Wherever you would like to have music in your home. Wireless performance of your Omni system is based on the strength and reliability of your network. For optimum performance we recommend that your wireless router be located centrally between all of your wireless devices.
Open the Polk Omni app. Connect to the speaker or group you want to use. The available music services appear above the selected speaker or group. Select the service you want to listen to.
Yes, please download the Polk Omni Utility app. It gives you access to extended functionality, including Product Firmware Updates and EQ Settings (Polk Omni A1 Amp only). To make sure your product always remains current and up-to-date, use this app to download and install new firmware to your Polk Omni product. Download the free Polk Omni app, available from the App Store or Google Play Store.
Note: This app is not required for daily music streaming use.
To get started using your wireless product you will need to have the following:
- Personal Electronic Device (smartphone, tablet or computer)
- App (Polk Omni app and Polk Omni Utility app)
- Router for Wireless Connection (we highly recommend using an 802.11ac or newer router in the 5Ghz band)
Android:
This is completely up to you. Under the Settings tab, you can check the option "Pause During Call" and the music will Pause if you receive a call. Otherwise, leave this box un-checked and your music will continue to play if your phone rings.
iOS:
This feature is currently not supported. If you are playing music and your phone rings, the music will continue to play during your call.
That’s a smart idea. Newer wireless routers offer higher speeds and less interference. And streaming high-definition movies and music from your personal electronic device – like your laptop, smartphone, tablet, TV streaming box, game console, or other network connected device – requires a newer router. We recommend upgrading your router to either 802.11n or 802.11AC to enjoy trouble-free streaming. They are available for as little as $69.
One router that we fully endorse at that price, and based on our numerous customer experiences, is the Belkin AC750. Once you’re ready to set up your new router, please feel free to call our toll-free Customer Support number at 800-377-7655 We’re happy to walk you through the steps – it only takes a few minutes.
Your Polk Omni product has two set-up modes: WPS and Standard.
Standard set-up mode: To place the device into standard set-up mode, press and hold the setup button for eight seconds. You will hear two tones separated by a silence. After the second set of tones, at approximately eight seconds, release the set up button. The set up indicator light will begin to pulse slowly within about a minute. You may now proceed with standard set up.
WPS mode: To place the device into WPS mode press and hold the setup button for four seconds. You will hear two tones tones. Release the button and the blue light will blink twice repeatedly. Press the WPS button on your WiFi router to engage the routers WPS mode. For more information consult your wireless router’s owner’s manual.
iOS device instructions
1. Before opening the Omni app, go to your Settings on your iOS device.
2. Select Wi-Fi. Ensure that Wi-Fi is enabled. Once enabled, choose from the list the device listed with “DTS Play-Fi” in the name.
3. Once selected, exit the settings menu and open the Polk Omni app.
Note: If opening the Polk Omni App for the very first time, you will see a series of welcome screens that give you a brief tutorial about how the app works. Simply swipe left to advance the screens until you see "Done." Select "Done" and you will be brought to the main page of the app to continue.
4. When the app is open, you will be asked to select your wireless network. Select the wireless network you want to use and click "Next".
5. Enter your wireless network password (if password protected, enter your password--this is the password for your wireless network)
6. When your device is connected to the network, the Wi-Fi light will change from blinking to a solid white (be patient this can take a few minutes).
7. You’re connected! From here, feel free to rename your device with one of the preset names, create your own custom name, or skip right to enjoying music.
Android device instructions
1. Launch the Polk Omni app.
Note: If opening the Polk Omni App for the very first time, you will see a series of welcome screens that give you a brief tutorial about how the app works. Simply swipe left to advance the screens until you see "Done." Click "Done" and you will be brought to the main page of the app to continue.
2. Once your Polk Omni device is found, tap “Set up” (If you have disabled "New Device Search" or if your new device is not detected, you can select "Add a New Device" from the Settings tab on the main app page).
3. The app will set up your Omni speaker on whichever network your Android device is connected to. The app will now ask you to enter the password for this network. Enter the password and press NEXT. The Omni app will now connect your Omni speaker to your network.
Note: If you want to setup your Play-Fi speaker on a different network (i.e. 5 GHz instead of 2.4 GHz), open your device's Wi-Fi settings page and connect your device to the desired network. Restart the Omni app and enter the password for the new network.
4. The connection process will take a matter of minutes. Once the speaker is connected to the network, the Wi-Fi light will change from blinking to solid white. If a software update is available for Omni speaker, it will be installed now. Otherwise, the app will then ask you to choose the name of your Omni speaker. From here, feel free to rename your device with one of the preset names, create your own custom name, or skip right to enjoying music.
Our team is constantly testing for Wi-Fi compatibility. If you are experiencing issues, you can always email Customer Support at wireless@polkaudio.com for help and suggestions on Wi-Fi networking issues.
Polk Omni products are compatible with all routers that are Wi-Fi certified and meet Wi-Fi standards. Uncertified routers may cause problems for your Polk Omni products.
Recommended Specifications
While all certified routers should work, for the optimal Polk Omni streaming experience, we recommend using a router that is rated at least “N600”. This designation means the router supports 802.11n dual band with a speed of 300Mbps on each band. You’ll see the rating “N600” in the router name, or on the front of the box.
These are the detailed N600 specifications you should look for:
LAN Ports:
WAN x 1, LAN x 4 RJ-45 for 10/100/1000 Base T
Antenna:
2 x antenna for 2.4 GHz with 3.8dBi gain
3 x antenna for 5 GHz with 5.1dBi gain
Memory:
8 MB flash and 128 MB RAM
Operating Frequency:
Simultaneous 2.4GHz and 5GHz
Data Rate:
802.11n: up to 300Mbps
Please note that these are recommendations and not requirements. Polk Omni does work with routers with lower performance specifications, and the experience may be acceptable or good. However, using a router with these performance levels will dramatically reduce the chances that your network set up will interfere with the enjoyment of your Polk Omni products.
Yes. All Omni collection products are stereo. In fact, you can even pair two speakers together to create a stereo pair!
Before you begin:
1. Verify that your router is compatible with the Polk Omni System. For router specs / suggestions, please take a look at the question, "What are the recommended Wi-Fi routers and specifications?"
2. If your router is dual band (2.4 GHz & 5 GHz), verify that BOTH network names (SSID's) are visibly different. We suggest putting 5G at the beginning of the 5 GHz SSID name to easily identify them (ex. "Johns Network" (for 2.4 GHz) and "5G Johns Network" (for 5 GHz).
3. If your router supports QoS (Quality of Service) make sure that it is turned on in your router settings. This allows your router to prioritize connections to devices which use larger amounts of data. Refer to your routers setup guide or Internet Provider for details on how to change this setting.
4. Make sure that DLNA support is turned on in your router. Refer to your router's setup guide or Internet Provider for details on how to change this setting.
5. Be sure to have your network name(s) (SSID's) and the password handy prior to setting up your Omni product.
6. If you plan to use Pandora, Tidal, or iHeart Radio services, make sure to have these passwords handy as well. If you do not have an account, you can create one once the system is set up.
7. We suggest setting up your new Omni product close to your router to make sure that you have a proper connection. Once your Omni product is setup, you can move it without haivng to repeat the setup process.
About the setup button:
The setup button is only used to initally connect your Omni product to your router. Once the setup process is completed and the white WiFi light is solid, you should not have to press this button again. If you are having trouble connecting to a speaker, please take a look at the question, "How do I set up my device for either iOS or Android?" for troubleshooting help. [link: https://www.polkaudio.com/supp...]
When upgrading a router, all of the Wi-Fi devices in your home will need to be setup on the new network. The same goes for your Omni products. To reset the Wi-Fi connections, follow the inital setup instructions for each Omni product on your network.
Your Polk Omni product has two set-up modes: WPS and Standard.
Standard set-up mode: To place the device into standard set-up mode, press and hold the setup button for eight seconds. You will hear two tones separated by a silence. After the second set of tones, at approximately eight seconds, release the set up button. The set up indicator light will begin to pulse slowly within about a minute. You may now proceed with standard set up.
WPS mode: To place the device into WPS mode press and hold the setup button for four seconds. You will hear two tones tones. Release the button and the blue light will blink twice repeatedly. Press the WPS button on your WiFi router to engage the routers WPS mode. For more information consult your wireless router’s owner’s manual.
