The 4 Best Sounding TVs – Summer 2023: Reviews
- Table of Contents
- Intro
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Best TV
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Best Upper Mid-Range
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Best Mid-Range
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Best Budget
- Notable Mentions
- Recent Updates
- All Reviews
- Discussions
Updated Jun 21, 2023 at 08:41 am
By Pierre-Olivier Jourdenais
No home entertainment system can deliver an extraordinary experience without proper sound quality, even if you have the best picture quality from your TV. Like in a movie theater or a stadium, sound plays an important role in immersing the audience. TVs are getting thinner and thinner, which means less space for proper speakers. Despite this, modern high-end TVs can get loud, some have okay bass and deliver clear and understandable dialogue, but the sound quality is still nothing compared to a proper sound setup. We suggest you check our recommendations for the best soundbars if you want the best sound.
We’ve bought and tested more than 390 TVs, and below are our recommendations for the TVs with the best sound you can buy. Make sure to check out recommendations for the best TVs, the best outdoor TVs, and the best smart TVs. Brands have been releasing their 2023 lineups, so vote on which ones you want us to buy and test. To learn more about the 2023 models, check out our 2023 TV lineup page.
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Best Sounding TV
LG G1 OLED
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Mixed Usage
8.9
Movies
9.4
TV Shows
8.3
Sports
8.7
Video Games
9.
3
HDR Movies
8.8
HDR Gaming
9.1
PC Monitor
8.9
Type
OLED
Sub-Type
WOLED
Resolution
4k
Sizes
55″ 65″ 77″See all our test results
The best sounding TV we’ve tested is the LG G1 OLED. It’s an impressive TV that delivers fantastic visuals with good sound quality. It has a very good frequency response, with one of the best bass responses we’ve measured on a TV, so unlike most TVs, there’s a bit of thump and rumble. It also gets very loud, but there are some compression artifacts at max volume. It has an extremely well-balanced sound profile at moderate listening levels, so dialogue is clear and easy to understand.
It also supports eARC, which is great if you connect it to a home theater system or soundbar.
It also delivers fantastic picture quality thanks to its OLED panel. Blacks are perfectly deep and uniform in a dark room, which is great for watching movies as there’s no distracting blooming or haloing around bright objects or subtitles. It can display a wide color gamut with HDR content, which looks incredibly vivid and lifelike. Its successor, the LG G2 OLED, had unimpressive sound, but the recently released LG G3 OLED sounds good and has less distortion than the G1. Sadly the G3 doesn’t get as loud and has significantly less bass than its predecessor, so the G1 still sounds better overall, but the G3 supports advanced DTS and DTS:X audio formats. It’s a tough decision, but as the G1 sounds better, is still widely available, and is cheaper, it’s still our pick.
See our review
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Best Sounding Upper Mid-Range TV
Sony X95K
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Mixed Usage
8.
4
TV Shows
8.2
Sports
8.3
Video Games
8.7
HDR Movies
8.4
HDR Gaming
8.7
PC Monitor
8.6
Type
LED
Sub-Type
VA
Resolution
4k
Sizes
65″ 75″ 85″See all our test results
The TV with the best sound we’ve tested in the upper mid-range category is the Sony X95K. It’s a great TV overall that sounds good. Its well-balanced sound profile makes dialogue clear and easy to understand.
It doesn’t get as loud as the LG G1 OLED and has less bass, but it has less compression and very little distortion at high volume levels. It supports eARC and a wider range of audio formats than the LG, including DTS:X via DTS-HD MA, which is great as that’s the most commonly supported format on UHD Blu-ray movies.
It delivers fantastic picture quality, but whereas the LG delivers perfect inky blacks with no blooming thanks to its OLED panel, the Sony relies on a Mini LED full array local dimming feature to achieve deep blacks, so there’s more distracting blooming around bright objects. It still looks great, and bright highlights stand out with its excellent peak brightness in HDR. It also has a wide color gamut, making HDR content vivid and lifelike.
See our review
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Best Sounding Mid-Range TV
TCL 6 Series/R646 2021 QLED
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Mixed Usage
8.
0
TV Shows
7.5
Sports
7.6
Video Games
8.7
HDR Movies
8.1
HDR Gaming
8.7
PC Monitor
8.4
Type
LED
Sub-Type
VA
Resolution
4k
Sizes
55″ 65″ 75″See all our test results
The TCL 6 Series/R646 2021 QLED is the best-sounding mid-range TV we’ve tested. It’s a great overall TV available in a few different sizes, from 55 to 75 inches, and it combines its great picture quality with good sound quality.
It has a decent frequency response with a well-balanced sound profile that delivers clear dialogue, which is great for watching the news or TV shows. It also gets very loud as it’s one of the lowest TVs we’ve tested, with very little distortion, even at max volume. If you plan on using an external soundbar or home theater system, it supports eARC audio passthrough with all major formats.
It delivers similar overall sound quality to the Sony X95K but has slightly worse picture quality, as it’s not as bright as the Sony and has a narrow viewing angle. It performs well in dark and bright environments thanks to its great peak brightness and high contrast ratio. It uses the user-friendly Google TV smart platform, which is easy to use and has a huge selection of streaming apps, so you can easily find your favorite streaming content. Its successor, the TCL 6 Series/R655 2022 QLED, doesn’t sound nearly as good, so it’s not a contender for our pick.
