Which LCD TV has the best sound quality?

[hvarma2008]

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]

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.

 

[peano]

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]

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]

 

[hvarma2008]

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

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]

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!

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]

Mitsubishi TV - Unisen Immersive Sound TV

 

[harshness]

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?

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]

Mitsubishi TV - Unisen Immersive Sound TV

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

 

[KimmiKat]

Bose is a joke.

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!

 

[jayn_j]

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.

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]

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.