Note: If you had previously setup Stereo Pairs, Speaker Groups, or Spotify Groups, these will have to be deleted and set back up once all of the speakers are on the new network.
Your Polk Omni product is designed to work with all residential grade wireless networks. However, it will not work with any access protected network such as Guest or Office networks.
Polk Omni products are built to deliver a wonderful audio listening experience at home and on a personal Wi-Fi network. Offices and other corporate networks like hotels, airports, and areas with “guest” Wi-Fi networks are almost always set up to disable media streaming products. This is done for security reasons, and to preserve bandwidth. Regardless of the reason, these environments are not suitable for use when using a Polk Omni product.
If for some reason you do need to use your Polk Omni product in an office environment, work with your IT department or network administrator on set up.
Supported audio formats and file qualities include:
.mp3 (MPEG Layer III)
.m4a
.aac (Advanced Audio Coding)
.flac (FreeLossless Audio Codec)
.wav (Waveform Audio File)
File Quality
- Up to 24-bit/192kHz (Ultra-high resolution)
- If the file format is exactly 24-bit/96KHz, these files will be streamed with bit-perfect accuracy and zero compression.
- Files up to 16-bit/48kHz (DVD Quality) are streamed with bit perfect accuracy and zero compression. With high resolution files, Polk Omni products downsample the audio, using even integers, to either 16-bit/48kHz or 16-bit/44kHz for transmission. This allows for the most reliable streaming experience over Wi-Fi to multiple speakers.
Most modern routers are already set up to work really well with streaming products like Polk Omni, but even with current routers, there are some things you can check to make sure you get the best possible Polk Omni experience before setting up your speakers.
1. Select the best Wi-Fi channel for your network.
2. Enable Quality of Service (QoS) features like Wireless Multimedia Extensions (WMM).
3. If using advanced DHCP assignments or port-forwarding, allow exceptions for Polk Omni.
4. Double-check to be sure your router is assigning network access and that UPnP and DHCP are enabled.
Use of these configuration features will be covered by your router’s manual or in online support tools, or you can always get in touch with Customer Support at 800-377-7655 for help.
The media server software we have tested and recommend for use with Polk Omni on a connected media server are:
- Plex
- Serviio
- JRiver
- KODI
These programs are full featured, robust, stable, and low-impact, and work well with our Polk Omni apps and products. This list is not exhaustive, and most media server interfaces with good DLNA implementations should work just fine.
The Polk Omni app is capable of recognizing any Media Server or NAS (Network Attached Storage device) that is broadcasting over your home network, so long as it is set up for open access utilizing standard DLNA protocol.
Some DLNA servers that make use of advanced streaming conversion or protection will not be compatible with Polk Omni.
All of the currently supported Polk Omni file formats can be played from a compatible media server.
As of right now, your Polk Omni product can only play music stored directly on your iOS device's hard drive. You can download the music directly to your iOS device by selecting the cloud logo next to the track in the iOS music app. If you have multiple songs, connect your iOS device to your computer and move them to the device using the iTunes software. Or, you can use the Windows Play-Fi PC app to play any song in your iTunes library to any Polk Omni speaker.
A Network Attached Storage drive is a device that shares a hard drive across your home network. NAS drives are typically used to share files between multiple computers and for home backup. Play Fi supports the same file sharing protocols used by most NAS drives and can access most music files that are shared on the NAS. Some advantages of using a NAS to share your music are:
Computer-free access to your music library
- Even if your computer is turned off, your Play Fi device will still be able to play your favorite music. Never worry about your music stopping because a computer shut off or went to sleep.
Multiple computer access to a single Music Library
- Everyone in your house can store their music on the NAS, no more keeping track of who has what album or song.
Storage space
- NAS drives range from several hundred gigabytes (GB) all the way up to multiple terabytes (TB). If you're running out of space on your computer for music storage, a NAS will give your collection plenty of room to grow.
Note: If your NAS drive is DNLA compatible, please ensure you've enabled DNLA since they sometimes ship from the manufacturer with DNLA disabled. We also recommend using a NAS with DNLA embedded.
Polk Omni products support streaming different audio to different rooms or zones, directly from the Polk Omni app. So, for example, you can send Pandora downstairs for a dinner party, and keep Radio Disney playing upstairs for the kids.
Now, to stream music to different rooms, select the first speaker or group of speakers and the music service you want to play. Once the first "zone" is playing, navigate to the "Connect" page by selecting the orange Play-Fi logo in the bottom right corner.
From the "Connect" page, select the large "+" button in the top right corner (next to the settings button) and choose "add zone" from the drop down menu. You will then be asked to select speakers and a music service to play in your new zone.
Zones are identified by the dark grey bar on the screen. If you have more than one speaker playing in a zone, the zone will be labeled by the primary speaker name plus the number of additional speakers playing.
Polk Omni includes a radio guide that gives you access to thousands of FREE Internet radio stations broadcast programs. You have access to access radio from all over the world such as music, news, variety shows and podcasts at your fingertips. There are five selection options available on the radio menu.
SEARCH - Select this option to search for a radio station, show or podcast. You can search by a station's name or call sign, name of show or host.
LOCAL - Select this option to veiw stations in your area. You can change location anytime by selection location on the menu, pick the country, state and city you wish to see.
FAVORITES - You can add favorites by seaching them and selecting them. They will be automatically added to your favoites.
LOCATION - Select the country, state, county, etc., then select city.
GENRES - Select from 70 types of programing, then select the country you wish to select that Genre from.
PODCASTS - Select from all types, then select the specific Podcast you want.
If you experience this issue, please contact us directly and we'll work with you.
Eight separate wireless sound devices (smartphones, tablets, etc.), each with its own source, are supported simultaneously, and any wireless device can stream up to eight playback devices. Due to wireless network bandwidth, we do not recommend more than 16 wireless speakers on one Wi-Fi network at one time. If you are connecting directly via Ethernet, there is virtually no limit to the number of devices you can have.
- We recommend connecting a maximum of 16 Polk Omni products to your home network. You can certainly add more, but we can’t promise the performance will be as solid as it is with this limit.
- You can connect to up to eight Polk Omni products and stream the same song to all of them at once from your phone or tablet.
- With the Play-Fi HD PC driver, you can stream the same song to up to four speakers.
- A “speaker” on the network can be a stereo pair: two speakers formed into one. This means you can actually have 16 speakers, formed into 8 stereo pairs, streaming together.
- You can stream audio to up to four zones at once, from a single device. Each zone can have up to eight speakers grouped together, with each zone streaming from a different audio source from within the Polk Omni app.
- Up to eight different people can be streaming different songs to different speakers from different devices at the same time, without any interference or congestion.
Polk Omni products support streaming different audio to different rooms or zones, directly from the Polk Omni app. So, for example, you can send Pandora downstairs for a dinner party, and keep Radio Disney playing upstairs for the kids.
Now, to stream music to different rooms, select the first speaker or group of speakers and the music service you want to play. Once the first ""zone"" is playing, navigate to the "Connect" page by selecting the orange Play-Fi logo in the bottom right corner.
From the "Connect" page, select the large "+" button in the top right corner (next to the settings button) and choose "add zone" from the drop down menu. You will then be asked to select speakers and a music service to play in your new zone.
Zones are identified by the dark grey bar on the screen. If you have more than one speaker playing in a zone, the zone will be labeled by the primary speaker name plus the number of additional speakers playing.
For Android:
With the Polk Omni Android and Kindle Fire apps, no. The apps are built to support streaming audio only.
For Windows PC and iOS:
The latest versions of the Play-Fi PC app and iOS app support audio sync with video sources. This feature is available when playing from one speaker.
Visit https://play-fi.com/apps/windo... for the latest version of the PC app.
If your device has not automatically downloaded the latest iOS app, please visit the App store for the latest version.
Once you have music playing to a speaker or a group, you can add more speakers from the "Connect" screen. Tap the orange Play-Fi logo in the bottom right corner to navigate to the "Connect" page. You will see the "zone" labeled in dark gray and below that the track info and the volume controls for the speaker(s) currently playing.
Just above the speakers on the right is a +/- button. This button allows you to add additional speakers to an already playing zone. When you tap it, the Add/Remove screen will appear allowing you to check off the additional speakers you want to add.
