by Your amazing 4K TV is adorable, that’s for sure. But the speakers in that TV? I’m poop. Sorry for the harsh language, but I really need to stress the importance of adding a soundbar into the mix. It will improve every aspect of your listening experience, especially your ability to hear dialogue loud and clear. And if you’re going to do this thing, do it right: For a limited time, the Polk MagniFi Max AX SR 7.1.2-Channel Surround Sound System is on sale for $699. That’s $200 off the regular price, and the best deal since Christmas.
Spoiler alert: The MagniFi Max AX SR earned the title of “best surround soundbar” in my recent roundup of the best soundbars you can buy. And I’ll borrow something from that roundup to explain why.
The MagniFi is a beastly system, with a subwoofer that will shake floors and a soundstage powerful enough to annoy the neighbors. It’s also a breeze to set up, although some of the more advanced features might get a little confusing.
The soundbar itself boasts a staggering 11 speaker array, so it’s a big, heavy thing. That’s nothing, however, compared to the mammoth subwoofer. If you’re hoping to put it in a corner or behind a couch, make sure you have enough space. The satellites are a fairly standard size, wider than tall, but come without any sort of wall-mounting hardware or floor stands.
Polk’s quick start guide is easy to follow and well illustrated, culminating in three options for setting up Wi-Fi: Google Home, Amazon Alexa, or Apple AirPlay. This is great, not only because you can choose the smart-home platform that’s right for you, but also because no additional apps are required, no new accounts to register. I chose Alexa and had a lot of fun completing the setup.
That said, the guide is lacking in some major areas; you’ll want to venture online to find the full instruction manual, which is much more detailed.
Any lingering irritation about it is swept away when you look at, for example, Top Gun: nonconformist (which you will want to do again and again). Polk’s system is robustdelivering strong, well-balanced surround sound with powerful bass and electronically enhanced dialogue.
Overall, the Polk MagniFi AX SR is absolutely brilliant. It’s versatile and easy to use, and can blow the doors off even a large home theater space. If powerful bass, satellite speakers, and Dolby Atmos are on your must-have list, this is the system for you. Especially at this price point.
(If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll obviously get free shipping. Not a member yet? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders over $25. or more.)
Originally published
