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04 Jul

Blog

LG SP9YA Soundbar Review: Setting A High Bar For Dolby Atmos

July 4, 2021
Posted by Samson

LG SP9YA Dolby Atmos soundbar

"The LG SP9YA soundbar transforms any room into an immersive, Dolby Atmos-powered home theater."

Great and immersive Dolby Atmos
Easy adjustment
Chromecast and AirPlay 2
Level and EQ controls
Hi-Res audio capabilities

Hard-wired power cord
Cannot access network music libraries
Only one HDMI input

LG has a good track record of making feature-packed sound bars that also produce stunning, room-filling sound. Its $ 1,000 SP9YA is the company's latest effort in the field and continues the 9-series legacy of putting a ton of audio features (like Dolby Atmos and DTS: X) into just one soundbar and wireless subwoofer. For people who want big, cinematic sound and a simple setup, it's an attractive option.

Want to know what LG has changed with the new SP9YA and how it fares? We have all the details here.

What's new?

The SP9YA takes over the baton of the SN9YG from 2020. Although the two products are almost identical, LG has made two small but important changes:

The SP9YA dispenses with the Google Assistant-based smart speaker function of the 9YG, but remains Google Assistant-compatible.
The SP9YA is AirPlay 2-capable and Chromecast-capable. The 9YG only supported Chromecast.

What's in the box?

Scope of delivery of the LG SP9YA Dolby Atmos soundbar. Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Inside the huge shipping box – which uses completely recyclable materials inside and out – you'll find the soundbar, a wireless subwoofer with power cord, two mounting brackets and screws, a wall mount template, a remote control with AA batteries, an optical cable, and some very basic quick start paper materials .

Why LG included an optical cable but not an HDMI cable remains a mystery, but you need one to get the best possible sound from your TV.

design

Like its predecessors, the SP9YA is a large, 48-inch wide soundbar that looks great in front of a 50-inch or larger TV, but could easily outshine a smaller screen. Its relatively small stature (only 2.24 inches tall) makes it unlikely to obscure the bottom of a large or small TV.

LG kept the look of the brushed aluminum finish on both the soundbar and subwoofer, a smart choice as it minimizes the appearance of a fairly large set of speakers. The only thing that breaks the otherwise seamless design is the circular upward-facing driver grille. I prefer Dolby Atmos soundbars that hide these height drivers, like the Sonos Arc and Vizio Elevate, but that's really a matter of personal preference.

A number of touch controls for volume, power, source selection, play / pause, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi are conveniently located at the top of the bar, but are barely noticeable. In fact, the SP9YA disappears almost entirely in a darkened room with the exception of the front-facing LED display, which is hidden behind the metal grille (which dims but never completely turns off).

The wireless subwoofer uses a front firing design which in my opinion often outperforms down firing units of the same performance.

My only concern is the soundbar's hard-wired power cord – it could make some installations really difficult, especially if you have to run the cord through cabinet openings that are too small to accommodate the size of the wall plug. While LG TVs have detachable power cords, if you remove a faceplate first, I don't see any way to do that with the SP9YA.

Inputs and outputs

LG SP9YA Dolby Atmos soundbar connectors. Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

There are only four connections on the back of the SP9YA: a 4K / Dolby Vision-capable HDMI input, an HDMI ARC / eARC output, an optical input and a USB connection for memory-based music playback. I'd prefer to see more HDMI inputs at this price, and I'm surprised there isn't an analog input or ethernet jack, but these aren't deal-breakers.

Basic setup of the SP9YA is a breeze. Grab the remote control and you can enjoy the TV sound.

The good news is that unlike some soundbars that treat the HDMI and Optical inputs as a single input (meaning you can use one or the other, but not both), the SP9YA considers these ports to be discrete inputs . You can connect a streaming media player, cable box, or Blu-ray player to the HDMI input port while using the optical port for an audio source such as a CD player or Sonos device. Each can be selected as their own source, so you have a pretty good range of connected devices.

Setup and configuration

Basic setup of the SP9YA is a breeze. Simply connect the soundbar to your TV with HDMI or optical cables, connect the wireless subwoofer to the wall, do the same to the soundbar and turn it on. The soundbar and subwoofer automatically establish a wireless connection, which is confirmed by a solid green light on the back of the subwoofer. Grab the remote control and you can enjoy the TV sound.