NOTE: The primary speaker will show an "X" next to it. Clicking the "X" will bring up a warning message telling you about the primary speaker.
NOTE: Be careful not to tap the "+" button in the top right corner of the screen. This button creates different zones where different music will be played.
Use the following steps to enable Critical Listening (24-bit/96KHz) on your Polk Omni device:
1. On the Polk Omni app home screen, select the Hi-Res audio icon.
Note: You can only use Critical Listening with one device at a time.
2. Select your device from the list below and you're done.
You may experience a poor signal or interference with your WI-FI enabled device if one or more of the following:
1. The router is not 802.11n or 802.11ac
2. Quality of Service (QoS) is not enabled on router. (Note: not all routers have this feature)
3. The Polk Omni device is too far from your router or access point or the Wi-Fi signal is blocked by concrete, brick, or other walls.
4. A microwave oven, wireless phone, or another brand's wireless music system could be interfering with the signal.
5. The router's broadcast channel is set to "Auto" or multiple routers and other Wi-Fi devices are interfering with the signal.
Take the following steps to avoid loss in playback and choppy audio:
1. Does your router broadcast at 802.11n or 802.11ac?
If your router is only capable of broadcasting 802.11a, 802.11b then is can effectively only transmit to one WI-FI device. You will need to get a newer router to use the Polk Omni product. We recommend you get at least a dual band N router or even the newer AC routers for the best wireless audio experience. If your router can broadcast on 802.11b/g, make certain that it is not set to only broadcast on 802.11b. Refer to your router's owner manual to check for and adjust this setting.
2. Is your router's Quality of Service (QoS) setting turned on?
Newer routers have QoS technology, which can greatly improve audio quality. Refer to your router's owner manual to see if the setting is available. (Note: not all routers have this feature)
3. Is the Polk Omni product located where it receives a poor Wi-Fi signal?
Each Polk Omni device has a Wi-Fi signal strength indicator displayed in the Speakers menu. If the strength indicator by the Polk Omni device name is orange or red, then the Wi-Fi signal is not reaching the device. The Polk Omni device will need to be relocated to get better performance or you may need to buy a router extender to boost the signal.
4. Was a microwave oven, older phone systems, or other sound system in use when the drop-out occurred?
Check to see if a microwave oven is in use when the audio "cuts out" or becomes "choppy". If this is the case, try moving the router and/or Polk Omni device(s) away from the microwave. Do the same for an older wireless phone that may be operating at a similar frequency as the router.
5. Are there multiple Wi-Fi routers in the area? Is your router broadcasting on the same channel as these other routers or is it set to "Auto"?
You can check to see if there are several other routers in the area with Wifi Analyzer, a free Android app. You can also use this app to find less congested broadcast channels.
Go to the Google Play Store or the Amazon App Store, and download and install this application. Once installed, launch the app and go to the location that your Plk Omni device is set up. Find your router's name. If there are several other routers on the same channel then you will need to change your router's broadcast channel.
Use Wifi Analyzer to find a less congested channel. It is important to note that while 14 channels are displayed only channels 1, 6, and 11 are actually used. The "Auto" configuration can cause disruptions in playback when the router switches channel. Some routers will auto-switch channels significantly more frequently than necessary, so it is best to disable this feature and select a specific channel for broadcast when wishing to stream media.
Refer to your router's owner manual to see how to change broadcast channels.
Sometimes connectivity issues on your Wi-Fi network can cause problems with the performance of Polk Omni products. These include dropouts, when audio playback is interrupted in one or more rooms during a song, stuttering, when a song has small skips while you are listening to it, and lost connections, where a speaker is completely disconnected from the streaming group.
In most instances, these issues are each caused by your Wi-Fi set up, and can be easily fixed with a simple upgrade to your network. Not only will your Polk Omni products work better, your overall experience with Wi-Fi at home should improve quite a bit.
Here are some specific conditions to check for if you are experiencing connectivity issues:
Older routers / crowded network conditions:
- You have a router provided by your Internet Service Provider, or
- Your router is 802.11g (or lower),or
- Your router is five years old (or older), or
- You are using Polk Omni products in an area with many wireless networks nearby, or
- You are using Polk Omni products in an environment with a lot of wireless devices (like phone systems, earpieces, headphones, or microwaves)
We recommend upgrading to a new router/access point, with 802.11n dual band wireless. The upgrade will improve the performance of all of your streaming activities, not just Polk Omni. Click here for a list of specifications and routers we recommend (link to FAQ that details recommended routers).
Large streaming range or difficult streaming environment:
- You live in a larger home, or
- Your Polk Omni products are placed beyond several thick walls or floors
Be sure you have a top quality router, as suggested above. Plus, we recommend adding one or more additional wireless access points to your network. This will extend the range and reliability of your Wi-Fi at home.
Building materials that hinder Wi-Fi:
- Your Polk Omni products are in an area with a lot of pipes, metal, tile or water flow
These materials may be interfering with the Wi-Fi signal getting to the speaker, causing dropouts. Try moving the speaker a few feet away from the area.
Wireless network extenders aren’t working:
- You are using wireless network extenders at home, and still experiencing performance issues
We recommend wiring the extended access points to your main router.
Competing audio products disrupting the network:
- You have another wireless audio system in your home that uses the Wi-Fi network
We recommend disconnecting or unplugging it when your Polk Omni products are in use. Some of these products (like those from Sonos and Samsung) use hubs and network extenders that are not Wi-Fi certified. These products may disrupt normal Wi-Fi traffic even when they are not active.
If you are curious about why these conditions cause problems for your Wi-Fi performance, please call Customer Support at 800-377-7655.
No Polk Omni Devices Detected
If you can’t see or access your speakers within the Polk Omni app, either during set-up or during normal use, check the status of the Wi-Fi light. Based on what that light is doing, there are several ways to get the speaker up and running again. If using a Windows PC to stream, see here for some additional steps you can take if these suggestions don’t help.
Wi-Fi Light Solid
This indicates the Polk Omni product has the network setup information, and is connected to the network. If the product isn’t found in the app, try the following:
1. Try closing the Polk Omni app and reopening it, or restarting your phone, tablet, PC.
2. Double-check that your phone, tablet or PC is connected to the same network as the speaker, so they can see each other.
3. Be sure that you have broadcast forwarding and media sharing enabled on your router / access point (If you aren’t sure how to do this, contact customer support for help).
4. Try a Manual Update.
5. Check our Incompatible Router List to see if your model (or similar model) is on the list and what the recommended solution is.
6. Contact customer support if none of these steps fix the issue.
Wi-Fi Light Blinking
This indicates the Polk Omni product has the network setup information, and is attempting to connect but failing. To correct this, try the following:
1. Move the Polk Omni product closer to the router / access point.
2. Exit the app, put the Speaker back into Set-Up mode, and set it up again.
3. Be sure you are not trying to use an Office or Corporate guest network.
4. Verify that your network is not set to deny unauthorized MAC IDs, or that it has a frequent lease refresh (if you’re not sure what these are, then you can contact customer support).
5. Be sure the router is not set to Wi-Fi channels outside of your region (if you’re not sure what these are, then you can contact customer support).
6. Try a Manual Update.
7. Check our Incompatible Router List to see if your model (or similar model) is on the list and what the recommended solution is.
8. Contact customer support if none of these steps fix the issue.
Wi-Fi Light Pulsing
This indicates the Polk Omni product has returned to Set-Up mode, and will need to be set up again. Before running Set-Up again:
1. Double-check the password you entered was correct.
2. Power cycle the Polk Omni product (turn it off and then on again).
3. Move the Polk Omni product closer to the router / access point.
Run Set-Up again. If the Polk Omni product is still in Set-Up mode:
4. Be sure you are not trying to use an Office or Corporate guest network.
5. Try a Manual Update.
6. Check our Incompatible Router List to see if your model (or similar model) is present and if there is a solution.
7. Contact customer support if none of these steps fix the issue.
Wi-Fi Light Off
This indicates the Polk Omni product is no longer attempting to use Wi-Fi. If your Polk Omni product is in this state, try the following:
1. Check that the Polk Omni product is not connected via Ethernet (The Wi-Fi light is always off if Ethernet is used).
2. Power cycle the Polk Omni product (turn it off and then on again).
3. Try a Manual Update.
4. Contact Customer Support.
If the Polk Omni product is connected via Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi, you will not be able to use the Wi-Fi light to diagnose the problem. In this instance, try each of the following:
1. Try closing the Polk Omni app and reopening it, or restarting your phone, tablet, or PC and then reopening the app.
2. Double-check that your phone/tablet/PC is connected to the same network as the speaker.
3. Be sure you are not trying to use an Office or Corporate guest network.
4. If it’s your personal network, be sure that you have broadcast forwarding and media sharing enabled on your router / access point (if you’re not sure what these are, contact customer support).
