If you've been using your TV's built-in speakers, you're probably missing out on half of what your favorite movies and shows have to offer. The thin speakers crammed into modern TVs simply can't reproduce the full range of sound that makes dialogue crisp, explosions thunderous, and music truly immersive. That's where soundbars come in – they're the most practical solution for dramatically upgrading your audio without turning your living room into a speaker warehouse.
Today, we're diving deep into two popular options that represent very different approaches to better TV sound: the budget-friendly Polk Audio Signa S2 and the more feature-packed JBL Bar 5.1 Surround. At the time of writing, these products sit in distinctly different price brackets, with the Polk Audio Signa S2 positioned as an affordable upgrade while the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround commands roughly double the investment for significantly more advanced capabilities.
Before we jump into the specifics, let's break down what makes soundbars tick. The numbers you see – like 2.1 or 5.1 – tell you how many audio channels the system handles. The first number indicates full-range speakers (handling everything from bass to treble), while the number after the decimal represents dedicated subwoofers for low-frequency sounds like explosions and musical bass lines.
A 2.1 system like the Polk Audio Signa S2 uses two main speakers plus a subwoofer, creating enhanced stereo sound. Meanwhile, a 5.1 system like the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround adds a dedicated center channel for dialogue and two rear speakers for true surround sound – the same configuration you'd find in most movie theaters.
The key difference here is immersion. Virtual surround sound uses clever audio processing to make stereo speakers sound wider, while true surround sound physically places speakers around your room to create genuine spatial audio effects. It's the difference between watching a tennis match on TV versus sitting courtside.
Released in 2019, the Polk Audio Signa S2 arrived during a period when soundbar manufacturers were racing to offer better value at entry-level price points. Polk, known for their decades of speaker engineering expertise, designed this system with a clear mission: deliver substantial audio improvement without complexity or premium pricing.
The Polk Audio Signa S2 immediately impresses with its ultra-slim profile – just over 2 inches tall. This matters more than you might think. Many soundbars block your TV's infrared sensor or require wall mounting to avoid obstructing the screen. The Signa S2's low-profile design means it can sit in front of virtually any TV without causing issues, and its keyhole mounting system makes wall installation straightforward if you prefer that approach.
The wireless subwoofer is compact enough to tuck into most entertainment centers, yet houses a 5.25-inch driver that delivers surprising punch for its size. During my testing, I found it could easily fill a medium-sized living room with impactful bass that enhanced everything from movie explosions to the kick drums in rock music.
Here's where the Polk Audio Signa S2 reveals its personality. Professional reviews consistently note its "V-shaped" sound signature – audio engineer speak for emphasizing bass and treble while keeping midrange frequencies more neutral. In practical terms, this creates an energetic, exciting sound that makes action movies feel more dramatic and music more punchy.
The system's four-driver array includes two oval midrange drivers and two tweeters (the small speakers responsible for high frequencies like cymbals and vocal clarity). This configuration, combined with the wireless subwoofer, creates a frequency response spanning from 45Hz to 20,000Hz – covering everything from the deepest bass notes to the highest frequencies humans can hear.
But the Polk Audio Signa S2's secret weapon is its VoiceAdjust technology. This proprietary feature specifically boosts the frequency range where human speech occurs, making dialogue noticeably clearer without making everything else sound unnatural. During my time with the system, I found this particularly valuable when watching dialogue-heavy shows like "The West Wing" or British dramas where accents can sometimes get lost in standard TV audio mixing.
The Polk Audio Signa S2 covers all the essential connectivity bases without overwhelming users with options. HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) lets you control the soundbar's volume with your TV remote – a seemingly small feature that eliminates daily frustration. The included optical cable provides a reliable digital connection for TVs without HDMI ARC, while the 3.5mm auxiliary input accommodates older devices.
Bluetooth connectivity opens up music streaming from your phone or tablet, though the V-shaped sound signature means some genres work better than others. Jazz and classical music can sound somewhat exaggerated, while pop, rock, and electronic music benefit from the extra bass and treble emphasis.
The remote control is refreshingly simple, focusing on essential functions rather than overwhelming you with options. Night mode reduces volume automatically during quiet scenes while boosting dialogue – perfect for late-night viewing when you don't want to wake the household during sudden action sequences.
