Polk Audio Introduces React Soundbar

Features include Dolby and DTS virtual surround sound and Alexa Built-in.

January 27, 2021

Polk Audio has announced its latest smart soundbar, Polk React. Offering Dolby Digital, DTS 5.1 virtual surround sound, and Alexa Built-in, React can be used as a standalone soundbar or be paired with Polk Audio SR2 wireless rear surround speakers and/or React Sub wireless subwoofer for a full 5.1 surround system. Polk React ($249), SR2 wireless rear surrounds ($199), and React Sub ($199) are currently available for purchase.

To deliver a detailed and expansive surround sound home theater experience without the need for dedicated rear speakers, Polk React is optimized to get the most out of Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1. However, if listeners want to upgrade to true surround sound and deeper bass without connecting a single wire to the soundbar, they can purchase the new Polk SR2 wireless surround speakers and/or Polk Audio React Sub .

React supports Alexa’s Communication feature, which gives users the ability to sync their contacts in the Alexa app and use voice commands to communicate with eligible friends and family in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico from the soundbar at no cost. Additionally, React supports Alexa Multi-room Music, enabling listeners to pair multiple Alexa-enabled speakers with the soundbar for whole-home music. To hear commands clearly even at higher volumes, React boasts four far-field microphones and Amazon’s proprietary wake word detection and echo cancellation software to augment performance.

Polk React users can ask Alexa to execute simple soundbar tasks like adjusting volume and bass levels, and selecting listening modes. However, to expand voice control for the home theater, React also works with other Alexa devices like a Fire TV Stick or Fire TV Blaster. Syncing a Fire TV Stick with React enables users to queue up and play movies or TV shows without touching a remote, while pairing React with a Fire TV Blaster enables voice control of TVs, cable boxes, and other devices. Plus, automated over-the-air software updates ensure React stays up to date with new Alexa capabilities and soundbar features so users don’t have to lift a finger.

SR2 Wireless Surround Speakers

The Polk Audio SR2 wireless surround satellite speakers provide life-like home cinema surround sound performance to Polk React from an internal amplifier and custom-tuned drivers. The SR2 speakers offer superb dispersion. Because the speakers connect wirelessly to the React soundbar, there is no need to run speaker wires across the room. The Polk Audio SR2 surround speakers are compatible with the React soundbar as well as the Polk Magnifi 2 and future Magnifi and React series soundbars.

React Sub

The Polk React Sub wireless subwoofer delivers deep bass and is an enhancement for the React soundbar. The React Sub features a 7-inch, long-throw woofer mounted in an unassuming, finely tuned enclosure. The React subwoofer extends the bass response of the React soundbar, creating a high-performance entertainment system ideally suited for virtually any movie, music, or TV show.

The React Sub’s low-turbulence, flared port tube ensures tight, responsive bass performance. Polk’s Bass Adjust EQ feature automatically adjusts a React series soundbar’s settings to accommodate the React Sub’s additional bass output. Because React series soundbars are controllable using Amazon Alexa, users can turn up or down the React system’s bass level with their voice.

Pricing and Availability

The Polk Audio React soundbar ($249), SR2 wireless surround speakers ($199), and React Sub ($199) are currently available on the Polk Audio website, Amazon, and other authorized resellers.

For more information, visit www.polkaudio.com.