5. Try a Manual Update.
6. Check our Incompatible Router List to see if your model (or similar model) is present and if there is a solution.
7. If using a Windows PC to stream, check the steps in the next section.
8. Contact customer support if none of these steps fix the issue.
If you lose speakers while using the Polk Omni app for Windows PC, try solving the issue based on the status of the Polk Omni product Wi-Fi light. If that does not help, try the following:
1. Change your network type from “Public” to “Home” or “Work”.
2. Enable Network Sharing.
3. Right click the Polk Omni app shortcut, and elect to run it in Administrator mode.
4. Ensure DTS Play-Fi is allowed in your Firewall.
5. Disable any antivirus or security software blocks against Polk Omni.
The final step for setting up your Polk Omni product is for the app to search for and find the new products connected to the Wi-Fi network. If it is unable to find the product at this step, one of two things has occurred.
1. It’s possible the password was inadvertently entered incorrectly. Choose “Settings -> Add Play-Fi Device" to run set up again, with the correct password, using the option to show the password so that you can verify the entry.
2. Double check that your phone or tablet is connected to the same network you used to set up the Polk Omni product.
3. Close the app, and restart it.
4. If this does not work, check our other FAQs to troubleshoot based on indicator light behavior.
That’s a smart idea. Newer wireless routers offer higher speeds and less interference. And streaming high-definition movies and music from your personal electronic device – like your laptop, smartphone, tablet, TV streaming box, game console, or other network connected device – requires a newer router. We recommend upgrading your router to either 802.11n or 802.11AC to enjoy trouble-free streaming. They are available for as little as $69.
One router that we fully endorse at that price, and based on our numerous customer experiences, is the Belkin AC750. Once you’re ready to set up your new router, please feel free to call our toll-free Customer Support number at 800-377-7655 We’re happy to walk you through the steps – it only takes a few minutes.
Your Polk Omni product is designed to work with all residential grade wireless networks. However, it will not work with any access protected network such as Guest or Office networks.
Polk Omni products are built to deliver a wonderful audio listening experience at home and on a personal Wi-Fi network. Offices and other corporate networks like hotels, airports, and areas with “guest” Wi-Fi networks are almost always set up to disable media streaming products. This is done for security reasons, and to preserve bandwidth. Regardless of the reason, these environments are not suitable for use when using a Polk Omni product.
If for some reason you do need to use your Polk Omni product in an office environment, work with your IT department or network administrator on set up.
Sometime you may experience issues that are due to other routers in the Wi-Fi area. You can check to see if there are several other routers in the area with Wifi Analyzer, a free Android app. You can also use this app to find less congested broadcast channels.
Go to the Google Play Store or Amazon App Store to download and install this application.
Unfortunately Apple IOS does not offer this feature in their operating system at this time.
Once installed, launch the app and go to the location that your Polk Omni device is set up. Find your router's name. If there are several other routers on the same channel then you will need to change your router's broadcast channel. Please feel free to call our Customer Support at 800-377-7655 and we will walk you through the best way to use it.
The majority of the time, this occurs when something else is happening on your smartphone or tablet outside of the Polk Omni app. For instance, the app may crash if:
- The device's battery is low, causing it to conserve resources
- The memory has filled up
- The Polk Omni app’s background process was forced to stop by the OS for other reasons, and the app was not able to resume
- An OS-level illegal operation occurred
To avoid further crashes, try plugging in your device, closing or killing other memory-intensive background applications, and clearing your device's cache. Then, restart the app and enjoy the music.
If the app continues to crash after you take these steps with your device, please contact Customer Support at 800-377-7655 for help.
A Polk Omni device update can fail because the Wi-Fi connection between the Polk Omni device, phone, tablet, or PC and router was interrupted, either because of heavy network traffic, an obscured signal, or wireless interference. If the update fails repeatedly, try moving your Polk Omni device and phone, tablet, or PC near your Wi-Fi router during the update.
If you are attempting to update many speakers at once and it appears that an update is particularly lengthy or large based on your first attempt, turn off all of the speakers, and then turn just one on at a time to complete the update for each one separately.
If updates are failing repeatedly at the same point in the process, exit the app, turn your Polk Omni product and the phone, tablet, or PC on and off again, and then try the update procedure again.
If this does not help, you will need to perform a manual update. Contact Customer Support at 800-377-7655 for assistance.
If you see this message, it could mean one or more things:
- The connection to your network is waning.
- You’ve moved out of your network’s coverage range.
- Your phone/tablet/PC has lost its network connection or is connected to a network other than the one your Polk Omni products(s) are on.
- Your device’s Wi-Fi has been subjugated by another app (such as AT&T Smart Wi-Fi).
- One of the devices lost power in the middle of communication.
Start by confirming that your router is connecting to other networked devices (like your phone or laptop) and that Wi-Fi is working in your house. Next, double check that you and your phone (the source of the music) are still in normal Wi-Fi range, and that the speaker is in range, too. Check the speakers for power, and to see the state of the Wi-Fi light.
If everything looks OK, and you’re not sure why you might be having issues,you can also contact Customer Support at 800-377-7655 anytime for assistance.
If the Polk Omni app is unable to find tracks that you've downloaded to your phone, tablet or a networked media server, check the list of supported file formats first. If your music is in an unsupported format, it will simply not appear in the library.
If you've confirmed that the missing files should be supported, but you still can't see them:
Android
- Files downloaded from Google Play Music, Spotify and Rdio are not accessible to other companies’ apps, so you will not be able to index and play them with Polk Omni.
- If your files are stored in a “nomedia” folder, the app will not index them. Move any files you want to play out of that folder.
For iOS
- The Polk Omni app can see files and playlists that were loaded onto your device. through iTunes. If you used another loading method (like a separate music app), Polk Omni will have difficulty locating and playing those files.
- The Polk Omni app cannot see files that are stored in iCloud. Be sure the files you want to use have been downloaded to your device.
For Media Servers
- Ensure that your music library has been refreshed and updated.
- Confirm that the media server doesn't have advanced authentication enabled.
- Make sure that your media server software supports the file format of your music.
Many routers and wireless gateways provided by ISPs are older and lower quality than more modern networking gear. Polk Omni products are not especially demanding in terms of bandwidth, but they do require reliable transmit speed and a quality signal. Older routers often lack newer media streaming optimization features and the speed and range enhancements that current routers have. Routers five years old or older are also known to become slower and less reliable as they age.
Polk Omni will work on most 802.11g routers, but performance may not be the best. 802.11g does not support many optimizing features that were introduced in 802.11n. 802.11n routers also offer greatly improved speeds, and this can dramatically help not only Polk Omni, but also your daily network performance. Due to its limited range and speed, streaming over 802.11b is limited to a single Polk Omni speaker.
Interference issues: Areas with many wireless networks nearby, or with many other wireless devices in use.
Using Polk Omni products in environments with many wireless networks operating at once, like an apartment building or crowded neighborhood, can be a challenge, because it is likely that these networks are causing interference with each other.
To check for this, if you are using Android, you can download and run an app like Wi-Fi Analyzer. The app will show which broadcast channels are busy, and can help you choose a less cluttered one. If the area is very crowded, switching to a router with 5GHz capabilities will make a big difference.
Interference can also come from devices that don’t connect to your network, but are still emitting wireless signals. Microwaves are one example, but wireless home phone systems and Bluetooth headphones and handsets also may cause trouble. If your home has a lot of these devices, moving to a dual band router and using Polk Omni with the 5GHz band will be a major improvement.
You can find instructions for changing the channel in your router owner’s manual, and a list of our recommended router specifications and models here (link back to FAQ with this info).
Play-Fi will only work on Wi-Fi networks that are set up as a "Home network" or a "Work network" on your PC, since these provide higher security settings than “Public” Wi-Fi networks. If your PC is connected to a "Public" Wi-Fi network, Play-Fi products will not be detected.
