Helping a friend out improve their TV sound
Discussion
Hi,
I have a friend with an LG 50PS3000. His wife is losing her hearing slowly over time and she is struggling to make out all the sounds from the inbuilt speakers.
From a quick Google the TV has an HDMI and an optical slot that could be used for adding a surround sound system or similar.
They listened to a friend's sound bar but the wife found it too bassy and was just 'noise' to her. I did suggest that it might have been set up with too much bass and they don't all sound like that.
So they need a suitable set that will connect to their current TV, cheaper the better and with good sound clarity. This is for watching soaps etc, they don't need hear/feel a bassy rumble everytime Vader appears on the screen.
They could go with a full surround set up and separate speakers but for ease I think they like the concept of a sound bar.
Does anyone have an opinions on a solution?
Many thanks
David
I have a friend with an LG 50PS3000. His wife is losing her hearing slowly over time and she is struggling to make out all the sounds from the inbuilt speakers.
From a quick Google the TV has an HDMI and an optical slot that could be used for adding a surround sound system or similar.
They listened to a friend's sound bar but the wife found it too bassy and was just 'noise' to her. I did suggest that it might have been set up with too much bass and they don't all sound like that.
So they need a suitable set that will connect to their current TV, cheaper the better and with good sound clarity. This is for watching soaps etc, they don't need hear/feel a bassy rumble everytime Vader appears on the screen.
They could go with a full surround set up and separate speakers but for ease I think they like the concept of a sound bar.
Does anyone have an opinions on a solution?
Many thanks
David
I'm not an expert but I know that lots of people with loss of higher frequencies have trouble with bass. They still hear bass normally so when they increase volume to try and hear the higher frequencies the bass predominates.
Some TVs have a 'vocals' sound setting which helps by boosting vocal frequencies.
I'd suggest that you plug the TV into an system with a graphic equaliser do that you can boost those frequencies that your friend has trouble with and perhaps trim the bass a little.
Slightly off topic but you could try a bluetooth transmitter / receiver pair (or even a long cable) and a set of these headphones: https://www.weareeven.com. To save you reading, the headphones are configured to compensate for your friends hearing troubles, boosting the frequencies where their hearing is lacking. There's a demo on the site which plays music adjusted for your hearing.
The only issue that I can foresee is that the bluetooth may introduce a delay and video/voice may be a little out of sync.
ETA: https://www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/supporting-...
Some TVs have a 'vocals' sound setting which helps by boosting vocal frequencies.
I'd suggest that you plug the TV into an system with a graphic equaliser do that you can boost those frequencies that your friend has trouble with and perhaps trim the bass a little.
Slightly off topic but you could try a bluetooth transmitter / receiver pair (or even a long cable) and a set of these headphones: https://www.weareeven.com. To save you reading, the headphones are configured to compensate for your friends hearing troubles, boosting the frequencies where their hearing is lacking. There's a demo on the site which plays music adjusted for your hearing.
The only issue that I can foresee is that the bluetooth may introduce a delay and video/voice may be a little out of sync.
ETA: https://www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/supporting-...
I went for Canton soundbar and found it really clear, and far less bassy than most setups. It also doesn't have a sub woofer as I didn't want this anyway.
However she could also go for a wireless headset? I have a Bluetooth aptX headset with a dongle that plugs into the back of the TV. That way she can control the volume herself.
However she could also go for a wireless headset? I have a Bluetooth aptX headset with a dongle that plugs into the back of the TV. That way she can control the volume herself.
Thank you for your suggestions. I think she wanted to avoid headphones until she's at point that she really has no option as they want to sit an watch TV together as a family.
On the Bluetooth options - I wasn't sure if it would be possible to get a speaker that she can place nearer her but does that run the risk of a delay in sound?
Do most soundbars come with different sound profiles e.g. vocal booster/treble booster?
Thanks again...
On the Bluetooth options - I wasn't sure if it would be possible to get a speaker that she can place nearer her but does that run the risk of a delay in sound?
Do most soundbars come with different sound profiles e.g. vocal booster/treble booster?
Thanks again...
I think priority number one is to establish what your friend's wife's hearing is like. Are there any audio systems where she is happy with the sound quality ? Is she happy with the sound in her or her husbands car for example ? Most TVs have some form of GE to add gain to the top end of the bandwidth.
