Luxury vs Budget Soundbars: Finding Your Perfect Audio Upgrade

When your TV's built-in speakers just aren't cutting it anymore, a soundbar offers the easiest path to dramatically better audio. But the soundbar market spans from affordable basics to luxury audiophile gear, creating a bewildering range of choices. Today we're comparing two products from opposite ends of this spectrum: the premium Devialet Dione and the budget-friendly Polk Audio Signa S2.

These represent fundamentally different approaches to solving the same problem—upgrading your TV's terrible speakers. The Devialet Dione launched in 2023 as a luxury all-in-one system packed with cutting-edge audio technology, while the Polk Audio Signa S2 takes a more traditional approach focused on delivering solid value at an accessible price point.

Understanding What Makes Soundbars Tick

Before diving into specifics, it's worth understanding what separates good soundbars from great ones. At their core, soundbars are trying to create the illusion of surround sound from a single horizontal speaker array. The magic happens through a combination of driver placement, signal processing, and acoustic engineering.

The most basic soundbars simply offer left and right stereo channels—already a huge upgrade over TV speakers. Step up to a 2.1 system and you add a dedicated subwoofer for bass. Move into 5.1 territory and the soundbar attempts to create the illusion of rear surround speakers through clever audio processing. At the top end, systems like the Devialet Dione support Dolby Atmos, which adds height channels to create a true three-dimensional soundfield.

Dolby Atmos deserves special explanation because it's a game-changer. Traditional surround sound assigns specific sounds to specific speaker channels—dialogue to the center, effects to the surrounds. Atmos instead treats sounds as objects that can be placed anywhere in three-dimensional space. A helicopter can start behind you, move overhead, and land in front, with the audio following that exact path. It's genuinely immersive when done right.

The challenge for soundbar manufacturers is recreating this experience without the luxury of speakers placed around your room. They accomplish this through beamforming—essentially aiming sound waves at your walls and ceiling so they bounce back and create the illusion of sounds coming from different directions.

The Luxury Approach: Devialet Dione

Released in 2023, the Devialet Dione represents what happens when a high-end audio company decides to tackle the soundbar market. At the time of writing, it sits in the luxury tier—think high-end smartphone pricing rather than budget tablet territory.

Revolutionary Driver Design

What immediately sets the Devialet Dione apart is its 17-driver array. This isn't just marketing fluff—those drivers are strategically arranged to create a true 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos experience. Nine full-range aluminum drivers handle the main channels, while eight dedicated aluminum subwoofers provide the low-end punch.

The subwoofer arrangement is particularly clever. Rather than requiring a separate box cluttering your floor, Devialet integrated eight high-excursion woofers directly into the soundbar using a push-push configuration. This means drivers are mounted facing opposite directions so their mechanical vibrations cancel each other out, preventing the entire soundbar from shaking itself apart while still delivering deep bass.

The result? The Devialet Dione can hit 24Hz—seriously deep bass territory that many standalone subwoofers struggle to reach. For context, the lowest note on a standard bass guitar is around 41Hz, so we're talking about sub-bass frequencies you feel more than hear.

The ORB Innovation

Perhaps the most visually striking feature is Devialet's ORB technology—a spherical center channel that can mechanically rotate 90 degrees. This isn't just design flair; it solves a real problem. When you wall-mount most soundbars, the center channel (responsible for dialogue) ends up pointing at an angle rather than directly at listeners. The Devialet Dione's ORB automatically adjusts to always face the listening position, whether the bar is placed flat on furniture or mounted vertically on a wall.

Advanced Audio Processing

Behind the scenes, the Devialet Dione runs sophisticated audio processing that would make many dedicated AV receivers jealous. The SPACE technology can take basic stereo content and intelligently upmix it into a full 5.1.2 experience. This means even your old music collection gets the spatial audio treatment.

The ADH (Analog Digital Hybrid) amplification combines the warmth of traditional analog amplifiers with the efficiency of digital switching amplifiers. It's the kind of audiophile technology usually reserved for expensive separates, not soundbars.

