About the Polk Audio SurroundBar® 9500BT
Discover the difference the SurroundBar can make
Discover the difference the SurroundBar can make
Perhaps you think your flat-panel TV's sound really isn't that bad. If so, you've probably never heard a powerful sound bar like the Polk Audio SurroundBar 9500BT. It will blow the doors off your TV's sound, with 8 drivers powered by built-in amplifiers for huge, dynamic sound with lots of detail. Yet the bar is just over two inches deep, making it the perfect complement for your TV. A wireless subwoofer produces thunderous bass to give movies and TV shows depth and realism for a much more engaging experience than your TV's speakers could ever deliver.
Wraparound sound, clear dialogue, and cool effects
Not only does the SurroundBar 9500BT offer big sound, it also creates a more enveloping sound field. Polk's SDA Surround® and Digital Logic® technologies use digital signal processing that bring out the dynamics, details, and surround effects in movies and TV shows. Plus, the 9500BT also features Polk Audio's Wavefront Reconstruction Center, which creates a more realistic "center channel" effect to elevate dialogue level and clarity. While dialogue is crystal clear coming at you directly from the center, other sounds seem to emanate from beyond the physical plane of the SurroundBar. And, naturally, the subwoofer will drive home those low-frequency effects with plenty of bluster, for a true home theater experience that doesn't involve a room full of audio gear.
What about music?
If you ever use your smartphone, tablet, or computer to listen to music, then you're ready to stream music wirelessly to the SurroundBar 9500BT. The "BT" stands for Bluetooth, which means you can send music stored on most portable devices and computers directly to the SurroundBar for easy wireless playback.
Easy to set up, easier to use
Worried that this sound bar and subwoofer combo will be hard to set up? Polk makes it as easy as possible. The SurroundBar's thin design makes it easy to mount on the wall below your TV using the built-in keyhole slots. You can also set it on a TV stand or cabinet. The subwoofer's wireless connection means you can place it almost anywhere in your room — even up to 50 feet away. A single connection from your TV using the included optical digital cable is all you need to start enjoying this system's powerful sound. And though it comes with a remote, the bar is easily programmable to respond to your TV's remote for seamless everyday use.
Product highlights:
Sound bar:
- ultra-slim profile is ideal for wall-mounting beneath a flat-panel TV
- three 1/2" silk dome tweeters; five 2-1/2" midrange drivers
- built-in Bluetooth for wireless music streaming from compatible smartphones, tablets, and computers
- aptX® encoding provides high-quality music streaming from compatible devices
- proprietary SDA® surround technology creates a spacious sound field for immersive sound
- Wavefront Reconstruction Center creates a realistic center-channel listening experience for clearer dialogue
- Dolby Digital® and DTS® decoding
- keyhole slots for wall-mounting
- 2 optical digital audio inputs (6' cable included)
- two 3.5mm minijack inputs (miniplug-to-miniplug cable and miniplug-to-RCA adapter included)
- 44-3/4"W x 3-15/16"H x 2-11/16"D
- weight: 8 lbs.
Powered subwoofer:
- 8" woofer
- 150-watt built-in amplifier
- connects wirelessly to sound bar for easy placement
- 12"W x 13-1/2"H x 15-1/16"D
- weight: 18.2 lbs.
