![]() ![]() I was able to control the volume with an Apple TV remote with no setup necessary. Everything connected to everything else with no pairing buttons needed. Plug the power cable into the subwoofer and the wall. Plug the power cable into the back of the soundbar and into the wall. Connect the HDMI cable to the soundbar and your television, preferably in an eARC HDMI slot on the TV. How do you set up the Polk Signa S4 soundbar and subwoofer? It’ll do fine in a pinch, but you’re going to want to make sure you’ve got a smart TV or streaming device that includes an app for your preferred music service if you want to do any concentrated music listening. Bluetooth doesn’t offer that capability, while streaming from the app on the Apple TV does.Īs a Bluetooth speaker, the Polk Signa S4 is decidedly average. Of course, the difference was especially pronounced with spatial audio tracks in Apple Music. I tested the Polk Audio Signa S4 with an Apple TV 4K, and the difference between music playback from the Apple Music and Spotify Music apps on the Apple TV versus streaming those same apps via Bluetooth was striking. Consider this to be a convenient option if you really need it, but it’s not a reason to buy this soundbar. The soundbar does allow you to connect to an external source via Bluetooth, which allows you to play audio from any app on your phone or tablet. That said, the lack of Wi-Fi isn’t too surprising for a Dolby Atmos soundbar in this price range. ![]() There’s no Wi-Fi connection on the Signa S4, so you can’t stream using Apple’s AirPlay 2 or Chromecast, and any firmware updates are going to have to be delivered via the soundbar’s USB port. James Barber/Foundry Does the Polk Audio Signa S4 support Wi-Fi and Bluetooth? The Polk Audio Signa S4 soundbar has a USB port on the back side for future firmware updates. Audio manufacturers have also devised clever audio processing tech that gives a strong sense of true surround sound without the need for a bevy of satellite speakers. That’s not a practical setup for many people, but more and more Atmos-enabled soundbars offer upfiring speakers that bounce height cues off your ceiling, a viable substitute to speakers in your ceiling. If you want the peak Dolby Atmos experience, you’ll need to invest in multiple speakers both behind and flanking your viewing position and–if you have the time, money, and inclination–height speakers that are installed in your ceiling. Most home video releases of Hollywood hits now include an Atmos soundtrack, and it’s also the technology behind Apple Music’s spatial audio, Tidal Hifi, and Amazon Music’s spatial sound mixes. What is Dolby Atmos?ĭolby Atmos is an object-based audio technology that creates a sense of immersive, three-dimensional sound, complete with surround as well as height effects. Click that link to read reviews of competing products, along with a buyer’s guide to the features you should consider when shopping. This review is part of TechHive’s coverage of the best soundbars. ![]()
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