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Better TV sound using headphone socket |
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#1 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 97
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Better TV sound using headphone socket
My TV has very poor sound. I don't want a soundbar. I want the TV remote control to control the volume, which I think can only be done by using the headphone socket into an extra set of speakers which will just sit behind the TV. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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#2 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Reading
Posts: 27,902
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What TV?
Some TVs control headphones and speakers independently, not always using the same volume control buttons on the remote. Others mute the speakers when you plug headphones in and use the same volume control buttons on the remote. Also the headphones output will be unable to drive speakers directly. So you will either need speakers with built in amplification or a separate amplifier and speaker system. And you do know that you can get soundbars that plug into the headphone socket so could be controlled by the TV remote? You can even get ones that can be directly controlled by the TV remote, for example this http://www.richersounds.com/product/...ama-yas152-blk which can learn the TV remote commands. |
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#3 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 97
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TV is a Toshiba 40RL858.
MY son just plugged in a set of cheap redundant PC speakers which did improve the loudness but had an annoying crackle. Perhaps some higher quality PC speakers would do?? This TV is mainly used by my wife and disabled son and we each have a 'oneforall4' remote which by 'punchthrough' controls the TV volume whichever of the 4 devices (i.e. TV, Sky, DVD, or Satellite box) is currently selected!--hence the need to use the Headphone socket. Soundbar not approved by 'she who must be obeyed'!! |
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#4 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Reading
Posts: 27,902
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Quote:
TV is a Toshiba 40RL858.
MY son just plugged in a set of cheap redundant PC speakers which did improve the loudness but had an annoying crackle. Perhaps some higher quality PC speakers would do?? This TV is mainly used by my wife and disabled son and we each have a 'oneforall4' remote which by 'punchthrough' controls the TV volume whichever of the 4 devices (i.e. TV, Sky, DVD, or Satellite box) is currently selected!--hence the need to use the Headphone socket. Soundbar not approved by 'she who must be obeyed'!! Has she actually ever seen one in action? Most are so slim they just sit across the front of the TV pretty much just filling the gap between the bottom edge of the TV bezel and whatever the telly is sitting on. That Yamaha I linked to is only 4 inches high. Or this onehttp://www.richersounds.com/product/...00/pion-sbx300 which is only just over 3ins high. Compare that to the TV at 24 or so inches tall. Not to mention that the worst place possible for the speakers is hidden behind the TV and probably pressed up against the wall. The crackle may not be the speakers. It is also possible it's the jack socket not making proper contact with the plug, maybe due to dirty contacts. You might be able to clear that up by twisting the plug round and round a few times in the socket. |
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#5 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 97
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Update!
I got a Panasonic SC-HTE80 'soundbox' which the TV sits on!! (silver and looks really neat for SWMBO!!) and although it might be disapproved of by the HiFi buffs, I have connected it from the headphone socket to the Phono- in sockets, so that my TV and 'oneforall' remotes can control the volume. I can still alter all the soundbox settings with its own remote but at least it's simples for non-tekky users! I hope this helps some of you hundreds of people who have read this thread!! |
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#6 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 14,718
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I would point out that using the headphone socket is not the only way that you can use the TV remote to control the volume of external speakers. You can use CEC to control a soundbar/amp or if using a universal remote that allows learning (a common function) you can just change the remote volume to control the other device instead of the TV.
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#7 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 430
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PC speakers on stereo TV headphone sockets is a no brainer;the sound is only really marginally better and you're fighting a losing battle adjusting the speaker levels with the PC speaker volume and headphone volume level controls on the TV.
A better specification flat screen LCD or LED Freeview television set equipped with a digital optical output socket (if you can afford it) connected via a optical digital lead to a good soundbar or a full 5.1 AV home cinema amplifier/receiver with appropriate speakers and Dolby Digital/DTS/Dolby Pro-Logic II is a far better solution and the sound quality is also far far better too.
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#8 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: North Derbyshire
Posts: 41,783
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Quote:
PC speakers on stereo TV headphone sockets is a no brainer;the sound is only really marginally better and you're fighting a losing battle adjusting the speaker levels with the PC speaker volume and headphone volume level controls on the TV.
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#9 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 430
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Quote:
Not at all, it's MASSIVELY better, and with a decent TV control is simply by the normal TV remote volume control (set the socket for variable line out, and speakers OFF).
