[*UPDATE*]
Everything is still great and honestly even better. After adding a PS4 to the mix yesterday, I decided to quit procrastinating and re-configure the cables to test HDMI ARC (previously used optical input). NOW, after nearly 8+ months, I have an on-screen volume indicator again instead of relying on the sound bar LEDs and the sound quality is even more amazing (Dolby D+/DTS used with TV, bitstream DTS w/PS4) If your TV supports HDMI ARC, take advantage of it with this sound bar. I’ve also since ditched the tiny, stroke inducing OEM remote for the sound bar plus 2 others and programmed everything through a Harmony Ultimate remote. All the thumbs up!
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[*FYI*]
I bought this product with my own hard-earned salary and have gained no reward or free crap from a 3rd party for leaving this review...sorry it's kind of a novel :)
It has been 6 months since purchasing the MagniFi mini and I'll have to say I have gotten quite a bit of well welcomed, unexpected bang for my buck. I was skeptical at first thinking that one tiny bar and sub couldn't possibly give me a believable theater sound experience...WRONG!!! The coolest part about the sound is that even though the bar is positioned in front of me, underneath my TV, the sound "feels" submersive like it's coming from all around the room.
The main bar speaker is heavy as a brick, very well made. The down-firing sub is quite light, very well-made and fits just about anywhere. There is, however, quite the learning curve when it comes to figuring out your optimal audio settings. You'll be tweaking the your TV's audio out settings for a while before finding the sweet spot. Also, getting used to knowing the what the colored lights on the speaker front were telling me was different especially when being used to seeing a visual indicator on the TV. It took about a month to finally work the kinks out of the TV's audio out setting situation and find the optimal setting for at least 3 out of the 4 things I have connected to the speaker.
I honestly don't think I've been able to use this speaker to the potential I have no doubts it has like really crank it up to an ignorant level, but I can say that when I have turned it up (using just the optical input) like for a PlayStation game or streaming movies with my TV audio out setting to Dolby+/DTS, there's a TON of power behind that set-up. 99% of the time I stream content from TV apps (Pandora/Netflix/Amazon Prime Video/E! Now etc.) Sound is amazingly balanced and has rarely required any tweaks from the remote. Quiet movies like Moonlight was a bit of a nightmare, but I watched that the night I got the speaker and hadn't figured things out yet. I also replaced the puny factory wire with a high quality/premium optical cable and noticed a richer improvement in the sound quality. Bluetooth streaming quality is equally as amazing. I've tested streaming from my iPhone, a couple old Androids and my Mac. Each one worked equally as well and pairing was effortless. My U-verse cable box takes up the only ARC HDMI port on the TV so I have yet to test the sound quality from TV over ARC to the speaker. Pretty sure it's excellent though. Once I do get to test that I'll come back and update if anything significant comes out of it. My one gripe with inputs is, for example, channel changes or changing content while streaming. There's a sound delay that takes takes several seconds to resume unless you trigger it manually by mashing a volume button. It's slightly annoying and I keep wondering if this is remedied by using ARC HDMI...I'll test it eventually.
On the other side of the review token, audio when watching cable TV (AT&T U-verse) has always been and continues to be a butt pain. I'm not blaming the speaker system at all because I'm betting the U-verse cable box is the problem, it just needs to be upgraded...old tech + new tech=all kinds of weird sometimes. Some channels apparently only support certain audio formats over optical. The main issues are that some channels will have no sound until I change the TV audio out setting to plain Dolby+ (no DTS). Or, others will be so quiet I have to crank it to 11 to hear anything then get then need a change of pants once a commercial comes on because it'll blare so loud that the rest of the city will know what I'm watching. At this point, I know which channels are borked and avoid them. Meh. No biggie.
Last gripe is the remote. Whoever thought of this design should've called in sick that day. #1) It's not very responsive. You have to point it directly at the speaker or else nothing is going to happen. It's mainly the scalloped/flat buttons that have major responsive issues. Mute button is the wrong place so when you need to quickly cut the sound and it takes 3-4 presses before it actually works. Volume Up and Down are both scalloped out. In a perfect remote world, Volume Up should be raised so you can feel the difference in your hand without looking. If you aren't pressing in exactly the right spot, you're gonna do the opposite of what you intend. Very annoying. Then there's the speaker LED's. Gauging the number of clicks to change the volume level remains a mystery so I STILL have to look at the lights to know my remote press registered (which isn't always do-able depending on where I am in the room). It always 1 click to display the sound level LED's then 4-6 clicks to actually affect the volume level. I could count for clicks forever and it'd never end up being the same ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I've eliminated these issues entirely by just programming the speaker on my Harmony remote. Bam...perfection anywhere.
