The catch
Polk MagniFi Mini AX
The separate subwoofer still takes up floor space and needs power.
Side by side
Polk MagniFi Mini AX vs Bose Smart Soundbar: Polk takes less width, though it needs a second power location and more screen clearance
Quick verdict
When the opening between your TV's feet is narrow and a separate subwoofer has room, the Polk MagniFi Mini AX is the pick. For one low bar and no box on the floor, pick the 2024 Bose Smart Soundbar. Polk saves counter width, though it is taller and needs a second power location.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Polk cuts the bar width by 47%
A narrow TV stand benefits, but the package as a whole does not become a one-box system.
Where this comes from
Polk also supplies a separate subwoofer. The calculation compares the bars alone: (27.34 - 14.4) / 27.34 × 100 = 47.3%.
The catch
Bose Smart Soundbar
ADAPTiQ room calibration is missing.
Polk MagniFi Mini AX
- Why pick it
- A short bar is all your available width allows.
- You have space for a subwoofer and want one included.
- The catch
- The separate subwoofer still takes up floor space and needs power.
Bose Smart Soundbar
- Why pick it
- Your TV picture begins under 3.1 inches above the stand.
- One enclosure for now appeals to you, with an optional bass module down the road.
- The catch
- ADAPTiQ room calibration is missing.
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What this page compares
Polk MagniFi Mini AX and the 2024 Bose Smart Soundbar side by side, covering the hidden floor-space cost, TV-height limits and what each package includes.
When the opening between your TV's feet is narrow and a separate subwoofer has room, the Polk MagniFi Mini AX is the pick. For one low bar and no box on the floor, pick the 2024 Bose Smart Soundbar. Polk saves counter width, though it is taller and needs a second power location.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
TV feet 20 inches apart
Bose is too wide for the opening, while Polk has 5.6 inches of total spare width.
- Polk MagniFi Mini AX
- Better fit
- Bose Smart Soundbar
- Not suitable
No spot for a floor box
A separate powered subwoofer comes with Polk, whereas Bose starts as one bar.
- Polk MagniFi Mini AX
- Caution
- Bose Smart Soundbar
- Better fit
The picture sits 2.5 inches over the stand
At 3.1 inches, Polk’s cabinet is too tall for that example gap.
- Polk MagniFi Mini AX
- Not suitable
- Bose Smart Soundbar
- Better fit
Needing an extra HDMI source socket
Beyond the TV audio link, neither offers an additional source input.
- Polk MagniFi Mini AX
- Similar
- Bose Smart Soundbar
- Similar
In practice
Differences you will notice
Polk cuts the bar width by 47%
A narrow TV stand benefits, but the package as a whole does not become a one-box system.
How we worked this out
Polk also supplies a separate subwoofer. The calculation compares the bars alone: (27.34 - 14.4) / 27.34 × 100 = 47.3%.
Part of Polk’s footprint ends up on the floor
The subwoofer takes up a 112.3-square-inch rectangle, ahead of cables and placement clearance.
How we worked this out
This is apart from the 14.4 × 4.1-inch bar and is not an acoustic placement recommendation. Subwoofer base: 7.2 in × 15.6 in = 112.32 square inches.
Neither fits an opening 20 inches wide and 2.5 inches high
Polk meets the width and misses the height, and Bose does the opposite.
How we worked this out
The example needs width <=20 in and height <=2.5 in. Polk measures 14.4 × 3.1 in and Bose 27.34 × 2.21 in. Any one model must satisfy both measurements.
Plug in your numbers
Is there room for the soundbar under your TV?
Measure the clear space under your TV. Count only the devices you will plug into the soundbar. Leave out the ones already connected to the TV. The numbers below are placeholders until you enter yours.
Polk MagniFi Mini AX
Fails these checksAt 3.1 inches tall, it is higher than the 3 inches below your picture.
Bose Smart Soundbar
Fails these checksWith 0 separate HDMI source inputs, it cannot take the 1 device you want to plug into the bar.
Measure the top of an open shelf. This check does not cover enclosed cubbies. Detachable speakers count toward the docked width. Leave extra depth for cables and the TV stand. This checks size and port count only. Dolby Atmos, 4K/120Hz passthrough and the audio formats your TV supports are outside it.