However, much deeper options are available with the remote control and the free LG Sound Bar app.

The first thing to consider is using the AI. Room calibration function. The bar emits a series of test tones in a matter of seconds, and the two built-in microphones determine how the acoustics of your room affect performance. Conveniently, you can hear pre- and post-noises with the app so that you can decide which is better. I didn't notice much of a difference, but that could simply be a function of the particular space I was using.

You can switch the soundbar to Bluetooth mode at any time and pair it with a phone, tablet or other Bluetooth device. However, if you want a variety of better audio options and deeper settings, it's worth connecting the SP9YA to your Wi-Fi network.

Once you've done that, you can add the soundbar to Google Home, Amazon Alexa, or Apple HomeKit, use Spotify Connect, and then stream audio to the system via Chromecast or AirPlay 2. I'll discuss why this is a must-do in a moment.

Given that the SP9YA has Chromecast and Google Assistant compatibility, it's great that LG doesn't force you to complete the WiFi setup through the Google Home app – something we do a lot on Chromecast devices like the Bang & Olufsen Beosound see stage. You can always add the SP9YA to the Google Home app if you want, but it's up to you.

Apple's AirPlay 2 is also available as soon as you connect to WiFi – no additional configuration required.

user friendliness

LG SP9YA Dolby Atmos Soundbar Remote Control. Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The included remote control for the SP9YA is well designed from an ergonomic point of view – it fits the hand comfortably and is easy to use – but it has no backlighting, which makes working in a dark room a little more difficult.

When connected to your TV via HDMI ARC / eARC, most TV remotes should be able to control the volume and mute of the soundbar. I've also found that streaming media devices plugged into the soundbar's HDMI input can control these features as well (I've tried it with an Apple TV 4K and an Nvidia Shield TV). Typically televisions connected by the optical cable will not be able to control the volume of the soundbar unless you have an LG TV. In this case, enabling your TV's Sound Sync option should give you this option.

You can also use the remote control for more advanced functions: a four-way directional pad allows you to navigate deeper settings such as speaker levels. But the LG Sound Bar app is so good that I highly recommend using it instead of the remote control for these advanced settings. You can view all available channels (subwoofer, center, side, overhead, etc.) along with the sliders for each.

The SP9YA is an incredibly powerful system for movies and music.

The only area that lacks ease of use is in music playback. As a wifi connected speaker, there should be a way to access your personal media stored on a computer or hard drive connected to your network, but the Sound Bar app lacks that option and there is no way to do this with the remote control either.

If you want to play music from a USB storage device at the same time, you have to use the remote control to navigate through the content – the app cannot see or control this music.

Sound quality

LG SP9YA Dolby Atmos soundbar. Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The SP9YA is an incredibly powerful system for movies and music. When I'm not checking sound bars, my normal system is a Pioneer Dolby Atmos receiver connected to a 5.1.2 set of discrete speakers, including ceiling-mounted speakers just above the listening area. The SP9YA is the first soundbar I've tested that comes close to this setup in terms of immersion.

No, it is not a direct replacement, but a very attractive alternative given its price and simplicity.

Dolby Atmos is the star of this show. I think the soundbar handles all audio formats just fine, but whoever buys the SP9YA owes it to themselves to look for movies on Netflix, Disney +, Amazon Prime Video, or other sources that have an Atmos soundtrack.

Whether it's fast-paced car scenes in Mad Max: Fury Road, Ford versus Ferrari, or John Wick: Chapter 2, or the superhero action in a Marvel movie, the SP9YA has the sheer power it takes to recreate the tension in the theater during its Height and side channel drivers deliver convincing 3D effects. The wireless sub does an excellent job of delivering deep bass that you can feel in your chest, but it's also a subtle feat that never drowns out the rest of the soundtrack.

If you live in a condo or share a wall with your neighbors, you might as well invite them to watch with you, as they will hear and feel these explosions too.

If you'd like, you can add LG's optional SPK8-S wireless surround speakers for $ 180 for a 7.1.2 experience. They add to the sense of depth, but they don't add anything to the Dolby Atmos height channels.

Pro tip: Use the soundbar app to level up the overhead channels. This is the key to hearing the sounds that make Atmos, well, Atmos-y.

