Soundbars / Bose Smart Soundbar vs Polk Audio Signa S4
Bose Smart Soundbar vs Polk Audio Signa S4
Bose Smart Soundbar
The best streaming integration under $600 — but budget for the bass module.
Wins overall by 0.6 points
Quick Verdict
A 0.6-point gap makes the Bose Smart Soundbar the straightforward choice here. The best streaming integration under $600 — but budget for the bass module.
The Bose Smart Soundbar and Polk Audio Signa S4 are both closely matched soundbar models, and the Polk Audio Signa S4 is $100 cheaper than the Bose Smart Soundbar ($449 vs $549). On Connectivity, the Bose Smart Soundbar leads (9.0 vs 4.5/10) — HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support. On Features, the Bose Smart Soundbar leads (8.0 vs 5.5/10) — room calibration, TV-brand integration, app control and expandability. On Bass, the Polk Audio Signa S4 leads (7.5 vs 5.5/10) — low-end weight and extension, with or without a separate subwoofer. Overall, the Bose Smart Soundbar scores 7.4/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 6.8/10 for the Polk Audio Signa S4. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Bose Smart Soundbar | Polk Audio Signa S4 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.00 | $449.00 |
| Release Year | 2024 | 2022 |
| Channels | 3.0.2 as measured independently; Bose publishes only a transducer count, not a channel spec | 3.1.2 |
| Total Power (W) | Bose does not publish power ratings for any soundbar | Not published by the manufacturer |
| Subwoofer | Optional add-on — Bose Bass Module 500 or 700; there is no built-in subwoofer | Included (wireless), 5.9-inch driver |
| Rear Speakers | Optional add-on — Bose Surround Speakers, or Bose Ultra Open Earbuds | None — Polk's SR2 wireless surrounds pair with the MagniFi range, not the Signa S4 |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
| DTS:X | No | No |
| HDMI Ports (ports) | 1 | 1 |
| HDMI Passthrough | None — eARC output only | None — eARC output only |
| eARC | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi & Streaming | Yes — AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in and Spotify Connect all supported | None |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | Not published by the manufacturer |
| Voice Assistant | Amazon Alexa built in; also works with Google Home | None |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black | Black |
Category Scores
Sound Quality
The Bose Smart Soundbar and Polk Audio Signa S4 are level here, at 7.5/10 each. overall tonal balance, clarity and detail is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Bass
The Polk Audio Signa S4 leads clearly here, 7.5 against 5.5 — a 2.0-point margin on low-end weight and extension, with or without a separate subwoofer. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose Smart Soundbar does not close the gap elsewhere.
Dialogue Clarity
The Bose Smart Soundbar leads clearly here, 8.5 against 8.0 — a 0.5-point margin on how well speech cuts through a busy soundtrack. If that is what you are buying for, the Polk Audio Signa S4 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Surround & Height
The Bose Smart Soundbar and Polk Audio Signa S4 are level here, at 7.0/10 each. dolby Atmos height effect and how convincingly it places surround audio is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Connectivity
The Bose Smart Soundbar leads clearly here, 9.0 against 4.5 — a 4.5-point margin on HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support. If that is what you are buying for, the Polk Audio Signa S4 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Features
The Bose Smart Soundbar leads clearly here, 8.0 against 5.5 — a 2.5-point margin on room calibration, TV-brand integration, app control and expandability. If that is what you are buying for, the Polk Audio Signa S4 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Design & Build
The Bose Smart Soundbar leads clearly here, 8.0 against 6.5 — a 1.5-point margin on finish, size relative to a TV, and how well it fits a living room. If that is what you are buying for, the Polk Audio Signa S4 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Polk Audio Signa S4 leads clearly here, 7.5 against 6.0 — a 1.5-point margin on performance and features relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose Smart Soundbar does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Bose Smart Soundbar if…
- • Connectivity matters most to you — the Bose Smart Soundbar scores 9.0/10 here (HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support).
- • Features matters most to you — the Bose Smart Soundbar scores 8.0/10 here (room calibration, TV-brand integration, app control and expandability).
- • Design & Build matters most to you — the Bose Smart Soundbar scores 8.0/10 here (finish, size relative to a TV, and how well it fits a living room).
- • Your main use case is compact.
Choose the Polk Audio Signa S4 if…
- • Bass matters most to you — the Polk Audio Signa S4 scores 7.5/10 here (low-end weight and extension, with or without a separate subwoofer).
- • Value matters most to you — the Polk Audio Signa S4 scores 7.5/10 here (performance and features relative to price).
- • You want to spend less — it's $100 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is tv-upgrade.
Pros & Cons
Bose Smart Soundbar
Pros
- +Best streaming and smart-home integration in this price band — AirPlay 2, Chromecast and Spotify Connect together
- +A.I. Dialogue Mode is one of the better dialogue enhancers on the market
- +Alexa built in with a mic on the bar itself
- +Compact and well finished
Cons
- −Bass is weak without the separate Bass Module, which costs $500 to $800 more
- −A complete Bose system runs close to $1,400
- −No DTS:X
- −Reviewers describe the Atmos performance as inconsistent
- −Only power and mic-mute buttons on the bar itself
Polk Audio Signa S4
Pros
- +True up-firing height drivers rather than virtualised Atmos, which most bars at this price lack
- +VoiceAdjust genuinely helps with mumbled dialogue
- +Dolby Atmos Certified
- +Included wireless subwoofer
Cons
- −No Wi-Fi or smart features of any kind
- −No DTS:X support
- −Cannot be expanded with rear speakers
- −2022 hardware still selling at a 2022 price
- −42 inches wide, so it needs a wide TV stand
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Bose Smart Soundbar or Polk Audio Signa S4 better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Bose Smart Soundbar comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Connectivity, the Bose Smart Soundbar or the Polk Audio Signa S4?+
The Bose Smart Soundbar scores higher on Connectivity (9.0/10 vs 4.5/10) — HDMI inputs and passthrough, eARC, Wi-Fi and streaming protocol support.
Which is better for Features, the Bose Smart Soundbar or the Polk Audio Signa S4?+
The Bose Smart Soundbar scores higher on Features (8.0/10 vs 5.5/10) — room calibration, TV-brand integration, app control and expandability.
Which is better for Bass, the Bose Smart Soundbar or the Polk Audio Signa S4?+
The Polk Audio Signa S4 scores higher on Bass (7.5/10 vs 5.5/10) — low-end weight and extension, with or without a separate subwoofer.
Which is better for Design & Build, the Bose Smart Soundbar or the Polk Audio Signa S4?+
The Bose Smart Soundbar scores higher on Design & Build (8.0/10 vs 6.5/10) — finish, size relative to a TV, and how well it fits a living room.
Is the Bose Smart Soundbar worth the price difference over the Polk Audio Signa S4?+
The Polk Audio Signa S4 is the cheaper option at $449 versus $549. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Connectivity.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Bose Smart Soundbar is the better fit if you mainly care about compact. The Polk Audio Signa S4 is the better fit for tv-upgrade.
What's the warranty on the Bose Smart Soundbar vs the Polk Audio Signa S4?+
The Bose Smart Soundbar ships with a 12-month warranty; the Polk Audio Signa S4 ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 5 (HT-B500) — $349.99
Premium Option
Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 7 (HT-A7100) — $869.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.