To check your network's settings go to the desktop, right click the network symbol in the taskbar (usually the lower right corner of the screen), and then click 'Open Network and Sharing Center'.
If the current network is set to "Public" then select the link "Public Network and change the setting to "Home" or "Work".
There are some instances where updating the Polk Omni app and/or your Polk Omni product's firmware may cause the the product to disappear from view in the app. If this happens, try the following step first--in many cases this may be all you need to do:
1. Quit the Polk Omni app and then relaunch it.
However, if this step does not solve the issue, please try the following:
2. Power off the personal electronic device that controls your Polk Omni product, then turn it back on and relaunch the app.
3. Go into the Settings menu on your personal electronic device and take the steps to "Forget" your Wi-Fi network. Then, rejoin your network by entering the appropriate Wi-Fi password.
4. Cycle power your Polk Omni product by unplugging it from your personal electronic device or power outlet. Then, try plugging it back in.
5. Perform a factory reset on your Polk Omni product by going through the setup process on each device:
- Hold down the Wi-Fi setup button for 15 seconds until a third set of tones is heard--the first two sets consist of two tones, while the third and final set consist of three tones
- After the factory reset, the product will need to be set up on the network again since your Wi-Fi credentials are removed during the factory reset
Spotify is now available on all Play-Fi audio products, but the way it works is different from the other streaming services. Instead of Spotify living in the Polk Omni app, the Polk Omni product itself communicates directly with Spotify. To enable this feature, simply download the latest version of a Polk Omni app, and allow it to update your Polk Omni product.
Once you're all updated and ready to go, open up your Spotify app, start playing something, and then, on the Now Playing screen, press the Spotify Connect button, which is the little speaker icon at the bottom of the screen:
You'll then be able to see all the Spotify enabled devices on the network (including your Polk Omni products). The selected products are now tied to your Spotify Premium account, and as long as the product can communicate with the Internet, you can play to it from your Spotify app.
If the speaker does not appear on the list, try the following:
- Clear the Spotify app cache (usually done via the Settings menu).
- Restart your phone/tablet/PC.
- Unplug the Play-Fi product, and plug it back in.
- Make sure the Play-Fi product firmware version is 1.4.0.045 or higher (you can check this in the About section in the Play-Fi app Settings. If it's not visible, download the latest version of the app and update the Play-Fi product. If this doesn't fix the problem, try reaching out to Spotify for more assistance).
For the most part, the apps work exactly the same way, although they are styled to fit with the look of each operating system.
Both Android and iOS apps have the same multi-room, multi-zone and stereo streaming features, and let you control all your Polk Omni products. Plus, the apps are interoperable, so you can use Play-Fi on iOS, Android, Kindle Fire and Windows with the same set of speakers on the same home network.
However, please note the following differences between the apps:
iOS
- iOS Polk Omni product setup has one extra step
- iOS supports iTunes playlists
- Auto-Reconnect: Found under Advanced Settings, enabling Auto-Reconnect allows the Polk Omni app to remember and reconnect to the last speakers played before the app the closed
Android
- Pause during a call: Android allows you to pause the music playing through your Polk Omni system when a phone call is received.
- Speaker rename: Found under the Settings icon, you can rename any speaker at any time, however, this option is only available when a Primary speaker is selected
- Spotify icon: Since Spotify uses their own Spotify Connect system, the icon for Spotify is no longer found under the available Source Selections. Instead, the Spotify Connect "links" can be found under the "+" button at the top right corner of the "Connect" page.
- Reset coach points: Found under Advanced Settings, this resets the coaching overlay screens that explain how to use the app.
For Android, playlists in the Polk Omni app use the standard Android playlist structure, shared by many popular music apps. Playlists created in other audio players (like Amazon Music Player) will show up automatically in your Polk Omni app. Other music apps, like Google Play, use non-standard formats, so those playlists will not be visible in our app. You can also create new playlists from your stored music content right within the app.
For iOS, the app will display and use existing iTunes playlists. If you can't find your songs, be sure the music is stored on your mobile device and that they're not just stored in the cloud.
The standard version of the Play-Fi Windows app:
- Syncs audio to any one of your Polk Omni products
- Outputs audio from any application, website, or service from your PC in a lossless format
- Once connected to a speaker, streams all audio sounds from the PC
The premium version of the Windows app, Play-Fi HD:
- Syncs to four Polk Omni products simultaneously
- Lets you choose any single application to stream to the speakers, and keep all other audio on the PC
- Uses DTS technology to manage and optimize streaming performance on the network
Both versions are compatible with the full line of Polk Omni products.
Step 1: In the Polk Omni app, select the gear wheel to access the settings pull down.
Step 2: Select Spotify Speaker Groups.
Step 3: Follow the instructions on screen to press the “+” button to create a speaker group and name your group.
Step 4: Select the speakers you wish to be included in your group and select Done.
Step 5: Open the Spotify app and choose your newly created group to start playing music in multiple rooms.
(Note: You will need to remove a speaker from the group to revert back to streaming music through that specific speaker.)
There are some instances where updating the Polk Omni app and/or your Polk Omni product's firmware may cause the the product to disappear from view in the app. If this happens, try the following step first--in many cases this may be all you need to do:
1. Quit the Polk Omni app and then relaunch it
However, if this step does not solve the issue, please try the following:
2. Power off the personal electronic device that controls your Polk Omni product, then turn it back on and relaunch the app.
3. Go into the Settings menu on your personal electronic device and take the steps to "Forget" your Wi-Fi network. Then, rejoin your network by entering the appropriate Wi-Fi password.
4. Cycle power your Polk Omni product by unplugging it from your personal electronic device or power outlet. Then, try plugging it back in.
5. Perform a factory reset on your Polk Omni product by going through the setup process on each device:
- Hold down the Wi-Fi setup button for 15 seconds until a third set of tones is heard--the first two sets consist of two tones, while the third and final set consist of three tones
- After the factory reset, the product will need to be set up on the network again since your Wi-Fi credentials are removed during the factory reset
Open the Polk app and tap the "Menu" button. Then tap the Spotify Groups tab.
This process may help:
- Visit https://play-fi.com/apps/windows/
For more information, call the Polk Preferred Service Program at 800-638-7276.
The API implemented within our app does not meet the minimum expected version from the Pandora servers. This may be due to the fact that the app is really out of date, or Pandora sunsetted every version except the current one. Keep in mind that there is a low chance that this message is ever seen.
Your app may be out of date, or it detects that the paired Play-Fi product is not on the whitelist. This message is generated by the app, in compliance with Pandora. It's important to note that this only happens if the speaker in question is used as a primary speaker. If linking speakers, Pandora will play if the speaker in question is being used as the primary one.
Your app may be out of date, or it detects that the paired Play-Fi product is not on the whitelist. This message is generated by the app, in compliance with SiriusXM. It's important to note that this only happens if the speaker in question is used as a primary speaker. If linking speakers, SiriusXM will play if the speaker in question is being used as the primary one.
When the app encounters a file, it passes all of the format checks, and an error occurs in the playback. Usually this will have to do with an actual audio encoding or some other formatting we couldn't render. Rarely is this an indexing issue from the system, and the path can't be properly followed to render the file. On Android, this will also display for any media with DRM. Apple can parse the DRM, so they display the specific DRM message.
This may also happen if the app could locate the file through the system, but is unable to render it. Files with unsupported containers from within the app will display this message.
Solid White
- Powered up and connected to Play-Fi
Solid Red
- Power Off
Pulsing White
- Muted when connected to Wi-Fi
Blinking White
- Paused when connected to Wi-Fi
Amber (Source 1)
- Pulse Code Modulation (PCM)
Green (Source 1)
- Dolby Digital
You likely have many sources for your audio signal: your TV, your DVD player or a cable/satellite box.
The SB1 is able to accept audio from up to two hardwired sources. The simplest approach is to connect the optical audio output from your TV to the optical input on the back of the SB1 bar. This connection will provide the highest quality audio regardless of whether you are watching TV or DVD.
If your TV does not have an optical output, you can use the optical output from your DVD player or your cable/satellite box to connect directly to the optical input on the SB1.
