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 .

 

[hammillrevisited]

My TV and projector do not have speakers, so via my 7:1:2 system. I bet you know what the TV is.

 

[manicm]

There's obviously a reason why HDMI on stereo components is becoming as prevalent as audio only digital inputs.

 

[Fandango Andy]

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.

HDMI isn't a problem depending on your amp/receiver. I just have Bu-ray player and Firestick (because my TV is old an lots of apps don't work on it), they go into my receiver via HDMI, then one cable from receiver to TV HDMI ARC. Receiver comes on when I turn TV on, TV and Firestick remotes control the volume, so I don't even need to use the receiver's remote control.

 

[Fandango Andy]

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

great idea!