How do you listen to your TV?

[Fandango Andy]

I visit a lot of homes with work. It used to surprise me how few people had anything resembling a Hi-Fi system even before the rise of smart speakers.

Since the advent of flat screen TV's I started to see more surround systems and soundbars, but they both seem to be in decline too.

This got me wondering how audiophiles and hi-fi enthusiasts listen to their TV's.


Not sure if this will let vote myself, so I will start- dedicated 7.1 surround system.

 

[RTHerringbone]

I think there's a difference between "how do you" and "how would you like to" listen to your TV 🙂

I make do with the inbuilt speakers on our TV, fully accepting that they aren't great. I would at least like to have soundbars and realistically if I had the space I'd go all in on a 5.1 system on at least the main TV, but space doesn't permit.

It's annoying - I can afford a decent setup but space just doesn't permit. If I had a spare ~£500k to get a bigger house, then I could really unleash my tech itchy wallet finger.

 

[Messiah]

Realistically if I had the space I'd go all in on a 5.1 system on at least the main TV, but space doesn't permit.

How big is the space? I think you’d be surprised at the results you can achieve in a small space.

My current living room set up would certainly be classed as a small space by many.

 

[Revolutions]

I don’t have a tv 😶‍🌫️

 

[jjbomber]

Bluetooth headphones! There's always one!

 

[Fandango Andy]

I don’t have a tv 😶‍🌫️

I intended to put that on as an option but forgot. Edited just for you!

 

[Revolutions]

I intended to put that on as an option but forgot. Edited just for you!

Thank you, that’s very accommodating 😊

 

[Fandango Andy]

I think there's a difference between "how do you" and "how would you like to" listen to your TV 🙂

I make do with the inbuilt speakers on our TV, fully accepting that they aren't great. I would at least like to have soundbars and realistically if I had the space I'd go all in on a 5.1 system on at least the main TV, but space doesn't permit.

It's annoying - I can afford a decent setup but space just doesn't permit. If I had a spare ~£500k to get a bigger house, then I could really unleash my tech itchy wallet finger.

From what I remember of pictures you posted, you have a Victorian house with a TV in the corner. That doesn't lend itself to surround., but you could make it work. My living room is probably a similar size to yours, but without the fireplace/chimneybreast. Centre and stereo speakers aren't a problem, there are some small and/or flat rears that you can wall mount such as Dali on wall speakers, Cambridge Audio Minx, or some old Mission Speakers 77DS. You can easily hide a small sub. You don't need to spend a fortune. Sony, Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo all have amps under £500 that will be a massive improvement on TV speakers.