Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Spkrs for the LN19A450 lcd tv in a tight kitchen space?

Mar 22, 2009 6:03AM PDT

We needed a digital tv upgrade for the custom cabinet space in our kitchen. Luckily, the Samsung LN19A450 was highly rated because it was the only 19 in on the market the fit the 14.25 inch high shelf. There is 2.75 in open on either side of the set, however.

Unfortunately, in addition to the placement of the speakers (bottom rear), this set is also reviewed with poor sound quality and it sounds horrible in the spot.

What kind of mini-speakers can we add to help the sound? This is a small tv just for the kitchen so extravagant set-ups are not necessary. Price is also a consideration since we only spent $289 for the tv and don't want to spend $200 on the speakers alone.

Thanks for the advice.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
pc speakers maybe if the hdtv has headphone jack?
Mar 22, 2009 9:41PM PDT

Something to look into. Even if they're not 2.75" wide
you can move them back a little behind hdtv frame.

- Collapse -
oops, my mistake
Mar 22, 2009 10:03PM PDT

You could also use the audio outs on the back and an adapter
if there is no headphone jack. Here's a link to cnet's best
pc speakers. Hopefully this will help unless you choose another
route. I don't think you'll be able to control the volume, with
the hdtv remote, when using the audio outs but i maybe wrong.
Something to consider if you're going to use pc speakers if
you don't want to use 2 remotes. I think i would opt for the
headphone jack if available but don't know if using the audio
outs would sound better. Hope this helps.

http://reviews.cnet.com/best-pc-speakers/?tag=nav;component.0

- Collapse -
Speakers
Mar 23, 2009 1:57PM PDT

If you decide to go with external speakers, the headphone jack on the back of the unit will allow you to control the volume with the remote.

If you hook up using RCA jacks in the back (audio out, red and white), it will be a constant non-adjustable audio signal designed to go to an amplified system - in other words, not controlled by a remote.

Just to clarify...

--HDTech

- Collapse -
what about these?
Mar 24, 2009 1:42AM PDT

Thank you.

After researching, I am considering:

http://reviews.cnet.com/pc-speakers/m-audio-studiophile-av/4507-3179_7-32906358.html?tag=mncol;psum

http://reviews.cnet.com/pc-speakers/logitech-z-5/4505-3179_7-33270794.html?tag=contentMain;contentBody

(if they have rca or headphone jack in addition to usb)

or

even

http://reviews.cnet.com/pc-speakers/bose-companion-2-series/4505-3179_7-32081075.html?tag=mncol;lst

But....I was told that I could change the audio setting on the tv to "variable" which would allow the speakers to be controlled by the remote when plugged into the rca jacks.

Is that accurate? Am I correct in assuming the RCA jacks would deliver better sound?

- Collapse -
quite sure there is no variable out setting
Mar 24, 2009 2:44AM PDT

Sorry to say. Mine doesn't have it ln32a450.
Usb port on back of hdtv is for service as far
as i can tell. May want smallest width as possible
and power control on front of speaker. Headphone jack
is probably the best option but i'm no expert.

- Collapse -
what about these?
Mar 24, 2009 1:42PM PDT

msk6261,

I'll leave the speaker recommendations to the forum members. Quite honestly, I'd really recommend listening to them before you buy, particularly if you can get them side by side. Sound quality on these speaker systems are almost ALL about the customer's perception. For my own computer setup, I actually liked the sound of the $34.00 speakers more than the $59.99 or $89.00 speakers. I'm definitely glad I compared and didn't buy based on price. I would recommend on making sure the speakers are powered. (All of these you listed seem to be).

The RCA jacks are not variable. I perused the manual and didn't see anything that would indicate the RCA jack would be amplified. Only the headphone jack.

Now, if you want, you can buy a small boom-box type of radio (and then you get FM and CD next to your TV), and you could hook the RCA into that (boom box = amplifier for RCA's constant signal), but it kind of defeats the slim design you originally posted about.

Either RCA or 3.5mm will deliver comparable sound.

Keep me posted, and I hope this helps.

--HDTech