See our review
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Best Sounding Budget TV
Insignia F50 QLED
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Mixed Usage
7.
5
Movies
7.9
TV Shows
7.3
Sports
7.0
Video Games
7.9
HDR Movies
7.6
HDR Gaming
8.2
PC Monitor
6.5
Type
LED
Sub-Type
VA
Resolution
4k
Sizes
50″ 55″ 65″ 70″See all our test results
The Insignia F50 QLED is the best budget TV with decent sound quality that we’ve tested.
It’s a simple TV with okay overall performance, and it offers good value for its price. It surprisingly has an alright sound quality for a budget-friendly TV, as most other low-cost options have mediocre sound. It gets fairly loud and has a well-balanced sound profile, meaning it’s a good choice for listening to dialogue, but like most TVs, it doesn’t produce much bass, so get a soundbar for the best sound possible. If you do, the TV supports Dolby and DTS audio formats for passthrough.
The built-in Fire TV platform is user-friendly, and menu navigation feels smooth. It has a bunch of apps you can download, and the mic built into the remote gives you access to the Alexa voice assistant feature. It also has decent overall picture quality with deep blacks if you want to use it in a dark room and decent peak brightness and reflection handling in bright rooms. It’s difficult to find, as it’s been discontinued, but the 50-inch and 65-inch models are still readily available.
See our review
Notable Mentions
- Sony X90K:
The Sony X90K is a lower-end version of the Sony X95K.It means it doesn’t sound as good and isn’t as bright, but it still has decent sound quality and excellent peak brightness, so it’s still a good choice for well-lit rooms if you want to save a bit of money.
See our review - Vizio M7 Series Quantum 2021:
The Vizio M7 Series Quantum 2021 has decent sound and is overall better than the Insignia F50 QLED. However, it has worse smart features and costs more.
See our review - Sony X75K:
The Sony X75K is a decent-sounding TV for a good price, but it has low contrast and just okay picture quality, so the TCL 6 Series/R646 2021 QLED is a better choice for most users.
See our review
Recent Updates
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Jun 21, 2023:
Added mention of the LG G3 OLED in the ‘Best Sounding TV’ pick and mentioned the TCL 6 Series/R655 QLED in the ‘Best-Sounding Mid-Range TV’ text.Refreshed the text and checked the picks for consistency and availability.
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Mar 10, 2023:
Verified our picks for accuracy and availability, and added the Sony X75K as a Notable Mention. -
Jan 09, 2023:
Verified our picks for accuracy and refreshed the text. -
Oct 21, 2022:
Moved the TCL 6 Series/R646 2021 QLED to the ‘Best Mid-Range’ pick, and added the LG G1 OLED and the Sony X95K as the ‘Best TV’ and ‘Best Upper Mid-Range TV’, respectively. -
Jul 29, 2022:
Restructured article to keep a focus on sound; made the TCL 6 Series/R646 as the ‘Best Sounding TV’ and replaced the Vizio M7 Series Quantum 2021 with the Insignia F50 QLED in the budget category; renamed the Sony A90J as the ‘Best For Home Theaters’ and added the Sony X95K as the ‘Best For Bright Rooms’; removed the Samsung Q80A and the Hisense U6G.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best sounding TVs to buy for most people with different tastes. We factor in the price (a cheaper TV wins over a pricier one if the difference isn’t worth it), and availability (no TVs that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to do the work of choosing yourself, here is the list of all our reviews of TVs, sorted by their sound quality. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no TV is perfect, most TVs are great enough to please almost everyone, and the differences are often not noticeable unless you really look for them. Keep in mind that no TV can deliver the sound quality of a dedicated sound system or a soundbar.
Best Sounding TV 2023 ~ Top TVs With Great Sound Quality
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Table of Contents_
- Top 10 Best Sounding TVs
- #1 LG CX Best Sounding TV
- #2 Samsung Q80R Best Sounding TV
- #3 Samsung QN65Q6FN Best Sounding TV
- #4 Hisense 55H8G Sounding TV
- #5 LG OLED65E8PUA Best Sounding TV
- #6 Samsung Series 7 RU7100 Best Sounding TV
- #7 Samsung UN55NU7100 Sounding TV
- #8 Samsung Q9F Best Sounding TV
- #9 LG OLED E9 Best Sounding TV
- #10 LG 65SK8000PUA Best Sounding TV
- How We Decided
- Best Sounding TV Buyer’s Guide
- The Most Important Features to Consider
Choosing the best sounding TV could mean the difference between haphazard and choppy sound or a rich and immersive audio experience. Our evaluation focused on performance/display, sound quality, and interface/user experience.
LG OLED48CXPUB Alexa Built-In CX 48″ 4K Smart OLED…
(5613)
SAMSUNG QN55Q80RAFXZA Flat 55-Inch QLED 4K Q80…
(1041)
Samsung QN65Q6FN FLAT 65” QLED 4K UHD 6 Series…
(1217)
After more than 16 hours of research, our pick for the best sounding TV goes to the LG OLED E9 Sounding TV. It is an all-around workhorse, boasting Dolby Atmos surround sound, LG’s α9 Gen 2 Intelligent Processor for a super vivid picture, and built-in Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Airplay 2 compatibility for voice controls of playback functions and smart home devices. If you like what you have read so far, keep reading to learn more. And, if you would like to see some more quality products, a good place to start is our guide to the best TVs.