Option A
Polk Audio, MagniFi Mini AX
Polk MagniFi Mini AX
No other bar here is narrower than the Mini AX, so it can work between TV feet that sit close together. The tiny bar does not make this a one-box setup, though, because the included subwoofer puts part of the system on the floor.
- Best for
- TV feet set close together, with room for a separate subwoofer
Facts we checked
- The bar is 14.4 × 3.1 × 4.1 inches.
- The subwoofer cabinet is 7.2 × 14.6 × 15.6 inches.
- A 3.5 mm analog input, an optical input and one HDMI eARC TV connection.
- Support covers VoiceAdjust, Night Mode and Wi-Fi music streaming.
- Compatible SR2 rear speakers are a separate purchase.
Option B
Bose, 892079-1100 (2024)
Bose Smart Soundbar
Under 28 inches wide, the 2024 Smart Soundbar still has upward-firing speakers and Wi-Fi music. Placing it is easier than placing the Smart Ultra. What it lacks is the Ultra’s room-calibration system.
- Best for
- Real upward-firing speakers on a small, low TV stand
Facts we checked
- The cabinet is 27.34 × 2.21 × 4.09 inches.
- Two of the five speaker units fire upward.
- TV connections are HDMI eARC and optical.
- Support covers Wi-Fi music, Bluetooth and dialogue enhancement.
- This listing covers the 2024 Smart Soundbar. The older Smart Soundbar 600 is a different product.
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Polk MagniFi Mini AX | Bose Smart Soundbar | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bar width | 14.4 in | 27.34 in | Far less width is needed for Polk. |
| Bar height | 3.1 in | 2.21 in | A low picture can still be blocked by the narrower Polk. |
| Bar depth | 4.1 in | 4.09 in | On depth, it is basically a tie. |
| Subwoofer supplied | Yes | No | Polk takes floor space and a second power outlet. |
| Upward-firing drivers | None | Two | It tells you how the height effect is produced. It does not say which one won a listening test. |
| Separate HDMI source inputs | None | None | A console connection is not added by either. |
| TV connections | eARC, optical and 3.5 mm analog | eARC and optical | An analog source works with Polk as well. |
| Rear expansion | Optional Polk SR2 | Optional compatible Bose surrounds | Each takes its own compatible accessories. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Polk MagniFi Mini AX
- Separate HDMI source inputs are not available.
With Bose Smart Soundbar
- Separate HDMI source inputs are absent.
Decision guide
How to decide
If the opening between your TV's feet is narrow and a separate subwoofer has room, choose the Polk MagniFi Mini AX. If you want one low bar and no floor box, choose the 2024 Bose Smart Soundbar. Polk saves counter width but is taller, and it needs a second power location.
Say where you need it to be small
On the stand, Polk is the small one. Bose is the low one, and it keeps the first setup in a single enclosure. Work out where you are short on space. A subwoofer that has no sensible place to go is not a free improvement.
Wireless does not mean no power
Audio reaches the Polk subwoofer wirelessly, yet it still plugs into an outlet. Before choosing the package, count the places where you have power. An optional bass module from Bose would raise the same placement question later.
Put driver counts in context
Bose has physical upward-firing drivers, and Polk relies on virtual height processing. Neither spec can tell us how convincing the effect will be under your ceiling. Placement and listening position still count.
What this page can’t tell you
- This page claims neither a listening test nor a measured bass-output comparison.
- Operating and cable clearance are not counted in the cabinet dimensions.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the soundbars we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
How many fit
Only 1 of the 31 models checked meet every need here: “My bar can’t be wider than 32 inches”, “The stand sits right under my screen”, and “I can’t fit a bass box”.
1 model fits, out of 31 checkedShow the facts and the math
How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “My bar can’t be wider than 32 inches”, “The stand sits right under my screen”, and “I can’t fit a bass box”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polk MagniFi Mini AX |
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| Bose Smart Soundbar |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Polk MagniFi Mini AX
A short bar is all your available width allows.
See price & reviews on AmazonBose Smart Soundbar
Your TV picture begins under 3.1 inches above the stand.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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