Why do so many people buy big TVs but don't buy proper speakers?

[MrHT]

Almost everyone I know has a larger TV than me. I only have a 43" TV but most people I know have 50"+. But here's the funny thing, I'm the only that seems to have a 5.1 surround setup. Everyone else I know that has the nice big TV uses their TV speakers for their sound. Why spend money on such a big TV if you're not buying the proper speakers for it?

[BigAl87]

Originally Posted by MrHT

Almost everyone I know has a larger TV than me. I only have a 43" TV but most people I know have 50"+. But here's the funny thing, I'm the only that seems to have a 5.1 surround setup. Everyone else I know that has the nice big TV uses their TV speakers for their sound. Why spend money on such a big TV if you're not buying the proper speakers for it?

I guess for most people Picture is more important then sound, Sound you also have to deal with space constraint and so on and what we call the WAF, Let's face it Audio Equipment takes up some space while a Nice Flat 60 inch TV hung to the wall is pretty sleek.

that's my 2 cents

[GRD43L]

Simple. You can enjoy TV with built-in speakers. Not the best speakers, I agree.

[D00mM4r1n3]

Most people don't hear as well as they see, so speakers are wasted money for them. My parents have a 55" because: "it fit the opening on their wall". They use TV speakers because they don't want more remotes.

Apartment = no fun allowed. Neighbors get really petty over the slightest sound disturbance.

I've moved back in with my folks and just use headphones now. If I had my own house I would have a Dolby Atmos setup, but that's because I care about the experience of a movie. I use headphones because they make it easier to hear what's being said without cranking the volume.

[XavierTheaterPotato]

Depends on the person and their living condition or lifestyle. I currently live with a handful of others so I'm just using a Neck Speaker to watch movies and shows, Headsets for Games. When I decide to live on my own I'll go more elaborate.

[Gator66]

I have a 65" LG and a 5.1 Yamaha system. Had the 5.1 system hooked up for about the 1st year. Hardly used it. Its now boxed up in my bedroom closet next to my Samsung soundbar.

[marcocolo]

Not to be sexist but the WAF of speakers is pretty low.
I have no wife but I have a killer Atmos setup!

[slimdude]

Originally Posted by MrHT

Almost everyone I know has a larger TV than me. I only have a 43" TV but most people I know have 50"+. But here's the funny thing, I'm the only that seems to have a 5.1 surround setup. Everyone else I know that has the nice big TV uses their TV speakers for their sound. Why spend money on such a big TV if you're not buying the proper speakers for it?

One reason is that some people are not audiophiles they only want a big screen TV, and don't particularly care about the sound. It's all based on personal preference of what the individual wants.

[LordSummerIsle]

That's a good question. Movies wouldn't be nearly as enjoyable for me without a nice sound system.

[Bolty]

Because your neighbors can't hear your picture

[octagon]

Originally Posted by BigAl87

I guess for most people Picture is more important then sound, Sound you also have to deal with space constraint and so on and what we call the WAF, Let's face it Audio Equipment takes up some space while a Nice Flat 60 inch TV hung to the wall is pretty sleek.

that's my 2 cents

Yeah, that's a lot of it. And it's not just space, there's the expense and wiring (which let's admit, can be a pita).

And while TV speakers are usually pretty anemic soundbars have come a long way over the past few years. No, they don't rival dedicated separates but they can be more than good enough for casual TV watching.

[CompleteCount]

Originally Posted by marcocolo

Not to be sexist but the WAF of speakers is pretty low.
I have no wife but I have a killer Atmos setup!

I have a pretty understanding Missus.

She loves action movies, and we have spent the last god-knows-how-long trying to finish our dedicated home cinema room, complete with Atmos array and lovely Yamaha NSF51 floorstanders.

[Torgon]

What I find worse, is why do they watch DVDs on that big 4K TV? Yes, I know a lot of TV shows are only on DVD, but I sure as hell am not going to watch a Star Wars DVD when I can see it in 4K (or at least Blu-ray), lol.

[XavierTheaterPotato]

Originally Posted by Torgon

What I find worse, is why do they watch DVDs on that big 4K TV? Yes, I know a lot of TV shows are only on DVD, but I sure as hell am not going to watch a Star Wars DVD when I can see it in 4K (or at least Blu-ray), lol.

It might be by Viewing Distance and cost of UHD players sadly. I agree with the Sentiment though. Rare occasions where I'll be forced to watch a movie on DVD because it never released on BD where I am without importing, other than that I absolutely refuse to watch a movie on DVD on a 55" TV sitting 5 feet away from it at the least. People I know have a 75" TV but they sit at least 20ft away from it, so it makes no difference to them. Quite Unfortunate really, especially if you decided to hype BD all the time at 'em stating the obvious difference.

[aneed123]

I know in my household my ole lady and my mom hate it being too loud. I love the immersion and surround sound. Just different preferences.

[Torgon]

Originally Posted by aneed123

I know in my household my ole lady and my mom hate it being too loud. I love the immersion and surround sound. Just different preferences.

I love a great picture and audio. We like to crank it up My setup might no be 'high end' but it does the job nicely.

[MrHT]

Originally Posted by Torgon

What I find worse, is why do they watch DVDs on that big 4K TV? Yes, I know a lot of TV shows are only on DVD, but I sure as hell am not going to watch a Star Wars DVD when I can see it in 4K (or at least Blu-ray), lol.

It's the same thing because the TV upconverts to 4K.

Seriously, that's what my friend says. He has a 49" 4K Samsung TV and is watching SD content on it claiming that it looks fantastic. I really wonder if the 4K label slapped onto these TVs poisons people's minds into thinking that ANY content will magically look great.

[atbodamer]

why do most people listen to 128kbps mp3s on airbuds over blutooth?

[KubrickKurasawa]

T.V. SPEAKERS RULE BRO!

I turn them up to like 50

It must be complicated or something, and it is at first. Need to educate more people. I'd say you need 1,500-2,000 for a basic 5.1. But once you get dedicated tweeters, woofers, and subwoofers there's no going back.

[Torgon]

Originally Posted by KubrickKurasawa

T.V. SPEAKERS RULE BRO!

I turn them up to like 50

It must be complicated or something, and it is at first. Need to educate more people. I'd say you need 1,500-2,000 for a basic 5.1. But once you get dedicated tweeters, woofers, and subwoofers there's no going back.

You don't need to spend $1,500 to enjoy the sound. Heck, as you mentioned, most people are content with the TV speakers; sound is just sound (to them). A small 5.1 can satisfy your normal/casual TV/movie watcher IMO; not so much for the rest of us . Currently looking to upgrade my Subwoofer myself; I want to go deeper. My current sub starts at 37Hz; I want something at least in the 20-30Hz range.