soundbars · Head-to-head
Polk Audio Signa S4 vs Sony HT-S100F
The short answer
Polk Audio Signa S4 comes out ahead overall with 7.4/10 against 7.0/10 for the Sony HT-S100F. Polk Audio Signa S4 is stronger on dialogue clarity, dialogue boost range & controls and overall sound quality. Sony HT-S100F is stronger on ease of setup & use for seniors and value. At current verified prices, the Sony HT-S100F costs about $351.00 less.
- Choose the Polk Audio Signa S4 if: Families who want movie-night bass and Atmos but still need a real center channel and adjustable voice lift.
- Choose the Sony HT-S100F if: Shoppers who want clearer TV voices than built-in speakers for about $100, with HDMI-ARC simplicity.
Scores by criterion
| Criterion | Polk Audio Signa S4 | Sony HT-S100F |
|---|---|---|
| Dialogue clarity | 8.3Lab-tested center channel (RTINGS). | 6.8Beats TV speakers, but there's no center channel (RTINGS). |
| Dialogue boost range & controls | 7.03 VoiceAdjust levels plus Night Mode. | 4.5Single Voice toggle. |
| Ease of setup & use for seniors | 7.0HDMI ARC/CEC and no app, but a sub to place and power. | 8.8HDMI ARC/CEC, simple remote, no app. |
| Overall sound quality | 7.5Atmos with a sub, but RTINGS says it lacks deep bass. | 6.0Decent 2.0 with modest bass. |
| Value | 6.8$449 is fair for a 3.1.2 system. | 8.8$98 with three testers behind it. |
| Safety, energy & repairability | 5.0Neutral: no parts or refurbishment evidence found. 2021 design, still sold new. | 5.0Neutral: no parts or idle-power evidence found. |
Specifications
| Spec | Polk Audio Signa S4 | Sony HT-S100F |
|---|---|---|
| Exact evaluated bar, subwoofer and surround configuration | — | HT-S100F bar only |
| Workflow type | — | Standalone budget bar |
| Dialogue feature | VoiceAdjust | Voice mode |
| Exact US model and regional suffix | — | HT-S100F |
| Dialogue enhancement levels | 3 levels | 1 levels |
| Soundbar width | — | 902 mm |
| Dedicated center channel / speech driver | Yes | No |
| Soundbar height | — | 64 mm |
| Soundbar depth | — | 89 mm |
| Channel configuration | 3.1.2 | 2.0 |
| Meets editorial 800-mm width and 80-mm height filter | — | No |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | No |
| Separate subwoofer included | Yes | No |
| Verified decoding and transport support | — | Dolby Digital, LPCM 2ch (retailer spec) |
| HDMI ARC/eARC | Yes | Yes |
| Full HDMI source inputs excluding ARC/eARC return port | — | 0 ports |
| Optical input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| ARC/eARC, optical, TV-specific and adapter requirements | — | HDMI ARC or optical |
| Width | — | 35.5 in |
| Physical remote, TV remote, account and app requirements | — | Included remote; TV remote via HDMI-CEC; no app |
| Listing, indexed listing, cart, delivery or conflicting-render status | — | Amazon new offer $98 from third-party seller Electronic Express (search snippet) |
Polk Audio Signa S4
Pros
- Dedicated center channel
- Three-level VoiceAdjust raises voices only
- Night Mode lifts speech and cuts bass
- Wireless subwoofer included
- Dolby Atmos and Bluetooth
Cons
- Lacks deep low bass, and surround is unimpressive
- Subwoofer needs a second power outlet
- Older design; a successor model exists
- Fewer dialogue levels than the ZVOX bars
A balanced choice for families. It gives up some simplicity for better movie sound while still treating dialogue seriously.
Full Polk Audio Signa S4 review →Sony HT-S100F
Pros
- Very low price
- HDMI ARC/CEC for TV-remote control
- One-touch Voice mode
- Bluetooth and optical inputs
- Backed by several independent testers
Cons
- No center channel
- Single voice toggle, no levels
- Older 2018 design
- An owner reports Bluetooth lag with video
A fair budget upgrade. For stronger hearing needs, spend more on one of the ZVOX bars.
Full Sony HT-S100F review →Both products are part of our guide The Best Soundbars for Dialogue Clarity and Seniors of 2026, where you can see every pick, how we score and current prices from each retailer.