When a multi-speaker home theater system does not fit into the decor, running wires is not practical, or the spouse says no, the Polk Audio SurroundBAR comes to the rescue with a quality product that's about as close to a single speaker solution as one can get.

The Polk Audio SurroundBAR is designed to give a surround sound experience from a single speaker array utilizing Polk Audio's patented SDA surround technology, and it delivers an immersive sound field without the need for rear channel speakers. Housed inside a slick-looking and solid aluminum enclosure are seven 3-1/2-inch-inch mid-range drivers and three 3/4-inch silk dome tweeters. We found the build quality to be excellent, and the SurroundBAR itself weighs in at a hefty 25lbs. The SurroundBAR is magnetically shielded and includes a two-piece wall bracket, 25-foot wire bundle, and a quick start guide. Everything you need to get up and running is included.

Looking at the back of the SurroundBAR reveals five pairs of color-coded binding posts for connection to any home theater receiver or amplifier. Because of the small driver size, we recommend choosing one of the higher crossover points that most receivers include in their bass management settings; Polk recommends 120Hz. The SurroundBAR is not designed for low frequencies, and we recommend using it in conjunction with a sub-woofer to get a more true home theater experience.

We found the sound quality of the Polk Audio SurroundBAR to be on par with other quality micro-speaker systems, and a little better than most. Polk's use of silk dome tweeters sets this unit apart from some of the competition. All sound was clear and well-reproduced, but because of the small driver size, certain material such as bassy male vocals sounded a little thin. There was obvious distress in the drivers when pushed to higher volume levels, but this should not be a concern for most people in smaller theater rooms. We found the surround effect worked effectively, and there was a nice, wide soundstage. Although not nearly as precise in rear channel imaging and placement as dedicated speakers, it performed well, and will have your guests turning their heads looking to see where the sounds emanated from. As with all speakers, the room plays an important role in sound quality and surround effect, and this product will definitely work better in a smaller, slightly reverberant room.

Sometimes a multi-speaker setup is just not an option, and it's nice to know that real alternatives exist. The Polk SurroundBAR can cost as much or more than some decent five-speaker systems, but if you're looking for an elegant solution with no satellite speakers, then the pricing difference isn't really all that significant. The SurroundBAR is a quality product that would pair nicely with the myriad flat panel displays that are now available. In small rooms or a bedroom, and combined with a decent subwoofer, the Polk Audio SurroundBAR is a fine choice.

Pros: Made of aluminum, nice surround effect, comes in two colors
Cons: Not for large rooms, sub-woofer needs to be purchased separate, little pricey

Warranty
5 years