When playing Atmos content, the optional sound effect settings (eight of which are available) are inactive. However, when playing non-Atmos audio, settings like music, movies, or games can have a huge impact on the sound you get. Rather than relying on LG's labels and assuming that Cinema is best for movies, I suggest that you try them all out. LG's AI Sound Pro setting is supposed to automatically detect what type of audio you're listening to and choose the best setting accordingly, but I didn't always find it to my liking.

For example, when streaming music, the game mode turned out to be a better choice than the actual music setting. Likewise, the Bass Blast mode – which is meant to boost low frequencies – seemed to be doing just the opposite.

Aside from the quirk of the label, I had no problem with the SP9YA producing satisfactory audio from TV shows, movies, and music. If you've been thinking of a soundbar to improve the clarity of dialogue, the SP9YA is a solid choice. I found speech very intelligible even with the default settings, and was able to make it clearer with both the Clear Voice mode and by boosting the center channel output.

For music, I can't recommend using Wi-Fi strongly enough. Bluetooth comes in handy when you have guests and want them to quickly play something from their phones, but for pure audio quality, AirPlay 2 and Chromecast are orders of magnitude better than Bluetooth.

Our opinion

LG's SP9YA delivers amazing immersive sound from a single soundbar and subwoofer, making it one of the easiest ways to enjoy Dolby Atmos movies and music at home.

Is there a better alternative?

Finding a direct alternative to the LG SP9YA is difficult. Not many sound bars offer a full 5.1.2 channel configuration from a single speaker plus subwoofer.

The $ 799 Sonos Arc is great for Dolby Atmos and overall a more versatile choice as it can be used as an Alexa or Google Assistant smart speaker and has the best streaming and multiroom capabilities in the industry. But you can only use it with a Sonos Sub – a very expensive wireless speaker for $ 699. That combination is well above the $ 1,000 price of the SP9YA. The Arc also lacks an HDMI input, making it less convenient for those with a lot of HDMI source devices.

The $ 1,000 Vizio Elevate is probably the best comparison. It has excellent Dolby Atmos and DTS: X sound and one of the best soundbar remotes, but you have to deal with the extra surround speakers that are firmly attached to the wireless subwoofer. It's also a better choice for movies than music – there's no support for Hi-Res lossless audio or Apple AirPlay 2.

We haven't reviewed Samsung's new $ 1,300 in 2021 HW-Q900A 7.1.2 Soundbar yet, but given its specs and our reviews of previous Samsung soundbars, it could be the SP9YA's toughest competitor.

How long it will take?

Audio devices such as sound bars tend to last for many years. They are not moved much after installation, and heat build-up (the cause of many electronic failures) is rarely a problem. It is only unknown how long LG will keep the SP9YA up to date with new software. It should still work fine without updates to TV audio, but some features, like AirPlay streaming, could lose support in the long run. LG backs the SP9YA with a standard one-year warranty.

Should you buy it?

Yes. If you're ready to dive into immersive Dolby Atmos audio and have access to streaming movies or music using this 3D format, this is the LG SP9YA is a fantastic choice.

Editor's recommendations

02 Jul

Blog

A 5 Step Progression to the Bar Muscle Up

July 2, 2021
Posted by Samson

You need these five basic movements to build your first bar muscle – and how to get there without injuring yourself.

As a trainer, I've seen so many variations of bar muscle upward progression. Many that I have seen are extremely dangerous and involve tapes, boxes, and a lack of adequate skills and strengths.

This article explains the right basic moves to build your first bar muscle – and how to build that first bar muscle without injuring yourself in the process.

30 Jun

Blog

A 5 Step Progression to the Bar Muscle Up

June 30, 2021
Posted by Samson

You need these five basic movements to build your first bar muscle – and how to get there without injuring yourself.

As a trainer, I've seen so many variations of bar muscle upward development. Many that I have seen are extremely dangerous and involve tapes, boxes, and a lack of adequate skills and strengths.

This article explains the right basic moves to build your first bar muscle – and how to build that first bar muscle without injuring yourself.

12 Jan

Blog

Best hex bar exercises to gain mass and strength now

January 12, 2021
Posted by Samson

The Hexagonal bar Exercise has long been one of the most underutilized workouts in fitness history. However, they are famous for their incredible benefits that allow people to gain mass and strength instantly. Although this exercise may seem a bit daunting at first, once you get the hang of it, the workout will become a breeze for you.

