No speakers with TVs?
Discussion
I'm looking at buying a new TV - at least 45" in size, NOT 3D, 4 HDMI ports, 2 USB ports, and a network port is preferable, but WiFi would do. Key requirement is that all the ports on the back and not on the side of the TV. Budget up to about £800ish all inclusive.
So I'm struggling to find a tv (any guidance gratefully accepted).
However, the one thing that puzzles me is that none of these TVs don't seem to have speakers. Looking at the selection from John Lewis, they mention that you must have a soundbar, and have a selection available.
So are basically all new TVs basically just monitors and you have to add speakers separately?
So I'm struggling to find a tv (any guidance gratefully accepted).
However, the one thing that puzzles me is that none of these TVs don't seem to have speakers. Looking at the selection from John Lewis, they mention that you must have a soundbar, and have a selection available.
So are basically all new TVs basically just monitors and you have to add speakers separately?
Plasma's OLED's and 4K and LED's all have built in speakers which are usually an afterthought. Most owners today either install 5.1 surround sound or buy a sound bar depending upon budget, room size and usage. Sadly none of the bigger manufacturers seem to invest in decent quality sound, but spend too much time on very slim screens. As for rear HDMI's, power points and associated hardware you may be pushed as the fashion today for wall mountings is side access. Am not a fan myself but this is the way its going with screens being under 15 cms deep. My old Panasonic plasma has rear access for cables, my new one is side mounted.....
http://www.qacoustics.co.uk/qtv2-speakers-for-you-...
Invisible and bloody good, only downside is a separate remote
Invisible and bloody good, only downside is a separate remote
DSLiverpool said:
http://www.qacoustics.co.uk/qtv2-speakers-for-you-...
Invisible and bloody good, only downside is a separate remote
That's not a downside! It's an opportunity..... to get one of these!Invisible and bloody good, only downside is a separate remote
I've got the previous model Harmony One, and it's possibly the best gadget I've ever bought! It's a universal remote which is activity based, rather than device based. This means that for whatever activity you're undertaking (Watch TV, Watch Sky, Use Xbox etc, etc...) you tell it which device controls sound, channel, play, pause etc, etc, and what the starting settings for that activity are (HDMI 3, DVD input on Amp, switch on Bluray player, TV & Amp etc...).
There's never any need to control devices individually, so it makes the whole system feel like a completely integrated system, rather than a collection of separate components. It's brilliant!
As if that wasn't good enough, when my wife knocked it off the sofa arm onto a hardwood floor and the screen cracked, Logitech replaced it free of charge, despite being 12 months out of warranty.
I don't work for them, but I'd recommend the remote to anyone!
Kinky said:
So are basically all new TVs basically just monitors and you have to add speakers separately?
Nope, they still have speakers - most of them are hidden from the front. They may sound a bit naff depending on how loud you like your films, you can always add a soundbar later.The John Lewis website keeps mentioning soundbars not because you need one, but because they'd like you to buy one.
I've heard the Sony TV's tend to have better sound then is usual...it'll still be utter rubbish though. Even Sony's flagship 4k TV with the 'magnetic fluid' speakers sounds rubbish, with horribly overblown bass and a distinct lack of detail.
A cheaper option is to make sure the TV you get has a headphone jack and use a pair (or 2.1) of PC speakers. I use some Logitech Z4's I had spare and they're fine for normal TV watching when I don't want to use my full 5.1 setup.
As for exactly what TV the main choice is between Plasma and LED. If you watch sports and really care about picture quality go plasma, if you're watching in a bright room, or are going to abuse the TV (e.g. play games on it, leave it on the same channel for hours) then LED is probably best. As said Panasonic for Plasma, and Samsung have a wide range of LED TV's...you'll have to check individually for your connection needs, and that might be the main dictating requirement. I doubt there are many TV's that have all their connections at the back.
A cheaper option is to make sure the TV you get has a headphone jack and use a pair (or 2.1) of PC speakers. I use some Logitech Z4's I had spare and they're fine for normal TV watching when I don't want to use my full 5.1 setup.
As for exactly what TV the main choice is between Plasma and LED. If you watch sports and really care about picture quality go plasma, if you're watching in a bright room, or are going to abuse the TV (e.g. play games on it, leave it on the same channel for hours) then LED is probably best. As said Panasonic for Plasma, and Samsung have a wide range of LED TV's...you'll have to check individually for your connection needs, and that might be the main dictating requirement. I doubt there are many TV's that have all their connections at the back.
Edited by varsas on Tuesday 10th December 11:20
varsas said:
you'll have to check individually for your connection needs, and that might be the main dictating requirement. I doubt there are many TV's that have all their connections at the back.
It seems odd to me that anyone would make a set with more than one of any given type of connection on the side.I have concealed cable routing from my wall-mounted plasma screen down to my amp, Xbox, PVR and the like in a cabinet on the floor below. The last thing I want is all the cables sprouting out of the side of the TV!
The only cable I ever have connected to the side of the TV is a single HDMI cable I use for occasions when I want to plug a laptop in, and given that this is only when I want (and have the room to my self to be able) to watch the rugby for free on BT Sport.
t. Tinny and nasty and nasal and shouty and yuck.
Kinky said:
Popped into Weybridge Audio today and was extremely impressed with them. Had a very long and fruitful chat with Nathan. Very helpful and friendly. Also been guided towards a Sony KDL-47W805. Just need to swot up on it now!
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/tele...http://www.johnlewis.com/sony-bravia-kdl47w805-led...
maybe of use..
aka_kerrly said:
Kinky said:
Popped into Weybridge Audio today and was extremely impressed with them. Had a very long and fruitful chat with Nathan. Very helpful and friendly. Also been guided towards a Sony KDL-47W805. Just need to swot up on it now!
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/tele...http://www.johnlewis.com/sony-bravia-kdl47w805-led...
maybe of use..
I think it breaks your requirements by having ports on the side though...
Edited by varsas on Thursday 19th December 13:42
TV's are so thin that the speakers are never going to be very good so most people with the budget for a big flat screen are also going to have surround sound or a sound bar these days. Therefore the in-TV speakers are going to be redundant immediately. They only add bulk, weight and cost so if they are never going to be used then it makes perfect sense to just delete them from the get-go.
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