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Polk MagniFi Mini AX – With Dolby Atmos and DTS:X

The new solution from Polk Audio, the Polk MagniFi Mini AX, measures only a few centimetres. Nevertheless, it is a sound bar that is supposed to provide room-filling sound for television based on Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.

Polk MagniFi Mini AX, this solution expands the product range of the Polk Audio brand of the Sound United LLC. group with a sound bar, whereby this is a special one of its kind. The Polk MagniFi Mini AX takes up only a few centimetres of space, yet the manufacturer promises that it will provide room-filling sound and even support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.

But this solution is not only designed for television, says Polk Audio. With the new Polk MagniFi Mini AX, a flexible all-in-one system is available that is also suitable for music playback from a wide variety of sources, especially from the network.

Polk MagniFi Mini AX – The minimalist all-in-one system

The new Polk MagniFi Mini AX offers cinema-like, room-filling sound with crystal-clear dialogue for the ultimate listening pleasure with music, films and games. Sound United LLC. advertises this new solution from Polk Audio in such a full-bodied way, emphasising first and foremost the particularly small width of only 37 cm that this solution measures.

That is indeed tiny, but of course one has to mention that this system once again relies on the combination of the actual soundbar plus an external subwoofer. The subwoofer of the Polk MagniFi Mini AX is also quite compact, but in comparison to the soundbar it is much more massive.

Polk MagniFi Mini AX to easily compete with larger soundbar systems

The new Polk MagniFi Mini AX is based on 50 years of Polk Audio experience in the development of loudspeaker systems and impresses with outstanding audio quality, Sound United LLC. is convinced.

Despite its compact dimensions, the new Polk MagniFi Mini AX can compete with larger conventional soundbar systems, according to the company.

The basis for this is said to be five drivers directly in the actual soundbar as well as a powerful woofer radiating downwards in the external subwoofer, whereby this is controlled via radio, so there does not have to be a direct signal connection between soundbar and subwoofer.

Dolby Atmos and DTS:X

The new Polk MagniFi Mini AX delivers Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround sound, according to the manufacturer, and can thus offer an authentic sound experience in any room. The soundbar also uses Polk’s patented fourth-generation SDA technology, which is said to produce an even wider and more precise soundstage than previous Polk Audio solutions.

DSP-based signal processing

For stereo content, the Polk MagniFi Mini AX has a 3D audio mode that is supposed to offer virtual 360° surround sound including virtual height channels via an upmix function. The integrated DSP-based signal processing can also be used for various sound modes for movies and music, and there is also a night mode that attenuates the low frequencies to achieve a rich sound at a lower level even late at night.

BassAdjust, on the other hand, optimises the adjustment of the low frequencies between the soundbar and the subwoofer and should also help to guarantee a full sound image.

For optimal speech intelligibility, the Polk VoiceAdjust Technology function is available, as it brings voices into focus without increasing the overall volume.

  • Foto © Sound United LLC. | Polk MagniFi Mini AX
  • Foto © Sound United LLC. | Polk MagniFi Mini AX
  • Foto © Sound United LLC. | Polk MagniFi Mini AX
  • Foto © Sound United LLC. | Polk MagniFi Mini AX
  • Foto © Sound United LLC. | Polk MagniFi Mini AX
  • Foto © Sound United LLC. | Polk MagniFi Mini AX
  • Foto © Sound United LLC. | Polk MagniFi Mini AX
  • Foto © Sound United LLC. | Polk MagniFi Mini AX

High quality music streaming

The Polk MagniFi Mini AX is not only a great solution for movies, TV shows and games, but also enables high-quality music streaming via WiFi using Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast and Spotify Connect from smartphones, tablets and computers. It also connects effortlessly to mobile devices via Bluetooth.

Simple set-up

The setup of the soundbar system is said to be very simple, almost intuitive. It conveniently connects to any TV with just one cable via the HDMI port with support for eARC or ARC, optical S/PDIF input or analogue AUX input. The HDMI cable is included in the scope of delivery. In addition, the manufacturer cites an OLED display that shows the settings in an easy-to-understand manner and automatically switches off after use.

The Polk MagniFi Mini AX comes with a remote control, but can also be controlled with most TV remotes via HDMI CEC without additional configuration. It is also Roku TV Ready certified for even easier setup and control.

“When we designed the MagniFi Mini AX, we set out to create the best sounding ultra-compact soundbar in the world. To do this, we integrated Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround and optimised it with Polk’s patented SDA technology. The result is a product that not only delivers sound as room-filling as soundbar models three times its size, but also an extremely precise soundstage that is unique in this class.”

Frank Sterns, President of Polk Audio

Optionally expandable for true 5.1 surround sound

The Polk MagniFi Mini AX can be expanded if desired with the optional Polk SR2 wireless surround speakers. This way, a 5.1-cana surround system can be created, as the manufacturer explicitly points out.

Prices and availability

The new Polk MagniFi Mini AX should be available as early as the end of March 2022, first and foremost directly on the company’s website, but also in specialist shops. The recommended retail price for this solution is listed at € 479. The speakers for the optional Polk SR2 extension are available at a price of € 179.

Getting to the point

Solutions that are supposed to deliver not only better TV sound but even room-filling surround sound around the TV set are becoming more and more compact, as the new Polk MagniFi Mini AX proves. Indeed, it can be said that Polk Audio has proven to be a specialist for compact, yet very fine-sounding solutions in this segment in the past, but we dare to doubt whether such a compact solution can also deliver immersive surround sound with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, as Polk Audio promises around the new Polk MagniFi Mini AX. In practice, much more powerful systems reach their limits…

PRODUCTPOLK MAGNIFI MINI AX
PricePolk MagniFi Mini AX € 479,-
Polk SR2 € 179,-
BrandPOLK AUDIO
ManufacturerSound United LLC.
DistributionPolk Audio – A Division of Sound United
More about this manufacturer at HIFI BLOG

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Michael Holzinger

Michael Holzinger, founder and editor-in-chief of HiFi BLOG and sempre-audio.at, has been working for years as a journalist in the fields of IT, photography, telecommunications and consumer electronics.

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