Shillington When my last sound bar began to emit a sound much like that of a demented blender rapidly approaching the point of explosion, I removed the device from service and threw it away. Although cost is always a factor, I was determined to replace my broken sound bar with a powerful unit equipped with a massive subwoofer and featuring theatre-like sound. I also decided to break my normal tradition and go with a well-respected brand name.
Product Description
The Polk sound bar was well-protected and delivered in a massive (and weirdly designed) cardboard box. Total weight worked out to 33 pounds. Shillington The sound bar is 43 inches long, 2.1 inches high, and 3.2 inches deep. It is composed of black plastic with a front-mounted black metal grill. This unit contains three 3 x 1-inch full-range drivers. A control panel mounted at the top provides adjustment of overall, voice, and bass volume. Included as well are a power button, source selector, pause/play control and a Wi-Fi setup button. Located at the back of the sound bar are optical, subwoofer, and auxiliary outputs. There is also a power input, sub sync connection, and a USB jack. The power cable terminates in an adaptor/transformer, which can be connected, via another cable, to AC power. The wireless subwoofer case is 13.5 inches wide, 11.5 inches deep and rises 14 inches from the floor. This black plastic enclosure houses an eight-inch woofer, which is powered by 120VAC. Although an input suggests this unit can be physically connected to the sound bar, the manual states that the subwoofer is strictly a WiFi device. Listed accessories include a tiny remote control, 8-foot analog stereo cable, 6-foot optical cable, Bluetooth adapter, and a set of user guides. This system consists of 3.1 channels but, with the addition of two optional rear speakers, may be upgraded to 5.1 channels. It features Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 decoding. The total output power is 350 watts. The SB1 Plus can learn the original IR remote commands from your TV or cable box remote control. Voice Adjust Technology provides the ability to isolate and increase the volume of frequencies in the voice rang, reproducing clear and crisp dialogue. A variety of music services can be broadcast via a WiFi connection. In addition, music can be streamed to the sound bar by any Bluetooth capable device.
Visual Appeal
The SB1 Plus is long, low-slung, and features a black metal grill. Sitting in front of my 50-inch television, it appears overly lengthy and awkward. I suppose that will eventually help convince me to purchase that brand new 65-inch Samsung ultra-smart TV I’ve been considering. The sound bar’s low profile is useful because it does not block the signal between my remote and the television. I like the design of the subwoofer enclosure. It is imposingly large and nicely curved. I would have preferred a wooden case, but you can’t have everything.
Sound Quality
As you would expect from Polk Audio, this system’s best feature is its ability to faithfully reproduce audio. Sound is clear and crisp, and the subwoofer provides plenty of oomph without becoming overbearing. Both the bass and voice frequency ranges can be boosted in volume when required. If a pair of back speakers were added, the SB1 Plus would provide theatre quality sound.
WiFi
Bluetooth
A Bluetooth adapter that plugs into the sound bar’s USB and Auxiliary jacks is provided as an accessory. The Bluetooth capability was obviously an afterthought on the part of Polk Audio but, never-the-less works very well. I could select music on my phone, using the sound bar as the external speaker. The sound quality is excellent.
Software
A software package provides the ability to add additional WiFi speakers to the system and to access a variety of music services. When I initially set up the Polk Audio SB1 Plus, I was able to download an update. The system then tried to download a second utility package from the Google Store, but it was unavailable. I emailed Polk Audio’s support. About ten days later, they responded with a request for further information. I provided the model number and support quickly emailed me instructions and a zip file containing the missing software package.
Optional Omni S2 Speakers
I purchased a pair of used Omni S2 speakers and added them to the system. The setup was straightforward. Even the much-maligned Polk Audio application managed to quickly download and install two firmware updates. While these speakers function well, providing surround sound to my system, this feature does add considerable cost to the price of the sound bar.
Overall Impression
The SB1 Plus is an excellent sound bar that provides a theatre quality experience. Those that have difficulty picking up the actor’s voices will appreciate this system’s Voice Adjust feature. The SB1 Plus can take advantage of Bluetooth, playing music broadcast from other devices. Also, its WiFi capability allows this sound bar to access a variety of music services. Due to poorly designed and difficult to obtain software, the WiFi section does not work as well as expected. This sound bar, despite its software problems and orphan status, performs extraordinarily well when connected to my television. If you can find the Polk Audio SB1 Plus on sale at a discount, it is well worth considering. At full price, there are better options.
Basic Information
The Manufacturer
Polk Audio was founded by Matthew Polk, George Klopfer, and Sandy Gross in 1972. With the release of the Monitor 7 in 1974, Polk Audio become a recognized name in audiophile circles. Polk utilizes a two-way configuration on most of its speakers, typically high-performance 6.5-inch mid/bass drivers with rubber surrounds and passive radiators. In 2006, Sound United, a division of Dei Holdings, purchased Polk Audio. They also own Definitive Technology, Boston Acoustics, and electronics brands Denon and Marantz. In early 2015, most non-engineering/technical positions were moved from the Baltimore office to the parent company’s headquarters in San Diego, California. Polk’s engineers joined with those of Definitive Technology as part of the ARAD (Audio and Acoustics Research and Development) center, which is located in Owings Mills, Maryland.
Product Specifications
Brand: Polk Audio Name: SB1 Plus Model: AM6946-A Total weight: 15 Kilograms (33 pounds) Soundbar dimensions: 109 x 5.3 x 8.1 centimeters (43 x 2.1 x 3.2 inches) Subwoofer dimensions: 36 x 34 x 29 centimeters (14 x 13.5 x 11.5 inches) Power: 350 Watts Subwoofer speaker: 20-centimeter (eight-inch) wireless Soundbar speakers: Three 76 x 25 millimeter (3 x 1 inch) full-range drivers Inputs: Optical, analog (3.5mm input jack), Bluetooth and WiFi via PlayFi App Dolby decoding: Dolby Digital 2.0 and 5.1 DSP Modes: Movie and Music Features: Adjustable voice and bass volume WiFi: Yes Bluetooth: Yes Remote: Yes Online updates: Yes Optional rear speakers: Omni S2, Omni S2 rechargeable, and Omni S6
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters. © 2020 Walter Shillington
