The laws of physics are cruel; what they give with one hand, they take away with another. If you've found that your lovely flat-screen TV is delivering sub-par sound, you're not alone, and it's pesky physics that is keeping your television’s audio quality at its current inadequate standard.
With their ultra-slim profiles, today's flatscreens simply don't have the enclosure space necessary to allow drivers to give you big, punchy sound for big action movies or the detail needed for dialogue-heavy scenes.
Most TVs place their speakers at the bottom of the screen, firing downwards, and some are in the middle on the rear of the TV in an attempt to help spread the sound. Either way, it's hardly the best way to achieve a really immersive, impactful audio.
While some sets, such as Sony's A90J OLED TVs, have managed to incorporate speaker technology that delivers decent sound, and others such as the Panasonic TX-55HZ2000 and Philips 65OLED935 feature built-in soundbars, a large number of TVs still emit a wispy, tinny sound that doesn't do justice to that gorgeous 4K, or even 8K, picture you're seeing.
So what are the best ways to improve your telly’s sound? Here are five different options that will instantly enhance your TV viewing experience.
Desktop speakers
This is the most affordable way of improving your TV’s sound and also the most versatile. Desktop speakers are relatively small and can easily be placed close to your TV even when you have next-to-no space.
We’d recommend something like the five-star Ruark Audio MR1 Mk2s, which are engaging, capable speakers and feature an optical input on the back of the master speaker, so they can easily be connected to your TV. You should also consider the five-star Acoustic Energy AE1 Actives, Klipsch The Fives and the budget Steljes Audio NS3, all of which are ideal for improving the sound from your TV.
Alternatively, opt for the talented KEF LSX wireless system, which is packed with streaming features and multiple connections and has the bonus of not needing a cable to connect the two speakers.
You can also pair a smart speaker with your TV to enhance audio output. One of the big attractions of the Amazon Echo Studio, for example, is that it can be wirelessly paired with any Amazon Fire TV device to bring cinematic Dolby Atmos sound to your living room.
If your favourite wireless speakers don’t have an optical input, you can always take the 3.5mm headphone out from your TV and plug that into your speakers’ auxiliary input. This way, you can let the TV control the volume, too.
Use your existing hi-fi stereo system
If you’ve already spent a lot of care and cash on a good pair of stereo speakers and a stereo amplifier, it makes perfect sense to connect up your TV and enjoy a considerable step up in audio performance.
Plenty of integrated stereo amplifiers, such as the talented Marantz PM6006, Cambridge Audio CXA61 and CX81, Audiolab 6000A and Rega Elex-R, have optical inputs to take your TV’s audio output and deliver it to your speakers.
If you have a purely analogue amplifier, like the Award-winning Naim Nait XS3 or Rega Brio, you can use the amp’s RCA inputs and plug them into your TV’s corresponding outputs. Make sure you check your TV has analogue audio outputs, though, as newer TVs don’t always have this kind of legacy connectivity.
Alternatively, you can use an external DAC such as the Chord Mojo to take an optical signal.
The final step is to go into your television’s menu settings and ensure that it’s directing the sound output to your hi-fi system, not its own speakers.
TOP TIP: want more oomph in explosive scenes? Add a separate sub (check out our list of the best subwoofers for inspiration) to your hi-fi set-up to create a 2.1 system.
- How to build the perfect hi-fi system
- How to connect your speakers to your TV
- How to choose and set up a stereo amplifier
Add a soundbar or soundbase
If you don’t have the space or budget for a traditional hi-fi or AV system but still want to experience better sound from your TV, a soundbar or soundbase might be the solution you’re looking for.
Not all soundbars are created equal, though. Dolby Atmos-compatible models such as the five-star Sony HT-ST5000, Award-winning Sennheiser Ambeo and class-leading Sonos Arc feature upward-firing speakers and give you a more immersive, 3D effect.
