Do you reallly need to buy speakers when buying an hdtv? - Blu-ray Forum

visionquest414 · 03-12-2008, 04:26 PM

I'm planning on buying a 1080 p sony tv this christmas, unless samsung is proven to be better... but my question is whether speakers are really necessary. I mean can you still get a good sound from the tv without speakers? Also, what the the essential cables yu must buy when purchasing a hdtv? Or does everything come included?Thanks..lata

DC_Street · 03-12-2008, 04:28 PM

do you want to watch a movie or do you want to experience a movie?

CptGreedle · 03-12-2008, 04:29 PM

Half of the movie is the HD audio. Although you don't need to buy speakers and can run the HDMI cable straight from the source to the TV (provided it has built-in speakers), you would not get surround sound or HD audio.
With the new Blu-ray movies, you can get up to 7.1 surround sound, and uncompressed audio that is far better than any DVD ever was. So unless you buy speakers and a receiver, you will not get this audio.

CptGreedle · 03-12-2008, 04:30 PM

buy HDMI cables

visionquest414 · 03-12-2008, 04:32 PM

oo i see... i can't have anything too loud in my house... but i do want to experience movies such as lethal weapon, rocky, die hard, and in the futuure hopefully saturday night fever and jaws... so would basic speakers be ok? like do i need to get a 5.1? or whatever it's called?lol

DC_Street · 03-12-2008, 04:35 PM

You will only be able to watch a movie with the TV's speakers, to be able to "experience" the movie you would need a surround sound.

ManUtd · 03-12-2008, 04:35 PM

Good sound is subjective, but I have never seen or heard anyone say that TV speakers are a good enough alternative to a 5.1 or 7.1 system. If you want the HT experience, start with the best 5.1 system you can afford.

Blu Jacket · 03-12-2008, 04:38 PM

I live in an apartment and my living room is fairly small, so having a surround sound speakers is kind of impractical. I specifically went for a TV that has very good onboard speakers, the XBR4. Some Samsung models also have this "virtual surround" speaker set. It's certainly not the same thing as a true home theater set-up, but the ones in my XBR4 are simply the best built in TV speakers I've ever heard.

Beta Man · 03-12-2008, 04:39 PM

Christmas is right around the corner

hardcore_canadian · 03-12-2008, 04:40 PM

YSP-4000. It's a Yamaha Soundbar.

And btw, people that say "Experience" the movie....i want to kill you

mike79 · 03-12-2008, 04:41 PM

I have to say, the sound on the new tv speakers is pretty good. They have the simulated surround. Don't get me wrong, this does not compare to HD Audio, however it is still much better than in the past. I live in an apartment too, and in my living room, I have a nice reciever, however when I watch movies, I have to hold the remote to keep adjusting the volume because usually when I watch movies it is late at night. In my bedroom, I have sony 32inch bravia with my PS3 and no surround sound, I was impressed with the quality, like I said though, not nearly as good as a true audio system.

Also, I dont think with sony's you get the option of not getting speakers with the T.V. Some brands do.

Blu-Style · 03-12-2008, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by visionquest414

I'm planning on buying a 1080 p sony tv this christmas, unless samsung is proven to be better... but my question is whether speakers are really necessary. I mean can you still get a good sound from the tv without speakers? Also, what the the essential cables yu must buy when purchasing a hdtv? Or does everything come included?Thanks..lata

Well, I thought so too, never needed any extra speakers,...
but now... I don´t want to miss them!

( And I only have a 2.1 system.

)

Even the Subwoofer is just genius, it brings me closer to the Film than any normal integrated speaker.
Never noticed that before, but everything sounds clearer.

Put the Volume up, and shake your House.

THIS IS LIVING!

CptGreedle · 03-12-2008, 04:42 PM

You can always get the TV without the speakers now as long as the TV has them built in. You can then use the HDMI cable for both audio and video.
You will be limited to stereo and to the quality of the TV speakers. Then you can upgrade later to a surround sound system.
Just cause you have surround sound doesn't mean you have to listen to them loud. I love my surround sound system, and even though I do love to play t loud, in my last place I couldn't play anything loud cause it would disturb other floors, but I still listened to it in surround sound.

Neo65 · 03-12-2008, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by visionquest414

oo i see... i can't have anything too loud in my house... but i do want to experience movies such as lethal weapon, rocky, die hard, and in the futuure hopefully saturday night fever and jaws... so would basic speakers be ok? like do i need to get a 5.1? or whatever it's called?lol

Even 5 bookshelf speakers can make a difference. Just make the centerone the best speaker for dialog. Get a cheap subwoofer for now.

As for people who don't like things too loud in the house. If it's the wife, plan your movie watching around times when she leaves the house. Or sound proof your HT room as much as you can...