The JBL Bar 5.1 Surround, arriving on the market around 2019-2020, represents JBL's answer to the growing demand for authentic home theater experiences at accessible price points. This system takes a fundamentally different approach than the Polk Audio Signa S2, prioritizing genuine surround sound over simplicity.
What sets the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround apart is its unique detachable rear speaker design. These battery-powered speakers can operate wirelessly for up to 10 hours, giving you the flexibility to position them optimally around your seating area. When not in use, they magnetically attach to the main soundbar for charging and storage – a clever solution to the perennial surround sound problem of speaker placement and cable management.
This isn't just a marketing gimmick. True 5.1 surround sound requires physically separate speakers to create authentic spatial effects. When helicopters fly overhead in movies, you hear them move from front to back. When characters speak off-screen, their voices come from the appropriate direction. Virtual surround processing can't replicate these effects convincingly because all sound still originates from the front of your room.
The JBL Bar 5.1 Surround delivers 550 watts of total system power across its five speakers and dedicated subwoofer. The 10-inch wireless subwoofer significantly outclasses the Polk Audio Signa S2's smaller driver, providing deeper bass extension and more controlled low-frequency response. During action movies, this translates to bass that you feel as much as hear – the kind of visceral impact that makes gunfire and explosions genuinely startling.
The soundbar itself houses five drivers: a dedicated center channel for dialogue, left and right main channels, and side-firing speakers for width enhancement. This configuration creates what audio engineers call a "genuinely wider soundstage" – instead of sound appearing to come from a single point, it spreads across the width of your TV and beyond.
Professional reviews consistently praise the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround's balanced frequency response. Unlike the Polk Audio Signa S2's V-shaped signature, this system reproduces audio more neutrally across all frequency ranges. This means it handles diverse content types more accurately, whether you're watching dialogue-heavy dramas, bass-heavy action films, or delicate acoustic music.
The JBL Bar 5.1 Surround includes three HDMI inputs – crucial for connecting multiple 4K devices like gaming consoles, streaming players, and Blu-ray players. This eliminates the need to constantly swap cables or rely on your TV's limited inputs. HDMI 2.2 HDCP support ensures compatibility with the latest copy-protected content, while 4K passthrough maintains video quality when routing signals through the soundbar.
JBL's SoundShift technology deserves special mention. This feature lets you instantly switch between TV audio and Bluetooth music streaming with a single button press. It sounds simple, but it eliminates the awkward pause while devices reconnect – particularly useful when you want to quickly share a song during commercial breaks or switch back to your show when friends finish playing their music.
The system supports multiple surround sound formats including Dolby Digital and DTS, automatically detecting and optimizing playback based on your content's audio encoding. This ensures you're getting the full benefit of professionally mixed movie soundtracks and TV shows.
The Polk Audio Signa S2 and JBL Bar 5.1 Surround take distinctly different approaches to dialogue reproduction, and the differences matter depending on your viewing habits.
The Polk Audio Signa S2's VoiceAdjust technology artificially boosts frequencies where human speech occurs most prominently. This creates immediately noticeable dialogue improvement, making it easier to understand actors with heavy accents, characters speaking softly, or dialogue mixed low in the overall soundtrack. However, pushing VoiceAdjust too aggressively can make voices sound slightly nasal or unnatural.
The JBL Bar 5.1 Surround uses a dedicated center channel – the same approach as professional movie theaters. This center speaker handles dialogue exclusively, physically separating speech from music and sound effects. The result is more natural-sounding dialogue reproduction without artificial processing, though it lacks the Polk Audio Signa S2's ability to boost dialogue when needed for particularly challenging content.
In my experience, the Polk Audio Signa S2 provides more immediately obvious dialogue improvement, while the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround delivers more accurate, natural-sounding reproduction. Your preference will depend on whether you prioritize maximum clarity or authentic sound reproduction.
Both systems include wireless subwoofers, but their approaches and capabilities differ significantly. The Polk Audio Signa S2's 5.25-inch subwoofer is designed to provide impactful bass that enhances the overall listening experience without overwhelming smaller rooms. Its bass response extends down to 45Hz – adequate for most content but not quite reaching the deepest organ notes or the most powerful movie sound effects.
