1. Mark Haller18/11/2008 10:22:51
Homepage: http://www.logicspot.com

Hey Chris

I'm not sure there is such a thing to be honest. You're going to fight what can happen from very small speakers and what you want from an audio quality. Is this for a lounge or bedroom?

I would say definitely don't do Samsung - their speakers are diabolical and will reproduce the sound of a mouse very well, but a lion terribly

Some of the best speakers built into LCD TVs come at a very high price - Bang and Olufsen. Their prices are ridiculous though!

Two other ideas:

Get an all-in-one speaker that goes under the LCD - I know Yamaha do one (they brought first one to market - the DSP1, but just checked and it's come on quite a way - http://www.yamaha.com/yec/products/productdetail.html?CNTID=554369)

In-wall speakers. I know you can get speakers that go in the wall, and are plastered and painted over and are supposed to be superb. Needs work up-front but might be good.

If you really care about the sound quality, you'll never get anything good connected directly to the LCD TV and need to get separate drivers.

Another idea - get some gorgeous speakers that look great in the room! I did - I saved up for a good while and got some lovely looking understated mid cherrywood speakers that fit into the pared down room! The subwoofer is of the same range and I had a tempered glass top made for it and it makes a smashing corner table with lamp, phone, remote on!

2. David Leedy18/11/2008 13:42:15
Homepage: http://www.lotusnotebook.com

Chris,
I haven't looked at TV's in a long time but I remember some TV's used to have outputs to external speakers directly. So no receiver involved. Maybe that will be wife friendly enough since the control remains with the TV but still give you the better sound.

In my experience, where you sometimes lose the "wives" or the less technically advanced, is by giving too many options in the setup. For example, if you setup your TV where it could use the internal speakers OR a 5 channel receiver... you're asking for trouble. But if you set it to ONLY output sound via the reciever and not have the option of internal speakers, then even though it's a "more complicated" setup, it's easier for the user to understand. I typically avoid some features like Picture in Picture or whatever to gain the easier setup.

In my basement I have a large rear projection tv. Directv, DVD, AppleTV, Playstation and Wii. I run everything through my reciever so I only use 1 input (Component) on the TV. Not changing inputs on the TV makes things a LOT easier.

Also there have been great advances with remote controls - like the logitech harmony line... you program it via website and download it to the remote. Makes it easy for babysitters and whatever. Some even have a Help button where if something gets out of wack - you press help and it will ask you questions and turn on what needs to be turned on. (If only all equipment had discreet on/off codes...)

Food for thought....

3. Carl Tyler18/11/2008 14:11:08
Homepage: http://www.iminstant.com

I have a Sharp Aquos (partly to support the likes of Bruce Elgort cos he works for Sharp), but also cos it's a great TV. I have the 1080p 52 inch and have been very happy. The speakers attach to the bottom of the TV, I have a pretty large living room, with a high ceiling and I have never had an issue with the sound. It has pretty much every input there is, multiple HDMI, Composite, VGA plus others.

4. Bruce Elgort18/11/2008 14:41:40
Homepage: http://elguji.com/ideajamtour

Chris,

The Aquos TV's are very nice. Too bad you don't live closer as I could have hooked you up at a nice discount.

5. Charles Robinson18/11/2008 14:50:13
Homepage: http://www.cubert.net

I have the Sharp Aquos LC52D64U. The sound is fine with the built-in speakers, and it has audio outputs so you can connect external speakers without a receiver. Recently I have been eying the Sony HTCT100, which is an all-in-one speaker bar with an external subwoofer.

Blocked Response!05/05/2009 15:07:56

This response from IP Address 190.132.120.129 was blocked by the owner of this blog.

Unable to post a comment? Please read this for a possible explanation...