In this article, we'll help you find the best performance options Hexagonal bar Exercises. You can also learn how to get the most out of it.

What is the Hex Bar Exercise?

The hex bar is a deadlift variation that promises to train the masses and add strength to your body. It's an incredible workout practiced by athletes, body lifters, and weight lifters. These people do it regularly for its benefits. Hex bar exercises are also known as trap bar deadlifts or diamond bar deadlifts. The drop bar deadlift is perfect for improving muscle hypertrophy and general traction. All you have to do is follow the instructions while doing this workout. This way you can avoid injuries and build strength in the best possible way.

The best hex bar exercises to try.

Hex bar exercise is not a cake. However, if you learn how to press the correct keys, you can quickly turn it into an experience for yourself. Today we are going to show you how to do some possible exercises that will bring you the best benefits like never before.

1. Trap bar jump squat

Trap bar jump squat

Hex bar squat is a spectacular method to build explosiveness and strength in the body. All you have to do is load the bar from a deadlift position. Something like this leaves your thighs parallel to the floor. As you look ahead, be sure to keep your back neutral. Quickly explore up as you jump. This way, the ball of the foot finally leaves the ground. Now try to go back to the same place as this will set the flow correctly.

2. One-armed shrug

The deadlift shape of the hex bar is essential for maintenance. With the help of a one-armed shrug exercise, you can comfortably do deep stretches and activate your core. This also affects your overall stability, which improves performance. To do this exercise, you need to turn the bar sideways and pick it up. Then shrug your shoulders and switch sides.

3. Reverse trap bar single leg deadlift

The name may sound like a lot of hard work, but don't worry; it's easy to do. If you want to build a potential Hex bar deadliftYou will benefit from this exercise. This workout mainly focuses on your hamstrings and helps you balance your body properly. In this case, you need to maintain a straight back, keep your hips high, and move your butt backwards. You need to do this on every repetition. Now you can lift your leg behind you. You can also place it anywhere to keep balance.

4. Trap bar increases push up

Trap Bar Elevated Pushup

The Hex bar deadlift can become even more powerful if you perform an elevated push-up with an air-termination rod. With the raised bar levels, you can easily and conveniently perform a push-up. All you have to do is keep your torso straight and go down low enough to feel a slight stretch on your chest. Then try to contract your muscles while pushing up.

5. Trap bar split squat

Trap bar split workout

If you want to build flawless quads, hamstrings, and glutes, this exercise is your ultimate savior. Try the Trap Bar's split squat whenever you want to unlock its potential Hex bar squats for your convenience. For this exercise, you need to make sure that your shins stay as vertical as possible. Then you can try crouching down until your knee is close to the floor. Keep your upper body straight and your face on the horizon.

6. Reeves deadlift

If you want to learn how to incorporate grip strength into your daily fitness routine, Reeves Deadlift can help you do it. The deadlift shape with hexagonal bar is also easy to build with this workout. All you have to do is lift the barbell by holding the actual plates and lifting the weight. Keeping your torso as upright as possible will help you do the exercise correctly.

frequently asked Questions

1 are Hex bar exercises helpful?

Yes, Hex bar exercises are useful. However, you need to follow the instructions to get rid of any complications.

2. Which is the best exercise for squat down the hexagonal bar?

If you want to learn how to a Hex bar squatswho have favourited Trap Bar Jump Squat is perfect for you.

23 Oct

Blog

Accomplish a well-toned body with a Trap bar deadlift every day

October 23, 2020
Posted by Samson

Training the upper body is the order of the day. Since our upper body is responsible for all movements, it is important to exercise them daily. While multiple exercises promise high quality exercises, not all of them may produce the results you want in the end. Such a thing creates the need for possible training, as it turns out. The Trap bar deadlift is such an incredible exercise that you can try to improve your upper body. Let us explain to you how this exercise can help you achieve your dream body right away!

Benefits of Deadlifting the Extension Pole You Can Take Now

The trap bar deadlift is also known as the hex deadlift or diamond deadlift. Something like this is an exercise that provides the upper body muscles with proper coordination, technique, and balance. One can do this exercise with the trap bar, which is one of the best inventions in the gym today. This exercise promises not only to build strength, but also explosive strength to prevent the risk of injury. Other Trap Bar Deadlift Benefits This also includes increased muscle hypertrophy and better general traction. Athletes and newbies can do this exercise without much inconvenience.