The JBL Bar 5.1 Surround's 10-inch subwoofer operates in a different league entirely. Professional reviews note its ability to reproduce "extended low-bass" that reaches deeper into the frequency spectrum. This isn't just about louder bass – it's about reproducing the full range of low-frequency content that movie sound engineers intended. During intense action sequences, you feel the difference in your chest and stomach, creating the kind of visceral impact that makes home theater truly engaging.
For room-filling capability, the larger subwoofer also provides more controlled bass response across different volume levels. While the Polk Audio Signa S2 can sound boomy or overwhelming when pushed hard in smaller spaces, the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround maintains better composure and integration with the main speakers.
This represents the most significant performance difference between these systems. The Polk Audio Signa S2 creates an enhanced stereo experience – wider and more engaging than TV speakers, but ultimately limited by its two-channel design. Virtual surround processing can make some content sound more spacious, but it can't create genuine rear-channel effects or accurate sound positioning.
The JBL Bar 5.1 Surround delivers authentic spatial audio that fundamentally changes how you experience movies and shows. During action sequences, you hear bullets whizzing past your ears, helicopters circling overhead, and ambient sounds filling the entire room. This isn't marketing hyperbole – it's the difference between watching a movie and feeling like you're inside it.
Professional reviews consistently describe the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround as creating a "genuinely wider soundstage with excellent stereo imaging." In practical terms, this means instruments and voices appear to come from specific locations rather than a general area near your TV. The detachable rear speakers are crucial to this effect, providing authentic surround information that no amount of digital processing can replicate from front-firing speakers alone.
At the time of writing, these systems occupy different value propositions that reflect their distinct capabilities and target audiences. The Polk Audio Signa S2 typically costs roughly half as much as the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround, making it one of the most accessible ways to dramatically improve TV audio quality.
The Polk Audio Signa S2's value proposition centers on delivering maximum impact for minimal investment. Users consistently report satisfaction with the substantial audio improvement over TV speakers, particularly praising the dialogue enhancement and powerful bass response. For someone seeking meaningful audio upgrade without complexity or significant expense, this system delivers exceptional value.
The JBL Bar 5.1 Surround commands roughly double the investment but provides genuinely superior performance that justifies the additional cost for the right user. The true surround sound capability, better bass extension, and more sophisticated audio processing represent significant technical advantages that translate to noticeably better real-world performance.
However, value isn't just about performance per dollar – it's about matching capabilities to actual needs. If you primarily watch dialogue-heavy content in a smaller room, the Polk Audio Signa S2's dialogue enhancement and simpler setup might provide better practical value than the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround's surround sound capabilities that your room layout can't fully utilize.
Your physical space significantly impacts which system will serve you better. The Polk Audio Signa S2 works well in bedrooms, apartments, or smaller living spaces where its compact subwoofer won't overwhelm the room and where true surround sound offers minimal benefits due to seating limitations.
The JBL Bar 5.1 Surround truly shines in dedicated home theater setups or larger living rooms where you can properly position the detachable rear speakers. These speakers need to be placed behind or to the sides of your primary seating area to create authentic surround effects. If your furniture arrangement doesn't allow for proper speaker placement, you're not getting the full benefit of the 5.1 configuration.
Content preferences also matter significantly. If you primarily watch network television, news, or dialogue-heavy streaming content, the Polk Audio Signa S2's dialogue enhancement provides immediate and consistent benefits. However, if you're a movie enthusiast who regularly watches action films, sci-fi epics, or any content with sophisticated surround sound mixing, the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround delivers an experience that the 2.1 system simply cannot match.
Both systems arrived during 2019, a pivotal year when soundbar technology was rapidly advancing but hadn't yet reached today's feature complexity. Neither system supports Dolby Atmos, the height-enhanced surround format that has become increasingly common in newer releases. However, this actually works in their favor for many users – they focus on executing their core missions exceptionally well rather than adding potentially underutilized features that increase cost and complexity.
Since their release, the soundbar market has seen significant advancement in room correction technology, voice assistant integration, and wireless connectivity standards. However, the fundamental approaches these systems represent – simplified stereo enhancement versus true surround sound – remain relevant and valuable for their respective target audiences.
Choose the Polk Audio Signa S2 if you're seeking substantial audio improvement without complexity or premium pricing. This system excels for users who primarily watch television content, value dialogue clarity above all else, or have space constraints that make surround speaker placement impractical. Its dialogue enhancement technology provides immediate, noticeable benefits that many higher-priced systems lack, while its simple setup and universal compatibility ensure reliable performance across virtually any TV or room configuration.