Connecting the Subwoofer
The SB1 and its wireless subwoofer are preset at the factory to work together. As such, the SB1 subwoofer automatically receives the wireless signal from the bar. All you need to do is make sure the subwoofer is plugged in and the main power switched to ON. Note: If the wireless subwoofer stops receiving an audio signal, follow these instructions to re-establish the connection:
1. Turn off the subwoofer’s AC Mains switch.
2. Press and hold the SYNC button on the back of the bar for three seconds.
3. The LED on the back of the bar will blink, indicating that the bar and the subwoofer are ready to be connected.
4. Turn on the subwoofer’s AC Mains switch. When the subwoofer LED turns solid green, the bar and subwoofer are connected and ready to use.
Front
1. Power: Turns on the bar or puts it in standby mode.
2. Source/Learn: Puts the bar into “learning mode” so you can program it to respond to commands from your TV’s IR remote control. Source/Learn also changes which input source you are listening to.
Source 1: digital/optical
Source 2: analog
Source 3: Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi wireless)
3. Master Volume Up and Down (+ /- ): Adjusts the volume of the SB1 sound bar.
4. Voice Volume Up and Down (+ /- ): Adjusts the volume of the SB1 sound bar center channel.
5. Bass Up and Down (+ /- ): Adjusts the volume of the SB1 sound bar's subwoofer.
6. Mute: Mutes and unmutes the sound coming from the SB1.
7. WiFi: Pairs and connects with a WiFi enabled device.
Back
1. Power Switch: Turns the bar on or off, but you can leave it on all the time.
2. Power Connection: The bar power supply connects here.
3. Audio Inputs (Source 1 Optical, 2 AUX, or 3 Wi-Fi): Where you connect your TV (or other sources) to the sound bar. Source 3 (Wi-Fi) is a wireless connection. For “wired” connections, use the 6' optical cable (Source 1) provided or 1/8" analog cable (Source 2) provided.
4. Sub Out: Connect an additional subwoofer here.
5. SYNC: The SYNC button ensures the subwoofer and bar are communicating.
Note: If the SB1 system ever loses power, the system will default to “Standby” when power is restored.
Power: Turns on the bar or puts it in standby mode.
Mute: Mutes and unmutes the sound coming from the sound bar.
Source 1, 2, Wi-Fi: Changes which input source you are listening to.
Master Volume Up and Down ( + / – ): Adjusts the master volume of the system.
Center Volume Up and Down ( + / – ): Adjusts the volume of the center channel.
SUB Volume Up and Down ( + / – ): Adjusts the volume of the subwoofer.
Movie/Music Select: Tailors the audio for either movies or music.
For your sound bar to respond to your remote control, you must first program the bar to respond to your television’s original IR (Infra-Red) remote. An RF (Radio Frequency) remote will not work.
Other remotes (cable, satellite) will work only after you have programmed the bar to respond to the TV’s IR remote.
Programming Instructions: Your sound bar is currently programmed to respond to the remote control that is included with the product. However, we strongly recommend programming the sound bar to also respond to your existing remote control using the steps illustrated below. This will enable you to operate all of your components using a single remote control.
While programming the sound bar, ignore anything that may be displayed on the TV screen.
Example: Here's how to teach your bar the “Volume Up” command of your remote control.
1. The Sound Bar is turned on and the LED is dim red, and you have sound coming from the bar.
2. Press and hold the “SOURCE/LEARN” button on either the bar or the included remote for 5 seconds. LEDs 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 pulse.
3. Press and release “Volume Up” button on the SB1’s included remote.
4. Hold your TV’s remote 6" - 1' from the sound bar.
5. Press the “Volume Up” button on your TV’s IR remote control once.
6. LEARN LEDs 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 turn solid; the command has been learned. Two chimes confirm the command has been learned.
Repeat steps 1-6 to program “Volume Down”( – ), Source, Mute and Power buttons. Important note to save your tv’s ir remote commands: After you've programmed all of the commands on your TV’s remote control, press and hold the “Source/Learn” button for 5 seconds. This saves all of the commands. Note: If your bar fails to learn certain IR remote codes, the power LED will blink red three times. Try erasing any previously programmed codes and carefully repeat steps 1-6 above.
If you have programmed your SB1 to respond to a remote control and you no longer want it to do so, erase the codes by pressing the “Source/Learn” button for 10 seconds. Previously learned codes have been successfully erased when the POWER LED flashes green ten times.
Note: This procedure removes all of your bar’s learned remote control programming. If you only need to change the programming for some of the bar buttons, follow the six steps in the sequence previously described to redo any previous programming. The SB1 will continue to respond to the provided credit card remote control.
The bar can be placed either above or below the TV set, but close to ear level will sound the best.
The Polk Omni SB1 is part of the Omni Collection, a series of wireless products that that lets you stream your favorite music services like Pandora, Spotify, Sirius XM, Internet radio and your personal music library from the convenience of your phone, tablet or computer over your existing home Wi-Fi network.
The Omni SB1 with Polk VoiceAdjust™ Technology is a voice-optimizing 3.1 wireless sound bar system that creates a broad, enveloping soundstage for movies, music and more. The SB1’s VoiceAdjust Technology utilizes the optimized 3-speaker array with controllable voice channel level to reproduce clear, crisp dialogue. The included 8” wireless subwoofer gives the SB1 system a rich bottom end while eliminating the clutter of wires.
Music and Movie Immersion Modes enable you to tailor the bar’s sound field for a more immersive listening experience.
Polk’s exclusive Full Complement Bass Technology lets the bar reproduce its lowest range easily, creating a warm, bass-rich timbre at lower distortion and higher volumes.
SmartBar™ enables your sound bar to learn your TV’s original IR remote control commands so you can control your soundbar with your TV remote. (Backup remote included.)
Dolby Digital decoding includes Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0.
No. The Omni Collection, and other Play-Fi speakers, are stand-alone wireless devices. That means that they connect directly to your wireless router. Unlike other wireless music systems on the market, Play-Fi does not require the use of a “bridge” or “hub” to make the system work. The SB1 is a way of listening to your music on Play-Fi through your existing audio system.
The Samsung F Series remote control does not use infrared (IR) signals like most remote controls. Instead it uses radio frequencies (RF) to control the TV. The TV does come with an IR emitter that connects to the IR out port on the back of the TV. This is how you can can control other devices in your system that use IR signals like the SB1.
1. Connect this emitter to the TV’s IR Out port on the back of the TV.
2. Place the head end in front of the right side of the SB1 where the IR sensor is located.
3. On the Samsung remote go to the TV’s Main Menu.
4. Program the remote for a Samsung Home Theater:
- Select System > Device Manager > Universal Remote Control Setup (F-series)
- Select System > Universal Remote Control Setup (H-series)
- The TV requires that the Samsung emitter is attached to the IR Out to continue
- Then select Start > Home Theater > Select Samsung as the brand
- Choose Optical for the connection type
- Run the function test and just say Yes it worked (nothing will have changed)
- Exit
Yes, as long as the TV and sound bar brackets that you are using support keyhole mounting for sound bars. Make sure that you leave enough clearance below the TV to mount the sound bar and access the buttons! The combined weight of the TV, the bracket, and the SB-1 sound bar MUST be less than the rated weight capacity of the TV mount being used.
For more information, please contact our Customer Service department or the manufacturer of the bracket.
To resync the included wireless subwoofer with your Polk Omni SB1 sound bar, do the following:
1. Turn off the subwoofer via the switch on its back panel.
2. Make sure that the sound bar is on.
3. Using a paperclip, press and hold the Sync button located on the back of the sound bar for 10 seconds then release the button.
4. Turn on the subwoofer.
5. If paired, the flashing green light on the front of the bar will no longer display and there will be two solid green lights on the back of the subwoofer.
To provide the utmost flexibility in how you enjoy audio content on your Polk Omni SB1 / SB1 Plus sound bar, we built an ultra-compact Bluetooth adapter (not included with SB1, but included and pre-attached with SB1 Plus) that connects to the back of the device and lets you switch from Wi-Fi to Bluetooth streaming in seconds.
Now you’re no longer limited to your home’s Wi-Fi network when you stream music or other audio content (ex. Youtube). Just attach the Bluetooth adapter to the USB port and the AUX In on the back of your respective device and follow the directions in the owner’s manual to establish a Bluetooth connection.
For more information, call us at 800-377-7655.