Top 10 Best Sounding TVs
#1 LG CX Best Sounding TV
5,613 Reviews
Our #1 Pick is the LG CX Best Sounding TV
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: This best-sounding TV features Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos for optimized multi-dimensional surround sound, a recommended pick for a home theater in any sized living room.
Pros
- Dual speakers are Bluetooth Surround ready
- Supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG formats
- Whopping 4 HDMI and 3 USB ports
Cons
- Somewhat sensitive TV remote
- Very short power cord (roughly 3 feet)
Our favorite feature of this best-sounding TV is its Dolby Atmos setup, which uses full 360 degrees of sound to fill up the room, delivering audio based on 3D space and not a particular speaker for the best sound output for TV. Bluetooth Surround Ready technology also allows connecting of up to two LG Bluetooth speakers. Dolby Vision IQ also enhances the viewing experience with potent picture processing, adjusting picture settings based on background lighting conditions. Kudos for NVIDIA G-SYNC** and FreeSync*, which deliver low input lag and blistering quick response times with high motion scenes. If you want more quality televisions with quick response times, then check out our guide to the best time to buy a TV.
Another homerun-hitting feature of this TV with the best sound quality is its LG ThinQ AI, webOS platform, which intuitively lays out streaming content. Built-in Google Assistant and Alexa also work with Apple AirPlay 2 & HomeKit to playback using voice commands and stream content straight from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. It’s a nice upgrade for anyone who has been looking for the best 1080p TV.
#2 Samsung Q80R Best Sounding TV
1,041 Reviews
Our #2 Pick is the Samsung Q80R Best Sounding TV
Award: BEST FOR BRIGHT ROOMS
WHY WE LIKE IT: This best-sounding TV delivers with Quantum Dot technology for a 1+ billion color palette and Direct Full Array 8X technology for contrast optimization, an excellent choice for people who want the brightest picture possible.
Pros
- 1 billion+ colors (QDot Technology)
- Quantum 4K Processor for rich color depth
- Captivating Ambient Mode with at-a-glance info
Cons
- Lots of Samsung ‘bloatware’ pre-installed
- “Bixby” voice command system not the most responsive
This best-sounding TV’s Quantium 4K Processor technology is really potent, upscaling non-HD content to near 4K for a vivid contrast and rich color depth. Precision-controlled LEDs (Direct Full Array 8X) contribute to purer blacks and whites, with HDR delivering a much brighter picture than standard dynamic range TVs.
We love this best sounding TV’s Ambient Mode, which converts your screen into a visual backdrop with wallpaper, at-a-glance information (e.g. news and weather), and a collection of different designs and patterns when the TV is not in use. Two voice command technologies (Alexa and Samsung’s own Bixby) also make it easy to voice command TV functions, ask for weather updates, and more. All of these features make it the best TV for bright rooms on our list.
#3 Samsung QN65Q6FN Best Sounding TV
1,217 Reviews
Our #3 Pick is the Samsung QN65Q6FN Best Sounding TV
Award: BEST REMOTE CONTROL
WHY WE LIKE IT: This best-sounding TV comes with a striking, bezel-less display and OneRemote for detection and control of compatible devices, making it a great choice for minimalists who want to reduce clutter.
Pros
- Minimalist bezel-less display
- Q Color technology for deep color range
- Smart home UX is very intuitive and responsive
Cons
- Not the best brightness levels
- Slight learning curve setting up Samsung SmartThings
This TV’s best feature is its picture quality, with blisteringly accurate colors using Q Color technology for more than one billion shades. Q Contrasts technology also creates outstanding depth with a high dynamic range, resulting in deeper blacks and purer whites. Ambient Mode also does an excellent job of blending in your TV with scenery using photo colleagues or at-a-glance info when not in use.
Its universal OneRemote is very responsible, detecting and connecting multiple compatible devices such as Blu-ray players and surround sound systems to minimize clutter. Kudos for the included SmartThings app, which shows all of your connected devices on the screen for easy toggling. For ease of use, we think it’s one of the best TV for seniors options on our list.
#4 Hisense 55H8G Sounding TV
2,693 Reviews
Our #4 Pick is the Hisense 55H8G Sounding TV
Award: BEST VALUE
WHY WE LIKE IT: This best-sounding TV supports Dolby Vision and is equipped with Dolby Atmos sound, making it an excellent choice as a value home entertainment system away from the big names such as LG, Samsung, and Sony.
Pros
- Up to 700 nits brightness
- Built-in Alexa and Google Assistant
- Full array local dimming for superb contrast and brightness
Cons
- Viewing angles could be better
- No backlighting and clunky remote
The combination of Quantum Dot technology for 1 billion+ shade and Dolby Vision HDR support really creates a vivid and captivating picture across dark and light scenes. Arguably this 55-inch TV’s biggest strength is its brightness, with an up to 700 nit rating for increased light and deeper contrasts. Motion rate 240-image processing also works to provide no noticeable blur and low input lag for high-motion scenes like football scrimmages and UFC fights.
