Sound quality: Polk Audio's SIGNA S3 delivers sound quality that fall in the Fair range. In the Music sound mode the bass has good impact and goes fairly deep, but is a bit prominent and tubby. Midrange is slightly thin and plasticky, somewhat grainy and congested, and a bit hazy and echoey. Treble sounds fairly extended, but is a bit prominent. Does a decent job of recovering room ambience, but the overall sound is somewhat congested. With stereo program material the sound image extends a bit above, but not much to the sides of the soundbar, and lacks depth. Individual instruments and voices can be identified, but have a two dimensional quality. The various sound modes have a noticeable effect on the sound field and/or tonal balance. With Dolby digital multi-channel program material the sound image extends a somewhat above and beyond the sides of the soundbar, but still lacks depth. Individual instruments and voices can be identified, but have a two dimensional quality. While the Night sound mode had a noticeable effect on the volume and tonal balance of the sound, there was no obvious difference between the Music and Movie sound modes. There was no significant difference in sound quality between HDMI, optical, analog, and Bluetooth inputs, the USB input was noticeably more grainy and hazy than the others. The system can provide satisfying volume in a medium sized room.
TV ease of use: Excellent overall.
Features ease of use: Very good overall.
