Polk React review
Our Verdict
This Alexa-powered soundbar produces impressive bass without a subwoofer, though it lacks a truly wide soundstage.
For
- Impressive bass without a subwoofer
- Alexa within
- Slim pattern
Against
- Narrow soundfield
- No Atmos support
- Few sound modes
Tom'south Guide Verdict
This Alexa-powered soundbar produces impressive bass without a subwoofer, though it lacks a truly wide soundstage.
Pros
- +
Impressive bass without a subwoofer
- +
Alexa within
- +
Slim pattern
Cons
- -
Narrow soundfield
- -
No Atmos support
- -
Few sound modes
If y'all're on a upkeep and want to bring Amazon Alexa into the Tv room, the Polk React soundbar is probably the least expensive soundbar you'll find with Alexa congenital-in. Amazon's digital assistant is available on Sonos Beam and Sonos Arc, equally well every bit some Yamaha soundbars, but those all toll well over $300.
Polk React specs
Speakers: 2 x mid range drivers, ii ten tweeters
Ports: Optical in, USB in, HDMI ARC
Wi-Fi: Yes
Size: 2.2 x 34 x 4.8 inches
Weight: 6.4 pounds
The React has other things going for it, too, including a slim design and impressive bass response even without a subwoofer. Only you'll need to make sacrifices in exchange for the lower price, as the React can't match those more advanced soundbars on sound quality or overall features. If you think y'all might want to take the chance, keep reading our Polk React review.
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Polk React: Toll and availability
- Reduced from $249 to $199
- Choice of retailers available
The Polk React has a listing cost of $249, only equally of this writing is selling for $199 from Amazon, Best Purchase and B&H.
You tin can add a wireless subwoofer for $179 and wireless surround speakers for $179 also.
Polk React review: Design
- Compact dimensions
- HDMI ARC support
- Mainly uses voice controls, just remote is functional
The React is a slim soundbar that looks similar an Amazon Echo Dot was dropped into it. It'due south also basically an updated version of Polk's Command Bar, though more compact and without the included wireless subwoofer.
At 34 x iv.8 x 2.2 inches, it's smaller than many soundbars and should slide below most TV stands. Inside the soundbar, Polk put two midrange drivers, two tweeters and two passive radiators.
On the forepart there'south a light bar that shows you the volume level and lights up when you engage Alexa. And so, at that place's a small LED condition light below the light bar that switches colour to indicate the sound input and other functions.
The tiptop has the Echo-like controls, including buttons to activate Alexa or mute the microphones. Mainly though, you'll be happy using Alexa voice commands to adjust the sound. There are four microphones dotted around the React, which helps make Alexa responsive to your voice.
On the back you'll detect an HDMI port with audio return channel (ARC) for easy connectedness to your TV, or you can apply an optical digital audio cable. The React as well includes a USB port and a push button for pairing with Polk's wireless subwoofer and wireless surrounds, which are sold separately.
The remote has big, well spaced buttons. Y'all can activate Alexa, switch between TV audio and Bluetooth, change the book, adjust the bass and vocalism levels and pick a sound fashion. If y'all add the wireless surrounds, yous can besides use the remote to modify the remainder and volume of those.
Polk React review: Setup
- Fast and easy initial process
- Optional but worthwhile EQ tweaks available via Alexa
The React is elementary to set up and use. Afterward you connect information technology to your TV with an HDMI cablevision, installation is washed. And then launch the Alexa app to get it on your network and working with Alexa. The React has a QR code on the back to brand that process piece of cake.
You tin adjust the bass and vocalism levels with the remote. I didn't demand to pump upwardly the bass, but I did want dialog at a higher level. You can also use the remote or your voice to switch among iii sound modes: Music, Sport and Movie. I establish the Movie mode to be the liveliest, even when listening to music.
If you want to further tweak the audio, you can become into the Alexa app and observe a iii-band blaster. I wanted more treble and midrange in the sound, so I bumped those up. But the event was minimal on the overall sound.
Polk React review: Audio performance
- Surprisingly powerful bass
- Small soundstage, but good for music
The React sounds skillful overall, but information technology's the booming bass that is the welcome surprise — especially since there'due south no subwoofer and given its slim profile. Dialog is piece of cake to understand as well. Merely considering the React lacks virtual surroundings audio or Dolby Atmos back up, it creates a much narrower soundfield than many soundbars bachelor today.
When Thor brought the lightning in Avengers: Infinity State of war, the bass rattled my Tv stand and made the effect tactile, while the snide banter between Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder in Hacks was clear (and cutting).
During the "96,000" scene of In the Heights, the vocals were rich and the bass helped drive the song. Yet, this scene too served to demonstrate how the lack of surround sound, even virtual, made the experience less engaging than information technology could be. Instead of filling the room, the sound was confined to the infinite right in forepart of me. And when Thor threw Stormbreaker in Infinity State of war, the React couldn't brand it feel like the axe moved effectually me, as many soundbars with virtual surround sound will.
The React is still a solid music machine — when listening to 2-aqueduct music I didn't miss having a broad soundstage as much. The chorus of Lorde'southward "Solar Power" sounded big and total, while the strummed guitar on Billie Eilish'due south "Your Power" was suitably warm. The layers of audio on St. Vincent's "Pay Your Way in Pain" got a bit compressed coming out of the two.0 system, only the React'southward bass again shined on the funky synths.
The React tin can besides get plenty loud, despite its relatively minor size. It reached about 95 decibels at full volume, though the sound became harsh and distorted at that level.
Polk React review: Alexa
- Familiar and reliable smart assistance
- Simply basic playback command, though
Alexa's smart functionality is consistent whether you're using a soundbar or smart speaker, then the React's implementation of the digital banana works as you'd expect. Dissimilar the Command Bar, which was 1 of the start soundbars to come up with Alexa, the React was quick to respond to my commands. It played music, turned on a Wemo switch and told me the atmospheric condition forecast immediately upon my prompts.
Alexa is somewhat limited when it comes to controlling the React itself, however. I could apply my vocalization to alter the volume, input and sound mode, but it couldn't turn the TV on or off.
Polk React review: Verdict
By combining affordability with born Alexa functionality, the Polk React manages to stand out among similarly-priced soundbars. The relatively compact design and impactful bass further add to its appeal.
But as sound in movies and TVs shows increasingly take advantage of Dolby Atmos and other immersive audio tech, the React's soundstage feels disappointingly narrow. You can add wireless surround speakers and a wireless subwoofer, but that brings the price shut to over $500 — and yous tin get a better all-in-one soundbar for that, like the $399 Sonos Beam.
If you don't need Alexa in your soundbar and want to continue under $200, the TCL Alto six Plus creates a much bigger sound than the React and but costs nigh $100. If you tin can afford to spend more, the JBL Multibeam five.0 brings Atmos support and impressive virtual surround audio for $350 — though again, without Alexa.
Just if what you want is an affordable Alexa soundbar with proficient overall sound that won't take up too much room, the Polk React will be a skillful choice for you. Just don't sit too far to the sides.
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Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/polk-react-soundbar
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