The Android TV platform is one of the smoothest, most responsive TV interfaces we’ve researched, cleanly presenting navigation in an icon-heavy format with responsive scrolling. Its remote has Google Assistant-enabled, making it easy to connect smart home devices and search for your favorite music and shows. All in all, we were very impressed with this best sounding TV’s combination of picture quality and user-friendliness. It’s one of the best TV for sports options on our list.
#5 LG OLED65E8PUA Best Sounding TV
131 Reviews
Our #5 Pick is the LG OLED65E8PUA Best Sounding TV
Award: BEST FOR HEAVY STREAMERS
WHY WE LIKE IT: This TV features the α9 Intelligent Processor for a super smooth picture and the LG Magic Remote, which uses a pointer like a cursor to navigate menus – great for heavy streaming content watchers who want the easiest way to toggle menus.
Pros
- Dolby Atmos for 3D surround audio
- Amazon Alexa and Google Home compatible
- α9 processor for exceptional picture clarity
Cons
- Risk of image burn-in over time due to static images
This best sounding OLED TV leads with Dolby Atmos, which offers true surround sound. It also features a super sharp picture using its α9 processor for outstanding depth and a deep color palette. Combined with Pixel Level Dimming, it controls 8.3 million lit pixels for incredible picture detail, dimming and brightening individual parts of the screen for true color clarity. Kudos for supporting HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision formats.
We like the fact this best sound TV is Amazon Alexa and Google Home compatible, allowing for easy voice controls of playback functions and smart home devices. iTs LG Magic Remote is a true winner, using a pointer cursor to toggle menus – a neat contrast over pressing buttons to reach your favorite music and TV shows. It’s one of the best smart TV for streaming on this list.
#6 Samsung Series 7 RU7100 Best Sounding TV
16,146 Reviews
Our #6 Pick is the Samsung Series 7 RU7100 Best Sounding TV
Award: BEST CONTENT DISCOVERY
WHY WE LIKE IT: This incredible TV features Purcolor technology for a wide color palette and a Universal Guide, making it an excellent choice for people who want to discover new content based on what they watch.
Pros
- Intuitive Universal Guide discovers content
- Purcolor for deep color palette
- Three HDMI ports, two USB ports
Cons
- Does not support Dolby Vision; not a high brightness rating
- Remote could be more intuitive
- Shadow details not as pronounced; contrast could be better
Our thoughts on this best sounding TV are that it is sound, not stellar, across the board. Purcolor technology delivers millions of shades of color, and a 4K UHD Processor helps upscale non-HD content to near 4K – all at a shade below QLEDs and OLEDs with full-array local dimming and a host of other backlighting technologies for richer contrasts. This best sound TV also performs exceptionally well with fast-moving images using Motion Rate 120 technology.
Kudos to Samsung;’s SmartThings operating system, which uses a dashboard that integrates all of your smart home devices to control in one screen. It’s a perfect alternative to barking voice commands on a distant Echo Dot or Google Home devices in a larger home.
#7 Samsung UN55NU7100 Sounding TV
2,249 Reviews
Our #7 Pick is the Samsung UN55NU7100 Sounding TV
Award: BEST INTERFACE
WHY WE LIKE IT: This best-sounding TV is an entry-level performer with 4K LED resolution and the Samsung SmartThings platform for a responsive interface, a great choice for people who want to discover and find content easily.
Pros
- Excellent all-around bass
- HDR-ready for HDR10 format
- Three HDMI ports and two USB ports
Cons
- Not the brightest screen; only 60Hz refresh rate
- Not all viewing angles are created equal
- Does not include full-array local dimming
This best-sounding TV offers one of the cheapest budget options with a two-channel, 20-watt sound system that is filled with booming bass, – surprisingly agile for a value set. On-screen dialogue, motion effects, and louder sounds are heard crystal clear from different room spots, especially with low-end bass levels. All in all, we were very impressed with this best sounding TV’s bass quality.
In terms of display, it offers decent 4K HDR quality at the expense of edge-lit backlighting and a low brightness level, making it more watchable in darker rooms. Our favorite feature with this best sounding TV is the Samsung SmartThings platform, which intuitively lays out streaming content and a smart home device dashboard for all-in-one controls. It’s a nice choice for anyone looking for the best TV for bedrooms.
#8 Samsung Q9F Best Sounding TV
203 Reviews
Our #8 Pick is the Samsung Q9F Best Sounding TV
Award: BEST SUBWOOFER
WHY WE LIKE IT: Features a built-in subwoofer and 4.2CH audio system, which is great for people who enjoy deep bass without resorting to a soundbar.
Pros
- Ambient Mode blends with decor
- Bluetooth Headset Support works for quiet listening
- Excellent sound quality with built-in subwoofer
Cons
- Bixby voice assistant not as responsive as Alexa
- Does not support Dolby Vision
We love this best small TV for sound quality’s picture quality, leading with Full Array Elite backlighting for contrast optimization and Quantum Dot technology for a billion+ color palette, creating a more life-like and vivid picture. An Ambient Mode also converts your TV to a living, breathing wallpaper when not in use, displaying at-a-glance information or background music and screensavers.
This best-sounding TV is pretty good on the sound front, with 4.2CH speakers and a built-in woofer to dent the walls. TV Sound Connect and Bluetooth Headset Support are also enabled, making it great for partners to watch movies alongside a sleeping partner. All in all, its High Dynamic Range and sound quality make it a pretty well-rounded machine. If picture quality is a major concern, you might also like our best curved TV buying guide.