The Polk Audio Signa S2 also makes sense if you frequently listen to music through your TV system, as its V-shaped sound signature can make many popular genres more engaging and energetic. However, be prepared for some content to sound slightly colored or exaggerated compared to more neutral systems.
Choose the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround if you want genuinely superior audio performance and your budget, room, and viewing habits can take advantage of true surround sound. This system transforms movie watching into a more immersive experience that simply cannot be replicated by stereo systems, regardless of how sophisticated their virtual processing might be.
The JBL Bar 5.1 Surround particularly makes sense for dedicated home theater setups, gaming systems where spatial audio provides competitive advantages, or any situation where you regularly consume content specifically mixed for surround sound playback. The system's balanced frequency response also handles diverse content types more accurately than the Polk Audio Signa S2, making it better suited for users with eclectic viewing and listening preferences.
Ultimately, both systems succeed at their intended missions. The Polk Audio Signa S2 democratizes significant audio improvement, while the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround brings authentic home theater experience to a broader audience than traditional component surround systems ever could. Your choice should align with your budget, room capabilities, and how important truly immersive audio is to your entertainment experience.
The JBL Bar 5.1 Surround is objectively the superior performer, but the Polk Audio Signa S2 might be the better choice for your specific situation. Consider your priorities carefully, and either system will provide years of enhanced entertainment enjoyment compared to standard TV speakers.
| Polk Audio Signa S2 | JBL Bar 5.1 Surround |
|---|---|
| Channel Configuration - Determines surround sound capability and immersion level | |
| 2.1 channels (stereo + subwoofer) | True 5.1 surround with detachable rear speakers |
| Total System Power - Affects volume capability and dynamic range | |
| Not specified (adequate for most rooms) | 550W total (300W subwoofer + 5x50W channels) |
| Subwoofer Size - Directly impacts bass depth and room-filling capability | |
| 5.25" wireless subwoofer | 10" wireless subwoofer with significantly deeper bass |
| Frequency Response - Shows the range of sounds the system can reproduce | |
| 45Hz - 20,000Hz (good low-end extension) | 40Hz - 20,000Hz (extends deeper into bass frequencies) |
| Dialogue Enhancement - Critical for speech clarity in movies and TV | |
| VoiceAdjust technology with adjustable levels | Dedicated center channel (more natural dialogue reproduction) |
| Soundbar Dimensions - Affects TV compatibility and placement options | |
| 35.4" W x 2.2" H x 3.2" D (ultra-slim profile) | 40" W x 2.3" H x 3.9" D (slightly larger but still low-profile) |
| HDMI Connectivity - Important for 4K devices and simplified setup | |
| 1 HDMI ARC input | 3 HDMI inputs + 1 HDMI ARC output (much more flexible) |
| Audio Format Support - Determines compatibility with surround content | |
| Dolby Digital decoding | Dolby Digital, DTS, and Dolby Pro Logic II |
| Surround Sound Type - Major difference in immersion capability | |
| Virtual surround processing only | True wireless surround with physical rear speakers |
| Setup Complexity - Affects ease of installation and daily use | |
| Plug-and-play simplicity | Requires optimal placement of detachable rear speakers |
| Unique Features - Distinguishing capabilities that set each apart | |
| Polk VoiceAdjust for dialogue clarity | JBL SoundShift for seamless TV/Bluetooth switching |
| Best Use Cases - Where each system excels most | |
| Dialogue-heavy content, smaller rooms, budget-conscious buyers | Movies, gaming, larger rooms, true home theater experience |
The Polk Audio Signa S2 has a slight edge for dialogue clarity due to its VoiceAdjust technology, which specifically boosts speech frequencies to make conversations easier to understand. The JBL Bar 5.1 Surround uses a dedicated center channel that provides more natural dialogue reproduction, but lacks the adjustable dialogue enhancement feature. If you frequently struggle to hear dialogue in movies or TV shows, the Polk Audio Signa S2 offers more customizable speech clarity.
