Polk Audio Signa S2
Score: 62/100
Sonos Beam Gen 2 Black
Score: 81/100Rankings
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a compact 3-channel soundbar that adds Dolby Atmos, eARC and smart-home features, delivering clear dialogue and solid overall sound for small to medium rooms, though it lacks Bluetooth and deep bass.
The Polk Audio Signa S2 is a compact 2.1-channel sound bar with a wireless subwoofer, offering dialogue-enhancing VoiceAdjust™ technology and easy HDMI ARC setup, but it lacks advanced surround codecs and smart-home features.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
2 | 3best | |
| ↓ lower better | 1.8 kgbest | 2.8 kg |
12 monthsbest | 12 monthsbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Audio Performance(3) | ||
Audio Channels | 2 | 3 |
Supported Audio Formats | Dolby Digital 5.1 | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, Multichannel PCM, DTS Digital Surround |
Sound Modes | Movie, Music, Night Mode | Speech Enhancement, Night Sound, Trueplay |
Build & Design(1) | ||
Soundbar Weight (kg) | 1.8 kg | 2.8 kg |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the Signa S2 for its dialogue-enhancing VoiceAdjust™ technology, solid midrange performance, and straightforward HDMI ARC integration, noting it outshines budget rivals like the Bose Solo 5 but criticizing its lack of immersive surround, limited codec support, and absence of smart-home features.
Everyday users overwhelmingly praise the sound bar's ability to make dialogue clearer and its hassle-free installation, with many calling it a noticeable upgrade over TV speakers; common complaints revolve around Bluetooth reliability, a small remote, aggressive power-saving shutdown, and the dusty fabric grille.
Professional reviewers praise the Beam (Gen 2) for its premium sound quality, clear dialogue, and effective Dolby Atmos implementation, while noting the absence of Bluetooth, limited Android Trueplay, and lack of DTS:X support.
Everyday users love the Beam's clear dialogue, easy HDMI ARC setup, reliable Wi-Fi and AirPlay 2 streaming, and sleek design, but complain about missing Bluetooth, Android Trueplay limitations, and modest bass.
“Night Mode is a useful feature for late-night viewing”
“The wireless subwoofer delivers surprisingly deep bass”
“Love the Sonos Beam... Great quality sound in a small package... I have them on both my big screen TVs.”
