Customer Ratings & Reviews

BACKGROUND: Since 2018 I have been using a stereo only sound base with incorporated AccuVoice Dialogue technology (advance hearing aid audio) that boosts the center channel for clear and audible dialogues. That unit has functioned extremely well, so much so, that I purchased a second sound bar model in 2019 from the same company for our master bedroom. Although both have embedding 4-inch sub-woofers, I use additional subs on each system for added bass response. My comparison will be judged against these 2.1 systems. OVERVIEW: The Polk MagniFi Max AX system far surpasses my expectations for an overall immersive theater-like experience versus my current two systems. Sound emanates from all 11 sound bar speakers, along with the added thunderous bass response from the 10-inch sub-woofer. To quote “The Polk’s Voice Adjust technology works with MagniFi’s integrated center channel speaker to deliver crystal clear dialogues without affecting the rest of the soundtrack.” I can attest that Polk’s “Voice Adjust” does raise the dialogue (set to +3 or +4) above a movie’s background effects to be able to hear dialogue clearly similar to my existing units. Another major plus! Setup can be as easy as plugging in the supplied high speed HDMI cable from the sound base’s HDMI ARC/eARC port to your HDTV’s HDMI ARC/eARC port. And then supply AC power to your sound bass and sub woofer. After about a minute, the system was “self aware” and providing a high-performance home theater sound experience. I actually first tried the quick setup using my current HDTV as the HDMI switch since everything was already connected to it. But later reconfigured everything to use the MagniFi Max sound bar as the HDMI switch. (See pictures.) Using the MagniFi as the HDMI switch allows me to have my Roku stream Dolby Atmos media directly to this system. ISSUE #1 Google Home App: This unit will not connect to the Google Home app that is required for WiFi connectivity, firmware upgrades, and possibly undocumented setup options. (There is no Ethernet port.) I have attempted to connect using two different vender’s Android-10 phones, along with an iOS-15.7 tablet. All encounter the same error. They all are able to find the Polk MagniFi AX device, all are able to connect to the device (a tone is confirmation), but all fail to complete the connectivity. During this “hand shaking” process, the sound bar’s WiFi light is lit light blue but will go dark after about 2 minutes after failing the connection. The scroll on the sound bar says “CAST SETUP”. The specific Android error is “Connection problem during setup. Please check your WiFi network settings.” My mesh WiFi system does recognize the Polk MagniFi AX device and lists it as a “Sound United LLC” with the correct MAC address. And my Android’s both will recognize the MagniFi Max AX-0950.1087, WiFi Network SSID. No matter how many times I reboot, use different devices, remove and reload the app, it will not complete the connection. After about three hours of online research, I have found many others who have encountered this error (fails to connect with Google Home app) with the previous Polk MagniFi (non AX) systems without a documented resolution. Apparently this system follows in those footsteps. ISSUE #2 Limited Documentation: Currently the only Polk online documentation for this system is an info sheet. I require a detailed operations manual (PDF is fine) that will explain what all of the system’s scrolling options mean. The quick start guide is fine for those just wanting to plug-and-play, but insufficient for providing how this system functions, especially when errors are encountered. ISSUE #3 No Factory Reset: OK, I am fairly certain there must be a method to factory reset this system, but there is zero documentation on how to do that. Earlier Polk systems have a dedicated reset button, this system does not. I would assume then there is a specific sequence of holding down a combination of the top panel icon buttons. But again, without documentation, it is not an option at this point in time. ISSUE #4 PCM 2.0: The scrolling display will only reflect PCM 2.0 (2 channel stereo) when stepping through the current information (using the remote INFO button). I do hear sounds out of all of the speakers, but the display is saying PCM 2.0. I have streamed Prime Plus and Disney Plus with movies in Dolby Atmos. Does not matter, this system says everything I am watching is PCM 2.0. My question is, it this system actually outputting in Dolby Atmos, or just Polk’s SDA surround technology simulating a 5.1.2 audio experience? Again, I will reiterate that this system sounds pretty fantastic, even if it is a simulated 5.1.2 experience. But my gut tells me I need to see something other that PCM 2.0 being displayed. ISSUE #5 Support: Because I am a Best Buy Tech Insider Network (BB TIN) member, I was supplied a unique two page data sheet of information with this system. One of the notes was a contact name with email address for any questions I have and/or any support required. Great, I need a dedicated support contact! After completing an email with all of the above issues and questions, I hit send. Got a very quick response “I am currently out of the office, for assistance please call 800-xxx-xxxx Option x”. Ok, I understand employees need their quality time off for numerous reasons, I get it. So I called the number and spoke with a very professional individual who listened to all of my questions and issues with this system. And I did inform her I was a BB TIN member who was sent this system for trial and review. She asked to put me hold (nice touch to ask). When she returned she stated that the individual I had sent the email to was the only person who has the documentation on this new system. And that the current Polk support personnel (800 number I was provided) was waiting on that documentation. Therefore I now need to wait until he returns to work to obtain resolution to the above issues and questions. RECOMMENDATION: Would I recommend to a friend? Not at this time unless they are conformable without Googe Home connectivity, being able to obtain firmware updates, may only be able to play PCM 2.0 audio, OK with limited documentation, and no customer service support availability. CLOSING: I will state for a third time that this is a superior sounding system as compared to either of my current HDTV sound base/bar systems. Simple to install, and if your video devices use HDMI CEC, then all remotes will work somewhat flawlessly. I will also mention I have used Polk products in the past that I have been extremely satisfied with both their operation and performance. Speakers and sub-woofers to be exact. And have worked in the computer services industry for over 50 years. Because of all of the unresolved questions and issues, I honestly can only rate this new Polk MagniFi Max AX system a 3 on scale of 1 to 5. If or when I am provided resolutions for all of questions and encounter issues, then I will gladly write an update to this review.