After you've connected an input source to the SB1 Plus, or are using the included Bluetooth adapter connected to its AUX In, use the following steps to enable restreaming (please note that the original SB1 sound bar does not support restreaming):
1. On the home screen of the Polk Omni app, select the "+" icon at the top of your screen and then select "Line In".
Note: A Line In zone will be created with all compatible restreaming devices listed.
2. Select the SB1 Plus in the Line In zone that has been created.
3. Select the input to stream: AUX IN (3.5mm or Bluetooth) or OPT IN (Optical) and then select "Next".
Note: When restreaming the optical source, the TVs image will be out of sync with the audio.
4. A list of all Play-Fi devices on your network will appear. Now, select all devices that you want to restream to. Then select "Done".
You will now see the re-streaming zone with all of your selected devices. Adjust volume and remove and select devices however you want from here.
Solid White
- Powered up and connected to Play-Fi
Pulsing White
- Muted when connected to Wi-Fi
Blinking White
- Paused when connected to Wi-Fi
Solid Amber
- Aux input cable is attached
Pulsing Amber
- Aux input is muted
Blinking Amber
- Volume is set to maximum level
The Omni S2 is an ultra-compact stereo speaker that is part of the Polk Omni Collection, a series of wireless products that lets you stream your favorite music services like Pandora, Spotify, Sirius XM, Internet radio and your personal music library from the convenience of your phone, tablet or computer over your existing home Wi-Fi network. Start with one and then add more products from the Omni Collection throughout your home.
The Omni S2 comes with black and white swappable grilles to fit your specific decor. It can sit horizontally or stand upright to fit in smaller spaces. The speaker uses two 2” (50mm) full range drivers powered by a two-channel amplifier, while the two passive radiators create fuller bass response.
You can use the USB port in the following instances:
- As a charging port for any USB powered device (ex. smartphone, tablet, iPod, etc.)
- Manual firmware updates via a USB flash drive (please contact Customer Service at 800-638-7276 for more information)
- To create a hardwired Ethernet connection using a USB Ethernet adapter. (please contact Customer Service at 800-638-7276 for more information)
To provide the utmost flexibility in how you enjoy audio content on your Polk Omni S2 wireless speaker, we built an ultra-compact Bluetooth adapter that connects to the back of the device and lets you switch from Wi-Fi to Bluetooth streaming in seconds.
Now you’re no longer limited to your home’s Wi-Fi network when you stream music or other audio content (ex. Youtube). Just attach the Bluetooth adapter to the USB port and the AUX In on the back of your respective device and follow the directions in the owner’s manual to establish a Bluetooth connection.
For more information, call us at 800-377-7655.
The Omni S2 Rechargeable is part of the Omni Collection, a series of wireless products that that lets you stream your favorite music services like Pandora, Spotify, Sirius XM, Internet radio and your personal music library from the convenience of your phone, tablet or computer over your existing home Wi-Fi network. The Omni S2 Rechargeable offers a portable solution for taking Polk’s widely respected signature sound wirelessly to places without power, like on the patio or by the pool. The S2 Rechargeable is made of rugged ABS and has a lithium-ion battery, and plays music up to 100 yards away from your wireless router--even outdoors. The battery will drive the speaker for up to 10 hours on a full charge at moderate listening levels. The S2R is weather-resistant and ruggedized for casual outdoor use. Infrequent and or accidental rain and sun exposure should not harm the S2 Rechargeable.
Start with one S2 Rechargeable and then add more products from the Omni Collection throughout your home.
You can use the USB port in the following instances:
- As a charging port for any USB powered device (ex. smartphone, tablet, iPod, etc.)
- Manual firmware updates via a USB flash drive (please contact Customer Service at 800-638-7276 for more information)
- To create a hardwired Ethernet connection using a USB Ethernet adapter (please contact Customer Service at 800-638-7276 for more information)
To provide the utmost flexibility in how you enjoy audio content on your Polk Omni S2 Rechargeable wireless speaker, we built an ultra-compact Bluetooth adapter that connects to the back of the device and lets you switch from Wi-Fi to Bluetooth streaming in seconds.
Now you’re no longer limited to your home’s Wi-Fi network when you stream music or other audio content (ex. Youtube). Just attach the Bluetooth adapter to the USB port and the AUX In on the back of your respective device and follow the directions in the owner’s manual to establish a Bluetooth connection.
This adapter also makes it super easy to take your S2 Rechargeable wireless speaker with you whenever you’re on the go, and listen to all of your favorite music via a Bluetooth connection provided the S2R has a charged battery.
For more information, call us at 800-377-7655.
A hard-wired Ethernet connection can provide a faster transfer rate than a wireless connection. While Polk Omni Collection products do not have a dedicated Ethernet port, they do have a USB Port. Using an USB Ethernet adapter for a USB cable, you can connect your products directly to your router.
For more information or adapter recommendations, please contact Customer Service at 800-638-7276.
The Omni S6 is part of the Omni Collection, a series of wireless products that that lets you stream your favorite music services like Pandora, Spotify, Sirius XM, Internet radio and your personal music library from the convenience of your phone, tablet or computer over your existing home Wi-Fi network.
The S6 has the flagship role in the Omni Collection because it offers premium component audio performance from a single stereo speaker. The S6 is powered by a four-channel 100w Digital amplifier with two 4" Dynamic Balance™ woofers and two 1" Dynamic Balance™ tweeters.
The S6 can also be configured in stereo pairs and is available in black and white.
Start with one S6 and then add more products from the Omni Collection throughout your home.
You can use the USB port in the following instances:
- As a charging port for any USB powered device (ex. smartphone, tablet, iPod, etc.)
- Manual firmware updates via a USB flash drive (please contact Customer Service at 800-638-7276 for more information)
- To create a hardwired Ethernet connection using a USB Ethernet adapter. (please contact Customer Service at 800-638-7276 for more information)
To provide the utmost flexibility in how you enjoy audio content on your Polk Omni S6 wireless speaker, we built an ultra-compact Bluetooth adapter that connects to the back of the device and lets you switch from Wi-Fi to Bluetooth streaming in seconds.
Now you’re no longer limited to your home’s Wi-Fi network when you stream music or other audio content (ex. Youtube). Just attach the Bluetooth adapter to the USB port and the AUX In on the back of your respective device and follow the directions in the owner’s manual to establish a Bluetooth connection.
For more information, call us at 800-377-7655.
The Polk Omni P1 has three additional outputs:
1. Digital coaxial
2. Digital optical
3. Analog stereo RCA
A hard-wired Ethernet connection can provide a faster transfer rate than a wireless connection. While Polk Omni Collection products do not have a dedicated Ethernet port, they do have a USB Port. Using an USB Ethernet adapter for a USB cable, you can connect your products directly to your router.
For more information or adapter recommendations, please contact Customer Service at 800-638-7276.
The Polk Omni P1 is part of the Omni Collection, a series of wireless products that that lets you stream your favorite music services like Pandora, Spotify, Sirius XM, Internet radio and your personal music library from the convenience of your phone, tablet or computer over your existing home Wi-Fi network.
Moreover, the Omni P1 is simply the easiest, fastest way to bring an existing audio system up to date with the latest music streaming services. Hookups include an auxiliary input connection from a portable device, a stereo output connection to a receiver or powered speaker, and digital outputs for connecting to a receiver.
Start with one P1 and then add more products from the Omni Collection throughout your home.
You can use the USB port in the following instances:
- As a charging port for any USB powered device (ex. smartphone, tablet, iPod, etc.)
- Manual firmware updates via a USB flash drive (please contact Customer Service at 800-638-7276 for more information)
- To create a hardwired Ethernet connection using a USB Ethernet adapter (please contact Customer Service at 800-638-7276 for more information)
Yes, if the speaker impedance is between 4 and 16 Ohms it is possible to wire two 8 Ohm speakers in parallel (resulting in a total impedance of 4 Ohms).
Consult your owner’s manual for your speakers to determine what the impedance is.
You can have the following configurations for the A1:
- Two 8 Ohm speakers
- Two 4 Ohm speakers
- Four 8 Ohm speakers
Provided the speakers are connected correctly, you can connect additional speakers as long as the total impedance is between 4 and 16 Ohms. Parallel wiring for 4 speakers rated at 8 Ohms.