Chacranajxy · 03-12-2008, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by visionquest414

oo i see... i can't have anything too loud in my house... but i do want to experience movies such as lethal weapon, rocky, die hard, and in the futuure hopefully saturday night fever and jaws... so would basic speakers be ok? like do i need to get a 5.1? or whatever it's called?lol

You don't need to have the volume cranked up. If you have good speakers, the movie will be infinitely more enjoyable even at low volumes.

BRu-LAy · 03-12-2008, 04:57 PM

Like few have mentioned, if you are short on space or tired of wires I would highly suggest surround bar speakers. While I agree they don't replace true 5.1 or more sound. It adds more strength and dimensionality to the sound from the front. Definately a cut above the tv speakers.

A few brands I would recommend are Yamaha, Polk, Soundmatters, and Niro

I have a small screening room in my house, and I run the Soundmatters Fullstage HD, and its more than adequate.

pbparham · 03-12-2008, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by visionquest414

I'm planning on buying a 1080 p sony tv this christmas, unless samsung is proven to be better... but my question is whether speakers are really necessary. I mean can you still get a good sound from the tv without speakers? Also, what the the essential cables yu must buy when purchasing a hdtv? Or does everything come included?Thanks..lata

While TV speakers have gotten really good, especially with simulating surround sound, they can not produce all of the frequencies that your ear hears and which are part of the audio from all of the programs/movies you'll be watching. I would suggest, if nothing else, adding a sub-woofer to the television. You can run a pair of red/white audio cables out of a television which has audio output into most entry level subs which are sold at retailers. This will actually send all of the sound from the tv to the sub, and you can then tell the sub to ignore everything above 120hz, 100hz, 80hz, etc.. This will give you a more complete sound environment because you will be getting more of the frequencies. This is huge!

Now, should you go this route, you'll need to make sure that the television has a constant audio output, and I'm not sure Sony tvs do. Also, by doing just a sub, you've set yourself up should you choose later down the road to add something like a speaker bar, which also requires a receiver/amplifier to work, or a surround sound set up.

Durentis · 03-12-2008, 10:20 PM

Something like the Onkyo HT-SP908 would be an inexpensive solution for you. You'd be able to reuse the receiver if you wanted to upgrade the speakers eventually.

Nothing says surround speakers have to be loud either.. just turn them down or put them on night mode. I listen to my Paradigms at barely audible levels quite often when roommates are sleeping. Still far better than tv stereo speakers.

wem003 · 03-12-2008, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chacranajxy

You don't need to have the volume cranked up. If you have good speakers, the movie will be infinitely more enjoyable even at low volumes.

+1 for that....

I rarely have the volume very loud, and I rarely use a subwoofer. But I made sure I bought great speakers, and the clarity and soundstage are amazing.

Our theater room is upstairs, and with a 3 year old, and 9 mos. old - we are lucky to have time watch, so its got to be low for us - for now.

Anthony P · 03-12-2008, 11:04 PM

I agree with the rest that you need something better then the TV speakers. On the other hand in my experience it is better not to do it all at once. The reason is that you need a lot of money and you will end up trying to save on the deal (this TV is good enough, this remote is good enough, this speakers are good enough.....) and you end up buying worst then you would otherwise buy, it is also harder to save up for it and stings a lot more. On the other hand buy TV now, in a year or 6 monhs, buy audio.... it also makes upgrading easier (now the TV is getting old and displays advanced enough.......). After a while the constant upgrading and amelioration of your system are easy because you got used to saving up for medium purchases instead of having large ones popping up every year.

03-12-2008, 04:26 PM	#1
visionquest414 Junior Member Member since:Mar 2008	Do you reallly need to buy speakers when buying an hdtv? I'm planning on buying a 1080 p sony tv this christmas, unless samsung is proven to be better... but my question is whether speakers are really necessary. I mean can you still get a good sound from the tv without speakers? Also, what the the essential cables yu must buy when purchasing a hdtv? Or does everything come included?Thanks..lata

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03-12-2008, 04:28 PM	#2
DC_Street Power Member Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Denver, CO Blu-ray collection:142 Trading Score:43	do you want to watch a movie or do you want to experience a movie?

03-12-2008, 04:29 PM	#3
CptGreedle Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Sworn super-hero now services Atlanta (and suburbs). Blu-ray collection:128 Blu-ray reviews:5	Half of the movie is the HD audio. Although you don't need to buy speakers and can run the HDMI cable straight from the source to the TV (provided it has built-in speakers), you would not get surround sound or HD audio. With the new Blu-ray movies, you can get up to 7.1 surround sound, and uncompressed audio that is far better than any DVD ever was. So unless you buy speakers and a receiver, you will not get this audio.