I bought the sound bar and while it sounded good, it was too bright and forward sounding for my ears. I tried reducing Voice volume but I just could not find a more laid back sound profile for the sound bar. The subwoofer Is very powerful but I found the surround experience not to be too articulate and directional even with the optional S2 surrounds... Comparing this with the Vizio Elevate the Elevate comes through with much more of precise atmospheric surround sound experience. Polk may want to up there game by offering atmos drivers in there surround speakers and not use 3 year old inventory. .

The mere fact that a soundbar has random thumping sounds when nothing is happening and -1 Bass on the subwoofer is bad. Turning it off and on helps sometimes, if you do this multiple times. It often fails to connect to the TV at times using a full bandwidth 4K HDMI cable and connected to the eARC port in LG C2. The remote is awful. You could be standing right in front of the soundbar and it won't work. If the remote isn't pointing 100% dead on, it won't work. If you sneeze or close your eyes as you're about to click a button, it won't work. I really wanted to love this soundbar but after over a year, spend the extra money on the Bose or Sennheiser. If you insist on buying this, please buy the Geek Squad warranty.

Could not get a clear voice. Great soundbar but not for those that have limited hearing.

Can’t really review this since it would not sync with our new Sony TV. We had to exchange for a Sony soundbar and woofer.

A lot of popping sounds and the sub is awful. It's a very cheap way to get average sound

Ordered the 5.1 system and was sent the 3.1. Will be returning.

If you have a TV with less than satisfactory sound, this is a decent setup. However, if you have a TV with decent sound or are looking to really enjoy yourself some Dolby Atmos, you might be disappointed. Out of the box, the sound is fairly muddled. There are some tonal changes you can make such as bass, treble, and even voice, but the sound never really satisfies. (I would point out that you can adjust the height, which proved helpful.) Upping the voice makes it sound kinda tinny, and leaving it as is out of the box, dialogue is just as hard to understand as it is coming from the TV speakers themselves. Dolby Atmos. I'm not sure why they include this in soundbars other than the fact that you can pair this with a set of rear channels, which I did not get, but I imagine might make the Atmos sound more like it's meant to. However, with just the soundbar alone, there is no encompassing sound. Not even close. While you do hear a little more of a "surround sound", you definitely aren't going to think planes are flying overhead. I have a full 5.2 setup in my media room, and while it's not a "true" Atmos setup with either overhead speakers or up firing Atmos speakers, watching a movie in Dolby Atmos is really cool. It makes me want to add some speakers in my ceiling to get the true experience of Atmos. So if you are just looking for a decent sound bar setup, with a decent sub, this might work for you. It also has eARC for full pass through of HDMI signals, such as Dolby Vision, but I'm not sure what you'd be passing it through to. If your passing through signals then you're going to be better off with a home theater receiver and surround setup honestly.