Trap bar deadlifts are a safe alternative to most other deadlifts. For people who find the deadlift a daunting workout, this exercise can come to their rescue. The Trap Bar Deadlift Benefits This also includes reduced stress on the lumbar spine, supramaximal stress and increased buttock strength. Your body quads are also practiced in this process. So, if you're looking to develop fitness and improved mental health, you've come to the right place!

How do deadlift muscles work?

The trap bar deadlift is a type of deadlift that requires a trap bar to perform the workout. Most weight lifters and athletes rely on this exercise to develop a toned body. For people looking to reduce heart problems, increase physical performance, and improve memory, this exercise can work wonders. The Trap bar deadlift muscles were working are not only efficient, but also outstanding among other things. Let's find out how to work them out!

1. Start with a hip-width position with your toes pointing forward. The shins should be perpendicular to the floor. At this point the black needs to be flat. Make sure your shoulders are above the bar.

2. Now load the train according to your requirements. Make sure it is neither too difficult nor too easy for you. Squeeze the bar as you pull down on your shoulder blades. The shoulder and chest must be pulled up.

3. Slide the pole down onto the floor. Take this step with your legs. Your chest must also be facing up.

4. Assume a vertical position with your natural pelvis. The shoulder blades should be behind, with the load distributed between the upper back, traps, glutes, legs, and handle.

5. Repeat the exercise a few times to maintain your own Trap bar deadlift muscles were working.

Trap Bar Deadlift VS Deadlift – Which Is Better?

Many people don't know the difference between a trap Deadlift versus VS deadlift. Something like that makes them have this debate all the time. Although there is a fine line between these two exercises, they belong to the same training family.

A trap bar deadlift is a variation on the traditional deadlift. So the drop bar deadlift comes from the latter.

A deadlift with an air-termination rod allows you to lift heavier weights than a traditional deadlift. However, the deadlift with the rod will reduce the workload on you so the idea of heavier weights won't do much good. In the meantime, the traditional deadlift feels like a better choice. So, a lot of people who keep asking what's better among them Trap Bar Deadlift VS DeadliftThis is an unfounded debate. Both deadlifts are important to your health and fitness routine. You can incorporate the drop bar deadlift into your daily deadlift routine for the best results.

Trap Bar Deadlift VS Squat – Which Is Better?

Fitness freaks often get caught up in these two complex exercises. However, it's not a cake to choose from Trap Bar Deadlift VS Squat. Both exercises help in building the muscle mass of the lower body. While the drop bar deadlift allows you to rest between workouts, the squat forces you to stay active and exercise without rest. This way, squats are more helpful when you want to exercise without wasting time.

A trap bar deadlift can help produce numerous results for our healthy bodies. It helps build strong muscles, improve the ability to perform activities, and maintain an upright core position. However, the squat helps maintain balance on the bar so you can stay active. The core muscles are driven to work hard. This helps keep the body straight and the muscles healthy. It also stimulates muscle growth in the abdominal and oblique areas. To sum up, while both workouts will add harmful stress to your muscles, if you follow the steps correctly, you will not be injured. It depends on what kind of benefits you are looking for for your body to choose between Trap Bar Deadlift VS Squat. However, there is no clear winner here. We encourage you to seek advice from your trainer to find out which one is ideal for you.

Take that away

If you want to tone your body freely, this is the Trap bar deadlift is all you need Don't forget to practice this exercise regularly to gain your dream body right away.

FAQ

1. Can we build a potential? Trap bar deadlift form right?

Yes. You can build a strong one Trap bar deadlift form practically. However, be sure to follow the instructions to avoid trouble.

2. Can Trap Bar Deadlift Benefits be acquired?

Yes. If you do the exercise regularly, you can acquire it Trap bar deadlift advantages in no time.

Here's the ultimate traps workout to beat the fitness blues

05 Oct

Blog

Here’s all about the ultimate hex bar deadlift for your benefits

October 5, 2020
Posted by Samson

If there is one workout that I have to do for the rest of my life, I would choose the deadlift. If you're wondering why this is because the deadlift is a life changing workout that uses all of your body muscles. As a result, this intense workout trains the muscles, glutes, quads, core, and even the lower back in the best way. The best part is that the deadlift offers a multitude of variations for a more effective workout. Hex bar deadlift Is one of them. Since many people are unaware of this exercise, today we become that Hex bar deadlift in detail!

