Tips & tricks for setting up TV speakers  

The sound of a TV is at least as important as the picture in creating a truly immersive entertainment experience. However, the sound is often let down by the built-in speakers of modern TVs, as they often deliver a flat, muffled sound. This is where external TV speakers, soundbars or home theater systems come into play. With the right setup and a few simple tricks, the sound can be significantly improved - regardless of whether it's movies, series, music or news.

Choosing the right speakers and placing them correctly is crucial in order to exploit the full sound potential. Room acoustics and choosing the right connection technology also play an important role in achieving the best sound. This section presents some valuable tips and tricks on how to optimize the sound of a TV with simple means. Whether a soundbar, a TV speaker or a complex home cinema system is used, the right settings will significantly improve the viewing experience.

The perfect placement of speakers in the living room

Optimal sound quality starts with the correct placement of the TV speakers. Often a small change in placement is enough to achieve significant improvements in the sound image. Correct positioning of the speakers helps to ensure that the sound is clear, balanced and reproduced with the right dynamics.

Positioning the speakers

The front speakers should be positioned as close to ear level as possible to ensure the best sound. This ensures that the highs and mids are optimally audible. In addition, the speakers should be positioned evenly to the left and right of the TV to achieve a balanced sound image. The distance to the wall is also crucial. If speakers are too close to the wall, the sound can be distorted by reflections, which can lead to a booming or unclear sound. A certain distance from the wall helps to minimize these reflections and ensures better sound clarity.

Subwoofer positioning

The position of the subwoofer plays a central role in bass reproduction. The subwoofer should not be positioned in corners, as this can lead to booming bass that distorts the sound. A helpful trick for finding the best position is subwoofer crawling: the subwoofer is placed in the listening position and then tested in the room to see where the bass sounds best. Once the optimum point has been found, the subwoofer can be permanently positioned there to transmit the bass evenly and precisely.

Consider room size

Room size has a significant influence on speaker placement. In larger rooms, speakers often require more power or additional subwoofers to ensure an even sound. In larger living rooms, it may make sense to expand the speaker system to ensure that the sound is evenly distributed even in the furthest corners of the room. In such cases, additional speakers or another subwoofer can help to improve the listening experience and make better acoustic use of the room.

With the right speaker placement and a few simple adjustments, the sound of a TV system can be significantly improved, resulting in an even better viewing experience.

Connections - HDMI, Bluetooth and more

Connecting the speakers to the TV is a crucial step for lossless audio transmission. Modern technologies offer various options here, which can be selected according to requirements and preferred flexibility.

HDMI ARC and eARC

HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) is one of the preferred connection methods as it enables high-quality transmission of audio signals and at the same time allows control via the TV remote control. With HDMI ARC, both audio and video can be transmitted over the same cable, reducing cable clutter and simplifying handling. eARC, the evolution of ARC, even supports lossless audio formats such as Dolby Atmos, making it the preferred choice for high-end audio.

Bluetooth connections

For wireless flexibility, Bluetooth is an excellent choice. It allows you to connect speakers without cables and makes setup easy. However, latency can be a problem, especially when synchronizing picture and sound, which can be distracting when watching movies and series. However, models with aptX Low Latency offer less delay and can minimize this problem, bringing the sound closer to the picture.

Optical cable and AUX

For older devices that do not support modern digital interfaces such as HDMI or Bluetooth, optical cables or AUX connections offer a solid alternative. These connections are easy to use and offer good sound quality, but not at the same high level as HDMI, especially when it comes to supporting multi-channel audio systems or high-resolution formats such as Dolby Atmos.

Wireless alternatives with base station

In addition to Bluetooth, there are also other wireless options where the signal is transmitted from a base station to the TV speaker. These systems offer a reliable and often more stable connection than Bluetooth as they are specifically designed for audio transmission. Such wireless systems usually use radio technologies such as 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz to transmit the audio signal without the typical latency problems of Bluetooth. A major advantage of these systems is the stable connection even over longer distances or when placing speakers in larger rooms. Wirelessness offers additional flexibility when setting up and enables a clean and flexible room design.

