speakers for true Atmos effects, while the Beam Gen 2 creates virtual Atmos through digital processing.
The Polk Signa S4 offers simpler plug-and-play setup. The Beam Gen 2 requires app configuration and iOS device for room calibration.
Both can stream music, but differently. The Beam Gen 2 offers WiFi streaming and multiple service integration, while the Polk Signa S4 uses basic Bluetooth connectivity.
Both excel at dialogue clarity. The Polk Signa S4 uses Voice Adjust technology, while the Beam Gen 2 has sophisticated dialogue enhancement processing.
Yes, both soundbars work with any TV through HDMI eARC or optical connections, though you'll get the best performance through HDMI eARC.
The Polk Signa S4 offers better value for pure home theater performance since it includes a subwoofer. The Beam Gen 2 justifies its higher price with smart features and ecosystem benefits.
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 has built-in voice assistant support for Alexa and Google Assistant. The Polk Signa S4 does not support voice commands.
Both perform well for sports, but the Beam Gen 2 has an edge for dialogue clarity in commentary, while the Polk Signa S4 provides more impact for crowd noise and stadium effects.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: soundandvision.com - audioholics.com - crutchfield.com - cnet.com - richersounds.com - crutchfield.com - rtings.com - polkaudio.com - walmart.com - polkaudio.com - crutchfield.com - youtube.com - profx.com - whathifi.com - en.community.sonos.com - techradar.com - youtube.com - consumerreports.org - bestbuy.com - youtube.com - sonos.com - wave-electronics.com - en.community.sonos.com - epicsystems.tech - tomsguide.com - bestbuy.com