#9 LG OLED E9 Best Sounding TV
115 Reviews
Our #9 Pick is the LG OLED E9 Best Sounding TV
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: This best-sounding TV comes with an embedded soundbar and supports Dolby Atmos, an excellent choice for pure audiophiles looking for the best sound possible in a home theater.
Pros
- Dolby Atmos 3D audio
- LG’s α9 Gen 2 Intelligent Processor for outstanding color depth
- Built-in Alexa and Google Assistant for voice commands
Cons
- Permanent burn-in may be an issue
- QLED is brighter than OLED; better for dark rooms
This best sounding TV uses Dolby Atmos, which is a surround sound technology based on height channels or “object-based” to produce a more immersive sound effect. An embedded built-in speaker/soundbar really pops with great sounds. Separately, image clarity is on point, led by LG’s α9 Gen 2 Intelligent Processor and (8K HLG Pro, 4K Dolby Vision, 4K Technicolor HDR support) and 4-step noise reduction for exceptional picture quality and less distorted picture.
Kudos to its built-in Alexa and Google Assistant, which allows watchers to voice commands for playback functions to control smart home devices. Even Apple Airplay 2 is supported for streaming directly from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to your TV. All in all, we consider this unit as having the best TV sound for the hard of hearing. It’s a great option for anyone searching for the best HDR TV.
#10 LG 65SK8000PUA Best Sounding TV
751 Reviews
Our #10 Pick is the LG 65SK8000PUA Best Sounding TV
Award: BEST ON A BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: This 4K Ultra HD best TV uses Dolby Atmos and runs on Dolby Vision, as well as HDR10 and HLG, great for users who regularly consume content supported by all three types.
Pros
- Nano Cell technology 1B+ shades
- Whopping 4 HDMI ports and 3 USB ports
- intuitive LG Magic Remote for easy content search
Cons
- So-so local dimming and brightness
- Saturated blacks; limited contrasts
Our favorite feature with this LED TV with the best sound quality is its Dolby Atmos integration, which bests surround sound with moving audio that resonates across different touchpoints in a room. Forest fires appear aimed at the floor, and crackling fireworks appear heard overhead, resulting in a more immersive audio experience.
This 65-inch TV with good built-in speakers really pops using Nano Cell technology, representing more than 1 billion colors for a rich color palette, and deep black/white levels excel across all viewing angles. Full-Array Dimming Pro also powers backlighting for on-screen optimization of color contrasts. All of the popular high-dynamic range formats are supported, including HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision. If you’re looking for something with better dimming, the best outdoor TV will have more options for you.
How We Decided
In determining the best sounding TV to buy, we explored performance display, sound quality, and smart features/interface.
Our preference is for the best sounding TVs to carry OLED or QLED screens, which quadruple the number of pixels of standard HDTV screens. They deploy an increased pixel count over traditional HDTV/1080p and are layered with technologies to increase color depth, shade quality, and similar settings (e.g. Pixel Contrast Boosters and Direct Full Array 16X). Kudos for a 120Hz native refresh rate, which creates an even better flowing picture with no blur on high-speed motion scenes, especially useful for gaming or watching sports.
Our favorite best-sounding TVs use Dolby Atmos, which beats surround sound with more targeting sound waves in different directions based on where the action is occurring on the screen. Flying bombs offer a three-dimensional effect of being heard overhead, a product of the technologies’ use of height leveling. All in all, it creates a more immersive TV-watching experience by placing you right in the action. Of course, if none of the options in our list are up to par for you, check out our buying guide for the best wireless surround sound to see if it fits your needs better.
Lastly, look to the best sounding TVs with an intuitive and easy-to-navigate menu system. We are big fans of the Roku TV platform, Samsung’s SmartHub, and LG’s webOS for this purpose, all of which offer built-in Alexa, Google Assistant, and voice-enabled remotes to find your favorite content a breeze. Or, if you prefer Apple TV as your streaming device of choice, we also have a guide on the best TV for Apple TV.
Best Sounding TV Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Performance/Display
Look for the best-sounding TVs from the top-tier TV brands with OLED or QLED screens.- QLED displays use Quantum Dot technology to produce 1 billion+ shades, for a wider and richer color gamut.
Often, these screens are supplanted with layered technologies (e.g. Direct Full Array 16X technology for contrast optimization) or α7 GEN processor that works to render color accuracy in incredible detail.
- Remember to look for a minimum of 4k display, which quadruples the number of pixels of standard HDTV screens. Your 50-inch and high-end 70-inch TVs and larger TVs are mostly 4K with millions of pixels.
- Secondarily, look for a minimum 120Hz refresh rate, which helps produce no blur with high-motion images. This is especially useful for gaming and sports watching.
- Moreover, keep up with maintenance on your TV, not only with sound but with picture quality. And, if you experience cloudy output, read our guide on how to fix clouding on an LED TV.
- QLED displays use Quantum Dot technology to produce 1 billion+ shades, for a wider and richer color gamut.
