In order to have a truly great TV experience, you need to consider more than just visual fidelity. Sound plays a crucial role in helping to make home entertainment feel truly exciting. Adding that extra dimension of believability to your content helps massively with your immersion!
But the trouble is, many built-in sound systems, found in even some of the best high-end TVs, can leave you feeling a bit unsatisfied. The best option for truly great TV sound is to connect an external sound system!
But of all of the many varying sound systems out there, which is truly the best? And how are you supposed to find the perfect one for your TV? It can seem like a totally impossible task to narrow down such a massive sea of options. But don’t worry, our Reliant tech experts are here to help!
We asked them for some of their top tips to find that perfect TV sound system. Ready to make your content sound as good as it looks? Let’s get into it!
How Do You Find The Perfect Sound System For Your TV?
In order to find the perfect sound system to match your TV, there are a few things you need to consider.
Consider Your Space
The first thing you’ll need to consider is the type of space you have. Different sound systems are suited to different kinds of spaces. For instance, if you have a smaller living room, you’ll want a sound system that’s similarly compact. If you have a bigger space, you’ll want a sound system that can adequately fill it with audio!
We’d recommend getting some measurements of your living room. Consider how much space is around the television, and, crucially, how much space there is around your sofa. Part of finding the right sound system is ensuring that you can arrange the individual speakers correctly so that they sound just right while you watch!
It’s important to consider the amount of space you have for a sound system. If you’re working with a smaller room, then you’ll need a smaller sound system. The larger the room, the larger the system can be!
If you have a smaller space, then you’ll want a smaller sound system, with fewer audio channels. Especially if the speakers will be positioned within 6 feet of the listener. This will ensure the sound is never too loud for the space, and it means you won’t have to struggle to find space for countless individual speakers.
If you have a large space, then you can opt for a larger sound system with more individual audio channels. You won’t struggle as much to find the right spot for each speaker. The speakers also won’t be too close to your spot on the sofa, so you can opt for slightly louder ones that fill the space with sound.
Consider Your TV’s Connections
Sound systems can now be connected to a TV in a number of ways. Some are connected using standard wired connections, while some are connected entirely wirelessly. Before you settle on any specific sound system, be sure to consider what your TV is compatible with. For instance, if you want to connect your new sound system wirelessly, you’ll need to make sure your TV is compatible with Bluetooth.
Thankfully, there are numerous different connection types that can be used by all kinds of sound systems. So it shouldn’t be too much trouble to find a sound system that suits your TV.
Consider Your Budget
Make sure to also consider your overall budget. Sound systems vary in terms of size, and their many features. As such, their prices can fluctuate massively from model to model. The key to grabbing a perfect sound system is ensuring you’re spending just the right amount of money. You don’t want to spend too much or too little.
Be sure to consider some of the features found in different sound systems, and how they affect the overall cost. If there’s a feature that’s essential to you, it’s worth spending that little bit extra to have access to it. But make sure not to spend too much on features that are of no particular use to you.
Your new sound system should have all of the features you need and still have a fair price tag. Don’t spend too much on a sound system that’s too big, or full of features you don’t need!
Finally, make sure to consider the overall size and power of the sound system. A sound system with multiple audio channels will cost much more than a smaller sound system. If you have a smaller living room, then there’s no point in spending so much on a sound system with too many audio channels!
What Are Some Of The Different Sound Systems On The Market?
So far, we’ve taken a look at some of the most important considerations to make when looking for the perfect sound system. However, perhaps the most important thing to consider is the type of sound system you are opting for. Sound systems can vary massively in terms of their design and overall layout. Luckily, the factors we considered above, such as size, price, and connection type, will help you to decide which sound system type is best for you. Let’s take a look at each of them.
Surround Sound Systems
When most people think of top-of-the-range TV sound, they most often picture a complex surround sound system. And there’s good reason for it. A full surround sound system creates a truly unrivalled sense of immersion in your content. When sound approaches you from all directions, it’s much easier to suspend your disbelief.
The only problem is that surround sound systems are only good for larger spaces. This is because they require you to arrange a number of individual speakers around the room. If you don’t have adequate space for these speakers, then you may have trouble placing them all. However, it is worth noting that surround sound systems can vary in terms of how many individual speakers they boast. If you have a medium-sized space, then you could opt for a surround sound system with fewer individual speakers.
