Television speakers

[Quinn Inuit]

I recently purchased a new television, and I'm underimpressed with the internal speakers. (I knew that going in, but the picture quality was great and you can't upgrade that later.) I'd like to improve the sound, but I don't have much of a budget--only about $100-150.

The TV has an optical audio out and a 3.5mm audio out. Should I go for something like a Vizio sound bar that has an optical audio input, or should I go for something like a nice set of computer speakers (it's a small room--we don't have a big condo) that use the 3.5mm input?

[Top-Tier-Tech]

I'd recommend the Logitech Z623 for your budget. You can get them from Amazon for $120.

[mrmouth]

You can find decent soundbars on ebay for $40-50 less than MSRP. Unfortunately you are likely not going to find one with a sub in your budget. So maybe PC speaker would be better, I dont know. I would rather have a soundbar.

I bought a nice Sony soundbar, and honestly, I end up using headphones more often than using that if Im by myself.

[Top-Tier-Tech]

Soundbars have poor sound quality, since his budget is high enough he can get something semi-decent.

[mrmouth]

Soundbars have poor sound quality, since his budget is high enough he can get something semi-decent.

You've heard every soundbar? When I said I used headphones it is simply because Im a can junky. That $400 Sony soundbar matches any $1000 7.1 system I have demoed.

[Top-Tier-Tech]

You've heard every soundbar? When I said I used headphones it is simply because Im a can junky. That $400 Sony soundbar matches any $1000 7.1 system I have demoed.

Soundbars are just "OK" compared to actaul speakers, some can pretend to virtualize surround sound by assuming if they throw audio at a certain angle your room is going to a have a proper wall there for it to kind-sorta bounce off of and sound like it might be a separate channel, some can pretend to virtualize sound like "3D heaphones" do but the hit on actual sound fidelity with that is substantial. Ultimately a soundbar is a mono speaker with no subwoofer (yes, more expensive ones have subs so they become a 1.1 audio system). I guarantee you if you demoed the soundbar you speak of at a store they had set it up in a place that makes it sound oh, so much better than it would at home (perhaps a large open store or a smaller demo room designed for it's acoustics)Room shape, size, and acoustics play a huge part in how well speakers will sound, physical speakers have adjustments that can be made based on your room (physical speaker positioning and many adjustments via receiver assuming your budget is $400+) I assume when you were comparing that soundbar to some random $1,000 7.1 setup that comparison had to have been made with a speaker kit, all of which don't compare to component setups. I'm going on a bit of a tangent here I guess... but audio is such a passion of mine Soundbars are good for people who are on a semi-budget and don't have room for physical separate speakers. It is true the OP is on a budget but that Logitech system is much better than that Vizio soundbar (200 watt RMS power is a plus, THX certification is a plus, logitech's quality and warranty are pluses).

[Quinn Inuit]

Thank you. This is exactly the sort of info I need. I was actually looking at the Z623 just yesterday.

So you think the computer speakers will be fine, even though they're using a 3.5mm input instead of the optical audio line?

[Top-Tier-Tech]

So you think the computer speakers will be fine, even though they're using a 3.5mm input instead of the optical audio line?

Optical has the ability to transmit multi-channel audio in the digital form form decoding by a receiver whereas the 3.5mm analog jack carries only 2 channels of analog audio ready to be output directly by the speakers, so with this type of setup using an optical out wouldn't be of any real advantage. If you were getting a 5.1 speaker kit then we'd want to use the optical jack.

[Quinn Inuit]

Oh, I see. Thank you! I was wondering about the relative advantages and disadvantages of the two.

Yeah, if we had the money for a nice receiver and a surround setup this would be a whole different ballgame. As-is, though, I think your speaker suggestion is the best bet.

One more question: is it worth getting a reasonably nice male-male 3.5mm cable, or would a cheap one suffice?

[Top-Tier-Tech]

According to the manufacturer's website the speaker kit includes a "3.5 mm audio input cable" and since this is a THX certified kit I'm going to assume it's of reasonable quality so you'd be set as is.

[Quinn Inuit]

Oh, perfect. There we go, then.

[Quinn Inuit]

Sadly, the only soundbar I can afford is that Vizio one.