How to Improve The Sound of Your TV

Mar 15 2023

In the age of flat-screen smart TVs, it’s easy to lose sight of the basics. As TV resolutions keep climbing, a lot of people have become very invested in getting TVs with the highest screen resolution. But picture quality isn’t the only thing you need to look out for.

What’s a TV without crisp, high-definition audio? Sound is just as important to your viewing experience. If the audio from your TV isn’t clear, keeps cutting out, or sounds muffled across different channels or streaming apps, you won’t have the best experience watching your team at the playoffs, streaming shows and movies, or even finding out the latest news in Canada.

So, how can you fix the sound on your TV? Check out this guide to optimizing the audio on your TV, so you can enjoy the best of ComwaveTV and streaming with your fast and cheap Comwave internet at home.

Why does my TV sound bad?

Muffled or low-quality TV audio can be caused by a number of factors. The most important thing to know is that a lot of TV manufacturers simply haven’t figured out how to perfect the built-in sound, despite thin bezels that make a flat screen and highly advanced resolution. 

If you want fully immersive sound around the room, the best thing to do is still set up a bespoke surround-sound system or speakers. But it’s definitely not the most budget-friendly solution.

Other reasons why your TV’s sound is bad are:

• Too much music and sound effects while the people on-air are talking
• Depending on your TV’s location, its speakers may be obscured or blocked, making the volume sound lower than it is and the audio quality poor
• The acoustics in the room your TV’s in may amplify or muffle some frequencies
• What you’re watching on TV may be mixed and transmitted in 5.1 surround sound, which are automatically downmixed to stereo to be audible on your TV

Ways to Improve the Sound on Your TV

So, how do you fix the audio on your TV? Other than poor sound mixing of effects and music on what’s playing onscreen, you can try these fixes. Once the sound on your TV improves, you can get back to enjoying ComwaveTV, powered by your fast and cheap Comwave internet.

1. Check your TV’s settings

Sometimes, the problem isn’t the TV itself or what you’re watching, but your TV’s setup. A quick look at the settings might reveal that the audio output isn’t properly configured. While every TV is different, the basic audio settings are standard. 

Look at the audio settings and toggle between modes, and select the right one for what you’re watching. For example, viewing modes such as cinema, gaming, and sports have preset audio settings designed to amplify dialogue, music, or effects for optimal viewing.

2. Rearrange your TV setup

If your TV’s audio problem is due to its location, all you need to do is make some changes to your living room setup. You need to free up the speakers so the sound isn’t muffled no matter how high the volume is.

First off, make sure your TV is placed above a level surface like a table so that the audio is evenly distributed throughout the room. You’ll have to do this since most TVs have speakers behind the panel that point downwards. Placing a TV on a surface helps reflect sound, preventing the audio from getting buried. Plus, you can also add a rug or hang decor on the walls. These help absorb sound in highly reflective spaces.

3. Install a soundbar

What is a soundbar? Essentially, it’s a long, narrow speaker that you can place underneath the TV. It enhances the audio output from your TV and increases sound quality. You can also mount it on the wall under the screen, so the forward-firing speakers are at the perfect height for optimal sound quality.

A soundbar is the perfect addition to your existing TV setup, saving you the cost of a new TV with a fancy built-in sound system. Plus, the newest soundbars also come with either a separate wireless subwoofer or a built-in bass driver, instantly boosting sound quality.

4. Add a soundbase

Similar to a soundbar, a soundbase is a bigger speaker designed to sit underneath the TV, instead of being mounted to a wall. A soundbase also packs serious bass drivers, so you won’t need a separate subwoofer. 

To connect it to your TV, you can use an optical cable, HDMI Arc socket, or even the latest e-Arch connector. Just check your soundbase to find out the compatible connector. And most importantly, find out what audio stream that your soundbase produces. At minimum, make sure it’s at least Dolby Digital or DTS 5.1.

5. Turn your TV into a home theatre

Want to take movie night to the next level? A home theatre lets you bring the cinema to your house, complete with the highest quality, fully immersive audio. But a quick caveat: a surround sound system can be quite the investment.

If you’re determined to bring the ultimate cinematic experience to your home, the first thing you need to do is make sure that you have the space for it. Clear out some space or choose a room with enough floor space for the speakers. Having the speakers on the floor will fill the room with audio from all directions, for a truly immersive experience.

For best results, choose a 5.1 or 5.7 system, with a range of primary and satellite speakers and a standalone subwoofer. Make sure your home theatre system supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Just make sure that the subwoofer isn’t placed against a wall or near another object that can easily rattle—everyone at home and your neighbours will thank you.

6. Hook up the TV to a speaker or hi-fi system

Don’t want to spend extra on a soundbar or soundbase, or splurge on an entire surround sound home theatre system? You can use the tech you’ve already got!

Did you know that your existing desktop speakers can enhance the sound from the TV? Alternatively, you can also opt for a hi-fi system. The only caveat is, neither is the most optimal setup. In the case of a hi-fi system, the stereo is often off-centre away from the TV, and you’ll need the right connections on a hi-fi and supported formats it can decode.

Meanwhile, if you have a smart speaker like the Echo Studio or Echo Gen, you can easily pair either one of them with a Fire TV. Then, just set up Alexa Home Cinema to activate Dolby Atmos-quality audio.

Enjoy the Best Sound with ComwaveTV

So, did you find everything you need to improve the sound on your TV? With the best audio quality, you’ll enjoy all your favourite channels on your ComwaveTV. And don’t forget one of the most important parts of your setup—fast and cheap Comwave internet, so you can watch all you want, with the best audio quality. 

Discover the widest range of channels through ComwaveTV, now available with impressive sound that transforms every movie night or game night. Talk to a ComwaveTV and internet specialist to find out more about getting the best sound for everything you love on TV.

Want to learn more about getting the best sound on your TV? Enjoy a fully immersive experience with ComwaveTV and fast and cheap Comwave home internet.