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In March 2022, Polk Audio launched its ultra-compact MagniFi Mini AX Soundbar system. For all of the function and specification particulars, seek advice from our preliminary report. Since that report, Polk Audio despatched us a evaluate pattern to take a look at and this text discusses our precise hands-on expertise with the MagnFi Mini AX.
Does the Polk Audio MagniFi Mini AX Soundbar have the impression to work with a bigger TV in a typical front room or is it higher suited to a bed room or house workplace in a secondary system? We tried each.
Key Features
Compact Size:
- Soundbar Dimensions (WxDxH): 14.5 x 4.1 x 3.5 inches
- Subwoofer Dimensions (WxDxH): 7.2 x 15.6 x 14.6 inches
Speaker Complement: 3 x 2-inch midrange drivers, one every for L/C/R channels. For the excessive frequencies, there are 2 .75-inch tweeters (assigned to the L and R channels).
Wireless Subwoofer: Single 5 x 7-inch down-firing driver together with a rear-mounted port for added low-frequency response.
Surround Sound Audio Support: Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Polk SDA 3D Audio Technology.
Tip: The MagniFi Mini AX doesn’t have vertically firing audio system for Dolby Atmos or DTS:X peak channel results. A wider and better sound stage is created just about utilizing Polk’s SDA know-how.
VoiceAdjust™: Improves middle channel presence with out affecting the opposite channels.
Bass Adjust: Raises and lowers the amount of the low frequencies on each the soundbar and subwoofer.
Sound Modes: Sound Mode/EQ presets are offered for Movie, Music, and Night Listening (Night Mode). The Night Mode attenuates bass output and dialogue readability to keep away from disturbing sleeping neighbors or relations throughout late-night viewing.
Streaming: Google Chromecast Built-in, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth 5.0.
Control: Touch controls situated on the highest of the soundbar (energy, enter choice, Bluetooth pairing, mute, and quantity).
A wi-fi distant management supplies extra in depth setting choices and is pre-programmed to work with most TVs.
Set-Up
Step 1: Place the soundbar and subwoofer the place you need them however put together to maneuver the subwoofer to search out the very best bass response after you hear the preliminary outcomes. The soundbar simply matches under most TV screens, however there aren’t any provisions for wall mounting.
Tip: The backside of your TV’s display screen must be at the least 3.5 contains above the floor that the MagniFi Mini AX is positioned on.
Step 2: Connect an HDMI cable (offered) from the soundbar to the HDMI-ARC/eARC port in your TV.
- (Optional) Connect an analog audio cable (RCA to three.5mm or 3.5mm to three.5mm – not offered) from the TV to the soundbar.
Step 3: Plug the soundbar and subwoofer into an influence supply utilizing the offered energy cords.
Step 4: Turn the soundbar and subwoofer on and they need to pair.
Step 5: Put batteries within the distant and begin utilizing your system.
Step 6: Connect to Wi-Fi. Although the Magni-Fi Mini AX can be utilized together with your TV and bodily related sources with out connecting to Wi-Fi, this further connection setup supplies entry to Apple AirPlay (iOS) and Chromecast built-in Features. Follow the steps outlined within the offered Quick Start Guide and onscreen iOS or Android display screen prompts.
HDMI-ARC/eARC
HDMI ARC and eARC switch audio out of your TV and audio gadgets related to the TV, to the soundbar. ARC usually passes stereo and Dolby Digital audio; eARC moreover passes Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
Tip: HDMI-ARC can move Dolby Atmos if the Atmos sign is included inside a Dolby Digital Plus sign.
If your TV doesn’t have HDMI-ARC or eARC, you even have the choice of utilizing digital optical or 3.5 mm analog audio connections out of your TV to the soundbar, however you won’t be able to entry Dolby Atmos or DTS:X.
With some manufacturers/fashions of TVs and soundbars, HDMI-ARC/eARC can typically be slightly tough to “handshake”. However, in my case the connection was trouble-free.
Listening to Dolby Atmos
The MagniFi Mini AX doesn’t have vertically firing audio system for Dolby Atmos or DTS:X peak channel results so the overhead sound and 3D immersive sound stage is created just about.