What is a hex bar deadlift?

The bar deadlift is an incredible exercise that promises to work the core, upper body, and lower body. This intense workout is similar to a straight bar deadlift. However, there is one difference that makes it a whole new workout in itself. Unlike the straight bar deadlift, where the weights are in front of your body, when people do a hex bar deadlift, this workout is done in the middle of the bar. The The hex bar deadlift muscles were working Making people look like a celebrity. Therefore, this training is highly recommended to everyone.

Deadlift benefits for hex bars

For those who regularly perform the deadlift with hex bars, a number of benefits await them. Acquire this potential Advantages of the hexagonal bar People need to follow the instructions carefully and train accordingly.

1. An incredible exercise for beginners

Most deadlifts are daunting for beginners. Because the steps are difficult, they are more prone to risk of injury than ever before. However, Benefits of the deadlift with a hex bar are an easy reward for all beginners who do this exercise regularly. Since the steps to complete the workout are simple, beginners can do this exercise freely.

2. Reduced back strain

In a hex bar deadlift, the body is aligned with the bar because it is right next to it. Because of this, there is less risk of injury and less back strain. As a result, The hex bar deadlift muscles were working are strong and more powerful than anyone else.

3. An Excellent Alternative for Deadlifts As discussed above, hex bar deadlifts are better than deadlifts in many ways. These are not only more convenient to perform, but also offer a lower risk of injury. Even more so, that Benefits of the deadlift with a hex bar are better than the latter. This makes them a great alternative to the deadlift.

How can one benefit from the functioning deadlift muscles of the hex bar?

The hex bar deadlift focuses more on the quads and the upper trapezoid. Therefore, this exercise is a delight in life for those people who suffer from constant back problems. Total body strength and other benefits are other effects of the The hex bar deadlift muscles were working. How To Do It – Stand in the center of a weighted hex bar and crouch to hold the handles. Your thighs should be just above the floor. The torso should be bent forward at a 45 degree angle. This is the starting position. Ride your heels through the floor as you straighten your knees and hips to achieve a fully upright position. Once this is done, gradually lower the bar to the starting position. Do this exercise daily to maintain yours The hex bar deadlift muscles were working right now.

Hex Bar Deadlift VS Barbell Deadlift – Which Is Better?

There are several reasons why the Hex Bar Deadlift VS Barbell Deadlift The debate is still going on. The main reason for this is the fact that both exercises are effective for people in many ways. However, let's find out the difference between them.

Those who practice the bar deadlift know that a maximum of 1 rep for the deadlift is higher than the bar deadlift.

Compared to the deadlift, the hex bar deadlift is a safer exercise for beginners because it reduces the risk of injury. Additionally, the deadlift is a very complex exercise that is difficult to get right in one setting. But hex bar deadlifts are just the opposite. Another comparison between the deadlift with a hexagonal bar versus the deadlift with a barbell is that the barbell deadlift is a better option when you want to focus directly on the muscles. This is because the hex bar deadlift is similar to a squat exercise, which can't be beneficial here.

The final result

This ultimate guide to Hex bar deadlift will help you build strong muscles in your body instantly. Don't miss this article to look like your favorite celebrity in no time.

FAQ

1. Which one is better among the Hex Bar Deadlift VS Squat?

Since the bar deadlift is a mix of the deadlift and squat, it's a better option for you.

2. Is this training helpful?

Yes. If you follow the directions carefully, this workout can provide several benefits right away.

07 Aug

Blog

Polk Audio Signa S3 Review: Quality Bar, Steep Competition

August 7, 2020
Posted by Samson

Polk Audio Signa S3 soundbar

"Polk's high-quality Signa S3 soundbar is a lot right, but it lacks key features for the price."

Smooth design
High quality stereo sound
Wi-Fi connectivity

Limited low end
Missing surround sound

The soundbar marketplace is deceptive. It doesn't matter how good your features are or how great your sound is. If there's something better for the same price, you'll be the odd bar.