- Sound Quality
Our preference is for the best sounding 4K, QLED, and OLED TVs to incorporate Dolby Atmos, which beats surround sound by adding height channels to give off the illusion of sound as a three-dimensional object.- Watch an on-screen bombing and feel as if overhead bombs are raining down.
- Moreover, you’ll have better sound if you understand the ARC on a TV and how to use it effectively.
- And, if you’re needing one of the top bedroom TVs for late-night moving watching, make sure you get a model with decent sound.
- Smart Features/Interface
Our favorite best-sounding TVs have intuitive smart TV operating platforms such as LG’s WebOS and Samsung’s SmartHub/SmartThings platform that allow you to discover and find new content with intuitively laid out navigation menus with clearly marked apps and universal guides. HDMI 2.1 ports, built-in Alexa, and Google Assistant even allow voice commands for playback functions to search, play, skip, fast forward, and more, in addition to controlling smart home devices.Although, smart features aren’t for everyone. Some folks might still want a Blu-ray player over a Smart TV, as they can be easier to use.
Best Sound TVs of 2023
Consumer Electronics TVs
February 11, 2023
371 6 Minute Read
Looking for the Best TVs with Good Sound 2023 ? The best TVs with good sound 2023 deliver great picture quality and dynamic, room-filling sound. While it may seem that as TV picture quality improves, sound tends to suffer, there are some great TVs with a built-in sound system on the market that will blow your mind.
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As TVs have become thinner over the years, there is less room for the physical bezel of the display to add speakers. The end result – in some cases – is sound as subtle as the TV itself. This makes the voices particularly difficult to listen to, especially when mixed with musical soundtracks and movie sound effects.
So, even with many of the best TVs you can buy today, we highly recommend that you invest in one of the best soundbars or best surround sound systems. Of course, we also understand that going down this path will require more research – making sure you have enough space and the right connections – and additional budget.
However, if you want to hit two targets with one arrow, you have options too. There are several TVs on the market that come with excellent sound systems as standard, allowing you to get good sound quality without additional hardware or work.
#1 Panasonic JZ2000 4K OLED
TV with good acoustics 2023
SPECIFICATIONS
90 046
Pros:
+ Universal HDR with Dolby Vision IQ
+ Dolby Atmos 9 sound system0009 + Sensational OLED image
Cons:
– Expensive
Panasonic owns the Technics audio brand and that know-how is put to good use in this set. The built-in 360 Soundscape Pro sound system, customized by Technics, delivers Hi-Fi sound quality for all your movies, games, TV shows and music content. Also on board are upward-firing and side-firing speakers that direct sound more towards the viewer for rich Dolby Atmos results.
The picture quality is just as breathtaking, and Hollywood’s fine-tuning helps make the picture as accurate and cinematic as any TV. A brighter-than-average OLED panel with full HDR support (both Dolby Vision and HDR10+) helps here.
And it’s good for gamers with HDMI 2.1 support including 4K 120Hz and VRR. It’s a shame for the high price – as always, you get what you pay for. Audiophiles, take note! At this price, it might not be the best option for everyone, but it’s one of the best sound TVs you can buy.
#2 Sony X90J
Best Sound TVs of 2023
SPECIFICATIONS
- Screen Sizes: 50, 55, 65.75 inches
- Resolution: 4K
- Panel technology: LED
- Dolby Atmos: Yes
- eARC: Yes
- Audio output: 20W
Pros:
+ Smart positional audio
+ Best-in-class picture quality
+ Excellent upscaling
Cons:
– Minor screen glare
– Mediocre off-axis viewing
The Sony X90J is pretty much everything we want from a mid-range 4K LED-LCD TV. For the money, there are few TVs that can match it in terms of picture quality and feature set, making it best-in-class for mid-range models.
For mid-range TV without Sony X9 Soundbar connected0J is surprisingly powerful in the audio category. Using only two 10W full range speakers and two side tweeters, the X90J delivers a convincing and clear sound that sounds very good overall. This is one of the most powerful TV speakers we’ve heard on a mid-range 4K TV.
Like other Sony TVs, the X90J uses Sony’s new X-Balanced Speaker for cleaner sound with less distortion at high volumes, and the tweeters help widen the TV’s soundstage, though with some compromises on bass.
The shows, movies and games we played on the TV sounded crisp and clear, with clear dialogue and solid simulated 3D sound. While 3D sound simulation is never as good as a full Dolby Atmos setup – it’s not even close in fact – it’s a nice feature to use while you’re waiting for a more fully featured AV solution to be installed.
If you’re looking for an exceptional 4K HDR TV with Dolby Vision and impressive built-in audio, the Sony X90J is attractive because it provides everything you need for phenomenal 4K HDR performance at a reasonable price. That’s why it’s our top choice for most people because you don’t have to pay a fortune for good sound.
