Improve TV sound.

Dave,

The Bose system is designed to work with its own sub (which drives the satellites) so unless you have this then forget it.

Your options are basically a soundbar as you say, a Q Acoustics TV sound system (model number escapes me but it will on their website) or a stereo amp/speakers. If budget is really tight and you are not too fussed about absolute quality then look at a Logitech 2.1 system or an AE Aego M 2.1 or similar. If this is fed via the TV's headphone output then you will retain remote control of volume. I used such an arrangement once for a while and although not proper hi-fi quality it was more than good enough to enjoy DVD's etc. and light years ahead of the weedy sound system in my Samsung LCD.

Peter

Hi pj12,

Thanks, I have the sub, together with a pair of the cubes X 2, though what is baffling me is the fact that the sub is not itself powered.............and anyway, I can't see how it would connect with the TV.

I assume, the TV wouldn't chuck out sufficient power to drive both it and the cubes, in any case.

I last used this setup years ago to provide sounds in the dining room, and, though it's not exactly hi fi, I'm thinking that the SQ might well be every bit as good as a soundbar.

There's the usual RCA audio outputs on the TV, together with a headphone out. Any thoughts?

Regards,

Dave.

Dave,

I've only ever used a Bose 2.1 desktop speaker system once with a small LCD TV. In that system the sub was mains powered and contained amplification to drive the satellites which were connected to it. The sub took its signal from the TV headphone socket - the TV RCA outputs would have worked but are fixed level so the TV remote in that case could not have been used to control volume.

You need to ascertain what socketry is available on the Bose sub. If there is no mains socket then it is obviously passive. If that is the case then you are stuck. Even a home cinema receiver would not drive it as these have line-level outputs to drive active subs. The only thing I can think of is that the Bose speakers were part of a complete Bose system and designed to work only with the main unit as a complete set-up. If that is the csae then it won't be usable in any other configuration. You say that you used it in the past though, so how were you driving it then?

Peter

Hi,

The sub was running from a second pair of speaker outlets on a Marantz amp, which, I guess, provided sufficient power to drive it.

It's been years since it was used, and when I dug it out I was fully expecting to find that the sub was powered.........no luck!

Oh well .

Regards,

Dave.

Dave,

Realistically in that case I think you'll have to abandon the Bose. Have a look at the AE Aego M 2.1 system. I've used this in the past with my Samsung LCD and its a very nice little system and (for me anyway) plenty good enough for enjoying DVD's. Also very well built and neat. You can drive it from the RCA outs on the TV or from the headphone out. I used the headphone out as I wanted remote control of volume. As a bonus it comes with all the connecting leads you will need for hooking up to either RCA or the headphone jack. Good luck.

Peter

Dave

If you're looking for a very simple system to improve the TV's sound I'd recommend a Bose 2.1.  I've set them up for my father and one of my daughters.   They're cheap (circa £200-£300 from memory), easy to use, the two tiny speakers can perch on same stand as the TV and the sub behind so the system is very unobtrusive. I think the sound quality is really very good for the price. I could happily live with it.

MDS  

MDS,

It's purely a matter of personal opinion of course, but having used both Bose and Acoustic Energy 2.1 systems on my TV I think the AE system is quite a bit better, and cheaper as well. Having said that the Bose was good and I could easily live with it too.

Peter

Peter

I've not seen or heard or the AE system so would bow to your greater experience here.  I think the Bose system 2.1 was originally designed to augment the sound on a PC but it works a treat on a TV.  I know from your other posts that you're an advocate of the enjoyment that less expensive kit can deliver and on that score I know that the enjoyment to be had from a little Bose 2.1 is very much greater than would be implied from the fact that is costs about one twentieth of the cost of my AV system!  A good example of your wider argument, I think.

MDS 

MDS,

Yes the Bose 2.1 system I used was designed for PC's and cost £300 at the time. Very nice and nothing wrong with it at all, it's just that I discovered the AE system later. The AE system cost just over £100 and I thought it was better, smoother sounding, more detailed and with better bass balance. Also very well made, the tiny satellites are in metal enclosures. In the end both are very good, and as you say, makes one wonder if it's worth bothering with anything more elaborate.

