What would i need to better my tv sound

[NeilF]

Arguably a DAC, feeding a stereo amp could do that at this price point, just not surround sound at this price

True, but DVD=5.1 sound, console=5.1 sound, sky=2.1 (unless skyhd in which case=5.1) so a shame not to make use of it...

Samsung HT-TZ215R is under £200... Reviews tend to be good (for price)

 

[Kol]

TBH, anything is going to be better than the internal speakers on an LCD. I just have an amp and some bookshelf speakers. I'd never actually heard my TV speakers until yesterday. It sounded like listening to an old radio compared ot what I'd been used to. A massive improvement over the internals.

 

[lunarwolf]

problem with all in one surround sound systems is they are fairly poor sound wise (even if better than just TV) and you cannot upgrade/add stuff. think an Av amp and bookshelves for a start is wiser investment in long run not to mention better quality wise.

 

[NeilF]

problem with all in one surround sound systems is they are fairly poor sound wise (even if better than just TV) and you cannot upgrade/add stuff. think an Av amp and bookshelves for a start is wiser investment in long run not to mention better quality wise.

Hmm.. The long investment... Hmm... But that could just end up with the scenario where you in the end get rid of the amp and speakers and replace them with something else/newer anyway? And in the meantime don't have the benefit of the surround sound etc.

If he was listening mainly to music I'd suggest amp + 2 speakers. But so far it seems media based - ie: DVD and Console etc.

 

[[DOD]Asprilla]

I'd always recommend the upgradable route. If you can get a second hand receiver and a couple of bookshelf speakers you can add to it over time rather than having to start from scratch next time you upgrade.

 

[***F1ZZY***]

I'd always recommend the upgradable route. If you can get a second hand receiver and a couple of bookshelf speakers you can add to it over time rather than having to start from scratch next time you upgrade.

+1 to this route = far more flexible and addresses OP's needs (immediate and future)

Get AV receiver and bookshelf speakers

then can add centre, rears and finally a sub at leisure if he feels the need.

 

[Corasik]

this is an earlier model of the vsx1018, which is a good mid-range amp. however the vsx1015 isn't HD audio and doesn't have HDMI.

HD Audio is overrated. Even the so called "golden ears" audiophiles can bearly tell the difference between a 640kbps Dolby Digital soundtrack from the original PCM Masters. (Although drop to 448kbps Dolby Digital on DVD, and the is a more dramatic change to the sound quality).

It takes a serious set of speakers and amps to even get the most out of old school Dolby Digital, and DTS.

HDMI is convenience if your TV doesnt have enough sockets and you need switching.

Have heard several "owner claims" that their amps sound better with the HD audio streams, but it doesnt really line up with the observations made at the Dolby Labs, or at DTS Labs. Its possible that some of the consumer AV Recievers either enhance the HD audio, or filter/soften the standard Dolby/DTS feeds to create a more obvious difference. Or it could simply be placebo effect.

In true A-B tests of 640kbps dolby digital, and TrueHD, the majorty results are inconclusive. Same with 1536kbps DTS V DTS Master Audio.

Compared to 448kbps Dolby, and 768DTS which are both more obviously compressed.


Summary:
If you have an amp that supports Dolby @ 640kbps, and DTS at 1536 (which is basically any amp that has Dolby Digital, and DTS logos), then your sorted for a very enjoyable performance from BluRays.

By the way, do you watch the TV in the "ideal" stereo hotspot, or is your set arranged for convienence... If your not sitting in the perfect spot, it would be worth getting both the front left/right and centre speaker at the start to ensure the dialog remains fixed to the screen. On the other hand, if you sit in the perfect spot, and the room layout is good, you can get away without the centre for the short term.

When you buy the speakers, try and get speakers which have a range of matching AV speakers for Surround Duty and/or are available in single quantities (Ie you can use 5 identical bookshelf speakers for the full surround if a dedicated centre is not available for that range). For the long terms/big picture you realy want to avoid ending up with say... Eltax front l/r, mission centre, sony rears etc.. The system will sound a lot better if you can build a speakerset from a single model range from a single company.

 

[lunarwolf]

i have to respectfully disagree with you Corasik.

I can hear the difference between Dolby and DTS and between HD and non HD, is it worth thousands of pounds -> probably not, but you can still hear the difference and I certainly do not have "golden ears".

BTW my amp is set to Direct so no artificial EQ etc...