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.
Better TV sound using headphone socket
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.
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.
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'!!
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'!!
Originally Posted by Digimitch:
“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'!!”
“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'!!”
Surprised SWMBO doesn't mind speakers but won't have a soundbar?
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.
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!!
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!!
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.
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.
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.
Originally Posted by Anthony_UK:
“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. ”
“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. ”
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).
Originally Posted by Nigel Goodwin:
“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).”
“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).”
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.
Originally Posted by Anthony_UK:
“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.”
“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 powered speakers that are better than most sound bars. They work fantastically well plugged into the TV's headphone socket. I set their volume at 75% and have not touched it since. The sound quality is 10x better than the built-in speakers.
You are using the expression "no brainer" incorrectly.
Cheers,
David.
Originally Posted by Anthony_UK:
“With speakers of 5 to 30 watts, limited audio fidelity with a POOR naff 3D surround mode? Pwah, yeah whatever. ”
“With speakers of 5 to 30 watts, limited audio fidelity with a POOR naff 3D surround mode? Pwah, yeah whatever.
”
You don't get surround with a sound bar either
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.
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.
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.
Originally Posted by Anthony_UK:
“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.”
“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.”
All that's required is a simple check to make sure the speakers are magnetically shielded - all Logitech speakers are......
Originally Posted by Anthony_UK:
“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.”
“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 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 - the decision for me was a no brainer.....
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.
Originally Posted by jjne:
“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.”
“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.”
Even dire ones are still likely to be an improvement, at least they are in 'cabinets'
Originally Posted by bobcar:
“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.”
“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.”
I don't know what CEC stands for and my oneforalls are not learners!!
Originally Posted by Deacon1972:
“
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 .”
“
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 .”
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?
Originally Posted by Digimitch:
“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?”
“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?”
I picked mine up from Morrison's. I've also seen them at the Asda, but if you want a better choice try PC World/Curry's, my stores have working systems so you can get an idea of what they sound like.
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/pc-acc...-criteria.html
Logitech @ £24.99 would be my choice from the low cost entry models.
Originally Posted by Digimitch:
“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?”
“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?”
I walked through PCWorld on Thursday, and they had a decent looking range at about £49.95 with subs.
Originally Posted by Digimitch:
“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.”
“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.”
I have the Bose Companion 3 multimedia speaker system connected to the headphone socket on my TV.
The volume is controlled by the TV or Sky remote control and other controls are adjusted on the Bose system.