Also, normal CRT televisions would sour the picture when the speakers are placed at each side due to the magnets in the plastic speaker compartments pulling the colour balance. With flat screeners it's not a problem. |
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#10 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 4,391
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Quote:
PC speakers on stereo TV headphone sockets is a no brainer;the sound is only really marginally better and you're fighting a losing battle adjusting the speaker levels with the PC speaker volume and headphone volume level controls on the TV.
A better specification flat screen LCD or LED Freeview television set equipped with a digital optical output socket (if you can afford it) connected via a optical digital lead to a good soundbar or a full 5.1 AV home cinema amplifier/receiver with appropriate speakers and Dolby Digital/DTS/Dolby Pro-Logic II is a far better solution and the sound quality is also far far better too. ![]() You are using the expression "no brainer" incorrectly. Cheers, David. |
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#11 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: North Derbyshire
Posts: 41,783
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Quote:
With speakers of 5 to 30 watts, limited audio fidelity with a POOR naff 3D surround mode? Pwah, yeah whatever.
![]() A decent set of PC speakers is as good, or better, than a cheap sound bar. But even a really cheap crappy pair of PC speakers greatly improves on the internal speakers. |
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#12 |
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Inactive Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,487
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Would tend to agree, it all depends on the quality of the PC speakers really.
I wouldn't go as far as saying that *any* PC speakers would provide an improvement -- I've seen some dire speakers in my time. But the better ones are no worse (and sometimes the exact same units) than a lot of speaker sets provided with low-end surround systems, and these beat the soundbars. |
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#13 |
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Guest
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 8,103
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Quote:
With speakers of 5 to 30 watts, limited audio fidelity with a POOR naff 3D surround mode? Pwah, yeah whatever.
Also, normal CRT televisions would sour the picture when the speakers are placed at each side due to the magnets in the plastic speaker compartments pulling the colour balance. With flat screeners it's not a problem. Quote:
PC speakers on stereo TV headphone sockets is a no brainer;the sound is only really marginally better and you're fighting a losing battle adjusting the speaker levels with the PC speaker volume and headphone volume level controls on the TV.
A better specification flat screen LCD or LED Freeview television set equipped with a digital optical output socket (if you can afford it) connected via a optical digital lead to a good soundbar or a full 5.1 AV home cinema amplifier/receiver with appropriate speakers and Dolby Digital/DTS/Dolby Pro-Logic II is a far better solution and the sound quality is also far far better too. ![]() ![]() I have a 5.1 system in the front room and high end setup in the cinema room, PC speakers offer a simple solution for those who don't want to spend £80-£100+ on a soundbar or hundreds on a full system, they just want a reasonable upgrade for their main TV or TV elsewhere, your recommendations won't apply to everyone. |
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#14 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: North Derbyshire
Posts: 41,783
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Quote:
I wouldn't go as far as saying that *any* PC speakers would provide an improvement -- I've seen some dire speakers in my time.
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#15 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 97
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Quote:
I would point out that using the headphone socket is not the only way that you can use the TV remote to control the volume of external speakers. You can use CEC to control a soundbar/amp or if using a universal remote that allows learning (a common function) you can just change the remote volume to control the other device instead of the TV.
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#16 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 97
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Quote:
I paid £19.99 for a 2.1 PC system to go with the TV in the conservatory, it has improved the audio 10 fold, more than acceptable for the purpose it's used for - as for the volume, speakers are turned up full, TV remote operates the volume as normal . |
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#17 |
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Guest
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 8,103
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Quote:
So back to my original query--can anybody recommend some PC speakers which I can get for my second TV without having to blow another £200 on another Panny box?
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/pc-acc...-criteria.html Logitech @ £24.99 would be my choice from the low cost entry models. |
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#18 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: North Derbyshire
Posts: 41,783
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Quote:
So back to my original query--can anybody recommend some PC speakers which I can get for my second TV without having to blow another £200 on another Panny box?
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#19 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 17,135
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Quote:
My TV has very poor sound. I don't want a soundbar. I want the TV remote control to control the volume, which I think can only be done by using the headphone socket into an extra set of speakers which will just sit behind the TV. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
The volume is controlled by the TV or Sky remote control and other controls are adjusted on the Bose system. |
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Has she actually ever seen one in action? Most are so slim they just sit across the front of the TV pretty much just filling the gap between the bottom edge of the TV bezel and whatever the telly is sitting on. That Yamaha I linked to is only 4 inches high. Or this one