That's the tough lesson Polk Audio's new $ 250 Signa S3 sound bar system is learning. It's a solid option on its own as it's a Wi-Fi enabled soundbar with effective two-channel sound, but Polk just forgot about the budget monster waiting in the opposite corner of the ring. If you don't know who we are talking about, you are close to it.

design

At various times in the past, both myself and my staff at Digital Trends have praised the soundbars that can be heard but not seen. That said, the bars that feature a design that doesn't protrude and blend in so well with the room that you won't know it's there if it's not emitting sound to you – the Bose Soundbar 700 is here one good example of success.

Polk Audio Signa S3 soundbar Nick Woodard / Digital Trends

Soundbars from Vizio, LG, Samsung and the like have done this to one degree or another in the past. And I'd argue that the Polk Signa S3 probably fits that category too, and I like the aesthetics of this particular soundbar more than, say, the Vizio counterpart. One notable point is that the color and shape of this bar appear less harsh in comparison. The Vizio V-series is a black, brick-shaped bar with a slightly less black grille. The polk looks softer and tastier with a lighter, grayer grille that plays off the otherwise black bar well. This color is paired with a more rounded shape without all of the sharp edges, which I liked too.

The Signa S3 is a little over two inches tall and around 35 inches wide, which fits closely with competitors like the Vizio V series. There are two pairs of tweeters and mid-range speakers in the 2.1 channel strip. For comparison purposes, the Vizio has a dedicated driver for the center channel of its 5.1 configuration. One driver doesn't seem like much of a difference, but as we'll see in a moment, that particular driver is a crucial one.

The wireless subwoofer for the Signa S3 is front-ported and follows the footprint of soundbar woofers such as the LG SN7Y. They're so similar in size, in fact, that it took my significant other a week to release the submarine in the corner of the room. It was different from the week before. That gave me my first concerns, as the subwoofer for the SN7Y did not impress me with its performance. More on that in a moment.

The remote control for the Signa S3 feels a bit cheap, but is conveniently located on the smaller side and is easy to hold. The Signa S3 supports Polk's AnyRemote technology, which means it should automatically respond to IR signals from most TVs it is connected to. According to Polk's website, the Signa S3 works seamlessly with Samsung, LG, Vizio, TCL, and Sony TV remote controls for volume control, as well as most CEC-enabled TVs.

configuration

The Signa S3 has a book report size quick start guide that includes it. I strongly recommend that you do your homework. Take it from someone who has been too persistent to read manuals for years: if you put pride aside and let the included documentation guide you through setting up the soundbar, things just get infinitely easier.

Polk Audio Signa S3 soundbar Nick Woodard / Digital Trends

It starts like any typical soundbar: plug your soundbar into your TV, plug both the bar and subwoofer into power, plug the included AAA battery into your remote, and turn everything on. The subwoofer should automatically connect to the bar and the entire system should be ready for playback in a matter of moments.

Unlike some competitive bars where the input that the soundbar is plugged into is literally written for you, the Signa S3 tells you this via a horizontal row of LED lights.

It all went smoothly for me, but the next few steps gave me a break. Unlike some competitive bars where the input that the soundbar is plugged into is literally written for you – the LG SN7Y mentioned above comes to mind – the Signa S3 tells you this via a horizontal row of LED lights. Some make sense (a single blue light indicates the bar is in bluetooth mode), but beyond that it gets confusing. Fortunately, it is broken down for you in the quick start guide and acts as a translator for the foreign language of lights the S3 is talking to you.

The guide also directs you to the Google Home app, which you can use to connect the Signa S3 to Wi-Fi. This is a very simple process. It's a smooth transition from the tutorial to the Home app as the app walks you step-by-step through adding your network and tweaking your bar. I didn't have the resources to try at the time, but I'm confident that a far less tech-savvy person can get this system fully up and running in 15 minutes. In my opinion, that's the hallmark of a good, easy-to-use soundbar.

links

Even by soundbar standards, the Signa S3 keeps things limited when it comes to connections. There is a single HDMI ARC port, a digital optical port, and an AUX input. For context, the Vizio V-Series adds a 3.5mm stereo audio input as well as a USB port to the mix. I recorded before saying that most soundbars need additional connections, and I stand by that. But that's a soundbar on a budget of $ 250, after all. More HDMI ports would have been great, but at the price, it's not a deal-breaker.