Polk incorporates SDA know-how which did present a wider soundstage and audio peak that goes past the bodily borders of the MagniFi Mini AX soundbar, however you don’t get the identical Dolby Atmos expertise as you’ll with setups that embody ceiling-mounted audio system. I discovered that listening to Dolby Atmos on the MagniFi Mini AX was pretty lackluster in comparison with what I’m used to.
Some Audio Setting Shortcomings
The MagniFi Mini AX has a grasp quantity management and separate bass degree management for the subwoofer, however there isn’t a separate peak channel degree management. This would have made the Mini AX extra adaptable to ceiling peak and maybe enhance the immersive sound results.
Tip: There are encompass degree and steadiness controls when utilizing the Mini AX with the non-compulsory encompass audio system (extra on that under).
Connections
The connections supplied with the MagniFi Mini AX embody:
- (1) HDMI (ARC/eARC) Connection
- (1) Digital optical enter
- (1) Analog 3.5mm enter (Aux)
- (1) USB-A (for firmware updates and repair solely)
- Remote management (with Batteries)
- Power twine/AC Adaper for the soundbar
- Power twine for the subwoofer.
- HDMI cable
- Quick Start Guide
Tip: Digital Optical and three.5 mm audio cables require separate purchases if wanted.
Final Thoughts
The predominant takeaway in utilizing the Polk Audio MagnaFi Mini AX is that it supplies a much bigger sound expertise than you’ll count on from its small dimension. Voice readability is superb (supported nicely by the Voice Adjust function), and there’s a good steadiness between the soundbar and subwoofer.
The MagniFi Mini AX positively boosts the TV viewing expertise as a result of it’s higher than most built-in TV speaker methods.
However, though the Mini AX supplies a fuller soundfield than you’ll count on from its small type issue, there isn’t a getting round that regardless of the inclusion of Dolby Atmos/DTS:X and SDA audio processing, the soundbar is simply bodily too small to mission convincing immersive peak and broad encompass results in a big room. In my opinion, the MagnaFi Mini AX is best suited to use in a smaller room (comparable to a studio condo or bed room) and with a smaller display screen TV.
For music, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay, and Chromecast Built-in are additionally included (as talked about beforehand). Pairing is simple and casting is secure. The MagniFi Mini AX produces clear vocals and satisfactory element for music listening albeit with a reasonably slim soundstage in comparison with a conventional stereo speaker setup.
Also, in case your PC soundcard has a digital optical or 3.5mm stereo audio output, the MagniFi Mini AX would additionally make an excellent PC soundbar – and simply place the subwoofer on the aspect or beneath your desk (the place your toes received’t kick it).
Pros
- Easy to comply with Quick Setup Guide.
- Includes each Dolby Atmos and peak upmixing for non-Atmos content material.
- Good voice readability.
- Sounds good for each films and music.
- Good bass from the compact subwoofer.
- Separate predominant and subwoofer quantity controls.
- Easy Bluetooth pairing.
Cons
- No further HDMI enter.
- No separate quantity management for peak channels.
- Narrow soundstage for music playback
- Height channels too refined
- Not designed to be wall-mounted.
Pricing and Availability
The Polk Audio MagniFi Mini AX is obtainable for $499 at PolkAudio.com, by authorized Polk dealers and Amazon.
Get a fuller encompass sound expertise by including Polk’s non-compulsory SR2 Wireless Surround Speakers, accessible for $199.99 or less at Amazon.
If you’re in search of a extra conventional sized soundbar with the identical options because the MagnaFi Mini AX, take a look at the MagniFi MAX AX ($799) and MagniFi MAX AX SR ($899) soundbar methods which now we have additionally reported on.
Tip: The MagniFi MAX AX SR comes with wi-fi encompass audio system, and the SR2 wi-fi encompass audio system may be added to the MagniFi MAX AX.
Also, if the MagniFi sequence soundbars are out of your funds, verify our latest introductory report and follow-up hands-on evaluate of the Polk Audio Signa S4 soundbar ($349), which additionally gives Dolby Atmos, however no Wi-Fi, AirPlay, or Chromecast Built-in, and no provision for connecting wi-fi encompass audio system.
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