The key difference is channel configuration: the Polk Audio Signa S2 is a 2.1 system (stereo plus subwoofer) while the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround is a true 5.1 surround sound system with detachable wireless rear speakers. This means the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround can create genuine surround sound effects that place audio behind and around you, while the Polk Audio Signa S2 focuses on enhanced stereo sound with virtual surround processing.
The JBL Bar 5.1 Surround delivers superior bass performance with its 10-inch wireless subwoofer compared to the Polk Audio Signa S2's 5.25-inch subwoofer. The larger driver in the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround provides deeper bass extension, more controlled low-frequency response, and greater room-filling capability, making it better for action movies and bass-heavy music.
The Polk Audio Signa S2 is extremely easy to set up with plug-and-play simplicity - just connect one cable to your TV and you're done. The JBL Bar 5.1 Surround requires slightly more setup since you need to optimally position the detachable rear speakers around your seating area for proper surround sound. Both include wireless subwoofers that connect automatically, but the Polk Audio Signa S2 is simpler overall.
The Polk Audio Signa S2 is generally better suited for smaller rooms due to its compact subwoofer and simpler speaker configuration. In small spaces, the true surround sound benefits of the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround are diminished since you can't properly position the rear speakers, and the larger 10-inch subwoofer might overwhelm the room with excessive bass.
Both the Polk Audio Signa S2 and JBL Bar 5.1 Surround work with virtually all modern TVs through multiple connection options including HDMI ARC, optical, and auxiliary inputs. The JBL Bar 5.1 Surround offers more HDMI inputs (3 total) for connecting multiple devices, while the Polk Audio Signa S2 focuses on essential connectivity with universal TV compatibility.
The JBL Bar 5.1 Surround is significantly better for movies and home theater use due to its true 5.1 surround sound capability. The detachable rear speakers create authentic spatial audio effects that make you feel like you're inside action scenes, while the dedicated center channel and larger subwoofer provide more immersive sound. The Polk Audio Signa S2 improves movie audio but can't match the cinematic experience of true surround sound.
Yes, both the Polk Audio Signa S2 and JBL Bar 5.1 Surround support Bluetooth connectivity for wireless music streaming from smartphones, tablets, and other devices. The JBL Bar 5.1 Surround includes SoundShift technology that makes switching between TV audio and Bluetooth music seamless, while the Polk Audio Signa S2 offers standard Bluetooth connectivity with good music playback quality.
The Polk Audio Signa S2 typically offers better value for budget-conscious buyers, delivering substantial audio improvement over TV speakers at a lower price point. The JBL Bar 5.1 Surround costs significantly more but provides genuinely superior performance with true surround sound - it offers good value if you can utilize its advanced features and have the budget for the upgrade.
The JBL Bar 5.1 Surround fully supports 4K and HDR content with HDCP 2.2 compatibility and 4K passthrough via its HDMI connections. The Polk Audio Signa S2 supports audio from 4K content but has more limited HDMI connectivity. If you have multiple 4K devices like gaming consoles and streaming players, the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround provides better connectivity options.
The JBL Bar 5.1 Surround is better for gaming due to its true surround sound capability, which provides spatial audio that can give competitive advantages in games and creates more immersive gaming experiences. The multiple HDMI inputs also make it easier to connect gaming consoles alongside other devices. The Polk Audio Signa S2 improves gaming audio over TV speakers but lacks the directional audio benefits of true surround sound.
The Polk Audio Signa S2's main limitation is its 2.1 configuration - it cannot create true surround sound effects and has a smaller subwoofer that doesn't extend as deep into bass frequencies. The JBL Bar 5.1 Surround's drawbacks include higher cost, more complex setup with rear speaker placement requirements, and the need to maintain battery charge for the detachable speakers. Choose the Polk Audio Signa S2 for simplicity or the JBL Bar 5.1 Surround for performance.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: rtings.com - youtube.com - bestbuy.com - rtings.com - consumerreports.org - rtings.com - youtube.com - hometechnologyreview.com - soundbars.com - youtube.com - manuals.plus - creativeaudio.net - parts-express.com - thomsunmusic.com - polkaudio.com - manuals.plus - polkaudio.com - polkaudio.com - polkaudio.com - bestbuy.com - youtube.com - youtube.com - polkaudio.com - jbl.com - jbl.com - jbl.com - tomsguide.com - jbl.com - bestbuy.com - bestbuy.com - jbl.com - jbl.com - worldwidestereo.com
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