Soundbars: Practical solutions for better TV sound

Soundbars are an ideal solution for anyone who wants to improve the sound of their TV with minimal effort. They combine several speakers in a compact housing, which makes them particularly space-saving and easy to install. Soundbars offer an excellent way to enhance the sound of a TV without taking up a lot of space or having to carry out a complicated installation.

Advantages of soundbars

A big advantage of soundbars is that they take up very little space and fit particularly well in small living rooms or rooms with limited space. Many models also come with wireless subwoofers that amplify the bass response and provide deeper, more powerful bass. These subwoofers can be placed anywhere in the room without cables being visible, which does not restrict the flexibility and design of the room.

Expansion options

Another advantage of soundbars is the ability to expand the sound system. Some soundbar models support the integration of rear speakers that can be placed behind the seating position. These additional speakers create a real surround experience and improve the spatiality of the sound. This makes the movie or TV sound more immersive and realistic, taking home entertainment to a new level.

Customize sound modes

Many soundbars offer the option of activating different sound modes that adapt the sound to the respective use. Modifications such as "Film", "Music" or "News" offer the option of optimizing the sound for different content. Movie mode, for example, emphasizes surround effects and dialog, while music mode offers a clearer reproduction of treble and bass. News mode ensures that voices are reproduced particularly clearly and intelligibly, which is particularly beneficial for conversations and reporting. With these sound modes, the soundbar can be optimally adjusted for any type of content.

Room acoustics

The sound of a loudspeaker is not only determined by the hardware itself, but also by the characteristics of the room. The room acoustics have a significant influence on how the sound is perceived. Even the best speakers cannot perform to their full potential in a room with poor acoustic conditions.

Influence of the room on the sound

A room with blank walls and hard surfaces such as glass, concrete or tiles can have a negative impact on the sound. These surfaces reflect the sound and create echoes that distort the sound and make it unclear. These reflections can cause high frequencies to be overemphasized or the overall sound to be muddy and unclean. A room that is not optimized for audio can therefore significantly degrade the sound of a speaker, even if the speaker itself is of high quality.

Optimization of the acoustics

Various measures can be taken to optimize the room acoustics and improve the sound. Carpets, curtains and upholstered furniture absorb sound and thus reduce disturbing reflections. Especially in rooms with many hard surfaces, these materials are extremely helpful in making the sound clearer and more pleasant. Acoustic panels are another way of controlling specific frequencies and improving the sound in a room. These panels help to attenuate certain disturbing frequencies and even out the overall sound, ensuring a balanced and precise reproduction.

Avoid asymmetrical installation

The positioning of the speakers plays a central role in the sound quality. To create a harmonious sound image, speakers should be positioned as symmetrically as possible in the room. Asymmetrical positioning can result in the sound becoming one-sided and spatiality being lost. Particularly with surround systems or soundbars, where the speakers are distributed around the room, it is important to ensure an even distribution in order to guarantee a balanced and realistic listening experience.

Restart, check updates and connection

The right settings and connections are essential to get the best out of your TV speakers. Nevertheless, small problems can sometimes be the cause of poorer sound quality or connection problems. Such problems can often be quickly resolved with simple measures.

Perform restart

A simple restart is one of the most common and effective solutions for resolving technical difficulties. If the speaker is not recognized or the connection suddenly seems unstable, a restart can solve many problems. Disconnect the TV and speakers from the power supply for a few minutes and then restart them. This step is often sufficient to resolve connection problems and optimize the sound again, as it may reset faulty connections or software problems.

Install updates

Firmware updates are an important way to optimize the performance of speakers and televisions. Manufacturers regularly offer updates that not only fix bugs, but can also unlock new features or improved audio settings. It is advisable to check regularly to see if an update is available to ensure devices are running the latest version. This can be done through the manufacturer's apps or the device's settings. Installing the latest firmware ensures that all functions run smoothly and that the device remains at the cutting edge of technology.

Check connections

A stable connection between the speaker and the TV is essential for perfect sound reproduction. Therefore, check regularly that all cables are firmly and correctly connected. If a wired system is used, make sure that the cables are not damaged and are correctly seated in the connections. With wireless systems, especially Bluetooth connections, it can be helpful to pair the devices again if the connection has been interrupted or is unstable. Re-pairing ensures that the connection remains stable and the sound is reproduced without interruptions.

