Polk Audio Signa S4 vs Denon DHT-S217

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Comparison of Polk Audio Signa S4 and Denon DHT-S217 will reveal the best features offered by the devices. Signa S4 is a better soundbar than the DHT-S217. Its sound profile is well-balanced and stereo performance is better. According to the results of our comparison, Signa S4 received 7.8 points out of 10 possible, and DHT-S217 was rated 4.8 points.

Advantages Polk Audio Signa S4 over Denon DHT-S217

Advantages Denon DHT-S217 over Polk Audio Signa S4

Audio features

The Signa S4 is rated 5 of 10 against 4 for the DHT-S217 according to the audio features rating.

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 Signa S4 and the DHT-S217.

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 Signa S4 has 3.1.2 channels, while the DHT-S217 has 2.1 channels. Also, the output power of the soundbars under consideration is different, Polk Audio Signa S4 has 80 (overall) W, and 40 (overall) W has the competitor.

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. A built-in subwoofer is only present in the DHT-S217. The Signa S4 comes with an external subwoofer. Polk Audio Signa S4 has the ability to handle wireless connections from an external subwoofer, while Denon DHT-S217 only has wired connections.

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 Signa S4 received rating 9 out of 10 for multichannel audio processing, but the DHT-S217, in the same category, earned 5 out of 10 points.

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. If we consider the models in terms of support for Dolby Atmos, then both soundbars can work with this technology.

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.

Streaming services

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

The popular Spotify service is available on the Signa S4.

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: Polk Audio Signa S4 was rated 6 out of 10, and Denon DHT-S217 was rated 7 out of 10.

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 Signa S4 has 0/1 HDMI inputs/outputs, but the DHT-S217 got 1/1 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.

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 ability to control the soundbar using the application is implemented in each of the competitors. 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.

Dimensions