Flat Screen TV Sound Bar

[mso489]

Anyone run their flat screen TV without a sound bar? Does it sound okay? Anyone use computer speakers instead of a sound bar. A sound bar seems kind of pricey after the TV, installation, wall bracket, and product protection "plan." The old GE kicked off after 25 years.

 

[philobeddoe]

It’s worth it.

 

[warren]

Sound bars are nice. For my office flat screen I just go with the bar. In the media room the bass is a nice addition. I think bass can be added to most bars whenever if you find you want one. I don't do music videos nor, do I usually want driving bass, the reason I stay away from theaters. Sound effects and music are secondary to dialogue for me. And, for what it is worth, "protection plans" are an unnecessary expense I think.

 

[d4k23]

Agreed sound bars are worth it. I found one on sale at Costco, ended up buying one for me and one for my mother in law.
They can be difficult to find a good place to mount, but we both made it work and I don't have to max out the TV volume to hear. Same for my m-law.

 

[curl]

Without a sound bar, you’ll wear out your TV’s speakers.

 

[jaytex1969]

For all the modern marvel that a high definition flat panel television is, the speakers are almost an afterthought, something from the spare parts bin.
I've not ever heard a satisfactory sound from the internal speakers.
We found a Samsung soundbar with a wireless subwoofer, a 2.1 system that emulates 5.1 quite well in the small room we use for viewing. (FOR EXAMPLE) It gives great sound.
Yes they should have put serviceable speakers in the TV and yes it's an unexpected expense/annoyance to the flat TV beginner. But, your experience will be SO much better with a quality soundbar.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Mine is hooked up to the stereo, so no sound bar. But much of the time I run with the TV's speakers. Just fine.

 

[mso489]

I'll get the guy who installs the TV to show me where to plug in a sound bar or other supplementary speakers. Thank you for your information. Amusingly, when I went to look at the sound bars, I saw a Bose with a price tag below it for $25.99. Oh boy! Of course that was for the bracket to mount it; the Bose sound bar was $250 plus. It's just a bedroom, but we will probably want a boost for sound. Hope I can get it properly patched in, given my infamous lack of tech acumen. My dad's father didn't drive; he was used to horses, so maybe it's genetic. Any other input is welcome!

 

[jpmcwjr]

My first take would be to connect it via optical cable, assuming both components have same.

 

[curl]

Once upon a time I connected my TV to my stereo, but I didn’t like all the wires.

The sound bar is a much cleaner look.
For my bedroom TV, I installed the cheapest Sony sound bar...$100. It is way better than the TV’s speakers which I wore out.

On my living room TV, I have a $250 Yamaha soundbar. It makes more noise than I’ll ever turn it up to, and the quality is pretty good.

Both sound bars have wireless woofers that can be plugged in anywhere in the room.
Some people may be able to discern the sound quality difference between a $100 soundbar and a $500 one.

I can’t, probably cause I’m 65 and don’t care anymore.

 

[coldsmoke]

Get the sound bar.

I have one for the bedroom TV and it's worth every penny.

 

[instymp]

The speakers in the flat screen will sound better than computer speakers. After you adjust to wall mounting or standing on its stand like on a dresser or something, if that option is available.

But sound bars are great. We have them.

 

[mso489]

Boy, this is the first flat screen at home for either of us, and the old GE 25-year-old is gone. The TV speakers seem okay for now, as good as the old TV. And the visuals are so much better, in terms of color and clarity, since the old TV wasn't high definition. So we're creaking into the 21st Century. But the most noticeable difference is that the format on cable now matches the dimensions of the screen so the picture isn't getting shaved off at the sides. Our maiden voyage with this new one was the Kentucky Derby, which was a good race with a big field, in the mud, better to watch on TV than in the rain, with homemade Woodford Reserve mint juleps. Ah. If we feel the need, we'll amp up the sound, but I think we may be good for now. My wife enrolled for Netflix on the TV, which she has on the computer, so off we go.

 

[tuold]

I bought a Yamaha ATS-1060-R Factory Recertified Refurbished Sound Bar with Bluetooth and Dual Built-in Subwoofers A couple of months ago. Very easy to setup. Just attach one cable into the TV and plug it in. My ancient ears have a much easier time picking up spoken dialog now since I'm getting the full frequency of sound. The bass is nice too. Ninety bucks at Amazon.com.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I bought a Yamaha ATS-1060-R Factory Recertified Refurbished Sound Bar with Bluetooth and Dual Built-in Subwoofers

Thanks for the recommendation. Just ordered one from Amazon. Unfortunately, won't get it until the end of the month but it is what it is.

 

[crashthegrey]

Full surround or nothing. Lol. I like my sound.