Recommend speaker for smart TV?

[afterburn 549]

It has got to the point where we can't understand lots of words from our flat screen.
Over time, they are getting more and more blurry!
Instead of me reinventing the wheel, will some of you please recommend a Bluetooth-type speaker? Or speakers?
Thanx!

[masraum]

Sounds like you want/need a good soundbar!

How much do you want to spend?
https://www.rtings.com/soundbar/reviews/best/budget
https://www.rtings.com/soundbar/reviews/best/soundbar

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

It has got to the point where we can't understand lots of words from our flat screen.
Over time, they are getting more and more blurry!
Instead of me reinventing the wheel, will some of you please recommend a Bluetooth-type speaker? Or speakers?
Thanx!

I have a top-of-the-line soundbar and some speech is just not intelligible, mostly women and English accents

when I care about it I switch to a pair of old JBL100s w/ a Polk center channel speaker. It helps a lot. But still not perfect.

[Racerbvd]

Quite simple, you need a “Smart” speaker

[cjh]

Look up Zvoz sound bars. I bought one from them that you can correct the sound to fit your hearing level without raising the volume.

[afterburn 549]

Thank you!
Looks like a sound bar of sorts wins!
I so do appreciate the info.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

It has got to the point where we can't understand lots of words from our flat screen.
Over time, they are getting more and more blurry!
Instead of me reinventing the wheel, will some of you please recommend a Bluetooth-type speaker? Or speakers?
Thanx!

Steve mentioned a sound bar. That's a solid suggestion. A sound bar typically connects by HDMI cable to the TV. I think the HDMI port is labeled ARC HDMI. There are several that have bluetooth satellite speakers. Some have wired subwoofer, sound bar and wireless satellite speakers.

For price point and sound, hard to beat ONN at Walmart.

If your TV has bluetooth pairing for speakers, any bluetooth pairable speaker set will do the trick. I've used ONN, Samsung and a few others with my smart TV. Plus, if you really want your mind blown, get yourself a set of earbuds, pair them to the TV if you're listening alone, and enjoy.

[Brian 162]

I have a Sonos sound bar. Mine is wireless. I've had it for 3 years, no issues.

[dad911]

I turn on the closed captioning, It really helps to fill in the blanks. Especially with British and Canadian comedies.

[917_Langheck]

Originally Posted by cjh

Look up Zvoz sound bars. I bought one from them that you can correct the sound to fit your hearing level without raising the volume.

This intests me as I find it annoying that the studios/production office thinks the sound effects/music needs to be multiple decibels louder than the dialogue; so you turn up the sound to hear the words only to be blasted out of your seat when the music plays, wtf?

So, does this Zvox revise this scenario?

[afterburn 549]

True enough. I guess it's not just me that thinks the sound is all weird anymore. Even movies.
The background music is louder than the dialogue

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by dad911

I turn on the closed captioning, It really helps to fill in the blanks. Especially with British and Canadian comedies.

I've been using CC for a long time now. I have 7.1 channel surround and use a lot of center channel bias, but still struggle with large chunks of the dialogue - probably a combination of modern sound mixing and my degrading hearing, but CC makes it better.

[matthewb0051]

We have 2 Vizio sound bars.

The thing now if you have newer TV is using optical out/in put from TV to soundbar will result in a delay making the lips and sound not be in sync. So you need to use HDMI E Arc to connect the two. Apparently it is the latest and greatest. But... HDMI EArc is not available on older TVs and soundbars. So when we got a new TV a couple of months ago we had to get new soundbar as well.

HDMI EArc slots actually state such and are not the same as just HDMI ports.

[stevej37]

My home theater system turns on whenever the tv is on.
The EQ part is set high for the vocal range. Most movies, I use CC.
Seems to work fine that way.

My opinion on soundbars is that they work...but most have no bass. You need the low bass to feel the sound. Get a powered sub.

[aschen]

soundbar is fit for purpose.

I personally would take the opportunity to get a small streaming amp and a set of bookshelf speakers. You will get a "Free" pretty good stereo in this version.

Erin in the best audio reviewer on you tube currently, he has state of the art measurement equipment and no BS

His recommendations for 500$ all in, sudgested wiim amp has HDMI arc audio whick is ideal for tv as well

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6hfVbkBW-k&t=226s

[Steve Carlton]

This thread was timely for me. I never really liked the soundbar I had and I do have trouble with dialogue sometimes. Closed captions solve that problem, but create a big distraction. I did some reading, then called Magnolia at Best Buy (where I've had very good experiences before). It's no longer called Magnolia, but it's still there as Best Buy Premium or something. I think the guy I spoke with was outstanding. He said wired speakers on the floor are the best, but a premium setup would run about $1,700. Way too much for my budget in my bedroom, so I ordered the older version of a Sonos Arc for $599 (the new one is $999 and not significantly better). He said most customers upgrade their soundbars after a few years, but not often when they have a Sonos. I have another Sonos that I think is amazing, so yes.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sonos-arc-5-0-2-channel-smart-soundbar-with-dolby-atmos-black/6411132.p?skuId=6411132&ref=E10C08R001_ScheduleConfirmation&loc=BODY&CampaignID=1399877&eut=2730644098

The guy spoke very highly of the Apple TV unit. Said it improves the picture a little, but more so the sound. For $120, I'll try it.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/apple-tv-4k-64gb-3rd-generationlatest-model-wi-fi-black/6500684.p?skuId=6500684&ref=E10C08R001_ScheduleConfirmation&loc=BODY&CampaignID=1399877&eut=2730644098

I spoke with Shoaib at six-one-two-291-6214 and was impressed.

[Dixie]

I find it's not just crappy TV speakers. It's how sound designs are optimized for theatrical experiences.
As a result, I turn on closed captioning when I have trouble with the dialogue.

[afterburn 549]

Thanks all!
Is a lot of information to sort through, and all good.
I have not pulled the trigger on anything yet.
Will do and will give a follow-up.

[cjh]

So with the Zvox, You can adjust the volume, the tone of the voices and the surround. Not sure what the surround does. I bought it so it would highlight the voices and not the back ground noises like special effects or music.
I don't have the change in volume when going from the program to commercials.

[trials935]

Originally Posted by cjh

So with the Zvox, You can adjust the volume, the tone of the voices and the surround. Not sure what the surround does. I bought it so it would highlight the voices and not the back ground noises like special effects or music.
I don't have the change in volume when going from the program to commercials.

Which model did you get that does that?