Surround sound and Dolby Atmos

Surround systems and Dolby Atmos are indispensable for anyone who wants to experience a real home cinema feeling in their living room. They ensure that the sound doesn't just come from the front, but completely envelops the room, which significantly intensifies the TV experience.

Configuring surround systems

The placement of the speakers is crucial for the optimum surround experience. To create a complete and balanced soundscape, the front speakers should be positioned evenly to the left and right of the TV, while the center speaker should be placed centrally below or above the screen to reproduce dialogue clearly and accurately. The rear speakers should be positioned behind the seating position or at the sides of the room to deliver the sound from behind and create a real spatial atmosphere. For more complex systems, such as a 7.1 system, a subwoofer is added to support the low frequencies. The correct placement of these speakers ensures that the sound comes from all directions, making the home theater experience realistic and immersive.

Set up Dolby Atmos

Dolby Atmos expands the sound into the third dimension by simulating sounds from above, which creates a deeper immersion, especially for movies with lots of action or music videos. To use Dolby Atmos, you need Atmos-compatible speakers or soundbars, a Dolby Atmos-compatible TV and content in this format. Atmos-enabled speakers integrated into the ceilings or projecting from above the room ensure that the sound sources in the room are positioned vertically, making the surround sound even more realistic. For the best experience, an HDMI eARC connection should also be used to transmit the high-resolution audio formats.

Fine adjustments: Equalizer and sound modes

Even after the initial setup, it is important to fine-tune the system regularly in order to adapt the sound to personal preferences or specific room acoustics. Equalizers and sound modes play a key role here.

Using the equalizer

An equalizer allows you to individually adjust the treble, mid-range and bass to optimize the sound exactly to your own preferences. For example, if dialogue needs to be emphasized more clearly or distracting frequencies reduced, the equalizer can ensure that the sound remains clear and balanced. In a room with many hard surfaces or reflective walls, the equalizer can also help to improve the sound by attenuating certain frequencies that are amplified by the room acoustics.

Activate dialog amplification

Many speakers and soundbars offer a dialog amplification function, which is particularly helpful when quiet conversations in films or louder background noises impair intelligibility. This function ensures that voices come through clearly and distinctly without having to increase the overall volume. This keeps the sound balanced while improving speech intelligibility in every scene.

Test sound modes

Modern speakers and soundbars often offer different sound modes that provide preset profiles for different types of content such as movies, music or games. Each mode is optimized for the specific acoustic requirements of the content. It is worth trying out these modes and choosing the best mode for your own viewing and listening habits. The sound can be adjusted as required for clear dialog, intense action or balanced music.

With these fine adjustments, surround sound and Dolby Atmos can be optimized even further to achieve the best possible sound experience and make the home cinema experience even more realistic and impressive.

Troubleshooting when setting up loudspeakers

Even with the best setup, problems can always occur. Fortunately, these can often be resolved quickly by checking the basic settings and connections and adjusting them if necessary.

No sound

If there is no sound coming from the loudspeakers, you should first check that all connections have been made correctly. Make sure that all cables are secure and connected correctly. If wireless speakers are used, make sure that the Bluetooth connection or other wireless connections are stable. Also check that the speakers are switched on and that the correct audio source is selected in the TV or soundbar menu. Sometimes it can also be helpful to restart the system or disconnect the TV and speakers from the power supply and switch them on again after a short time.

Poor sound

If the sound is unclear or distorted, this may be due to the equalizer settings or the room acoustics. Check the equalizer settings to ensure that the treble, mid-range and bass are well balanced. If the sound is still not satisfactory, it may be because the room acoustics are affecting the sound quality. Hard surfaces in the room can reflect sound and distort the sound. In this case, it helps to reconsider the placement of the speakers or use acoustic measures such as carpets, curtains or acoustic panels to improve the sound reproduction.

Asynchronous sound

Another common problem is that the sound is played back asynchronously to the picture. This often happens when using wireless speakers or when connecting to older televisions. To correct the synchronization, go to the menu of the TV or receiver and look for the setting for audio delay. Here you can adjust the delay so that the sound is synchronized with the picture again. Even with modern Dolby Atmos systems, there may be small delays that can be corrected with this setting.