OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Soundbars Methodology v3.0
Soundbars Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Soundbars Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Soundbars Methodology v3.0

Polk Signa S4 review: 108 specs compared

Avg. price:~£310N. of audio channels:3.1.2Audio output power:?HDMI ARC type:eARC

Polk Signa S4 Review: Compare 108 technical specifications, 6 expert and video reviews and 4 best-of lists to see how this product ranks in the Soundbars category and whether it is worth buying.

Polk Signa S4
7.8/10

Overall score

Score
7.8/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, best-of lists, expert reviews and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 35%, List score 30%, Reviews score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 87% of models
Score components

35%

6.8

Technical score

30%

8.1

List score

25%

8.4

Reviews score

10%

8.4

Sentiment score

▲Better than 87% of soundbars
8.1

Value for money

Value for money
8.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the soundbar's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a soundbar with a good balance between audio quality, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 89% of models
Score components

70%

7.8

Overall score

30%

8.9

Price

▲Better than 89%
6.8

Technical score

Technical score
6.8/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 78% of models
Score components

25%

6.8

Audio

18%

6.9

Formats

16%

7.2

Connectivity

14%

7.7

Controls

12%

7.4

HDMI

10%

4.0

Streaming

5%

7.5

Design

▲Better than 78%
8.4

Reviews score

Reviews score
8.4/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Every review counts the same: written or video, short or full test.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.6 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 80% of models

80%

8.5

Average grade

20%

8.1

Popularity

Grades by review (6)
6 videos, average 8.8/10. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
▲Better than 80%
8.1

List score

List score
8.1/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (4)
List score: in 4 of 102 lists (4%)
▲Better than 89%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.

What reviewers say about the Polk Signa S4

Based on 0 · 6

Reviewers praise the strong bass, easy setup and clean sound, with only a few finding bass or dialogue lacking.
Praised
Pick a topic to see who said what

What owners say about the Polk Signa S4

Based on 25 owners sharing their experience in online comments

40%positive24%mixed36%negative

Owners praise immersive, bass-rich sound, while volume jumps, subwoofer connection issues, and unclear status lights frustrate some.

What owners dislike

  • Owners say each volume step is too big, so one press jumps a lot and the desired level is hard to find.3
  • Owners report the subwoofer suddenly drops out or stops connecting, sometimes cutting briefly every few seconds over HDMI ARC; restarting brings it back.3
  • Owners say only bass can be adjusted, not treble, and the sound can seem muffled, with vocals a bit boxy and high tones missing.3
  • Owners say there is no display, only front lights, so it is hard to tell which mode is active.3

Points mentioned by at least 3 owners, most mentioned first.

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Soundbars model ranking

Ranked #37 of 324 models in Soundbars (Overall score)

Technical Specifications of soundbar Polk Signa S4

Technical score
Technical score
6.8/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 78% of models
Score components:

25%

6.8

Audio

18%

6.9

Formats

16%

7.2

Connectivity

14%

7.7

Controls

12%

7.4

HDMI

10%

4.0

Streaming

5%

7.5

Design

6.8
Reviews score
8.4
List score
8.1
Value for money
Value for money
8.1/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the soundbar's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a soundbar with a good balance between audio quality, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 89% of models
Score components:

