For those seeking to transform their TV sound into a powerful, cinematic audio experience without cluttering their living room with wires and bulky equipment, the Polk Audio Signa S4 Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer is a game-changer. Compact yet powerful, stylish yet unintrusive, this sound bar system delivers true 3D Dolby Atmos audio, customizable vocal clarity with VoiceAdjust, deep rumbling bass via BassAdjust, and seamless streaming through Bluetooth.
Whether you’re binge-watching Netflix, immersed in the latest action blockbuster, or relaxing with your favorite playlist, the Signa S4 elevates your audio to premium levels.
Design & Build: Slim, Minimal, Powerful
Right out of the box, the Polk Signa S4 impresses with its clean, minimalist design. The matte black finish complements virtually any modern TV setup, and its ultra-slim profile (just under 2.4 inches tall) allows it to sit discreetly in front of your television without obstructing the screen or IR sensors.
The wireless subwoofer also features a compact design that’s easy to tuck away beside a sofa or entertainment center, maintaining both functionality and aesthetics in your space.
In the Box:
- Signa S4 Sound Bar
- Wireless Subwoofer
- HDMI Cable
- Optical Cable
- Remote Control (with batteries)
- Wall-mount templates and hardware
Dolby Atmos 3D Audio: Immersive Without the Complexity
The standout feature here is Dolby Atmos—a premium audio technology usually found in expensive, multi-speaker home theater systems. The Polk Signa S4 delivers a true 3.1.2 Dolby Atmos configuration, meaning you get three front-firing channels (left, center, right), one wireless subwoofer for bass, and two up-firing speakers built into the sound bar for overhead sound effects.
You don’t need ceiling-mounted speakers to experience helicopters flying overhead or rainfall falling around you—Atmos is brought to life right from the sound bar.
How it Works:
- Up-Firing Speakers project sound upward, which reflects off your ceiling to simulate height and depth.
- Soundstage expansion makes movie soundtracks and action sequences more dynamic and spatially accurate.
- Unlike virtualized Atmos, these are real hardware channels.
The result? Spacious, 3D audio that makes movies, sports, and gaming come alive—without needing a room full of speakers.
Polk’s VoiceAdjust™ and BassAdjust™: Clarity Meets Control
If you’ve ever had to rewind to catch dialogue in a movie, you’ll appreciate Polk’s VoiceAdjust™ Technology. It boosts vocal frequencies in real time so that spoken content is clear and distinct—even when ambient noise or music is intense.
VoiceAdjust™ Highlights:
- Customizes the center channel volume independent of other channels.
- Great for late-night watching or noisy households.
- Works well across various content—news, sports, films, and even podcasts.
Meanwhile, BassAdjust™ lets you tune the bass level independently of the master volume. Want thunderous explosions without shaking the windows every time someone speaks? You’re in control.
Wireless Subwoofer: Room-Filling Bass, Zero Clutter
The included wireless subwoofer is a vital part of the Signa S4’s appeal. It delivers deep, distortion-free bass that enhances everything from dialogue to drumbeats. Placement is flexible—since it’s wireless, you can put it virtually anywhere in the room within a 30-foot range.
Bass Performance:
- 5.9” woofer in a ported enclosure
- Clean and tight low frequencies without muddiness
- Adds depth to music, impact to games, and realism to movies
Whether it’s the growl of an engine or the pulse of a soundtrack, the subwoofer ensures you feel the action—not just hear it.
Connectivity and Compatibility: Ready for Every Setup
The Polk Signa S4 Sound Bar is ready for just about any TV or streaming setup.
Connectivity Options:
- HDMI eARC – For true Atmos pass-through and seamless volume control via TV remote
- Optical Input – For older TVs without HDMI ARC/eARC
- Bluetooth 5.0 – Stream music directly from your smartphone or tablet
- Auxiliary Input – Legacy device support
With HDMI eARC, you can enjoy full Dolby Atmos audio without compression, and control power/volume from a single remote—clean, simple, and modern.
Performance in Real Life: What to Expect
This sound bar system may look unassuming, but its performance punches far above its price point. Here’s how it handles different use cases:
1. Movies & TV
From sweeping orchestral scores to subtle whispers, everything is rendered with clarity and weight. You’ll hear effects not just in front of you, but around and above—thanks to those up-firing Atmos drivers. Dialogue is sharp and focused, while effects like rain, crowd noise, or passing vehicles move across the room convincingly.
2. Gaming
Plug your console into an eARC-compatible TV and enjoy immersive positional audio. The subwoofer adds impact to explosions and footsteps, while the sound bar ensures environmental cues are spatially accurate.
3. Music Listening
Whether you’re streaming over Bluetooth or using an HDMI-connected device, the Signa S4’s audio signature is warm, punchy, and surprisingly detailed. Bass is rich but controlled, mids are clear, and treble sparkles without harshness.
Easy Setup, Intuitive Control
Polk keeps things user-friendly. You can go from unboxing to watching your favorite show in under 10 minutes. Just plug in the power, connect the HDMI cable, and the system automatically pairs with the subwoofer.
Remote Features:
- Dedicated buttons for VoiceAdjust™, BassAdjust™, and Surround Modes
- Volume, source, and mute buttons
- Bluetooth pairing
- Preset EQ modes for Movies, Music, and Night Mode
Night Mode reduces bass and overall loudness without sacrificing clarity—perfect for apartment dwellers or parents of sleeping kids.
Ideal Use Cases: Who Should Buy the Signa S4?
- Movie Lovers – Want to experience surround sound without the complexity of full AV setups.
- Gamers – Crave spatial audio cues and booming bass immersion.
- Music Streamers – Need a clean, powerful system that fills the room.
- TV Owners with Flat Audio – Looking for a serious sound upgrade without breaking the bank.
- Small & Medium Room Users – Perfect size and performance for living rooms, bedrooms, or apartments.
Conclusion
If you’re ready to ditch flat, tinny TV speakers and embrace immersive, rich sound without spending thousands, the Polk Audio Signa S4 Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer is your answer.
It brings together the Dolby Atmos experience, powerful wireless bass, exclusive dialogue enhancements, and modern connectivity in a single, easy-to-use system.
- Easy to set up
- Sounds incredible for the price
- Built to elevate everything you watch, play, or listen to
FAQ
1. Is the Polk Signa S4 a true Dolby Atmos sound bar?
Yes, it features a 3.1.2 configuration with dedicated up-firing speakers for real Atmos height effects.
2. Can I control it with my TV remote?
Absolutely. When connected via HDMI eARC or ARC, it supports CEC for unified control.
3. Does the subwoofer need to be wired to the sound bar?
No, it’s fully wireless and automatically pairs during setup.
4. Can I add rear speakers to the system?
No, this system is not expandable with separate rear speakers—it’s designed as an all-in-one Atmos solution.
5. What is VoiceAdjust and how is it different from normal EQ?
VoiceAdjust lets you isolate and amplify dialogue frequencies specifically, making speech clearer without raising overall volume.
6. Can I stream music via Bluetooth?
Yes, Bluetooth 5.0 is built-in for high-quality, wireless music streaming.
7. Is it good for large rooms?
It’s best suited for small to medium spaces. For very large rooms, consider adding acoustic treatments or upgrading to a full AV system.
8. Does it support HDMI 2.1 for gaming?
While the HDMI port is eARC capable, it does not offer full HDMI 2.1 bandwidth—audio passthrough is supported, but gaming visuals should be connected directly to the TV.