03-12-2008, 04:30 PM	#4
CptGreedle Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Sworn super-hero now services Atlanta (and suburbs). Blu-ray collection:128 Blu-ray reviews:5	buy HDMI cables

03-12-2008, 04:32 PM	#5
visionquest414 Junior Member Member since:Mar 2008	oo i see... i can't have anything too loud in my house... but i do want to experience movies such as lethal weapon, rocky, die hard, and in the futuure hopefully saturday night fever and jaws... so would basic speakers be ok? like do i need to get a 5.1? or whatever it's called?lol

03-12-2008, 04:35 PM	#6
DC_Street Power Member Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Denver, CO Blu-ray collection:142 Trading Score:43	You will only be able to watch a movie with the TV's speakers, to be able to "experience" the movie you would need a surround sound.

03-12-2008, 04:35 PM	#7
ManUtd Blu-ray Count Top contributor Member since:Feb 2008 Location:In my HT Home Theater Gallery:1 4K collection:15 Blu-ray collection:829 Blu-ray reviews: 5 Trading Score:5	Good sound is subjective, but I have never seen or heard anyone say that TV speakers are a good enough alternative to a 5.1 or 7.1 system. If you want the HT experience, start with the best 5.1 system you can afford.

03-12-2008, 04:38 PM	#8
Blu Jacket Expert Member Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Ohio Blu-ray collection:44	I live in an apartment and my living room is fairly small, so having a surround sound speakers is kind of impractical. I specifically went for a TV that has very good onboard speakers, the XBR4. Some Samsung models also have this "virtual surround" speaker set. It's certainly not the same thing as a true home theater set-up, but the ones in my XBR4 are simply the best built in TV speakers I've ever heard.

03-12-2008, 04:39 PM	#9
Beta Man Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Juuuuuuuust A Bit Outside.... Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:268 Blu-ray reviews: 18 Trading Score:25	Christmas is right around the corner

03-12-2008, 04:40 PM	#10
hardcore_canadian Power Member Member since:Nov 2007 Location:Victoria, BC Blu-ray collection:70	YSP-4000. It's a Yamaha Soundbar. And btw, people that say "Experience" the movie....i want to kill you

03-12-2008, 04:41 PM	#11
mike79 Power Member Member since:May 2007 Location:NYC Blu-ray collection:268 Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:1	I have to say, the sound on the new tv speakers is pretty good. They have the simulated surround. Don't get me wrong, this does not compare to HD Audio, however it is still much better than in the past. I live in an apartment too, and in my living room, I have a nice reciever, however when I watch movies, I have to hold the remote to keep adjusting the volume because usually when I watch movies it is late at night. In my bedroom, I have sony 32inch bravia with my PS3 and no surround sound, I was impressed with the quality, like I said though, not nearly as good as a true audio system. Also, I dont think with sony's you get the option of not getting speakers with the T.V. Some brands do.

03-12-2008, 04:42 PM	#13
CptGreedle Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Sworn super-hero now services Atlanta (and suburbs). Blu-ray collection:128 Blu-ray reviews:5	You can always get the TV without the speakers now as long as the TV has them built in. You can then use the HDMI cable for both audio and video. You will be limited to stereo and to the quality of the TV speakers. Then you can upgrade later to a surround sound system. Just cause you have surround sound doesn't mean you have to listen to them loud. I love my surround sound system, and even though I do love to play t loud, in my last place I couldn't play anything loud cause it would disturb other floors, but I still listened to it in surround sound.

03-12-2008, 04:57 PM	#16
BRu-LAy Special Member Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Fortress of Solitude Trading Score:46	Like few have mentioned, if you are short on space or tired of wires I would highly suggest surround bar speakers. While I agree they don't replace true 5.1 or more sound. It adds more strength and dimensionality to the sound from the front. Definately a cut above the tv speakers. A few brands I would recommend are Yamaha, Polk, Soundmatters, and Niro I have a small screening room in my house, and I run the Soundmatters Fullstage HD, and its more than adequate.

03-12-2008, 10:20 PM	#18
Durentis Active Member Member since:Nov 2007 Blu-ray collection:78 Blu-ray reviews:1	Something like the Onkyo HT-SP908 would be an inexpensive solution for you. You'd be able to reuse the receiver if you wanted to upgrade the speakers eventually. Nothing says surround speakers have to be loud either.. just turn them down or put them on night mode. I listen to my Paradigms at barely audible levels quite often when roommates are sleeping. Still far better than tv stereo speakers.

03-12-2008, 11:04 PM	#20
Anthony P Blu-ray Count Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Montreal, Canada	I agree with the rest that you need something better then the TV speakers. On the other hand in my experience it is better not to do it all at once. The reason is that you need a lot of money and you will end up trying to save on the deal (this TV is good enough, this remote is good enough, this speakers are good enough.....) and you end up buying worst then you would otherwise buy, it is also harder to save up for it and stings a lot more. On the other hand buy TV now, in a year or 6 monhs, buy audio.... it also makes upgrading easier (now the TV is getting old and displays advanced enough.......). After a while the constant upgrading and amelioration of your system are easy because you got used to saving up for medium purchases instead of having large ones popping up every year.

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