By including all the features of a smart TV inside a soundbar, you can now transform any old TV into a “smart” version without needing to add an extra box (Apple TV, Chromecast, etc.) or purchasing a new TV entirely. While these types of soundbars are relatively new, there are lots of options to choose from if you’re currently searching for something like this to upgrade your audio experience. Before you jump the gun, read our full review below to find out if the Command Soundbar is the best fit for you.
Design: Big sound in a small package
Most soundbars have a pretty typical design with a long array of speakers shrouded in black plastic and speaker cloth. Polk’s Command Soundbar doesn’t stray too far from this format, but it does have some unique design changes due to the smart features. Despite its length, the whole setup isn’t massive compared to some home audio equipment—though it’s not the most compact either. Moving out alongside the soundbar, there’s a small Polk logo at the front, with the rest of the soundbar wrapped in black speaker cloth. At the back, there are lots of various ports for all kinds of connections, which is great for those who like to customize how their speaker setups operate. Users can choose to hook up the soundbar with a range of inputs/outputs depending on their preference, but it’s disappointing that there’s no good old 3.5mm jack. The subwoofer that’s included with the package is about the size of a small PC tower, measuring 14.5 inches tall and about 7.5 inches wide. It connects wirelessly to the soundbar, so you can place it almost anywhere in the room you’d like. The semi-glossy black plastic it’s made of looks pretty basic, but at least it’s not ugly. The Command Soundbar also includes a remote if you loathe the idea of voice controls. Overall, it’s pretty simple, which isn’t really a bad thing since it exclusively needs to control your speakers. The remote is a bit gaudy with its gold trim, but it has some cool features like night mode, audio type, and more we’ll touch on later in the features section. Overall, the design of Polk’s soundbar isn’t revolutionary, but it looks quite sleek and fits right at home next to your TV without being an eyesore.
Setup Process: App installation required
While everyone might not be annoyed at the idea of being forced to download an app to set up your new speaker array, I personally think it’s a bit frustrating. The entire setup process isn’t too troubling, but it does require you to have a smartphone handy to complete the setup. Once you finish the process, your new home audio system is ready to go, but unfortunately, the Polk Connect app doesn’t have many functions beyond the initial setup. Since they require you to download this, it’d be nice if it had some additional features, but you may as well uninstall it after you’re done.
Sound Quality: As good as soundbars get
Judging the overall sound quality of a speaker depends on a lot of factors. For one, this is a relatively affordable soundbar for a decent home audio setup, but pales in comparison to a true stereo arrangement with an amp. Keeping this in mind, the Command Soundbar impressed us with its performance compared to similar speakers in this price range. Starting with the soundbar’s treble, the Command seems to struggle with this area the most. We noticed some harsh tones during certain songs that emphasize the lackluster treble, especially in tracks where it felt detached from the music. Midrange performance is solid. Usually one of the most important areas for both music and dialogue, it’s great to see the Command Soundbar does well here. This made a big difference while listening to voices during scenes where your average TV speakers often have you fussing with the volume up or down depending on the action. If you’re someone who hates not being able to hear dialogue but thinks booming action is too loud, this will definitely help resolve that. Bass is something most soundbars have dismal performance in. Thanks to the inclusion of a subwoofer however, Polk’s setup performs quite well. Earth-shattering bass is something most people attribute to quality audio, but that’s actually not necessarily true. You won’t get an insane amount from the little subwoofer here, but it’s more than enough to set itself apart from your TV speakers or other soundbars lacking a standalone woofer. The option to tune the bass via the remote to your preference means you can set it perfectly to your liking. We tested the Command Soundbar on a range of movies, TV, music, and games and were pleasantly surprised with the overall sound quality compared to similar smart soundbar options. If you’re a big audiophile who demands the best, it may be lacking a bit, but it’s certainly a step up from most soundbars.
Features: Smart TV features baked in
As we said earlier, Alexa is baked right into the soundbar, which provides a range of cool functions to set it apart from others. Using voice commands, users can control things like volume, change inputs, control music, select songs or Alexa programs, and perform any functions with the assistant (asking questions, checking the weather, and much more). I personally loved having the voice assistant right inside the speaker, but I’ve also used an Echo Dot in the past. If you hate Alexa, you probably won’t like it here either. If you want additional smart features, you can also plug in a Fire TV Stick and use the soundbar to turn your TV into a truly “smart” device complete with all your favorite streaming apps and more. While it would’ve been nice to have that included, streaming devices are fairly cheap now, and many people don’t need an additional smart TV box since most TVs now include such capabilities.
Price: Not the cheapest, but subwoofer included
Soundbars can widely vary in price depending on their features and performance. While some can run under $100, others can reach upwards of several hundred dollars. Polk Audio isn’t the most high-end equipment for enthusiasts, but it is well-respected by most, especially for the average consumer. Retailing around $300 at most stores, this soundbar isn’t the cheapest option around if you’re looking for pure audio performance to price. However, the smart features included in the package, as well as the subwoofer paired in the box, definitely make it feel more justified. The main concern here for buyers is whether you plan to utilize the included smart features. If you do, then having Alexa already equipped with your new setup might be enough to warrant the additional cost. If you don’t, well then you’d be better off going with a “dumb” audio setup that’ll cost less.
Polk Audio Command Soundbar vs. Anker Nebula Soundbar
The Anker also includes the Alexa assistant, but in a different way. If you find the built-in Echo Dot on the Command Soundbar to be one of the more attractive features, you may be disappointed with the Nebula’s version, as it only works with the remote and has limited functionality. In terms of price, the Anker is about $70 cheaper, but that doesn’t include a subwoofer like you get with the Polk. The subwoofer really makes a huge difference in terms of sound quality, so we’d be hard-pressed to recommend a soundbar without the subwoofer option. Though the smart features on the Polk Audio Command Soundbar might not be needed by some, the all-in-one audio package equipped with a subwoofer is an excellent option for those seeking a compact home audio setup.