An impedance matching speaker selector switch may also be used to connect more than 2 speakers to A1.
You can connect up to three devices.
1. There is a phono input so you can connect your turntable to play your records.
2. There is an optical input to connect either a Blu Ray player or connect to the output of your TV and listen to whatever source is connected to your TV.
3. There is an 1/8" stereo input should you want to connect a phone or other music device directly.
A hard-wired Ethernet connection can provide a faster transfer rate than a wireless connection. While Polk Omni Collection products do not have a dedicated Ethernet port, they do have a USB Port. Using an USB Ethernet adapter for a USB cable, you can connect your products directly to your router.
For more information or adapter recommendations, please contact Customer Service at 800-638-7276.
The Polk Omni A1 is part of the Omni Collection, a series of wireless products that that lets you stream your favorite music services like Pandora, Spotify, Sirius XM, Internet radio and your personal music library from the convenience of your phone, tablet or computer over your existing home Wi-Fi network.
Since a great-sounding pair of loudspeakers never goes out of style--especially in the digital world--the Polk Omni A1 enables you to stream Polk's rich, detailed sound wirelessly to your existing component loudspeakers. It's that simple. The Omni A1 wireless amplifier includes customized EQ settings for optimizing the performance with Polk speakers, and has a peak power rating of 75 W x 2 channels. Music lovers and vinyl collectors will enjoy the fact that the Omni A1 also includes a phono input for their turntable.
Start with one A1 and then add more products from the Omni Collection throughout your home.
Just download the free Polk Omni Utility app, available from the Apple Store or Google Play Store. The Polk Omni app is companion software to the Polk Omni wireless collection that is enabled with DTS Play-Fi technology. Using DTS's breakthrough Play-Fi technology, it gives you extended functionality, including Product Firmware Updates and EQ Settings. You can stream your favorite music over Wi-Fi right from the app to your Polk Omni product.
You can use the USB port in the following instances:
- As a charging port for any USB powered device (ex. smartphone, tablet, iPod, etc.)
- Manual firmware updates via a USB flash drive (please contact Customer Service at 800-638-7276 for more information)
- To create a hardwired Ethernet connection using a USB Ethernet adapter (please contact Customer Service at 800-638-7276 for more information)
Our wireless surround sound system utilizes Play-Fi enabled speakers in a 5.1 configuration. The SB1 Plus sound bar acts as the front center, left and right channels, while its included subwoofer provides the bass. A pair of S2, S2R and S6 speakers—or any other set of Play-Fi enabled speakers—are then needed as left and right rear surrounds to enjoy a true Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 experience. When playing content that is encoded with surround sound, this setup gives you everything you need to enjoy a wireless surround sound experience.
The very first thing you want to do is set up each Play-Fi enabled speaker on your wireless network and install any updates that are mentioned during setup. Make sure to name each speaker differently so they are easy to identify later on.
DO NOT install any Polk Omni Utility app updates until AFTER the Polk Omni app has updated the speakers on your network. This ensures proper system funtion.
Once the updates are installed, select the the settings wheel on the Polk Omni app and then select "Surround Sound."
In the bottom right corner of the screen, click the "+" button to create a new "Surround Sound System."
The guided app will take you through the full setup by selecting "Next."
Note: This process is the same for all three speaker placements but the Front position must be a compatible Play-Fi sound bar (ex. SB1 Plus). If no compatible sound bars are found, you will not be able to continue.
Now select "Set Front."
The app will automatically recognize all compatible sound bars.
Choose the sound bar that you want to set up, followed by setting the distance of the sound bar from your listening position (to the closest foot).
Select "Next" to continue.
Select "Set Surround Left" to choose the left speaker, as well as setting the distance of the speaker to your listening position (to the closest foot).
Select "Next" to continue.
Select "Set Surround Right" to choose the right speaker, as well as setting the distance of the speaker to your listening position (to the closest foot).
Select "Next" to continue.
Once you have selected all three speakers, select "Done" on the bottom of the Surround Set-Up page.
The Polk Omni app will now set up your wireless surround sound system.
Once your wireless surround sound system is set up and you can select "Done."
Note: Be patient. This process can take some time.
You will need an SB1 Plus sound bar and two rear speakers that are Play-Fi enabled, like the S2, S2R, or S6. And you will need a smartphone or tablet to control your wireless surround setup through the Polk Omni app.
Yes, but you will need to configure them in the Polk Omni app to listen to them. This involves unpairing them as surrounds and setting them back up as normal Play-Fi speakers.
The Polk Omni app will only play to the front left and front right channels of the sound bar. The rear speakers will only play when there is a signal from the Optical or Analog inputs.
Speaker Distances are used to calibrate the delay in the home theater system. This makes the system sound more life-like. The distance of a particular speaker is the physical measurement (as close as you can) from the front of the speaker to the center of your listening position (couch, chair, etc.).
Two speakers (S2, S2R, S6, or any other Play-Fi enabled speaker) are needed for wireless rears. One speaker will not work.
Once you have set up the surround system, you will be able to adjust the volume.
From the Surround Sound menu in the Polk Omni app, select the system you want to adjust.
Then select the "Relative Volume" EDIT button.
This is how you adjust the master audio level, which controls the audio output level of the whole group (this can also be done using the physical buttons on each speaker or the remote of sound bar).
From the Surround Sound menu in the Polk Omni app, select the system you want to adjust.
Then, select the "Speaker Distances" EDIT button.
This will allow you to adjust the distance settings for each product in the group and the relative volume (aka "Trim") of the Surround Left and Surround Right speakers.
If you're playing content through the wireless surround sound system at the time, changing these settings will take place immediately and won't interrupt playback, so you'll be able to fine tune on the fly.
This has to do with the programming's recorded audio format. The SB1 Plus decodes sound information in its native format. That means that if the programming is recorded in stereo (Front Left & Front Right), then it will be played back in stereo. If the programming is recorded in Dolby Digital, then it will be played back through all of the speakers.
Select the Surround Sound option from the Setting wheel. Click the three dots next to the Surround Sound system you want to remove. Next, select "Delete" from the drop down. A confirmation pop up will appear and select "Delete." The un-pairing process may take a few minutes so be patient. Once the system un-pair, your speakers will revert back to their individual names.
The farther your system is away from your router, the more buffering or "dropouts" may occur. So we recommend that your router be as close to the system as possible. If needed, a Wireless Access Point can be added to the system to increase coverage and stability. Additionally, we highly suggest setting up your Polk Omni SB1 Plus sound bar and two Play-Fi enabled rear speakers (ex. S2, S2R, S6) on the 5 GHz band of your router or access point. 5 GHz is faster than the 2.4 GHz band and we've found it to be more stable in this environment.
Unlike the front three speakers in the sound bar that must produce sharply focused images, the job of your surround channels is to envelop the audience in diffused sound known as ambiance. To do this well, the rear speakers should not (with the exception of localized 5.1 channel effects) call attention to themselves as sources of sound.
For these reasons, surround speakers work best when elevated at least two feet above the seated listeners' heads (a height of six to seven feet above the ground is considered normal), and mounted on the side walls in line with or slightly behind the audience.
Most likely, a group or stereo pair setting may have been changed. A speaker could have been renamed, dropped off the network and come back online, or the addressing in the router may have changed. Either way, going through speaker setup on more than one speaker can take time and most likely won’t work.
We would suggest power cycling your network in a specific order to reset all of your network connections.
1. Remove all groups, stereo pairs, Spotify groups, etc.
2. Unplug all Play-Fi speakers and leave them powered OFF
3. Turn OFF phones/tablets/etc that are running the app (just to be safe)
4. Unplug your router for 30 sec. and then plug back in.
5. Wait until the router boots all the way back up and then turn ON all phones/tablets/etc.
6. Plug in all Play-Fi speakers.
You can use two Polk Omni S2, S2R and S6 wireless speakers, or any other pair of Play-Fi enabled speakers.
Note: the Omni SB1 sound bar, A1 wireless amplifier and P1 wireless adapter are not compatible with wireless surround sound.
Make sure that the sound bar is on, and there is sound present. Turn off the subwoofer via the power switch on the back. On the top of the sound bar, press and hold the Bass + and Bass - buttons until you hear a chime, then turn the subwoofer back on. Once it pairs successfully, you'll hear a second chime and then see two solid green lights on the back of the subwoofer.