Since my purchase 6 months ago, the price has gone dropped to $199 so I kinda wish I had waited, but I needed an audio upgrade immediately back then. This product was very well worth the original $269 price tag, though. Don't hesitate on getting your hands on this little system! I always pre-search major purchases until it becomes ridiculous, but there's really no need if you're looking for awesome audio quality, high product quality and ease of use. You will NOT be disappointed especially at this new lower price, it's pretty much an un-pass-up-able* steal! (*wonder how many scrabble points that word would gimme :P)
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From the manufacturer
At less than 15 inch long, MagniFi Mini can fit almost anywhere
Polk. Expect Great Sound.
Having built our reputation as 'The Speaker Specialists' for more than 40 years, we take pride in our superior sound and build quality, which features many patented and award-winning audio innovations. For the people of Polk, building audio products is not just a job—it’s a passion. And if you’re going to remember one thing, remember this: We live by the truest principle of what audio should deliver—great sound for everyone!
Polk MagniFi Mini Home Theater Sound Bar System
Huge Polk Sound From a Mini Sound Bar
The MagniFi Mini home theater sound bar system delivers the big room-filling audio and surround sound experience you’d expect from a full-size sound bar—all in an ultra-compact design that fits any space. technology and Dolby Digital 5.1 decoding creates incredible room-filling surround sound all from a sound bar that is less than 15 inch long. Compatible with nearly all TVs, the universal sound bar works with your TV, cable box or satellite IR remote control.
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Massive Surround SoundSix driver array and the included powerful wireless subwoofer create immersive surround sound via 5.1 Dolby Digital and exclusive Polk SDA digital surround technology. |
Ultra-Compact SizeFits tight spaces and still delivers big, room-filling audio. Don’t let the size fool you—this small sound bar outperforms bars 3X its size. |
Polk Voice Adjust TechnologyCustomize the voice levels in the sound bar however you prefer to reproduce clear, crisp dialogue and never miss a single word of your favorite movie, TV show or sporting event. |
The only Mini Sound Bar with a Subwoofer - and it's WirelessThe MagniFi Mini sound bar and included wireless subwoofer reproduce deep bass impact you can feel, creating a room-filling and immersive home theater and music listening experience. |
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Wireless Streaming with Google Home and BluetoothStream music directly from your smartphone, tablet or other compatible device. Choose from millions of songs from popular music services like Google Play Music, Spotify and Pandora, or catch up on current events with NPR podcasts. |
Universal CompatibilityWorks with any TV, cable box or satellite IR remote control—there’s no need for two remotes. |
Easy Setup (all cables included)Get up and running in minutes, the included HDMI (ARC) and optical cables let you plug the sound bar directly into the TV—power-up and you’re ready to go. |
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| Polk Sound Bar Collection | Polk MagniFi Mini | Polk MagniFi One | Polk MagniFi | Polk SB1 Plus |
| Drivers | (4) 2.25in mid-range drivers, (2) 1/2 in Tweeters | (2) 3in x 1in full-range drivers | (3) 3in x 1in full-range drivers | (3) 3in x 1in full range drivers |
| Subwoofer | Wireless 6.5in ported, slim subwoofer | Wireless 7in subwoofer | Wireless 7in subwoofer | Wireless 8in subwoofer |
| Total System Power | 150 watts | 250 watts | 300 watts | 350 watts |
| Inputs | HDMI (ARC), Optical, analog (3.5 mm input jack), Bluetooth and WiFi via Google Home | Optical, analog (3.5mm input jack), Bluetooth | Optical, analog (3.5mm input jack), Bluetooth | Optical, analog (3.5mm input jack), Bluetooth |
| Voice Adjust | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wireless Music Streaming | Google Home and Bluetooth | Bluetooth | Bluetooth | Bluetooth and PlayFi |
| Dolby Digital Decoding | Dolby Digital 2.0 and 5.1 | Dolby Digital 2.0 and 5.1 | Dolby Digital 2.0 and 5.1 | Dolby Digital 2.0 and 5.1 |
| Listening Modes | Movie, Music, Sports | Movie, Music, Sports | Movie and Music | Movie and Music |
Compare with similar items
This Item  Polk Audio MagniFi Mini Home Theater Surround Sound Bar | Works with 4K and HD TVs | Compact System with Big Sound | Wireless Subwoofer Included |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | Currently unavailable. | -11% $249.95 List: $279.95 | $599.00 | -5% $449.99 Typical: $473.68 | $399.00 | -9% $99.99 List: $109.99 |
| Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 2 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 2 | Get it as soon as Friday, May 3 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 2 | Get it as soon as Thursday, May 2 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
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| Sold By | — | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Grenade Audio | Electronics Expo (Authorized Dealer) | Creative Labs, Inc. |
| speaker size | — | 23 inches | 7 inches | 8 inches | 2.36 inches | — |
| power source | Corded Electric | Corded Electric | Corded Electric | Corded Electric | Corded Electric | Corded Electric |
| connectivity tech | wired, wireless | Bluetooth, HDMI, Auxiliary, Optical | Bluetooth, Auxiliary, HDMI, Optical | Wi Fi | Bluetooth, Optical, USB, HDMI | USB, Bluetooth |
| speaker type | Soundbar | Soundbar | Soundbar | Soundbar | Soundbar | Subwoofer, Soundbar, Surround Sound |
| mounting type | Speaker | Wall Mount | Wall Mount | Wall Mount | Wall Mount | Plug Mount,Bar Mount |
| weight | 12.5 pounds | 19.55 pounds | 31.5 pounds | 12.9 kilograms | 19 pounds | 11.68 pounds |
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Real honest review of Polk MagniFi Mini AX. My favorite.