SAM (Speaker Active Matching) takes this further by modeling each driver's behavior in real-time, correcting for distortion and ensuring accurate sound reproduction. Think of it as having a dedicated audio engineer constantly fine-tuning your speakers.

The Value Play: Polk Audio Signa S2

The Polk Audio Signa S2 takes a completely different approach. Rather than cramming cutting-edge technology into a premium package, it focuses on delivering the biggest possible improvement over TV speakers at a price most people can afford—roughly what you'd spend on a nice dinner for two at the time of writing.

Simple but Effective Design

The Signa S2 follows the tried-and-true 2.1 formula: a slim soundbar for dialogue and mid-range frequencies, plus a separate wireless subwoofer for bass. The soundbar itself houses just four drivers—two oval midrange drivers and two tweeters. It's not exotic, but it's well-executed for the price point.

The wireless subwoofer is compact enough to tuck beside furniture without dominating a room. Its 5.25-inch driver won't shake the foundation like the Devialet Dione, but it provides enough low-end enhancement to make action movies engaging and music more full-bodied.

VoiceAdjust Technology

Where the Signa S2 shines is dialogue clarity. Polk's VoiceAdjust technology specifically targets the frequency range where human voices live, making it easier to understand dialogue without cranking the overall volume. This might sound like a small thing, but unclear dialogue is one of the biggest complaints people have about modern TV and movie sound mixes.

The technology works by selectively boosting midrange frequencies where consonants and vocal details live while leaving other frequencies relatively untouched. It's particularly helpful for older listeners or anyone who struggles with mumbly dialogue in contemporary shows and movies.

Performance Deep Dive

Bass Response: The Foundation of Great Sound

Bass performance reveals the fundamental difference between these approaches. The Devialet Dione's eight integrated subwoofers create what can only be described as reference-level low-end. Our research into professional reviews consistently highlights its ability to reproduce genuinely deep bass without the bloat or distortion that plagues many soundbars pushed to their limits.

The Signa S2 can't match this depth or control, but its wireless subwoofer provides satisfying punch for most content. The difference becomes apparent with demanding material—action movie explosions, hip-hop tracks with deep synthesizer bass, or orchestral music with organ pedal tones. The Dione reproduces these with authority and precision, while the Signa S2 provides adequate impact but may sound strained or lose detail in complex passages.

Surround Sound Capabilities

This is where the technology gap becomes most apparent. The Devialet Dione creates a genuinely convincing surround sound experience through its Advanced Dimensional Experience (ADE) beamforming. This technology precisely aims sound reflections off your walls and ceiling to create phantom speakers around the room.

When processing Dolby Atmos content, the effect can be startling. Rain seems to fall from above, helicopters pan overhead with convincing movement, and subtle ambient effects place you in the middle of the action. It's not quite as precise as a full speaker setup with actual surrounds and height speakers, but it's surprisingly close.

The Signa S2 makes no attempt at height effects and limited efforts at surround virtualization. It's fundamentally a stereo system with enhanced bass. For basic TV watching, this is perfectly adequate, but don't expect the cinematic immersion that modern Atmos soundtracks can provide.

Music Performance: Beyond Movies

Here's where personal preferences start mattering more. The Devialet Dione excels with music, offering the kind of detail and soundstage width usually associated with dedicated stereo systems. Its Music mode disables spatial processing for purist stereo reproduction, while Spatial mode can create an engaging surround experience from regular stereo tracks.

The Signa S2 is decent with music but clearly optimized for spoken content. Its V-shaped frequency response (boosted bass and treble, recessed midrange) can make some music sound exciting, but it lacks the refinement and accuracy that serious music listening demands.

Power and Room-Filling Capability

The Devialet Dione's 950 watts RMS represents serious amplification power—more than many dedicated home theater receivers. This translates to effortless dynamics and the ability to fill large rooms without strain. Professional measurements show it can reach 101 dB SPL, which is genuinely loud without noticeable distortion.

The Signa S2 has adequate power for small to medium rooms but starts showing compression artifacts when pushed hard. This isn't necessarily a dealbreaker—most people don't listen at reference levels—but it does limit the system's dynamic range and ability to reproduce sudden loud passages cleanly.

