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 Sonos Beam Gen 2: Polk narrows the footprint on the stand, yet needs a floor subwoofer and more screen height
Quick verdict
MagniFi Mini AX is the pick when the gap between the TV feet is your main problem and there is room for its subwoofer. Beam Gen 2 is the pick when you want the whole starting system on the TV stand, with no separate bass box. Polk is far narrower but taller, so measure in both directions.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Across the stand, Polk is about 43.8% narrower
Against Beam, Polk is 11.23 inches narrower.
Where this comes from
It is (25.63 − 14.4) ÷ 25.63. That helps if the TV feet are close together, but it tells you nothing about the space the included subwoofer needs.
The catch
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
It has neither separate HDMI source inputs nor Bluetooth music playback.
Polk MagniFi Mini AX
- Why pick it
- Your soundbar has to fit into a space narrower than 25.63 inches.
- A subwoofer should be included.
- The catch
- The separate subwoofer still takes up floor space and needs power.
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
- Why pick it
- Floor space for a subwoofer is not available.
- A 3.1-inch bar is taller than your screen gap allows.
- The catch
- It has neither separate HDMI source inputs nor Bluetooth music playback.
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What this page compares
Before choosing a compact soundbar, weigh Mini AX against Beam Gen 2 on space between TV feet, subwoofer placement, cabinet height and HDMI wiring.
Although Polk is the smaller bar, Beam is the simpler starting system in a single cabinet.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Room for just 20 inches between the TV feet
Beam exceeds the cabinet-width limit while Polk stays within it.
- Polk MagniFi Mini AX
- Better fit
- Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
- Not suitable
No spot for a separate subwoofer
A single bar is where Beam starts.
- Polk MagniFi Mini AX
- Caution
- Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
- Better fit
A screen gap of 2.9 inches
Polk is taller, though narrower.
- Polk MagniFi Mini AX
- Not suitable
- Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
- Better fit
Connecting sources straight to the bar
Both depend on TV source connections.
- Polk MagniFi Mini AX
- Not suitable
- Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
- Not suitable
In practice
Differences you will notice
Across the stand, Polk is about 43.8% narrower
Against Beam, Polk is 11.23 inches narrower.
How we worked this out
It is (25.63 − 14.4) ÷ 25.63. That helps if the TV feet are close together, but it tells you nothing about the space the included subwoofer needs.
A bar this narrow can still block a low screen
Beam stands 2.68 inches tall and Mini AX stands 3.1 inches.
How we worked this out
Given a 2.9-inch screen gap, Beam satisfies the cabinet-height constraint and Polk fails it. You might have to raise the TV even though the tiny Polk bar fits across the stand with ease.
About 112 square inches of Polk’s cabinet footprint ends up on the floor
The subwoofer measures 7.2 inches across and 15.6 inches deep.
How we worked this out
Before clearance, the base is 112.32 square inches. Beam’s standard package has no separate bass cabinet and does not include the same external component.
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.
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
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
Sonos, Beam Gen 2
Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
A narrow TV stand is no problem for the Beam, and it leaves the door open to a larger Sonos system. Its Atmos effect comes from processing. It has no upward-firing drivers. Room tuning also requires a compatible iPhone or iPad.
- Best for
- A small TV setup where rear speakers may come later
Facts we checked
- The cabinet is 25.63 × 2.68 × 3.94 inches.
- An included optical adapter comes with the HDMI eARC or ARC connection.
- Five amplified drivers, none of them upward-firing.
- Support covers Wi-Fi music, AirPlay 2, Night Sound and Speech Enhancement.
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Polk MagniFi Mini AX | Sonos Beam (Gen 2) | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bar width | 14.4 inches | 25.63 inches | Polk takes 11.23 inches less across the TV stand. |
| Bar height | 3.1 inches | 2.68 inches | There is 0.42 inch more screen clearance with Beam. |
| External bass | Subwoofer included | No separate subwoofer included | Some of the Polk system sits on the floor. |
| Optical TV connection | Native optical input | Included optical adapter | Optical works on both, though the connection hardware is not the same. |
| HDMI source inputs | 0 | 0 | A console or disc player cannot plug into either bar directly. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Polk MagniFi Mini AX
- Separate HDMI source inputs are not available.
With Sonos Beam (Gen 2)
- Upward-firing drivers are absent, so height effects are virtual.
Decision guide
How to decide
Across the stand, Polk is about 43.8% narrower
Next to Beam, Polk saves 11.23 inches of width. The calculation is (25.63 − 14.4) ÷ 25.63. Closely spaced TV feet benefit from that, but the figure tells you nothing about the space the included subwoofer needs.
A bar this narrow can still block a low screen
Beam stands 2.68 inches tall and Mini AX stands 3.1 inches. Given a 2.9-inch screen gap, Beam satisfies the cabinet-height constraint and Polk does not. You may have to raise the TV even though the tiny Polk bar fits easily across the stand.
About 112 square inches of Polk’s cabinet footprint ends up on the floor
The Polk subwoofer measures 7.2 inches wide by 15.6 inches deep, so its base is 112.32 square inches before clearance. Beam’s standard package has no separate bass cabinet, and it does not include that same external component.
What this page can’t tell you
- This comparison rests on manufacturer specifications and package contents rather than a controlled listening test. How a bar sounds also depends on room shape, placement and source content.
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 7 of the 31 models checked meet every need here: “My bar can’t be wider than 32 inches” and “I plan to buy rear speakers later”.
7 models fit, 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” and “I plan to buy rear speakers later”. 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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| Sonos Beam (Gen 2) |
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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
Your soundbar has to fit into a space narrower than 25.63 inches.
See price & reviews on AmazonSonos Beam (Gen 2)
Floor space for a subwoofer is not available.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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