General:
- total system power: 510 watts
- system frequency response 45-22,000 Hz
- remote control included
- warranty: 1 year (electronics), 3 years (speakers)
- MFR # AM9500-A
What's in the box:
Polk Audio SurroundBar® 9500BT owner's manual
- Active surroundbar speaker
- Wireless powered subwoofer
- AC power adapter (w/ attached 5' DC cord)
- Two 6' AC power cords
- Remote control
- CR2025 3V battery (installed in remote)
- 6' Optical digital cable
- 69" Stereo minijack cable
- 8" minijack-to-RCA adapter
- Owner's Manual
- Important Notes
- Online Product Registration
Customer reviews for Polk Audio SurroundBar® 9500BT
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More details on the Polk Audio SurroundBar® 9500BT
Features & specs
General | ||
---|---|---|
Design | --- | |
Amplification | Self-powered | |
Separate Subwoofer | Yes | |
Wireless Surrounds | --- | |
Number Of Channels | 5.1 | |
Surround Formats | ||
Dolby Digital | Yes | |
DTS | Yes | |
Dolby Atmos | No | |
DTS:X | No | |
Audio Enhancements | ||
Dialogue Enhancement | Yes | |
Auto Volume | No | |
Night Mode | --- | |
Virtual Surround | SRS TruSurround HD4 | |
Room Correction | No | |
Audio Connections | ||
Optical Digital Inputs | 2 | |
Coaxial Digital Inputs | None | |
HDMI ARC Input | No | |
HDMI eARC Input | No | |
3.5mm Stereo Analog Inputs | 2 | |
RCA Stereo Analog Inputs | None | |
USB Type-A Input | No | |
Subwoofer Output | Wireless | |
Audio Specs | ||
Tweeter | 0.5" Dome (3) | |
Midrange | 2.5" Convex Dome (5) | |
Woofer | None | |
Subwoofer Driver | 8" Cone | |
Enclosure | Bass Reflex | |
System Frequency Response | 45-22k Hz | |
Sound Bar RMS Power | Not given | |
Subwoofer RMS Power | Not given | |
Video Connections | ||
HDMI Inputs | None | |
HDMI Outputs | None | |
Video Specs | ||
HDMI Version | N/A | |
HDMI Video Pass-through Resolution | N/A | |
HDR Video Compatible | No | |
Control | ||
Includes Remote | Yes | |
Voice Control | No | |
Control by App | No | |
HDMI CEC | No | |
Remote IR Passthrough | No | |
Learns TV Remote | Yes | |
Audio Streaming | ||
Bluetooth Connectivity | Yes | |
Bluetooth Audio Playback | Yes | |
Bluetooth Transmitter Mode | No | |
Online Music Sources | --- | |
Apple AirPlay | No | |
Chromecast built-in | No | |
Amazon Music | --- | |
Apple Music | --- | |
Pandora | --- | |
SiriusXM | --- | |
Spotify | --- | |
TIDAL | --- | |
TuneIn | --- | |
YouTube Music | --- | |
Files on Your Network | No | |
Wi-Fi Networking | ||
Built-in Wi-Fi Version | --- | |
Bands | --- | |
Other Info | ||
Wall-mountable | Yes | |
Mounting Bracket Included | No | |
Sound Bar Size (inches) | 3-15/16H x 44-3/4W x 2-11/16D | |
Sound Bar Weight | 8 lbs | |
Subwoofer Size (inches) | 13-1/2H x 12W x 15-1/16D | |
Subwoofer Weight | 18.2 lbs | |
Speaker Parts Warranty | 3 Years | |
Speaker Labor Warranty | 3 Years | |
Amplifier Parts Warranty | 1 Year | |
Amplifier Labor Warranty | 1 Year |
Product Research
Features
Instant Home Theater (IHT): The Polk Audio SurroundBar 9500BT Instant Home Theater (IHT) is a two-piece home theater system comprised of a single self-powered surroundbar speaker and a wireless powered subwoofer. The system utilizes two Polk technologies (Polk Digital Logic and SDA Surround), along with SRS TruSurround HD4 to deliver rich, full virtual surround sound to your flat-panel TV; without the need for an AV receiver or rear speakers.
- Active Surroundbar w/ Optimized Center Array: The active surroundbar speakers features three 0.5" dynamic balance/silk dome tweeters and five 2.5" dynamic balance/convex dome midrange drivers powered by a built-in 360 watt (peak) amplifier (45W x 8ch). Discrete amplification of all eight channels with electronic crossovers means each driver is tailored for better efficiency, lower distortion and better dynamics. "Optimized Center Array" (OCA) creates a more realistic center channel experience for greater intelligibility of vocals and mid-range clarity. The array also creates greater SPL, dynamic range and better off-axis response. The surroundbar's dual tuned-port enclosure design optimizes the realistic blending of midbass drivers with the wireless subwoofer, for more dynamic performance throughout the room.
- Wireless Power Sub: The wireless powered subwoofer features a down-firing 8" Dynamic Balance woofer with rubber surround and down-firing flared J-port in a compact enclosure. The 8" woofer is powered by a built-in 150 watt (peak) amplifier. The powered subwoofer receives it audio signal wirelessly (up to 50') from the system's surroundbar, so there is no subwoofer cable to connect. You can adjust the volume of the sub independently from the surroundbar speaker.
Surround Technologies: Combining Polk Audio's proprietary SDA Surround technology and Polk Digital Logic digital signal processing, plus SRS TruSurround HD4, the SurroundBar 9500BT system is able to produce a rich, enveloping listening experience.