Polk Audio Signa S3 soundbar Nick Woodard / Digital Trends

This is where the Signa S3 gets a great value at least in terms of connections in my opinion. Unlike much more expensive bars like the LG SN7Y and Sony HT-G700, this Polk Bar has built-in Wi-Fi. This is huge for my money as it opens up a world of possibilities. For this reason, Google Chromecast is built into the bar, with options for streaming Google Play Music, Spotify, and many other services right into the bar. Plus, you can control your music with a device equipped with the Google Assistant, and group your soundbar with other Chromecast-enabled speakers to create whole-house sound. In addition, your soundbar may receive automatic software updates to keep the product better over time.

This Polk Bar has built-in WiFi. This is huge for my money as it opens up a world of possibilities.

The Signa S3 also has a Bluetooth connection. But with the option to stream Wi-Fi and enjoy sound with no dropouts or disconnections, I don't know why you would ever choose the former over the latter. By equipping their bar with Wi-Fi, Polk has not only done what all soundbars – including the competing Vizio V series – should do, but also what we believe there should be no excuse not to do so in 2020 .

Sound quality

This is the make-or-break category for the Signa S3. For some, the stereo sound produced is comfortable enough and well worth the price of admission. But for others hoping for an even more immersive experience with their soundbar, they will likely want to look elsewhere.

Polk Audio Signa S3 soundbar Nick Woodard / Digital Trends

The thing is, this is really not a controversial – or even controversial – statement. Finally, the Signa S3 is a 2.1-channel soundbar. It will work better with audio that is meant to be heard in stereo (i.e. music) and worse with content that benefits from a surround sound setup (most TV shows and movies). Polk gets a little sneaky when he says it supports the Dolby Digital 5.1 sound format, which it technically does. It simply cannot be reproduced as it is again only a two-channel bar. Not all support is the same here, so the language is irritatingly misleading.

For the music, I found this bar to be excellent. Polk is a company that has made a name for itself in the audio space, unlike the bigger brands like Vizio, Samsung and LG. The company has made music-friendly speakers in the past so it came as no surprise to me that the bar can wonderfully clearly reproduce tracks like Mumford & Sons' Lover of the Light. As for the bass, the S3's compact woofer has handled short, punchy deep tones effectively. However, when the sub was asked to go deeper, or when the bass was increased using the beam's remote control, it succumbed to the limitations of its size and unfortunately sounded like it was stretching for a frequency it just couldn't quite reach . If you're not asking too much, you'll be happy with this subwoofer – you just have to know what it can and can't do.

If you try to squeeze five (or more) channels into two the result just won't turn out what it's supposed to.

I want to be as clear as possible with this soundbar when it comes to watching movies or TV shows: objectively speaking, this is an instant and significant improvement over standard TV speakers and brings you the way this content is meant to be heard , far closer. The clarity I mentioned when discussing music is still there, and the sub adds a modest rumble to your listening experience.

But for the third time, and probably not the last, it's a numbers game. If you try to squeeze five (or more) channels into two the result just won't turn out what it's supposed to. In that regard, I'll be taking advantage of the Vizio V-series 5.1 setup or the impact Dolby Atmos had on the LG SN7Y's 3.1.2 configuration, albeit at a significantly higher price. Maybe I'm just too used to having noises above or behind me, but my selection of tests (Mad Max: Fury Road, John Wick, A Quiet Place) just weren't the same audio glasses I was supposed to be getting be on the Signa S3.

The Signa S3 has three sound modes that you can use to customize your audio: The Movie mode "improves audio playback in TVs and movies," Polk said. Night mode attenuates bass and dynamic sounds to keep the neighbors at bay. and music mode is good for music. These all work in that they are the best preset for any situation, but don't expect them to be breakthrough modes that will change the way you play audio dramatically. The same goes for Polk's speech adaptation feature, which allows you to switch between three different levels of speech enhancement. It's helpful, but not as helpful as having a dedicated center channel.

Our opinion

The Polk Signa S3 is a 2.1 channel soundbar that does exactly what it was designed to do. That said, the bar picks up the provided audio and creates a fun listening experience that is exponentially better than anything standard TV speakers could produce. The problem is that its value is being damaged by competitors bringing more to the table without much of a drag on cost. A year ago, having surround sound at that price might not have been that important. But the bar (no pun intended) has been raised and it overshadows an otherwise good system.