I now route the DVD sound through my little Denon/Eclipse system as the TV is between the speakers. However if I had to have the TV elsewhere I would buy an AE system again for sure.

Cheers,

Peter

See if you can find a s/h Meridian F80 (Or the newer model  but functionall identical M80) I paid retail for mine and it sounds great at my house.  These are often on Audiogon in the US for about half retail.  They are due to come out with an update Soon, with HDMI, Air Play, etc.  mine has a single digital input, but plays DVD and sounds great.

We've got a Denon DHT-FS 3 X-Space. We don't mix the music system with the AV system. For pumping up and widening the sound out of a telly it works very well and is also more than good enough with music DVDs. Not interested in surround sound and all the associated paraphernalia. I expect most soundbars will do the trick. It's probably more a case of where you can score the best deal.

I tried the Bose 2.1 on my computer and found it had an annoying hiss that was audible quite a lot of the time, very irritating when the speakers are on all the time when you are using a computer. I returned it and went for AE system Peter is suggesting and it is very good.  I think it is better than the Bose and much cheaper.

However I suspect you could press the Accoustimass system into use with better results.  We have a set in the kitchen, ours is the model 3 which has the single cubes running off an old Creek amplifier (source is Sonos) I bought for a song on eBay and whilst. It doesn't excite, the sound is quite balanced and pleasant, great for music when we have breakfast etc.

Our sub connects to the amplifier and then the cubes connect to the sub, I expect the crossover is in the sub, hence the need for them to be chained in this way.

You probably have some line outs from your TV which could feed an inexpensive, but quality amp and have you sorted for a song.

Richard

You may think I am not serious, but I am:  If you have not yet heard a B&O Beolit 12, you should.  A sound bar might possibly give you more stereo effect, but the Beolit 12 would be a super upgrade to most TV's I have heard.  And you could take it on holiday with you!

ATB,

Nick

At £600 for Beolit just buy a better TV.

$720 On Sale in the US brings the Beolit 12 within range of the B&W Zeppelin at $600.  IMHO, the Beolit sounds better.  A well-positioned Tivoli SongBook might better a lot of TV's speakers for less; but the Beolit achieves scale the others cannot seem to match.  Really, an interesting listen; ignore the looks.

Nick

Hi,

Thanks for all the input...........guess what?

All along, I had a long retired Marantz amp in the attic.......Doh!!!

Anyway, pressed it into service, hooked up to the audio out on the tv, so once it's warmed up, we'll see what it sounds like.

Money saved on sound bar can go towards more music.

Regards,

Dave. 

No Marantz like an old Marantz!  Sounds like someting I would do.  What model?

Nick

Hello Dave,

Too bad your DAC is in another room. I was using RCA outs from the TV into the 282. Yesterday I finally got myself an optical digital audio cable and tried it into my DAC/XPS2. I was quite surprised with the difference. So much clearer, more detail etc. Anyways, you can imagine it's significantly better. 

I'm guessing this old Marantz doesn't have digital inputs. I don't see the need for surround sound myself. Perhaps look for a newer amp with digital inputs. Setup a good 2.0 or 2.1 system and you'll be happy. But by all means, try out the retired Marantz first. 

I've never been too impressed with the Bose stuff nor the soundbars to be honest. 

Arun

Unitiqute stereo speakers either side job done. 

Hi Nick,

Sorry to take so long replying, just got home from the footy.

It's a PM 7000, and, having been warming up for the last few hours, sounds just fine for TV duties .

I'll give it a few days, then maybe consider binning the Bose speakers and passive sub.

I did have the tv running via the DAC, but decided to separate tv watching from music listening, hence the original post.

Maybe look at the Beresford dac or similar, as a way of improving things if I find it lacking.

Thanks for all the suggestions chaps.

Regards,

Dave.

PM7000 is a rather handsome unit, isnt it?  Especially for Surplus.  Treat it to some decent speakers and I'd bet you'll be pleased.  Good luck!

Nick