#3 Samsung QN900B Neo QLED 8K
Best 8K TV in sound
7 Screen sizes: 65, 75, 85 inches
Pros: + Improved backlight accuracy Cons: – No support for Dolby Vision. Once again, the Samsung QN900B Neo QLED 8K TV sets the benchmark for Mini LED TV technology, improving on its predecessor in a number of important ways, such as a noticeable reduction in light brightness as well as improved image processing , brightness and even design. The Samsung QN900B Neo QLED 8K TV boasts many audio improvements over its predecessor, the QN900A, most notably the inclusion of upward facing speakers that (technically) achieve Dolby Atmos sound. In addition, Samsung’s latest flagship Neo QLED now boasts a pretty impressive ability to stream Dolby Atmos audio to compatible Samsung soundbars over Wi-Fi. Of course, if you want the most immersive cinematic experience, you need a soundbar. But if you are looking for an all-in-one solution with a fantastic 8K image, this is the best choice for you. Best Sound TV 2023 SPECIFICATIONS Pros: + Stellar sound quality Cons: – Android TV not for everyone Part of the Philips OLED+ range, which means it features a speaker cabinet made by British hi-fi legend Bowers & Wilkins and has been redesigned for even better sound quality. The top-mounted tweeter design used on B&W’s high-end speakers means the tweeter is separated from the speaker cabinet, eliminating interference from other parts of the speaker. Add four 50mm midrange drivers, a racetrack-style subwoofer, and dual upward-firing Dolby Atmos “Elevation” speakers mounted on top of the cabinet, and you’ve got a complete audio package. It is compatible with Dolby Atmos encoded audio and even mixes non-Atmos multi-channel content to provide 3D immersive legacy content. You can also select different audio modes depending on how you place the TV. So whether it’s mounted on a TV stand or wall-mounted, you can be sure you’re getting the best sound quality possible. Philips OLED+936 certainly looks the part. The speaker cabinet design is based on the critically acclaimed B&W speaker line, with tweeter grilles reminiscent of those designed for the B&W 800 Diamond line, and the bass cabinet is set back and uses Flowport technology developed by Bowers & Wilkins for their speaker system. Best all-rounder for stunning picture and great sound
+ Built-in DolbyAtmos.
– New Smart Hub UI – a step back . While we have some reservations about Samsung’s new (but not necessarily improved) user interface, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better LCD TV this year.
#4 Philips OLED+936 TV
+ Quadruple lighting
main speakers. In fact, this is a Hi-Fi system to which a TV is connected, and a TV with Ambilight backlight.
#5 Sony A95K
SPECIFICATIONS
- Screen sizes: 55, 65 inches
- Resolution: 4K
- Panel technology: OLED (QD-OLED)
- Dolby Atmos: Yes
- eARC: Yes
- Audio output: 60W
Pros:
+ Amazing picture quality
+ Exceptional build quality and design
+ Good sound quality out of the box
Cons:
– Some disappointments and connectivity issues
– No HDR10+ support
Sony’s latest flagship TV, the A95K, is really impressive. Sony’s award-winning Cognitive XR processor has joined forces with new OLED Quantum Dot screen technology to deliver what is arguably the flattest beautiful picture we’ve seen on a consumer TV. The
A95K also follows Sony’s previous OLED TVs with superior sound quality. This is made possible by Acoustic Surface technology, in which the TV screen essentially serves as its speakers. Of course, you will get a cinematic experience by combining the A95K with one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars, but the audio here is impressive.
The Sony A95K really fits the bill as it looks great. That’s thanks to the unique metal stand design and build quality that proves this is a premium TV. The
A95K costs £2,399 / $2,999 for the 55-inch display and $3,999 / £3,499 / AU$5,995 for the 65-inch version, so this TV is definitely not cheap. But if you’re looking for a high quality TV with great sound, picture and stylish design, then this is the one for you.
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The most expensive TVs of 2023
February 14, 2023
TV with good sound – which one to choose for 2021
When buying a TV, a potential buyer is guided by many factors. But, in addition to image quality, an equally important category is sound . There are several TVs available on the market that offer an integrated soundbar or unique audio system solutions.
High picture quality and high-quality sound system are two indispensable elements confirming the TV class.
Unfortunately, most TVs on the market, although they have a very decent picture (HDR, wide color gamut), have fairly average sound emission capabilities. In this case, many consumers decide to purchase an external audio system.
Sound is a very important element when buying a TV
According to research by TP Vision (owner of the Philips brand), “TV buyers are paying more and more attention to sound – 87% of respondents attach importance to it.”
There are several models of TVs with extended audio available in stores. At the same time, not every consumer has the desire, space, or budget to purchase an additional external device, such as a home theater or multi-element soundbar.
Based on over a dozen tests, I’ve decided to bring you the best – if not the best – 4K UHD TVs in the audio category.
Televisions without built-in soundbar
There are 3 items in this product segment.
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Philips OLED 805 – best sound
The first is the Philips OLED 805 , which won our 55- and 65-inch OLED TV rankings. On the back of the TV are 3 speakers (2.1 system), including one subwoofer.
According to the specifications, we get a sound power of 50 watts (RMS). Thanks to the use of a 30 W woofer, we get very good bass reproduction – this is one of the best TVs in this category on the market.
In the personal mode settings in the menu we find an interesting solution called “AI Equalizer”. This is a special algorithm that optimizes the sound for the audio track being played. Enabling this feature brings tangible benefits, for example, when streaming music.
What We Liked :
- Organic Matrix 100/120 Hz
- Wide range of colors
- Visible HDR effect
- Ambilight 9 system0048
- Pleasant remote control with keypad and backlight
What disappointed us :
- No preview of the selected channel in the guide
- No MJPG codec support in AVI container
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Samsung Q90T is a powerful alternative to
The second TV worth recommending is the Samsung Q90T .
