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General discussion

Any HDTV's with good (unaided) sound?

by danrb01 Nov 1, 2006 6:32AM PST

I'm getting ready to return my Samsung HL-S5687W due to poor, raspy sound. Over-the-air sound on HD channels is poor, and audio from standard Direct TV is terrible (it takes a month in my area to get HD satellite installed). It sounds good when run through a receiver, but I'm not going to run a 1000 watt amp all day to watch the stock report.

I'm considering a Sony KDS-A2000. I've checked and rechecked, and the reviews omit this information (on all HDTV's). Any suggestions on a HDTV which can stand on it's own sound-wise?

Discussion is locked

5 Posts
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I like my Samsung
by ben.fowler Nov 1, 2006 6:38AM PST

I'm wondering if it could be related to the compression on the channel? I know I get raspy sound occasionally (news and other "lo-fi" channels seem to be worst) from the digital transmission of overly compressed channels.

I own the 42" model of your TV and the TV sound is actually really good - warm and clear.
Ben
aperion audio

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Think about this. . .
by Coryphaeus Nov 1, 2006 7:47AM PST

You've bought a 2000-4000 dollar HD TV and they ALL contain a 3 to 5 inch speaker. Maybe a six incher. One each for left and right. What do you expect?

Just trying to be sarcastic. All HD TVs today have the smallest speaker they can fit into the housing. Sound will be adequate at best. Why do you think the reviews omit speaker response? Because there is none on these speakers.

I own the Sony 55" SXRD and watch 90% of the programming on the set speakers. Adequate. When I want to watch HD programming in 5.1 or a DVD I turn on my RCA Pro 5.1 system.

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Ditto to what Wayne says.
by jcrobso Nov 2, 2006 5:41AM PST

Very few TVs have had good speakers!
My 47" CRT-RP has good speakers for a TV, but pales in comparison to my 5.1 surround system. John

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I know this is going to jerk your chain. . .
by Coryphaeus Nov 2, 2006 6:36AM PST

But a while back I bought a set of Bose PC speakers. Really good sound and good bass. I connected them to the audio out of my TV and set the volume to just below the TV volume. I now get really good sound with more bass than the TV will put out. Regular programming sounds better.

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Well even Bo$e can make some good speakers,,
by jcrobso Nov 2, 2006 6:41AM PST

they just don't do very often. john

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