Need a simple solution for my LCD's lousy sound

[ezdriver]

I bought a Samsung 26" LCD for my small bedroom and have to admit that the 2 10-watt speakers sound pretty bad. I was thinking about connecting it to a small amplifier with a couple of small speakers to improve the sound. I don't want a full blown AV receiver set-up like I have in my living room (40-inch Samsung, Yamaha V663, Klipsch, etc.). I just want to keep it simple (and inexpensive) and was looking for any help in directing me. Thanks.

 

[MDS]

Any inexpensive amp would do the trick. I've never owned one, but there is a lot of mention of the T-amp and AudioSource amps. These are not super higher power type amplifiers but are small and inexpensive - I believe in the $50 to $100 range. I think something like that would work fine with a decent set of bookshelf speakers.

 

[jamie2112]

The T-Amp is a great idea for what you want to do. Good call MDS....You can send signal right from the tv to the amp to whatever bookshelves you want..no problem . Thats the way to push "the ease your life button"...

 

[Hi Ho]

Samsung LCDs have terrible speakers. I don't expect much from TV speakers but they are particularly bad. It doesn't get much better in the larger sizes either. A PC speaker system is another suggestion; Something like THIS.

The problem you will run into with either the T-Amp or PC speakers is controlling the volume remotely. I'm not sure that any Samsung LCD sets have a variable audio output. You would have to adjust the volume manually using the volume control on the T-Amp or PC speakers.

If you want to control the volume remotely you will probably need to invest in a stereo receiver.

 

[Nomo]

I'll second the stereo receiver recommendation.

It's pretty easy to find a used one for less than a hundred bucks.

 

[ezdriver]

Great ideas, everyone, and thanks for the input. I was wondering about the sound being controllable from the TV myself, and from what you are saying, it is not. Anyway, just having better sound would definitely be a better trade-off. Thanks again.

ez

 

[Adam]

I was thinking along the lines of Hi Ho in regards to maybe getting some PC speakers. There are a lot of models out there to choose from, and some have remote controls for the volume and power.

Definitely check to see if your TV has variable audio output. You never know, it might. If you have any question about it, just tell us the model number of your TV. We should be able to look it up for you.

 

[Hi Ho]

Another thing to look for is whether your TV has a headphone jack. That would allow you to control the volume with the remote.

 

[ezdriver]

I don't think it has variable audio output, put if you wouldn't mind checking, it's Samsung model LN-S2651D. Thanks.

 

[Adam]

Based on the following wording from page 11 of the users manual, I would say that the analog audio output is variable:

When an audio amplifier is connected to the “AUDIO OUT [L-AUDIO-R]” terminals: Decrease the gain (volume) of the TV, and adjust the volume level with the Amplifier’s volume control.​

Adam

 

[Hi Ho]

Based on the following wording from page 11 of the users manual, I would say that the analog audio output is variable:

When an audio amplifier is connected to the “AUDIO OUT [L-AUDIO-R]” terminals: Decrease the gain (volume) of the TV, and adjust the volume level with the Amplifier’s volume control.

The output is not variable. The manual says to turn the TV speakers all the way down and "adjust the volume level with the Amplifier's volume control". In other words, the audio output jacks are not affected by the volume level on the TV and they are constant. This is the case on every Samsung TV I have worked with. Some sets give you an option for variable or fixed. Samsung doesn't.

 

[Midcow2]

Speakers ..

I bought a Samsung 26" LCD for my small bedroom and have to admit that the 2 10-watt speakers sound pretty bad. I was thinking about connecting it to a small amplifier with a couple of small speakers to improve the sound. I don't want a full blown AV receiver set-up like I have in my living room (40-inch Samsung, Yamaha V663, Klipsch, etc.). I just want to keep it simple (and inexpensive) and was looking for any help in directing me. Thanks.

T-amp a good idea .

How much do you want ot spend on speakers for less than $100 per pair shipped the Sony SB-3000 provide a decent sound. From B & h photo. Ip ut some in the garage and htey have a very nice sound. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?shs=Sony+B3000+speakers&ci=0&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=RootPage.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t

If you want even better and are willing to spend about $220 plus shipping, Cambridge Audio S30 speakers. http://www.wildwestelectronics.net/cambridge-audio-s30-speaker.html

 

[ezdriver]

You would think that Samsung purposely put the lousy speakers in their sets in order to sell a seperate "amp and speaker combo package" to people not happy with the sound. Yet, Samsung doesn't even offer anything like that (are you listening over there in Korea, guys?).

I'll more than likely go for the purchase of an inexpensive amp and a couple of PC speakers. I don't see that costing too much, and it would certainly improve the sound. Thanks for all of your help good people.

 

[jcPanny]

TV Speaker upgrade

Also check out the Audio Engine 5 powered speakers. They are a quality set of bookshelf speakers with the amplifier built in. They are a good all in one upgrade from the LCD speakers.

http://audioengineusa.com/store/index.php?cPath=19&osCsid=c703a051f8682e5bf0db5e4387244d17

If you do a lot of movie watching you could add a small sub like the AV123 X-sub.
http://av123.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=41&category_id=9&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=37

 

[ezdriver]

I was looking at the AudioSource Amp One and it mentions Internal Bridging as one of it's selling points. What is internal bridging?

 

[MDS]

I was looking at the AudioSource Amp One and it mentions Internal Bridging as one of it's selling points. What is internal bridging?

Combining multiple channels into one for a higher power rating.

 

[Seth=L]

Also check out the Audio Engine 5 powered speakers. They are a quality set of bookshelf speakers with the amplifier built in. They are a good all in one upgrade from the LCD speakers.

http://audioengineusa.com/store/index.php?cPath=19&osCsid=c703a051f8682e5bf0db5e4387244d17

If you do a lot of movie watching you could add a small sub like the AV123 X-sub.
http://av123.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=41&category_id=9&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=37

I second this recommendation, however, how would you get the subwoofer to integrate properly with the Audio Engine speakers?

To the OP, if you can nail something like what I have in my signature (minus the speakers that come with it) for cheap, jump on it. I love that Teac CD/receiver. It operates just as a full size component does with less power of course, but more than adequate to get most speakers to reach respectable levels of output. Understand this isn't a typical all in one stereo you get at Bestbuy, new these systems are expensive. This particular one was refurbished and I got an amazing deal. Onkyo, Denon, and Yamaha offers similarly functioning units (ones that act like big boy equipment without taking up a lot of space). I see plenty good deals on the Onkyo CD/receiver units, maybe you can even hit Joe Schmoe up on this forum for a deal on his. The Onkyo's have a few inputs. My personal experience with using TV's as audio switchers has been bad, typically the output stages on the TV are too low and clip causing excessive excersion on woofers that places horrible demands on amplifiers. So using those inputs you can pipe your DVD player or another source into it as well as the TV's output for regular broadcasting (you shouldn't face the same clipping issues here).

BHphoto has one for under $200 before shipping. The speakers that come with the Onkyos are decent, but you could upgrade them at a later time. They would be significantly better than what comes with the Teac, the ones that came with mine where completely pathetic. And they would be several cuts above the speakers in the Samsung.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?A=RetrieveSku&IC=ONCS315S&Q=&O=

 

[jcPanny]

Sub connection

I second this recommendation, however, how would you get the subwoofer to integrate properly with the Audio Engine speakers?

The X-sub offers stereo line level inputs and its own crossover setting. The signal from the sound card to the speakers is a stereo line level signal. Audioengine offers their own sub so there is probably a provision on the back of the speakers to daisy chain the line level signal to the sub. If not, a couple adapters from radio shack or monoprice would allow the sub connection.