In the case of this model, my biggest caveat concerns the average bass response. However, I think that this device offers very interesting solutions and it reproduces medium and high sounds well.
Thanks to the OTS (Object Tracking Sound) system, which includes four appropriately located speakers, we can follow, for example, the movement of a car across the screen, not only with our eyesight. We can also detect objects by ear.
Samsung Q90T can produce quite a loud sound – according to the manufacturer it is 60 watts.
What We Like :
- Quantum Dot Technology
- HDMI 2.1
- Ambient mode
- FALD Technology (Full Backlight with Local Dimming)
- Matrix 100/120 Hz
- Wide range of colors
- Visible HDR effect
What disappointed us :
- Difficulty finding content, for example, on YouTube
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Sony OLED A8 with Acoustic Surface
The third model in this category is the Sony OLED A8 with a very interesting system called Acoustic Surface.
In the receiver, under the matrix, there are inductors (actuators) that cause vibrations, which in a simplified form means that the sound from the TV comes directly from the screen.
In the case of the Sony A8 we get 30W of power, including two 5W subwoofers, which at this low power (only 10W) reproduce low frequencies very decently.
What We Liked :
- Organic Matrix 100/120 Hz
- Wide range of colors
- Visible HDR effect
- Clear program guide
What disappointed us :
- Mediocre looking remote
- Very long boot time from external drive
TCL with built-in soundbar Onkyo
TCL’s offering includes two models with built-in soundbar from Onkyo. The first copy is a TCL QLED C815 running in a 35W 2.1 system including 15W subwoofer speakers.
To be honest, the sound emitted by the C815 doesn’t knock you off your feet: the wide soundstage and lower registers should be more audible. However, when viewed objectively in terms of price and other products in this segment, the TCL QLED C815 fully deserves a place in this category.
What we liked :
- Quantum dot technology
- Matrix VA
- Choice between 65″ 100/120 Hz and 55″ 50/60 Hz
What disappointed us :
- The average pace of the operating system
- Recognition of voice commands should be faster
Better equipped in terms of sound – MiniLED QLED X10 . It has a power of 45W, including two woofers of 15W each. Compared to the C815, we get better bass and more surround sound.
In the case of the X10, the time I had to test was very limited. Unfortunately, in such a short time it is impossible to check the equipment 100% and thus point out all the advantages and disadvantages. However, there are undoubtedly positives: MiniLED and Quantum Dot technology, a wide range of colors and a visible HDR effect.
Panasonic TVs with sound Tuned by Technics
In the case of the Japanese manufacturer, two 2020 receivers have a built-in soundbar : HZ1500 and HZ2000 . In the case of the first instance, we have an audio system in configuration 2.2.1 with a power of 80 W (2×15 W, 1×20 W, 2×15 W). In the second TV, the manufacturer installed a 140W 2.2.3 system (2x20W, 1x20W, 1x20W, 1x20W, 2x20W subwoofer). Both the HZ 2000 and the HZ 1500 have speakers located at the front of the receiver (bar) and at the back of the unit. In addition, some speakers have been angled upwards for a better effect when broadcasting Dolby Atmos.
The Space Tune function is a special acoustic calibration of an audio system that adjusts the emitted sound according to the space in which the TV is placed. The process is divided into four steps: first, the user selects the type of placement of the TV (table / wall), then the distance from the wall (15 cm / 30 cm / 60 cm), the distance between the top edge of the TV and the ceiling (1 m / 1. 5 m / 2 m) and the perspective of looking at the screen (top / center / bottom).
In the case of the above two TVs, it is difficult to highlight all the pros and cons 100%, since we were not able to conduct full product reviews (we only had the opportunity to test the HZ1000E). However, from my brief observations, it deserves pluses: 100/120 Hz organic matrix, wide color gamut, well-marked HDR effect, Dolby Vision IQ. On the other hand: some applications are missing, the remote control does not have a built-in microphone.
Philips TV with Bowers & Wilkins sound system
TP Vision, owner of the Philips brand, has been partnering with Bowers & Wilkins on audio since 2018. As many as three TVs stand out in the 2020 offer with a built-in soundbar (covered in Kvadrat fabric): OLED+ 935, PUS9435, PUS9235. According to the manufacturer, the equipment operates on the basis of the 2.1 system, and its power is 40 watts.
The Philips PUS9435 is available in two sizes: 55″ and 65″. The receiver produces a very pleasant sound, the music scene is correct, the proportions between the bands are preserved. The device works in system 2.1.2 with a total power of 50 watts.
The greatest advantages of : VA-matrix, Ambilight system, good color reproduction, nice backlit remote control.
Biggest cons of : 50/60Hz matrix, no preview of selected channel, no MJPG codec support in AVI container.
Philips OLED+ 935 is a premium product. According to the manufacturer: “It has a total of ten drivers in a 3.1.2 configuration, including three 19mm titanium dome tweeters facing forward in left, center and right configurations. All three nodes are separated from the body. On the other hand, the top-firing tweeter is housed in a separate hard chrome cabinet, creating a dedicated center channel layout. In addition, the soundbar uses four 50mm midrange drivers: two center drivers and one at each end of the speaker cabinet. Philips OLED+ 935 features two 50mm Dolby Atmos Elevation drivers mounted on top of the case and facing upwards.