Samsung B550 vs Polk Audio Signa S4

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

B550 vs Signa S4 comparison chart

Overall
Samsung B550
4.6
Polk Audio Signa S4
7.8
4
9
Multichannel surround
6
9

Samsung B550 vs Polk Audio Signa S4 review

Samsung B550
vs
Polk Audio Signa S4

Comparing Samsung B550 and Polk Audio Signa S4, all pros and cons of devices become clear. Advantages have shown that Signa S4 has advantages over B550 mainly in terms of audio performance. According to the results of our comparison, B550 received 4.6 points out of 10 possible, and Signa S4 was rated 7.8 points.

Advantages Samsung B550 over Polk Audio Signa S4

  • We do not know advantages

Advantages Polk Audio Signa S4 over Samsung B550

  • Available the Apple Music service
  • Available the Amazon Music service
  • Stream music with Spotify
  • Supports object-oriented sound with Dolby Atmos technology
  • Wireless connection via Wi-Fi
  • Voice control supports
  • App for remote control
  • Built-in microphone

Audio features

The B550 is rated 6 of 10 against 5 for the Signa S4 according to the audio features rating.

B550
6
Signa S4
5

It worth understanding the difference between the two types of amplification: a passive soundbar does not have its own amplifier and receives amplification from the signal source, while an active soundbar has a built-in amplifier. The same active type of amplification is used in the B550 and the Signa S4.

There are stereo soundbars and multichannel ones. It is with the help of multichannel devices that you can get volumetric sound. It is worth noting one of the main differences, the B550 has 2.1 channels, while the Signa S4 has 3.1.2 channels. Also, the output power of the soundbars under consideration is different, Samsung B550 has 410 (overall) W, and 80 (overall) W has the competitor.

B550 Signa S4
Built-in channels2.13.1.2
Amplification typeactiveactive
Output power, W410 (overall)80 (overall)
Separate speaker (in package)00
Separate speaker connectionswirelesshas not

Subwoofers

Soundbars can have a built-in or external subwoofer. The first type is inseparable from the soundbar body, but for the second, you can choose a good location for deep bass. Both reviewed devices are equipped with an external subwoofer. Competitors support wireless connection to a separate external subwoofer.

B550 Signa S4
Built-in subwoofer
Separate subwoofer (in package)
Separate subwoofer connectionswirelesswireless

Multichannel surround

Unlike stereo, when reproducing multichannel sound, each specific direction of sound corresponds to its dedicated channel with a separate independent loudspeaker, which creates a three-dimensional sound stage. The B550 received rating 6 out of 10 for multichannel audio processing, but the Signa S4, in the same category, earned 9 out of 10 points.

B550
6
Signa S4
9

The peculiarity of Dolby Atmos is that this format is object-oriented, that is, each object of the audio signal is sounded separately and linked to its spatial location. Dolby Atmos surround sound support is implemented only in Polk Audio Signa S4.

DTS:X is an algorithm for processing sound scenes by the processor, linking directly to objects, rather than channels, and calculating the optimal distribution of sound output in a room. This ability to reproduce surround sound with DTS:X technology is not implemented in any of the soundbars in this comparison.

B550 Signa S4
Dolby Atmos
Dolby (other)Dolby 2chDolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD
DTS:X
DTS (other)DTS 2chDTS HD

Streaming services

The possibility to listen online to millions of songs from one device has become a reality thanks to streaming services.

B550
0
Signa S4
10

The popular Spotify service is available on the Signa S4.

B550 Signa S4
Apple Music (AirPlay)
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming serviceshas notPandora, SoundCloud

Connectivity

The existence of a sufficient number of current connectors significantly expands the functionality of the device. For example, only through HDMI is it possible to implement the transfer of object-oriented formats, and the presence of a Bluetooth connection will allow remote control, etc. The devices received different ratings for connectivity: Samsung B550 was rated 7 out of 10, and Polk Audio Signa S4 was rated 6 out of 10.

B550
7
Signa S4
6

The presence of Wi-Fi in the soundbar allows you to get rid of wires when connected to a sound source and get minimal audio latency when playing content from streaming services. Wireless connection via Wi-Fi is possible on the Signa S4.

Bluetooth connection is now one of the main communication protocols for speaker systems, which provides excellent quality and minimal audio latency. The availability of Bluetooth protocol, we can see in both models. The B550 has 1/1 HDMI inputs/outputs, but the Signa S4 got 0/1 HDMI inputs/outputs from the manufacturer.

HDMI ARC is a very usefull technology that creates a two-way communication channel between a TV and another device. This is convenient since there is no need to use optical and other cables in the system. HDMI ARC is basic for both soundbars. Connecting external devices via USB can be done on both models.

B550 Signa S4
WI-FI
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)00
NFC
HDMI input/output1/10/1
HDMI ARC
HDMI eARC
HDMI CEC
Optical digital input/output1/01/0
USB1 (USB 2.0)1 (USB 2.0)
Coaxial digital input/output0/00/0
Analog audio input/output (RCA)0/00/0
Headphone output00
Subwoofer output00

Features

Voice control is designed to make operating the device more convenient. This allows you to control basic soundbar functions from anywhere in the room.

Proprietary applications allow you to control your soundbars remotely. This is possible both via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The Signa S4 has its own remote control application. Only Polk Audio Signa S4 has a built-in microphone.

Some soundbars can be part of a multi-room system and it is an affordable solution for sounding the whole house. However, it is impossible to create a multiroom system based on each of these soundbars.

B550 Signa S4
Voice control
App control
Microphone
Remote control
Multi-room

Dimensions

B550 Signa S4
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in86x5.9x7.5/33.8x2.3x2.9104.6x9.5x6/41.2x3.7x2.4
Weight, kg/pounds2.1/4.62.9/6
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