Polk Audio SIGNA S2 vs LG SN5Y

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Votes 2 2
Rating 5 5

SIGNA S2 vs SN5Y comparison chart

Overall
Polk Audio SIGNA S2
5
LG SN5Y
6
4
8
Multichannel surround
4
5

Polk Audio SIGNA S2 vs LG SN5Y review

Polk Audio SIGNA S2
vs
LG SN5Y

Comparing Polk Audio SIGNA S2 and LG SN5Y, all pros and cons of devices become clear. Advantages have shown that SN5Y has advantages over SIGNA S2 mainly in terms of audio performance. According to the results of our comparison, SIGNA S2 received 5 points out of 10 possible, and SN5Y was rated 6 points.

Advantages Polk Audio SIGNA S2 over LG SN5Y

  • We do not know advantages

Advantages LG SN5Y over Polk Audio SIGNA S2

  • Available the Apple Music service
  • Supports external media connection via USB
  • Voice control supports
  • App for remote control
  • Built-in microphone

Audio features

Each of the compared models received 6 points for the audio features.

SIGNA S2
6
SN5Y
6

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 S2 and the SN5Y.

There are stereo soundbars and multichannel ones. It is with the help of multichannel devices that you can get volumetric sound. The number of channels in the considered devices is the same - 2.1.

SIGNA S2 SN5Y
Built-in channels2.12.1
Amplification typeactiveactive
Output power, WN/A400 (overall)
Separate speaker (in package)00
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. Competitors support wireless connection to a separate external subwoofer.

SIGNA S2 SN5Y
Built-in subwoofer
Separate subwoofer (in package)
Separate subwoofer connectionswirelesswireless

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 S2 received rating 4 out of 10 for multichannel audio processing, but the SN5Y, in the same category, earned 5 out of 10 points.

SIGNA S2
4
SN5Y
5

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 look at the models in terms of Dolby Atmos support, then none of these 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.

SIGNA S2 SN5Y
Dolby Atmos
Dolby (other)Dolby DigitalDolby Digital
DTS:X
DTS (other)has notDTS Digital Surround, 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.

SIGNA S2
4
SN5Y
0

The popular Spotify service cannot be used on both soundbars.

SIGNA S2 SN5Y
Apple Music (AirPlay)AirPlay
Amazon Music
Spotify
Other streaming serviceshas nothas not

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 S2 was rated 6 out of 10, and LG SN5Y was rated 8 out of 10.

SIGNA S2
6
SN5Y
8

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. Such connection as via Wi-Fi is not possible on any of the devices in comparison.

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 S2 has 1/0 HDMI inputs/outputs, but the SN5Y 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.

SIGNA S2 SN5Y
WI-FI
Bluetooth
Ethernet (RJ45)00
NFC
HDMI input/output1/01/1
HDMI ARC
HDMI eARC
HDMI CEC
Optical digital input/output1/01/0
USB1 (USB 2.0)
Coaxial digital input/output0/00/0
Analog audio input/output (RCA)1/00/0
Headphone output00
Subwoofer output00

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 SN5Y has its own remote control application. Only LG SN5Y 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.

SIGNA S2 SN5Y
Voice controlGoogle Assistant
App control
Microphone
Remote control
Multi-room

Dimensions

SIGNA S2 SN5Y
Size (Wx H x D), cm/in89.9 x 5.4 x 8.1/35.4 x 2.1 x 3.288.9 x 5 x 7.6/35 x 2.2 x 3.4
Weight, kg/poundsN/A2.2/5.2
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