Short answer: the Polk MagniFi Mini AX. Both are rated 3.6/5 for sound quality (#2 and #3 of 16 soundbars with a subwoofer), and the Polk MagniFi Mini AX costs $499 against $799 for the Polk MagniFi Max AX, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
What the Polk MagniFi Max AX does well: A full 5.1.2 system with a 10 inch wireless sub, real up-firing height drivers and DTS:X support, so movies get more weight and overhead effects than smaller bars. Watch for: There is no voice assistant or room correction, so setup is manual.
Why pick the Polk MagniFi Mini AX: This tiny bar and its wireless sub sound far bigger than they look, and Wirecutter made it their top all-around pick after it beat larger bars in blind listening. Watch for: Height and surround are processed, so overhead effects are subtle.
Buy the Polk MagniFi Mini AX. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $300 less than the Polk MagniFi Max AX.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete TV Soundbars rankings.
A full 5.1.2 system with a 10 inch wireless sub, real up-firing height drivers and DTS:X support, so movies get more weight and overhead effects than smaller bars.
This tiny bar and its wireless sub sound far bigger than they look, and Wirecutter made it their top all-around pick after it beat larger bars in blind listening.
Prices on this page were last checked October 28, 2026 at 1:06 AM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Polk MagniFi Max AX | Polk MagniFi Mini AX | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $799.00 | $499.00 |
| Ranked | #3 of 16 in Soundbars With a Subwoofer | #2 of 16 in Soundbars With a Subwoofer |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Channels | 5.1.2 | 3.1 |
| DTS:X | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 2.8”H x 45”W x 4.6”D (71 x 1143 x 117 mm) | 3.1”H x 14.4”W x 4.1”D (79 x 366 x 104 mm) |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes (up-firing drivers) | Virtual (decodes Atmos, no up-firing drivers) |
| Drivers | Bar: 11 drivers (L/R four 3” racetrack mid-woofers and two 0.75” tweeters, center two 2.5” mid-woofers and one 0.75” tweeter, two 2.6” up-firing); Sub: 10” woofer | Bar: 5 drivers (2 x 0.75” tweeters, 3 x 2” mids); Sub: 5x7” down-firing woofer |
| HDMI Input | 3 | No |
| HDMI eARC | Yes | Yes |
| Included Subwoofer | Wireless, 10” driver | Wireless, 5x7” driver |
| Optical Input | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Speakers | Optional (MagniFi Max AX SR rears) | Optional (Polk SR2) |
| Room Correction | No | No |
| Subwoofer Dimensions | 399H x 406W x 302D mm | 371H x 182W x 396D mm |
| Subwoofer Weight | 11.9 kg | - |
| Voice Assistants | No | No |
| Weight | 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg) | 3.7 lbs (1.7 kg) |
| Wi-Fi | Yes (AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect) | Yes (AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect) |
| App | - | No |
| Aux Input | - | Yes |
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