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.

 

[Fandango Andy]

Bluetooth headphones! There's always one!

That wasn't an answer I was expecting.

 

[RoA]

We got a new LG OLED but are not into home cinema etc. It’s not even hooked up to the stereo.

 

[RTHerringbone]

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.

As @Fandango Andy comments, it's a standard Victoria Semi, so the living room has a chimney breast dead centre, and the TV takes up an entire alcove on one side.

So space is tight, but it's also a question of botheredness and mess. The TV already has all of its HDMI slots used up on DVD players, games consoles and a BT box. It's like spaghetti junction behind the TV unit already and we have extension-leaded the Hell out of the double wall-socket already.

I don't really want the faff of wall mounting anything and it would be a challenge anyway as the TV is in an alcove with a built-in bookshelf behind, so there isn't even wall space! It's no big deal - I don't watch much TV anyway and my wife doesn't really want more wires and boxes.

 

[Jasonovich]

8 out of 10 times, my TV 7: 1 HiFi setup would be switched off.
TV sound is adequate. I tend to have it on when I'm playing my 4k Blu-ray player and more frequently when the missus is away!

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Our living room was an extension, so designed around TV and hifi. Wiring for 7.1 built into the walls.

 

[abacus]

For the TV just the speakers, however for serios viewing I use my projector and surround system. (For me, a TV just doesn't give that cinematic experience)

Bill

 

[Blacksabbath25]

I used to have a 5.1 setup i still have the Sub ,AV and 0PPO 205 but put the AV back in the box and use the OPPO 205 for streaming as its ROON ready .
I basically just watch the TV now as it is from the TV speakers as not worried about a sound bar as the TV does the Job ok .