Polk Audio Signa S4 vs Sonos Beam Gen 2

The Signa S4 delivers the most satisfying upgrade per dollar in this lineup. You get genuine 3.1.2 Dolby Atmos from a 7-driver array with up-firing speakers, plus a 5.9-inch wireless sub that adds the deep bass a flat-screen TV simply cannot produce on its own.

That price-to-performance ratio is what earns it the value pick here: it costs about half as much as the Sonos while still delivering good virtual surround. Polk's VoiceAdjust lets you push dialogue forward so you stop reaching for subtitles during quiet scenes, and the ultra-slim 2.36-inch bar tucks in front of the screen without blocking it.

The honest limit is that the surround effect is virtual, not true rear speakers, and the slim bar caps how loud it can get on its own. For cinematic height effects on a sensible budget, though, it is the easy pick.

The Beam Gen 2 proves a single compact bar can sound big. It conjures a panoramic Atmos soundstage with vibrant bass and crystal-clear dialogue, which is impressive given there is no separate subwoofer anywhere in the box.

That is exactly where it earns the small-room pick here: a bedroom or apartment living room that does not have space for a wireless sub. Because it is a Sonos, it also streams music, radio and podcasts when the TV is off, and answers to the app, AirPlay 2, your remote or your voice.

It costs a bit more than the Polk and, without a dedicated sub, will not chase the deepest bass. It is also happiest as part of a wider Sonos setup. In a smaller room, though, it is the cleaner, smarter choice.