Many surround sound systems also need to be plugged in directly to your TV. Each individual speaker is also wired, creating a complex web of cables that you’ll need to carefully consider. You want to make sure these cables don’t become unsightly, or create a tripping hazard!
Surround sound systems are also often on the pricier end of the scale. Depending on how many individual speakers they use.
Surround sound systems are unparalleled when it comes to immersive and believable audio. However, surround sound systems are complicated to install, and require a large space to sound their best!
If you are working within a smaller space, or you want a more compact sound system, then surround sound may not be right for you. Surround sound is best for those with larger spaces, due to their complex set-up.
Soundbars
Soundbars are a relatively new option within the sound system market, and yet, they’ve become a very competitive option. They’re great for those who want a more compact option. Soundbars are able to pump out audio with incredible power and fidelity and yet have a very small physical footprint. This has helped to make them a popular option amongst audiophiles, and even those new to the world of sound systems.
As we mentioned, soundbars have an incredibly small physical footprint. With just a single soundbar, you can achieve room-filling sound that brings content to life. This is because within each soundbar is actually a horizontal arrangement of individual speakers. These speakers each point in a different direction and project audio accordingly. This allows sound to travel across the room! Soundbars can vary in terms of the number of individual speakers they pack in, so you can choose one that sounds and looks just right alongside your TV.
And that brings us to another excellent strength of soundbars. They’re incredibly easy to install. First off, pairing a soundbar with a TV is as simple as possible. This is because soundbars actually connect via HDMI. A HDMI cable can transmit far more detailed audio signals so that audio can play with fantastic fidelity. Soundbars can also be connected wirelessly, using Bluetooth, provided your TV is compatible with the format!
Once your soundbar is connected, all you need to do is position it above or below the TV. You will need to make sure it’s aligned to the centre of the screen, but you can place it anywhere you want! Place it on your TV stand, or on another shelf of your entertainment centre! You can also wall-mount a soundbar to match a wall-mounted TV.
Stereo Speakers
Stereo speakers, similar to soundbars, have a very small physical footprint and are easy to install. Stereo speakers are designed to sit to the left and right of the TV screen. While this doesn’t create a surround-sound experience, it does allow audio to come from both directions ahead of you. This certainly enhances the viewing experience.
Stereo speakers can also be connected in a variety of ways. With some utilising a wired connection, and others making use of a Bluetooth connection. Wireless models are great if you want to get a little more creative with your TV set-up. Have a large entertainment centre surrounding your TV? Wireless stereo speakers can easily be placed on shelves on both sides of the screen!
Stereo speakers are a great option for spaces that lack the room for a surround sound system or soundbar! They’re easy to install, and still provide clear and powerful audio that comes from the left and right of the screen!
Stereo speakers can also vary in terms of size and power. So you can choose a pair that suits the look of your living room, or that provides adequate sound for a specific space.
While stereo speakers do not quite have the power or fidelity of surround sound systems, they more than make up for it with their easy installation. If you don’t have the space to install a soundbar above or below your TV, then the left-and-right arrangement of stereo speakers would be just right for you!
Bluetooth Speakers And Headphones
If your TV is compatible with Bluetooth connectivity, then you can always make use of any portable speakers or wireless headphones!
These are a great budget option especially if your TV has very subpar audio quality. Portable speakers definitely don’t lack when it comes to audio fidelity, and can also still pump out a surprising amount of bass.
You can also position one wherever you need. This makes it much easier to find a suitable spot.
Bluetooth headphones are also a great option if you live in a smaller home with plenty of people. You can still stream to your heart’s content without waking anyone up.
While not preferable as a permanent sound solution for your TV, Bluetooth speakers and headphones are a great way to improve subpar audio built into your TV.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Find The Perfect Sound System For Your TV?
To find the perfect sound system for your TV, you’ll want to consider the space around your TV and the kind of connection method you’ll be using. Certain types of sound systems sound better in larger spaces, while others are better for smaller spaces. You want to make sure your TV is compatible with your chosen connection method, too. If you want to connect your sound system wirelessly make sure your TV is Bluetooth compatible!
Do Soundbars Improve TV Sound?
Absolutely. Despite often being quite compact, soundbars are able to provide fantastic audio. Soundbars are actually made up of multiple individual speakers, all packed into such a small package. These speakers can send audio in different directions, to create a surround-sound-like experience. This means that soundbars can absolutely improve the sound of your TV content!
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