70%

7.8

Overall score

30%

8.9

Price

8.1
N. of audio channels
3.1.2
This soundbar offers 3.1.2 audio channels, more than 88.6% of soundbars and equal to 3.6% of soundbars.
Audio output power
?
Max SPL
?
Min frequency
?
Max frequency
?
Show more
What reviewers say
Dolby Atmos
yes
This soundbar supports Dolby Atmos. 70% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS:X
no
This soundbar does not support DTS:X. 16.7% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby TrueHD
yes
This soundbar supports Dolby TrueHD. 83.9% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS-HD Master Audio
no
This soundbar does not support DTS-HD Master Audio. 7.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby Digital Plus
?
Show more
N. of HDMI inputs
1
Market range: <0 – >5
This soundbar has 1 HDMI inputs, more than 58.8% of soundbars and equal to 37.4% of soundbars.
Wi-Fi connectivity
no
This soundbar does not support Wi-Fi connectivity. 28.8% of soundbars include this feature.
Wi-Fi version
N/A
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This soundbar supports Bluetooth connectivity. 4.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Bluetooth version
?
Show more
Smartphone app
?
Remote control
yes
This soundbar has remote control. 17.5% of soundbars offer this feature.
Control panel
yes
This soundbar has control panel. 5.5% of soundbars offer this feature.
Voice assistant compatibility
no
This soundbar does not support voice assistant compatibility. 36.8% of soundbars include this feature.
Far-field microphones
no
This soundbar does not have far-field microphones. 7.1% of soundbars offer this feature.
Show more
What reviewers say
HDMI version
2.1
This soundbar has HDMI 2.1, which is more capable than 88.3% of soundbars and equal to 11.7% of soundbars.
HDMI ARC type
eARC
This soundbar has eARC as its HDMI TV-audio return type, which is more advanced than what 71.5% of soundbars and the same as what 28.5% offers.
HDMI-CEC support
yes
This soundbar supports HDMI-CEC. 29.2% support HDMI-CEC.
HDMI pass-through resolution
?
HDMI pass-through frame rate
none fps
This soundbar supports HDMI pass-through up to none fps, lower than 21.4% of soundbars and equal to 78.6% of soundbars.
Show more
AirPlay
no
This soundbar does not support AirPlay. 19.9% of soundbars include this feature.
Chromecast built-in
no
This soundbar does not support Chromecast built-in. 11.4% of soundbars include this feature.
Spotify Connect
no
This soundbar does not support Spotify Connect. 20.8% of soundbars include this feature.
TIDAL Connect
no
This soundbar does not support TIDAL Connect. 9.2% of soundbars include this feature.
Amazon Music native support
no
This soundbar does not support native Amazon Music. 13% support native Amazon Music.
Show more
Width
?
Height
?
Thickness
?
Weight
?
Build material
plastic
This soundbar is built from plastic, which is more premium than 3% of soundbars and equal to 92.6% of soundbars.
Show more

Polk Signa S4 vs the average soundbar

246810TotalAudioFormatsConnectivityHDMIStreamingControlsDesign
  • 1 more HDMI inputs
    This soundbar has more HDMI inputs than the average soundbar (1 vs 0). The average soundbar has 0 HDMI inputs.
    1 vs 0
  • Supports Dolby Atmos
    This soundbar supports Dolby Atmos, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports Dolby TrueHD
    This soundbar supports Dolby TrueHD, the average soundbar does not.
  • More audio channels
    This soundbar has more audio channels than the average soundbar (3.1.2 vs 2.1). The average soundbar has 2.1 audio channels.
    3.1.2 vs 2.1
  • Subwoofer included
    This soundbar has subwoofer included, the average soundbar does not.
  • 3 more drivers
    This soundbar has more drivers than the average soundbar (7 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    7 vs 4
  • 18.3% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.4/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Every review counts the same: written or video, short or full test.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.6 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    ▲ Better than 80% of models

    80%

    8.5

    Average grade

    20%

    8.1

    Popularity

    Grades by review (6)
    6 videos, average 8.8/10. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    8.4 vs 7.1
  • 11.0% higher list score
    List score
    8.1/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
    How we count it
    Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
    Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
    Lists with this model (4)
    List score: in 4 of 102 lists (4%)
    8.1 vs 7.3
  • 18.3% higher review score
    Reviews score
    8.4/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Every review counts the same: written or video, short or full test.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.6 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    ▼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    ▲ Better than 80% of models

