Sony HT-S40R vs Polk Audio MagniFi Mini AX

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Votes 1 1
Rating 5 5

HT-S40R vs MagniFi Mini AX comparison chart

Overall
Sony HT-S40R
5.2
Polk Audio MagniFi Mini AX
7.6
4
9
Multichannel surround
8
10

Sony HT-S40R vs Polk Audio MagniFi Mini AX review

Sony HT-S40R
vs
Polk Audio MagniFi Mini AX

Against the background of the increasing popularity of soundbars, the comparison of Sony HT-S40R and Polk Audio MagniFi Mini AX takes place. And based on the available data, we can conclude that MagniFi Mini AX has better sound and performance than HT-S40R. According to the results of our comparison, HT-S40R received 5.2 points out of 10 possible, and MagniFi Mini AX was rated 7.6 points.

Advantages Sony HT-S40R over Polk Audio MagniFi Mini AX

  • Comes with 2 separate speakers

Advantages Polk Audio MagniFi Mini AX over Sony HT-S40R

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

Audio features

The HT-S40R is rated 7 of 10 against 4 for the MagniFi Mini AX according to the audio features rating.

HT-S40R
7
MagniFi Mini AX
4

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 HT-S40R and the MagniFi Mini AX.

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 HT-S40R has 5.1 channels, while the MagniFi Mini AX has 3.1 channels. Also, the output power of the soundbars under consideration is different, Sony HT-S40R has 600 (overall) W, and 10 (overall) W has the competitor.

HT-S40R MagniFi Mini AX
Built-in channels5.13.1
Amplification typeactiveactive
Output power, W600 (overall)10 (overall)
Separate speaker (in package)20
Separate speaker connectionswirelesswireless

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. Sony HT-S40R has the ability to handle wired connections from an external subwoofer, while Polk Audio MagniFi Mini AX only has wireless connections.

HT-S40R MagniFi Mini AX
Built-in subwoofer
Separate subwoofer (in package)
Separate subwoofer connectionswiredwireless

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 HT-S40R received rating 8 out of 10 for multichannel audio processing, but the MagniFi Mini AX, in the same category, earned 10 out of 10 points.

HT-S40R
8
MagniFi Mini AX
10

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 MagniFi Mini AX.

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. The manufacturer has implemented DTS:X technology only in MagniFi Mini AX.

HT-S40R MagniFi Mini AX
Dolby Atmos
Dolby (other)Dolby Digital, Dolby Dual monoDolby Mono, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos True HD
DTS:X
DTS (other)DTS Digital Surround,DTS-HD, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS Virtual X

Streaming services

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

HT-S40R
0
MagniFi Mini AX
10

The popular Spotify service is available on the MagniFi Mini AX.

HT-S40R MagniFi Mini AX
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: Sony HT-S40R was rated 7 out of 10, and Polk Audio MagniFi Mini AX was rated 5 out of 10.

HT-S40R
7
MagniFi Mini AX
5

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 MagniFi Mini AX.

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 HT-S40R has 0/1 HDMI inputs/outputs, but the MagniFi Mini AX got 1/0 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.

HT-S40R MagniFi Mini AX
WI-FI
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)00
NFC
HDMI input/output0/11/0
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 output10

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 MagniFi Mini AX has its own remote control application. Only Polk Audio MagniFi Mini AX 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.

HT-S40R MagniFi Mini AX
Voice control
App control
Microphone
Remote control
Multi-room

Dimensions

HT-S40R MagniFi Mini AX
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in90.1x5.3x7.6/35.5x2.1x336.6x10.4x7.9/14.4x4.1x3.1
Weight, kg/pounds1.8/4.16.3/14
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