Investing in a television with robust sound quality enhances your viewing pleasure tremendously. Immersive, dynamic audio draws you deeper into movies, sports, and games—without needing to shell out more money for a separate sound system.
In this buying guide, I‘ll highlight the TV models that go above and beyond in audio performance. You‘ll get to know the latest innovations in surround sound technology that make dialogue, music, and effects really pop.
Whether your budget is limited or open-ended, you can find a TV here that fits your needs and delivers an incredible listening experience right out of the box.
Why Sound Quality Matters in a TV
Stunning visuals tend to dominate the conversation when shopping for a new television. Display resolution, brightness, color accuracy and other factors determine picture excellence.
But sound completes the experience of watching movies or playing games. Immersive audio makes you feel like you‘re right in the middle of the action instead of merely viewing it onscreen.
Today‘s thin-bezel TV designs mean less physical space for substantial built-in speakers. Many models require a separate soundbar purchase to get room-filling, dramatic sound.
That‘s why it really pays off when manufacturers succeed at packing awe-inspiring audio into the TV hardware itself. The technology for surround sound and amplifier power keeps advancing to create phenomenal listening without external speakers cluttering your space.
What to Look for in TVs with Great Sound
Sound Formats: Top-notch TV audio leverages advanced surround formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for three-dimensional, object-based sound placement. The sound field envelops you from all directions for next-level realism.
Speaker Design: More and better-positioned speakers improve a TV‘s soundstage directly. Full-range drivers and independent tweeters provide clearer dialogue, balanced tonality and impactful bass.
Amplifier Power: A TV‘s processing chip and dedicated amplification determine how powerful the audio output can be overall. More watts mean bigger, bolder, room-filling sound.
Calibrated Audio: Higher-end TVs fine-tune audio settings automatically based on the unique acoustic signature of your room. You get optimized sound tailored to your space.
Now let‘s look at this year‘s most impressive TVs for audio performance across premium, mid-range and budget tiers.
The Best TVs for Sound Quality in 2024
Best Overall: Samsung QN95C Neo QLED 8K
The flagship Samsung QN95C (available in 65, 75, 85 inches) stands atop our list for room-dominating sound to match its superb 8K visuals. This quantum dot LED TV supports the latest movie and music surround formats Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for multidimensional audio immersion.
But Samsung‘s custom Object Tracking Sound+ system is what really enthralled me. It produces localized sound that pans smoothly to match the onscreen action, so effects always feel accurately placed around you. The six integrated speakers fire both down and up for overhead dimensionality.
Factor in sufficient wattage to drive the large display, fine-tuning based on environment, and easy soundbar expansion, and the QN95C is a formidable AV centerpiece for premium home theaters. It‘s pricey but pays off for audiovisual enthusiasts.
Key sound specs:
- Dolby Atmos / DTS:X decoding
- Six speakers (4.2.2 channel)
- 70W amplifier
- Object Tracking Sound+
- Q-Symphony soundbar integration
- SpaceFit auto room calibration
Runner-Up: LG G3 OLED
The superb LG G3 proves that OLED TVs can also excel at audio, challenging the notion that their slimmer profiles hinder speaker potential. The unique Evo technology in this bright 77-inch stunner enhances OLED light output considerably. On the sound front, AI Acoustic Tuning customizes output to your room environment for better clarity and bass.
Where the G3 truly soars is its mesmerizing OLED Surround mode. The display itself resonates and generates sound right from the screen in conjunction with several integrated speakers. The sensation of audio tracking every onscreen motion in lockstep is remarkably convincing. And you still get Dolby Atmos decoding and 60W power driving the system.
Yes, it‘s an extravagant luxury model, but oh is it dreamy to behold and hear in a refined home theater.
Key sound specs:
- Dolby Atmos / DTS:X decoding
- 4.2.2 channel speakers
- 60W amplifier
- OLED Surround audio tracking
- AI Acoustic auto room tuning
Best Budget: TCL 6-Series R651
Shopping for impressive sound quality on a tighter budget? The TCL 6-Series R651 line remains my top affordable choice thanks to its mighty 2.1-channel audio system and Dolby Atmos sonic heights. Priced around just $700 and up for various sizes, this mini-LED backlit TV combines stunning 4K/HDR visuals with room-filling, heart-pounding sound beyond its cost.
I‘m excited by the R651‘s multimedia versatility too – it makes broadcast TV, movies, sports and gaming all shine thanks to Auto Game Mode, THX Certified Game Mode, and TCL‘s proprietary RAY·DANZ sound system. The latter leverages audio algorithms and physical acoustic architecture working together to project a wider soundstage.
Could the bass and overall loudness push deeper still? Sure, but for this gangbusters home theater value anchored by thrilling object-based surround sound, TCL delivers big time.
Key sound specs
- Dolby Atmos decoding
- Built-in subwoofer
- Auto volume / dialogue enhancement
- Dedicated gaming audio modes
- RAY·DANZ sound processing
What It‘s Like Using a TV with Excellent Sound
Bringing home a television with stellar sonic abilities like the models profiled above transforms your daily entertainment ritual. Dialogue becomes more crisp and clear at multiple volume levels. Sound effects wrap around your senses with pinpoint directional accuracy. Heart-pounding bass hits you in the chest during action flicks.
In essence, you feel a lot more immersed in everything you watch and play. You‘ll also appreciate no longer needing a separate soundbar purchase to achieve audio excellence. And if you do already own one, connecting it to your TV becomes optional rather than essential.
Note that to unlock the full potential of a TV‘s sound technologies, source content needs to support advanced formats like Dolby Atmos mixes. Much of the latest movies/shows on 4K Blu-Ray discs and leading streamers like Netflix, Disney+ and Apple TV+ now accommodate this.
TV Sound FAQ
How important is wattage for TV audio quality?
Higher amplifier wattage capabilities allow a TV to drive louder sound overall with more dynamic range. As screens get larger and slimmer, achieving impactful volume gets harder. So wattage helps compensate.
Should I get OLED or QLED for better sound?
There is no inherent audio advantage to OLED vs QLED displays. Manufacturers outfit both with compelling sound innovations nowadays. It comes down to a brand‘s speaker endowment philosophy. Samsung is more audio-focused with QLED, while LG zeros in beautifully on sound with its self-emitting OLEDs.
What about display types like DLP and MicroLED?
Alternative TV technologies currently underserve audio performance due to very niche market targeting and commercial applications. Big names like Samsung and LG still lead the sound quality race for consumer home theater products because of their vast R&D budgets and innovations.
Do smart capabilities influence audio?
Integrated platforms like webOS, Tizen and Google TV include handy audio settings to tweak sound further through an onscreen interface. Auto volume adjustment and dialogue enhancements are common. Gaming profiles tend to be more customizable for reducing lag and heightening certain audio effects. So smart platforms provide useful supplemental control that plain displays don‘t accommodate.
Crank Up the Volume
I hope this detailed breakdown gives you new insight into the integral role audio plays in buying the best television. While you still sacrifice some sound fullness and oomph versus a dedicated surround system, the latest engineering feats let premium models shine tremendously right out of the box.
And choosing a best-in-class audio performer no longer needs to demolish your wallet thanks to fierce competition between brands at all pricing tiers. The thrilling advancements happening across the board make this an exciting time for lovers of immersive entertainment.
Image credit: pxhere