Review with Jay
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Great!
I’ve always been a fan of Polk products. I’ve had more than a few subs and speakers. I have a high end Klipsch setup in my basement home theater that is a beast. This $169 2.1 is not that...but I wanted you to know that I have some experience with HT in general.Size:If you look at my photos you’ll see the layout of my setup. I was looking for a small speaker to improve over my Samsung TV speaks which are terrible. I started with a JBL link 300 (because JBL is great!).... however it could only connect via Bluetooth and in that capacity it was “off” or out of sync with the TV picture. Like and old Kung fu movie lol. I was looking for a setup that was small (like 12-18 inches wide). We use an old Kicker iKick dock on aux in the bedroom instead of the TV speakers and it’s very good. I thought about the new version of that Kicker ($199) for our livingroom but this Polk is smaller so I was leaning towards it, then when it dropped from $229 to $169 I decided to give it a try. As you see from my pictures I am able to hide the sub behind my “kids toy cabinet” so the separate sub is able to be hidden and thus I don’t count it when debating the size considerations of a “sound bar”.Performance: Im running it through optical cable straight from my cable box. I tried the Bluetooth and it is not syncing properly with my TV. It’s not as bad as my JBL link 300 but it’s still off. So now I’m wondering if it’s an issue with my TV and not the audio devices? I have no plans to use the HDMI arc or aux connections so sorry I can’t comment on them. That said the optical connection works great and syncs perfectly of course. The sound is very good. Considering this is a $169 dollar 2.1 I’m very happy. If you’re looking for high end surround sound type room filling bass and sound then skip this and spend $5000. But judging fairly it is really nice. I run an old Klipsch 2.1 system on my work TV that is VERY comparable in quality (if you are familiar with that Klipsch setup you’ll understand). The big difference is this Polk has a bunch of different connection choices and the sub is wireless so that makes it better.Setup:Well it’s plug and play so far. The sub setup is literally just plugging it in and it auto connects. There is the ability to connect via WIFI which I’m not sure how to do. Polk sends auto firmware updates so I do want to get in connected I just have yet to do it. I believe it needs to be done through the google home app.Remote:The included remote is ok. It does the job... however after a year of use it has started to come apart. This is due to kids dropping it on the hardwood floor many times. Im not taotally knocking it but remotes should be built to take a little beating. Our Xfinity remote has been dropped just as often and is now over 3 years old with no signs of breaking or coming apart. Also the remote is picky about being lined up perfectly to pass on a signal. Perhaps an RF remote would be a better option or at least a stronger IR signal. This is in no way a deal breaker.... just an observation.Price: I paid $169 as I said and I feel that is a good deal. If you are paying $299 then it's a stretch at that price. The thing is I don't know of any other options if you need a small form factor like this Magni Mini has.
Top reviews from the United States
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Top reviews from other countries
Dave D
Huge upgrade over the previous Polk Magnifi Mini!
Reviewed in Canada on October 15, 2023Style: MagniFi Mini + Dolby AtmosVerified Purchase
Alfonso Preciat
Calidad de construcción y gran sonido.
Reviewed in Mexico on February 23, 2024Style: MagniFi MiniVerified Purchase
Ricardo Carvalho
Excelente
Reviewed in Brazil on December 9, 2022Style: MagniFi MiniVerified Purchase
Gustavo Garcia Suarez
Sonidos impecables , smooth sounds! 😉
Reviewed in Mexico on August 27, 2022Style: MagniFi Mini + Dolby AtmosVerified Purchase
Low351
Great for a PC
Reviewed in Canada on September 14, 2021Style: MagniFi MiniVerified Purchase
Low351
Reviewed in Canada on September 14, 2021
It was easy to set up, I had to get an adapter to attach to my PC's S/PDIF connector but I felt optical would be better than 3.5mm.
It fits nicely under my monitor and the sound coming out of it's amazing. The sub is wireless so you can place it anywhere in the room. I've placed mine under my desk, out of the way, to the right and the boom resonates nicely. It's wierd the senses are tricked to seem like the bass is coming from the little bar since bass is omnidirectional.
I'm really happy and much prefer a good name like Polk to handle my audio, not knocking Logi of course, I also have their Z906 system which is the same price but too bulky for a PC setup, I use it for my home theatre.
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