Should I be Disabling TV's Internal Speakers?

[Acceptable]

I have a 32" Samsung flatscreen and recently purchased a pair of Polk TSi100 + SMHL SA-50 amp for them.

I noticed that when watching movies/TV shows, the bass on the TSi100s can be a bit overwhelming and I find myself having to turn up the volume a bit too high in order to be able to hear the movie dialogue.

However, when I turn on my TV's built-in speakers in conjunction with the TSi100's, because they lack bass, I find that they add a good treble boost to the overall sound.

Do most people turn off their TV's internal speakers? When listening to music, will the overall sound quality be worse if I leave the internal speakers on?

 

[TLS Guy]

I have a 32" Samsung flatscreen and recently purchased a pair of Polk TSi100 + SMHL SA-50 amp for them.

I noticed that when watching movies/TV shows, the bass on the TSi100s can be a bit overwhelming and I find myself having to turn up the volume a bit too high in order to be able to hear the movie dialogue.

However, when I turn on my TV's built-in speakers in conjunction with the TSi100's, because they lack bass, I find that they add a good treble boost to the overall sound.

Do most people turn off their TV's internal speakers? When listening to music, will the overall sound quality be worse if I leave the internal speakers on?

That is a sure sign you bought lousy speakers. I never use TV speakers. However if you have to use the TVs speakers to hear dialog, then use them.

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

Your second paragraph says the Polk speakers have too much bass, then your third paragraph says they don’t have enough bass, so you turn on the TV speakers to compensate?

I’m guessing the amp is getting its signal from the TV? If so just use the TV’s built-in tone controls to adjust the bass or treble.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[Acceptable]

Sorry for the confusion, in my third paragraph, I meant that the TV's internal speakers don't have bass, so the TV's internal speakers would just be contribute extra treble volume.

The Polks are rear-ported and due to space limitations, I have them about 4 inches away from a rear wall. Could this poor placement be a contributing factor to the overburdening bass?

 

[markw]

This is a hobby of personal preferences. If your setup sounds better to you with the speakers on, then go for it. If you prefer them off, then go for that.

If it sounds better one way for music and the other way for video, then switch them on or off as you wish.

Personally, I prefer them off but there is no right or wrong here. It's your system, your room, and your ears, not mine.

 

[markw]

There is no right or wrong here. It's your system, your room and your ears. Listen to it as you like it.

If you prefer the sound with the TV speakers on, then go for it. If you prefer it off, then go for that. If you like it one way for music and the other way for TV, then turn the speakers off or on depending on what you're listening to.

Personally, I prefer the sound with the TV speakers off but that's me, not you.

hint: if you want to decrease the bass a bit, you can stuff socks into the speaker ports.

 

[Acceptable]

Are the speaker ports the holes at the back of the speaker where air comes out? Will this damage the speakers in any way since we are preventing air from exiting?

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

I have them about 4 inches away from a rear wall. Could this poor placement be a contributing factor to the overburdening bass?

Any reason why you’re reluctant to use the TV’s bass tone control? It’s the primary method people have used to adjust the bass like, forever.

Are the speaker ports the holes at the back of the speaker where air comes out? Will this damage the speakers in any way since we are preventing air from exiting?

Yes, the ports are the holes on the back. There’s nothing preventing the air from exiting if the speakers are 4” inches from the back wall.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[markw]

Are the speaker ports the holes at the back of the speaker where air comes out? Will this damage the speakers in any way since we are preventing air from exiting?

Yes, and no, it won't hurt anything.