With the tip of the 12 months simply across the nook, I am making an attempt to determine which audio system I can purchase to enhance my Samsung sensible TV, and I’ve gone down a rabbit gap. From what I hear, many individuals do once they attempt to buy new audio gear.

I did not go too far on an limitless analysis journey earlier than pulling myself out of stated rabbit gap, however deep sufficient to the place I’ve a couple of ideas I need to share with different individuals who may be searching for a greater audio expertise for his or her TVs.

Thoughts you, these are simply my ideas, and I am positive there are audiophiles on the market who want to burn me on the stake for what I am about to say. I am going to threat it.

Let’s begin with a so-called “scorching take.”

(Some) built-in Samsung TV audio system aren’t that unhealthy. No, actually!

Okay, I do know you’ve got heard all about the truth that built-in TV audio system sound like tin cans. And I agree. In some circumstances, they do.

Nevertheless, I’ve owned two Samsung sensible TVs over the previous 4 years, and that case concerning the built-in audio system was true just for considered one of them. A low-end Crystal LCD mannequin.

In the meantime, my 50-inch QN90C Neo QLED TV sounds fairly first rate.

I perceive all this may be subjective, and my “first rate” could possibly be another person’s “sub-optimal.” So, let me put it like this:

• I choose the on-board Adaptive Sound+ audio system on my Neo QLED TV to the outdated Sony HT-SF150 soundbar I purchased a couple of years in the past.

That soundbar was mandatory for my Samsung Crystal TV, whose audio system did sound like tin cans. However in comparison with the TV audio system on my Neo QLED, the outdated Sony soundbar is worse — at the very least to my ears.

Granted, the on-board audio system have barely much less bass than the Sony soundbar. Nevertheless, they’ve a a lot wider soundstage with higher sound separation. Plus, they sound crisper and never practically as muffled because the HT-SF150 soundbar. I rather more take pleasure in these traits.

In my expertise, I imagine you may be higher off utilizing the on-board audio system than an affordable soundbar from one other model. Nevertheless, it depends upon how a lot you spend in your Samsung TV, and I can not inform you the place exactly that crossover level is, from tin can audio system to first rate ones.

Why I made a decision in opposition to a soundbar with a devoted subwoofer

Going into this journey to seek out the proper audio resolution to enhance my TV audio system, the one factor I used to be positive of was that I needed a Samsung audio resolution. I have not modified my thoughts.

As I stated, the on-board TV audio system on my Neo QLED are first rate sufficient to the place I do not want something additional. However I’m an enormous fan of Samsung’s Q-Symphony idea, as I defined in an editorial final month.

I need to improve, slightly than substitute, my on-board TV audio system. And Q-Symphony will assist me do precisely that.

Now, what’s this about not wanting a subwoofer? Properly, that is the place the audiophile military would possibly as soon as once more really feel like raining down on me, however darn it, I am not backing down.

Initially, my eyes have been set on the Samsung Q-Collection HW-Q600C soundbar + subwoofer. It appeared to tick all the appropriate bins inside my price range.

Then, I discovered concerning the subwoofer crawl. It is a approach the place you actually crawl across the ground and transfer your subwoofer across the room to seek out the proper spot. You possibly can Google it and see what it is all about.

You do not have “crawl” all of your audio system, however subwoofers are particular like that. Because it seems, they’re very choosy relating to the place you place them. Relying on the subwoofer’s location within the room relative to the listener’s place, it may possibly sound higher or worse.

Discovering out about subwoofer crawling jogged my memory that almost each subwoofer system I had prior to now appeared like I had some synthetic additional bass tacked onto the mids and highs of my music slightly than sounding pure.

Which will very effectively be a attribute of the subwoofer expertise in itself, and whether it is, I can do with out. Or perhaps, had I arrange my subwoofers correctly prior to now, I would not have had this expertise. It is in all probability the latter, however that also will not change my thoughts.

To not point out that I need a first rate audio expertise wherever within the room and never only one specific candy spot.

Look, I get it. If you wish to throw a celebration with music blasting or have a cinematic expertise the place the sofa vibrates underneath you, that is all enjoyable. However that is not what I am after, and my neighbors doubtless recognize it.

The very last thing I need once I watch a film or play a console online game is to succeed in out for the distant to rapidly decrease the amount when the subwoofer goes wild in the midst of the night time. All I need is a fuller, wider, and crispier sound.

Moreover, I haven’t got sufficient room to be choosy a couple of subwoofer’s placement. And, to be sincere, I simply can’t be bothered with doing one thing like a subwoofer crawl. As a bonus, one much less electrical plug is a pleasant perk.

All issues thought of, a subwoofer is beginning to sound like an excessive amount of of a headache. I made a decision I do not need one hooked up to my Samsung sensible TV, so the Q-Collection HW-Q600C and different Samsung soundbars with subwoofers are out of the image.

My two remaining choices: Music Body or S-Collection HW-S60D

Having narrowed down my search, I ended up with these two choices. I both purchase the Music Body sensible speaker or the S-Collection HW-S60D soundbar.

Each have cool options I need, reminiscent of Dolby ATMOS, Adaptive Sound, SpaceFit Sound Professional, and Q-Symphony, and so they lack devoted subwoofers. In addition they value about the identical and are presently discounted.

The ultimate query is, which one ought to I decide? Judging by the spec sheet, the HW-S60D soundbar has one additional speaker, extra channels, and extra energy. On paper, it ought to ship a greater audio expertise than the Music Body.

However, I’ve seen a couple of worrying consumer evaluations on the S60D soundbar not connecting to Q-Symphony correctly and having firmware points, so I won’t need to take the danger. I worth comfort.

The Music Body is extra fashionable and a bit extra intelligent in different methods. It has an incredible design, and the interchangeable body and album artwork are good touches. The Music Body would possibly simply be the proper piece to enhance my on-board audio system.

How I am going to determine, I have no idea. I would flip a coin. Both method, I’ll decide one or the opposite quickly. Keep tuned if you wish to know extra.