    80%

    8.5

    Average grade

    20%

    8.1

    Popularity

    Grades by review (6)
    6 videos, average 8.8/10. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    8.4 vs 7.1
  • 11.0% higher list score
    List score
    8.1/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
    How we count it
    Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
    Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
    Lists with this model (4)
    List score: in 4 of 102 lists (4%)
    8.1 vs 7.3
  • 6.6% better value for money
    Polk Signa S4 has better value for money than the average soundbar (8.11 vs 7.6).
    8.11 vs 7.6
  • 16.7% higher sentiment score
    8.4 vs 7.2
  • More audio channels
    This soundbar has more audio channels than the average soundbar (3.1.2 vs 2.1). The average soundbar has 2.1 audio channels.
    3.1.2 vs 2.1
  • Subwoofer included
    This soundbar has subwoofer included, the average soundbar does not.
  • 3 more drivers
    This soundbar has more drivers than the average soundbar (7 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    7 vs 4
  • Supports Dolby Atmos
    This soundbar supports Dolby Atmos, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports Dolby TrueHD
    This soundbar supports Dolby TrueHD, the average soundbar does not.
  • 1 more HDMI inputs
    This soundbar has more HDMI inputs than the average soundbar (1 vs 0). The average soundbar has 0 HDMI inputs.
    1 vs 0
  • No USB playback support
    This soundbar does not support USB playback support, the average soundbar does.
  • 2.82x more expensive
    Polk Signa S4 is more expensive than the average soundbar (£310 vs £110).
    £310 vs £110
  • 0.06 in inch smaller subwoofer driver size
    This soundbar has a lower subwoofer driver size than the average soundbar (5.9 in vs 6 in). The average soundbar uses a subwoofer driver size of 6 in.
    5.9375 in vs 6 in
  • 2.82x more expensive
    Polk Signa S4 is more expensive than the average soundbar (£310 vs £110).
    £310 vs £110
  • 0.06 in inch smaller subwoofer driver size
    This soundbar has a lower subwoofer driver size than the average soundbar (5.9 in vs 6 in). The average soundbar uses a subwoofer driver size of 6 in.
    5.9375 in vs 6 in
  • No USB playback support
    This soundbar does not support USB playback support, the average soundbar does.

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

9.0
Erin Lawrence
≈ estimated
23/06/2023
Hands-on review · setup, sound and voice adjust tests
Verdict
The Polk Signa S4 is a clear pick for TV upgrades, with outstanding sound and very simple setup.
9.5
The French Glow
≈ estimated
24/01/2023
Hands-on review · sound tests in Atmos, voice and cinema modes
Verdict
The Polk Signa S4 is a near-perfect choice for most people, especially at a good price, with clear dialogue.
9.0
9to5Toys
≈ estimated
20/07/2022
Hands-on review · Dolby Atmos, movies and room fit
Verdict
The Polk Signa S4 works very well in small to medium rooms, though surround is limited without side walls.
9.0
Upscaled HT
≈ estimated
07/05/2022
Hands-on review · measurements and two weeks of daily use
Verdict
The Polk Signa S4 is clearly recommended as a major upgrade over TV speakers, with a convincing Atmos effect.
9.0
hxos plus
≈ estimated
10/01/2022
Unboxing and teardown · one listening session
Verdict
The Polk Signa S4 makes a strong first impression with clean, clear sound and a well-built cabinet.
Shop video
Overview video
Overview video
Overview video
Overview video
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Overview video

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Polk Signa S4

  • Seven drivers across a 3.1.2 layout give a fuller sound.
  • Dolby Atmos height speakers add an overhead effect in films.
  • Solid bass down to about 40 Hz from the included subwoofer.
  • Dialogue enhancement makes speech clearer and easier to follow.
  • Movie and music presets suit different kinds of viewing.
  • eARC and HDMI 2.1 carry Atmos from the TV.

What customers don't like about Polk Signa S4

  • Surround needs a side wall to bounce sound.
  • It has less separation than a multi-speaker setup.
  • Bass can turn boomy depending on where the subwoofer sits.
  • The bar is long, which may not suit every stand.
  • There is no multi-room music support.

Verdict

Overhead effects are the main draw of the Polk Signa S4, a 3.1.2 bar with seven drivers. Its Atmos height speakers add a clear sense of sound from above in movie scenes, and Dolby TrueHD adds support for high-quality soundtracks. The 5.9375 in subwoofer gives solid bass down to about 40 Hz, and setup is quick. Dialogue enhancement makes speech easier to follow, and the movie and music presets suit different nights. The trade-off is placement. Surround needs a side wall to bounce sound, and the bar is long, which may not suit every stand. Bass can also turn boomy depending on where the subwoofer sits. It fits a buyer who wants a real step up from TV speakers for films and series, and who has room for both the bar and the subwoofer.

Compare Polk Signa S4 with other soundbars

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