Which LCD TV has the best sound quality?

H

hvarma2008

SatelliteGuys Pro

Original poster

Jan 8, 2008

200

41

Johnston, IA

• Jan 21, 2010

• #1

All,
I am looking to buy a 46 inch LCD TV for my family room. I don't want to add external speakers for surround sound and deal with a mess of wires etc. Which TV do you all think has the best sound quality? I checked out the LG LH90 and SONY XBR9 and they both were quite disappointing!

-Hemant

 

harshness

SatelliteGuys Master

May 5, 2007

18,807

4,008

Salem, OR

• Jan 21, 2010

• #2

The one that is hooked to an external sound system.

Flat panel sound is generally not satisfactory for anything more complex than dialog. Most don't even work well as center channels.

Most modern televisions offer volume controlled RCA outputs so using a simple sub-sat computer speaker system is often a welcome relief from the flat sound.

 

P

peano

SatelliteGuys Pro

Aug 6, 2004

849

0

• Jan 21, 2010

• #3

Personally, I would be far more concerned with picture quality when choosing a new HDTV. Of course, that rules out LCD for the most part. You can get some decent wireless surround sound systems.

 

tigerfan33

Pub Member / Supporter

Pub Member / Supporter

Lifetime Supporter

Jul 12, 2007

7,241

582

Alabama

• Jan 21, 2010

• #4

Wrong reason to buy a hdtv, if you are looking for GREAT sound.

You can add a sub. and soundbar that is simple fix. I have it in a smaller room and works great.
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Sony-HTCT100-Sound-Bar-Subwoofer/dp/B0015HS1HQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1264103200&sr=8-2"]Amazon.com: Sony HTCT100 Sound Bar with Subwoofer - Black:?@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31OTyg62CqL.@@AMEPARAM@@31OTyg62CqL[/ame]

 

H

hvarma2008

SatelliteGuys Pro

Original poster

Jan 8, 2008

200

41

Johnston, IA

• Jan 21, 2010

• #5

tigerfan33 said:

Wrong reason to buy a hdtv, if you are looking for GREAT sound.

You can add a sub. and soundbar that is simple fix. I have it in a smaller room and works great.
Amazon.com: Sony HTCT100 Sound Bar with Subwoofer - Black: Electronics

Click to expand...

Smart comment! I want to get good picture quality and sound!!
Why can' t they use BOSE like technology in TVs and provide good sound, why do we have to buy additional equipment just for sound? I think they can solve this problem, but only if customers demand it!

 

Kevinw

Just a regular guy

Pub Member / Supporter

Dec 2, 2003

3,002

14

Jacksonville, FL

• Jan 21, 2010

• #6

hvarma2008 said:

Smart comment! I want to get good picture quality and sound!!
Why can' t they use BOSE like technology in TVs and provide good sound, why do we have to buy additional equipment just for sound? I think they can solve this problem, but only if customers demand it!

Click to expand...

Honestly MOST people don't want tvs with audio. They use immersive surround sound systems. MY whole audio system was less expensive than a Bose 123 and sounds much better too.

 

SatPilot

SatelliteGuys Family

Jul 26, 2006

51

0

• Jan 22, 2010

• #7

Mitsubishi TV - Unisen Immersive Sound TV

 

harshness

SatelliteGuys Master

May 5, 2007

18,807

4,008

Salem, OR

• Jan 22, 2010

• #8

hvarma2008 said:

Why can' t they use BOSE like technology in TVs and provide good sound, why do we have to buy additional equipment just for sound?

Click to expand...

There's not enough room for a waveguide setup in a TV that is only two or three inches deep. As it is, you're usually stuck with a couple of oversized headphone speakers and a cheap plastic non-ported enclosure.

The speaker bars get away by using an array of small speakers a la the Bose 901.

 

harshness

SatelliteGuys Master

May 5, 2007

18,807

4,008

Salem, OR

• Jan 22, 2010

• #9

SatPilot said:

Mitsubishi TV - Unisen Immersive Sound TV

Click to expand...

Can you say "phase cancellation"? I knew you could.

 

KimmiKat

SatelliteGuys Pro

Nov 11, 2005

662

0

At a computer.

• Feb 28, 2010

• #10

Bose is a joke.

hvarma2008 said:

Smart comment! I want to get good picture quality and sound!!
Why can' t they use BOSE like technology in TVs and provide good sound, why do we have to buy additional equipment just for sound? I think they can solve this problem, but only if customers demand it!

Click to expand...

 

jayn_j

Press On Regardless

Supporting Founder

Sep 29, 2003

10,990

3,995

Sheboygan, WI

• Feb 28, 2010

• #11

Kevinw said:

Honestly MOST people don't want tvs with audio. They use immersive surround sound systems. MY whole audio system was less expensive than a Bose 123 and sounds much better too.

Click to expand...

No, most people will accept any speaker that comes with the set. They might try and pick the best "picture" that they see at BB or WallyWorld, as long as it is in torch mode, but these stores don't even turn up the volume, so most consumers never hear the sound till they get it home.

Hvarma, you really should audition soundbars separately from the TV and budget for both items. I know of no TV that has more than minimum speakers. Be sure to audition the soundbars though. I have heard ones that sound OK, but also many that are no better than the tinny TV speakers.

 

ChrisK114

SatelliteGuys Pro

Pub Member / Supporter

Jul 17, 2005

1,051

4

Mount Pleasant,SC

• Mar 1, 2010

• #12

Believe it or not, I had a Philips 47" LCD that had pretty darn good sound coming from it. Deep bass and pretty good surround. This was a couple of years ago so I can't speak on how they are now.