But even some of the more pocket-friendly soundbar options provide a big improvement in audio with very little outlay. The Roku Streambar and Sony HT-SF150 offer more direct and well-projected sound than your TV could ever muscle up for under £100.
Most soundbars are slim enough to be propped in front of your TV on the stand (or positioned directly under your wall-mounted TV). Some bars, like the superb Dali Katch One or the chunky Sennheiser Ambeo, are quite tall, so watch out that the height of the bar doesn’t obstruct the IR sensor at the bottom edge of your TV.
Soundbases offer an alternative configuration; the flat base means you can place your TV right on top of it or just slide it into your TV rack. The bigger cabinet means you get a bigger, bassier sound than a soundbar (the latter of which often comes with a separate subwoofer for that extra low-end reach).
While first-gen soundbars and bases only offer optical inputs, most modern products such as the Dolby Atmos-enabled Sony ST-HT5000, Yamaha YAS-207 and Sonos Beam include HDMI connections. The Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar even supports HDMI 2.1 for extra flexibility.
Some, such as the Sonos Playbase, also offer plenty of streaming features for the likes of Spotify and Tidal, while the Beam adds voice assistants such as Alexa and Siri to its long list of features.
When it comes to connectivity, optical is simplest - and it can handle up to 5.1 Dolby Digital soundtracks. But it doesn't have the bandwidth necessary to carry lossless Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks.
HDMI does, although we wouldn’t expect an entirely faithful 5.1 sound from a soundbar. The aforementioned Sonos Arc and Sennheiser Ambeo come closest.
- Best soundbars 2021
- Best Dolby Atmos soundbars 2021
- HDMI ARC and HDMI eARC: everything you need to know
5.1 home cinema surround sound (or more)
Stereo is nice, but surround sound is way better – especially if you’re after an immersive cinema experience in your own home.
A talented AV receiver and a mighty surround speaker package will deliver the scale, detail and immersion you want when watching your favourite films and shows. It’s the ultimate boost to your TV’s weedy sound.
Considering your Blu-rays, and Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+ streams, output 5.1 Dolby/DTS soundtracks as standard, it makes perfect sense to invest in a 5.1 surround system if you really want the best sound to compliment your pictures. You can also expand to a 7.1-channel set-up or full Dolby Atmos system with speakers in the ceiling at a later date if you want, too.
Yes, this is a costly option. And you’ll have to commit a lot of floor space to kit and cables. There are some absolute rippers out there like the Dynaudio Evoke 50 5.1 system, Dali Oberon 5 5.1 package, Q Acoustics 3050i 5.1 Cinema Pack and PMC Twenty5.23 5.1. Still, you don’t have to cash in your life’s savings to get a decent home cinema system started.
Combine the Award-winning Q Acoustics 3010i 5.1 Cinema Pack speaker package with the superb Denon AVR-X2700H receiver and Sony UBP-X700 4K Blu-ray player, and you won't break the bank.
- Best speaker packages 2021
- How to set up your AV receiver and get the best sound
- Best home cinema system with a speaker package
A good pair of headphones
Sometimes, getting better audio doesn’t mean turning the volume up to 11 or setting up huge speakers all around your room. Sometimes all it takes is a good pair of headphones. You might live with someone who doesn't much care for football or Fast & Furious movies.
If you have a decent pair of over-ear headphones, they most likely come with a 3m cable. That should be long enough to plug into the back of your TV (if not, you can get cable extenders).
But the convenience of wireless headphones can’t be understated. Many TV manufacturers (such as LG, Sony and Samsung) offer Bluetooth pairing from their TVs. They connect to your headphones just as they would with your smartphone.
Headphones, by their very design, offer a more intimate listening experience. It’s more personal, you might arguably hear more detail, and they're undoubtedly immersive - perfect for your Game of Thrones binge. Invest in a good Bluetooth pair, such as the Award-winning Sony WH-1000XM4 or AKG Y400 wireless cans, and you'll be well on your way.