Crackie said:
I think priority number one is to establish what your friend's wife's hearing is like. Are there any audio systems where she is happy with the sound quality ? Is she happy with the sound in her or her husbands car for example ? Most TVs have some form of GE to add gain to the top end of the bandwidth.
A proper hearing test by an audiologist should be high priority. I've been been using NHS digital aids for nearly 12 years now and they have just been upgraded for the latest models the NHS offer in my area. As they have wireless capability I purchased an adapter (Oticon Streamer Pro, if you want to google it) which allows me to adjust the volume and connect to my mobile phone and iMac using bluetooth. You can get bluetooth transmitters to plug into TVs, etc.My plans made a slight change last week as I bought an Orbitsound One P70 soundbar. The salesman based most of his demonstration around my hearing loss and how to improve the sound of dialogue. To my poor ears it sounds great but there hasn't been anything recently that challenges my hearing (actors mumbling or whispering).
I think the problem with most active (one box) sound bars is you dont get much EQ. If it were me I would be sourcing an AVR (amplifier) and either a sound bar or individual speakers. You then have completely free rein to tweak the sound however much you like.
If you go with something like a Denon and the TV has ARC (I like Samsung) then the TV remote will control the amp to switch on when required. It is quite a neat solution and should be minimal fuss. You can then continue to tweak the sound as needed when her hearing deteriorates.
If you go with something like a Denon and the TV has ARC (I like Samsung) then the TV remote will control the amp to switch on when required. It is quite a neat solution and should be minimal fuss. You can then continue to tweak the sound as needed when her hearing deteriorates.
FlossyThePig said:
A proper hearing test by an audiologist should be high priority. I've been been using NHS digital aids for nearly 12 years now and they have just been upgraded for the latest models the NHS offer in my area. As they have wireless capability I purchased an adapter (Oticon Streamer Pro, if you want to google it) which allows me to adjust the volume and connect to my mobile phone and iMac using bluetooth. You can get bluetooth transmitters to plug into TVs, etc.
My plans made a slight change last week as I bought an Orbitsound One P70 soundbar. The salesman based most of his demonstration around my hearing loss and how to improve the sound of dialogue. To my poor ears it sounds great but there hasn't been anything recently that challenges my hearing (actors mumbling or whispering).
A test from an audiologist would be better still; Boots and Specsavers will carry out decent free tests on competent calibrated equipment. I suggested evaluating using another audio system because it can be done in a couple of mins. My plans made a slight change last week as I bought an Orbitsound One P70 soundbar. The salesman based most of his demonstration around my hearing loss and how to improve the sound of dialogue. To my poor ears it sounds great but there hasn't been anything recently that challenges my hearing (actors mumbling or whispering).
It would useful to know what the husband thought of the soundbar's sound quality when the wife felt it was too bassy. If he says it was OK then their problem is difficult to rectify. If a GE or some form of correction is used to correct for her high frequency hearing deterioration then is will sound thin and harsh to any other listener with 'good' hearing.
Edited by Crackie on Thursday 6th July 11:23
Thanks for all the suggestions and comments.
The wife is a former nurse and is pragmatic in diagnosis/ deterioration etc.
This came about because he finds the subtitles too distracting and she is still able to hear the tv, just not very clearly. As they are using the build-in speakers on the TV, he was looking at getting something that points the sound at them and has more clarity.
I was also unsure if the TV itself might be a limiting factor against the newest TVs currently on the market. He'd prefer not to have to buy a new tv and just wanted some cheapish options to see if they improved the situation.
Like I say it's just to watch normal TV.
He did mention that the soundbar they listened to was bassy...I think he's going to try to listen to some in the shops this weekend.
Thanks again for everyone's input and I'll update on what they end up with and the outcome just in case someone else is in the same position.
The wife is a former nurse and is pragmatic in diagnosis/ deterioration etc.
This came about because he finds the subtitles too distracting and she is still able to hear the tv, just not very clearly. As they are using the build-in speakers on the TV, he was looking at getting something that points the sound at them and has more clarity.
I was also unsure if the TV itself might be a limiting factor against the newest TVs currently on the market. He'd prefer not to have to buy a new tv and just wanted some cheapish options to see if they improved the situation.
Like I say it's just to watch normal TV.
He did mention that the soundbar they listened to was bassy...I think he's going to try to listen to some in the shops this weekend.
Thanks again for everyone's input and I'll update on what they end up with and the outcome just in case someone else is in the same position.
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