Connectivity and Modern Features

Streaming and Sources

The Devialet Dione embraces modern streaming with support for AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and UPnP streaming up to 24-bit/96kHz resolution. This high-resolution capability means it can take advantage of premium streaming services and high-quality digital files.

However, it's surprisingly limited in physical connections—just one HDMI input with eARC support plus optical. This could be problematic if you have multiple sources like gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, and streaming devices.

The Signa S2 offers more traditional connectivity with HDMI ARC, optical, and even a 3.5mm auxiliary input for older devices. Its Bluetooth implementation is more basic, but it covers the essentials most people need.

Setup and Calibration

The Devialet Dione includes automatic room calibration using built-in microphones. This measures your room's acoustic signature and adjusts the sound accordingly—a feature borrowed from high-end AV receivers. The process takes just a few minutes but can make a noticeable difference in sound quality.

The Signa S2 relies on manual positioning and basic tone controls. Setup is simpler but leaves more optimization to user trial and error.

Who Should Buy What?

The Devialet Dione Makes Sense If:

You're serious about audio quality and have the budget to match. This isn't an impulse purchase—it sits in luxury electronics territory at the time of writing. But for audiophiles who want the simplicity of a soundbar without compromising on performance, the Devialet Dione delivers genuinely impressive results.

It's particularly compelling for music lovers who also watch movies. Many soundbars excel at one or the other, but the Dione handles both with equal competence. The all-in-one design appeals to minimalists who don't want a separate subwoofer box, and the premium build quality suggests it'll remain relevant as audio formats evolve.

Large rooms also favor the Dione. Its power reserves and sophisticated beamforming work better with more space to create convincing surround effects.

The Polk Signa S2 Is Perfect When:

Budget constraints make premium options impractical, but you still want a meaningful upgrade over TV speakers. At the time of writing, the Signa S2 costs roughly what many people spend on a nice dinner, making it an easy recommendation for anyone frustrated with muddy dialogue and weak bass.

It's ideal for smaller rooms, secondary TVs, or situations where simplicity matters more than ultimate performance. The included wireless subwoofer adds significant value, and the focus on dialogue clarity addresses most people's primary complaint about TV audio.

First-time soundbar buyers should seriously consider the Signa S2. It provides a clear demonstration of what soundbars can accomplish without the complexity or cost of high-end models.

The Technology Evolution Context

Both products reflect broader trends in soundbar development since 2020. The push toward Dolby Atmos support has accelerated, with even mid-range models now offering height effects that were luxury features just a few years ago. Integrated subwoofers, like those in the Devialet Dione, represent manufacturers' attempts to eliminate the separate subwoofer box that many consumers find inconvenient.

Wireless connectivity has also matured significantly. The Dione's comprehensive streaming support reflects how soundbars are increasingly expected to handle music as competently as movies, while the Signa S2's basic Bluetooth covers the essentials most users actually need.

Making the Final Decision

The choice between the Devialet Dione and Polk Audio Signa S2 ultimately comes down to expectations and budget reality. These products don't really compete—they serve entirely different market segments.

The Signa S2 represents excellent value engineering, delivering the core soundbar benefits at an accessible price. For most people upgrading from TV speakers, it provides everything they actually need: clearer dialogue, better bass, and improved overall sound quality.

The Devialet Dione targets the luxury market, offering genuinely advanced technology and performance that justifies its premium positioning. It's for buyers who want the best possible soundbar experience and have the budget to achieve it.

Consider your room size, usage patterns, and budget honestly. If you primarily watch TV shows and casual movies in a smaller space, the Signa S2 will likely exceed your expectations. If you're building a serious home theater, love music as much as movies, and want cutting-edge audio technology, the Dione delivers performance that few soundbars can match.

Both represent successful implementations of their respective design philosophies. The key is choosing the one that aligns with your priorities and expectations.

Devialet Dione Soundbar Deals and Prices

Polk Audio Signa S2 Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer Deals and Prices