Having a cinema experience at home has never been easier. However, television sound quality can be wanting, affecting an otherwise fantastic experience. Today’s televisions, though large enough with perfect picture quality to give you a silver screen cinema experience at home, their ultra-slim features do not make room for big enough drivers for the best sound.
Your action movie-watching experience can be hampered as a result. Many TV makers place the speakers at the bottom of the screen. However, some are in the rear of the middle of the TV. All these options are not ideal when trying to get the best impactful and immersive TV sound.
Some manufacturers have successfully incorporated speakers with good sound in these TVs. These are manufacturers such as Sony, OLED TVs, and LCD TVs. Other TV manufacturers have managed to integrate soundbars. You can invest in some good TV sound to improve your viewing experience. Here are some of the ways you can do this.
Desktop Speakers
If you are on a budget, this is the most affordable way to improve your TV sound. It is also versatile. Desktop speakers are ideal as they are small, and you can place them next to your TV. You can choose speakers that will be easy to connect to your TVs, such as Ruark Audio MR1 Mk2s, Energy AE1 Actives, and Steljes Audio NS3, which are ideal for improving sound.
Additionally, you can use a smart speaker such as the Amazon Echo Studio by pairing it with your TV. These speakers are wireless and can bring a cinematic sound experience to your living room. You can get desktop speakers at an average of $400, though there are low-cost speakers to suit your budget.
Consider a Soundbar
TV sound is far from satisfactory. That is where the soundbar comes in. There is a wide range of soundbars that vary in prices and sizes. They include soundbar such as the Vizio Elevate, which costs about $1000, and it guarantees an enjoyable cinematic sound experience.
Soundbars are ideal as they fit in perfectly beneath the TV screen. You can accompany the soundbar with a subwoofer for the best sound experience. There are other budget-friendly soundbars that you can purchase for less than $500. You need to do the following things when buying a soundbar.
Try Out the System
When purchasing the soundbars, you need to try them out. Though they may have excellent sound quality ratings, they may have a different sound in your home due to interacting with the acoustics. Ensure you ask about their exchanges and return policies before buying.
Decide the Desired Number of Channels
When seeking to improve the TV sound quality, you can use 2.1 channels with an additional subwoofer or some rear speakers for multichannel sound.
Consider the Location
Where will you place the soundbar? Ensure there is enough space in front of the TV if that is where you want to place it. It should not block the line of sight of the TV remote control.
Compare Warranties
Always buy a soundbar that has a long enough warranty of about 12 or 24 months.
Invest in Surround Sound
A surround sound system improves your movie-watching experience at home. It consists of not less than five speakers, a subwoofer, and it requires AVR or audio /visual receiver to work. Its components include:
- Center speaker: It carries a sound that originates from the center of the screen.
- Audio/visual receiver (AVR): It separates your Tv’s audio signal into different channels sending it to matching speakers.
- Rear Speakers: plays sound appearing to originate from behind you.
- Subwoofer: brings out that bass.
The typical speaker configuration for this surround sound is 5.1 for the five speakers. When you want to get the most out of this sound, you can follow a few tips.
Do Not Ignore the Subwoofer
One thing you cannot ignore about the best sound experience is the bass. Often, people tend to put the subwoofer in a corner at a hidden spot. You do not have to keep it in a corner just because that is how it has always been done. You need to experiment with other locations in the room to get the best cinematic experience. However, to avoid the rattling and sound, ensure it is only touching the floor.
Big Rooms Need Bigger System
Though the 5.1 is a highly recommended system, it may not be ideal for your room. You may need to get a bigger system if your entertainment room is bigger. You can choose the 7.1 system.
The Center Speaker Should Be Higher
The center speaker lets you hear the dialogue in a movie. Experts recommend that you place it at the center just above the TV. It also needs to be centered horizontally. You can use a wall mount to place it above the television to accomplish this. A stand can also be highly ideal.
Proper Calibration
When you want to achieve optimum sound quality for your surround sound system, you need to calibrate all the levels correctly. Failing to do so can give you a bad experience when you have invested in a state-of-the-art system. The good news is that you do not need tech-savvy as many systems have an automatic calibration feature. It allows you to enjoy your TV sound at the best quality.
Surround Sound Cost
The best systems in the market can cost over $6000. You can purchase the system also below $2000. However, there are cost-friendly surround sound systems for below $1000 and $300. You can choose to go for high-priced or low-priced systems. When purchasing, remember:
- To look at the system type. Most likely, you will go for a 5.1 or 7.1 configuration. The larger one is recommended for bigger rooms.
- Look at the amplifier capabilities: They are also known as the receivers that accept DVD players, Blue-ray players, and other devices.
- Look at the wattage and speakers. Your entertainment room should determine the wattage needed. If there is low wattage, speakers may be unable to deliver the required sound quality. You can consult an audio expert for the best advice on this front.
Conclusion
We now have a wide range of entertainment options to choose from, but TV remains to be a favorite for many. Having the best sound for TV improves the viewing experience. You can invest in a good TV sound to enhance the sound quality. Such options include desktop speakers, soundbars, and surround speakers. Desktop speakers are small and ideal when you are on a low budget. However, if you want the best cinematic experience in your home, you can invest in the surround sound system.