- Polk Digital Logic: The SurroundBar 9500BT utilizes Polk Digital Logic (Polk's proprietary DSP programming) to deliver big, crisp sonic performance with no complicated setup or calibration. Through Polk Digital Logic, the SurroundBar 9500BT's sound is created independent of any room boundaries. Polk Digital Logic helps to maintain a solid center channel for clear, intelligible dialogue and Polk's signature warm & full sound.
- Stereo Dimensional Array (SDA) Surround: Polk's patented Stereo Dimensional Array (SDA) Surround technology is based on fundamental research into the way our ears process sound and perceive the direction of sounds. It uses a patented combination of signal processing and acoustical geometry that complements the spacing between your ears to produce a wide sound stage without the need for rear mounted speakers. Since the surroundbar works directly with the hearing mechanism and requires no special room characteristics, it can deliver a room-filling surround experience in nearly any location in almost any type of room.
- SRS TruSurround HD4: The Polk Audio SurroundBar 9500BT also incorporates SRS TruSurround HD4 for a high quality, feature-rich surround sound experience from its front-facing speaker configuration. The result is rich bass, high frequency detail, and clear dialogue.
Analog + Digital Connectivity: The Polk Audio SurroundBar 9500BT provides both analog (3.5mm) and digital (optical) connectivity for a variety of source components.
- Digital Connection (Dolby Digital/DTS compatible): The surroundbar features two optical (toslink) digital inputs to connect your flat-panel TV, Blue-ray player, and/or Satellite/Cable box. Both of the surroundbar's optical inputs can decode and reproduce Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1 program material. The surroundbar's digital inputs also support 2-channel PCM. One 6' optical cable is included.
- Analog Connections: The surroundbar is equipped with two analog stereo minijack (3.5mm) inputs to connect your television (which may lack an optical digital output). If your TV is equipped with stereo RCA outputs, a minijack-to-RCA will be required. The additional 3.5mm stereo input can be used to connect another audio device, such as your MP3 player. One 69" stereo minijack cable and one 8" minijack-to-RCA adapter is included.
Bluetooth Audio w/ aptX: The Polk Audio SurroundBar 9500BT features built-in Bluetooth (A2DP) with aptX audio coding in order to wirelessly deliver CD-quality sound from your Apple device (iPod/iPhone/iPad), Android smartphone/tablet, or other compatible device to the soundbar system. You'll be able to stream and listen to stored music and music apps on your mobile device through the SurroundBar 9500BT. You can pair up to 8 Bluetooth devices with the SurroundBar 9500BT (but only one can be playing at a time). You will continue to control your Bluetooth audio enabled device and view song/artist information from the device itself (no control from the surroundbar or remote).
Remote Control: The included IR wireless remote control provides wireless operation of the system. You can also program the SurroundBar 9500BT to respond to your TV's remote (not compatible with DirecTV remote controls). Many newer TVs are coming with RF remotes and don't offer IR functionality. In this case, you would not be able to program the soundbar and TV remote to work together.
Mounting Options: The surroundbar speaker should be centered under or above your flat-panel TV screen. The lightweight easy-to-mount single speaker can be placed on a tabletop or wall-mounted. It can sit on a flat surface because of its integrated rubber feet that enable it to rest securely. If your TV is wall-mounted, the surroundbar can be mounted right beneath it using the speaker's integrated keyhole slots (x2) on the rear-panel. The keyhole slots are spaced 24.5" apart. The powered subwoofer receives its signal from the surroundbar wirelessly, so it can be placed virtually anywhere in the room (up to 50' from surroundbar). It only requires plugging into an AC outlet.
Auto Power: When their master power switches are left on, the amplifiers in both the surroundbar speaker and subwoofer turn on automatically when the surroundbar receives an audio signal. Both amplifiers turn off after approximately 15 minutes without an audio signal.
The Polk Audio SurroundBar® 9500BT replaces these items
Polk Audio SurroundBar® 9000 Instant Home Theater
- full 5.1 surround decoding and reproduction delivers surround sound experience for almost all listener locations in any room
- wireless subwoofer with 150-watt amplifier
- sound bar is only 2-1/4" deep to go with today's ultra-thin TVs
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I've had three other sound bars - two cost almost twice the price of the Polk 9500. The Polk bested them all in terms of ease of set-up and sound quality. The surround effects are amazing!
Great value from Kentucky