Let’s say you’re looking at a new, cutting-edge transmission series and you’ll find yourself turning up the volume in every scene in which two actors engage in dramatic dialogue. It seems that both characters are whispering, until an explosion occurs on the screen and the sound is the opposite, almost deafening.
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What’s up with that? It’s not just the unbalanced ratio of sound that bothers you, nor is it that his hearing is getting worse. Read on and maybe you’ll find a simple solution to improve (and balance) your TV’s audio quality.
In the above scenario, my first recommendation would be to activate the subtitles. However, while enabling video subtitles is an obvious solution to understanding dialogue, some people find on-screen text clunky and distracting. If you can’t stand reading scripts on your screen, try the following solutions.
1. Experiment with these audio settings
Excessive bass can hinder speech clarity, making words seem muffled or buried. Instead of adjusting individual bass and treble controls, start by trying out the preset sound modes. Use your remote control to locate the Audio or Sound section of the TV. While watching a dialogue-heavy TV show or movie, cycle through the modes to determine which option provides the best (or clearest) sound quality, such as Movie, User, or Standard.
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If you find that the dialogue is still unclear, try Dialogue, News, or Voice Boost mode, if available. Sometimes it even helps to disable audio enhancements, such as Bass Boost or Surround, which can negatively affect the clarity of dialogue. Lastly, consider increasing the treble slightly to improve speech intelligibility.
Keep in mind that each TV and room has unique acoustics, so it’s worth experimenting with various settings to find what works best in your environment.
2. Adjust volume leveling
Volume leveling, also known as dynamic range compression, can be a useful tool and is found on most modern devices. By reducing the difference between louder and quieter sounds, volume leveling makes dialogue easier to understand, especially in productions where the volume can vary significantly between action scenes and conversations.
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This feature maintains a more consistent volume level across all content, avoiding sudden spikes in sound that can be jarring or uncomfortable. Leveling the volume is especially beneficial when watching television at a low volume, such as at night when the children are in bed. Prevents soft sounds from becoming inaudible and potentially loud sounds from becoming dominant.
Perhaps the best use of volume leveling is to mitigate the extra volume of commercials (if you’re watching cable TV). Have you ever noticed that? It drives me crazy when commercials are very loud, which is most of the time, and leveling the volume helps.
3) Consider your speakers
Factory TV speakers are usually not the best. Even some of the most expensive models Place your speakers on the back of the panel, facing down, so make sure your speakers are not obscured or blocked.
If you’ve modified your audio settings as described above, and adjusted the position of your TV to take into account the room’s acoustics, but you’re still getting muffled or distorted sound quality, it may be time to make an investment.
While it is not a free or no cost trick, sound bars and sound bases They are a reasonably affordable option. A sound bar is a long, thin speaker designed to sit under or mount on the wall below your TV to enhance its audio output and create a more immersive experience. Opting for a sound bar can save you the expense of purchasing a new TV with a high-end built-in sound system. Many modern sound bars include a separate wireless subwoofer or built-in bass driver to further elevate the richness and depth.
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Affordable options like Roku Streaming Bar It offers HDMI connections and a built-in 4K transmitter, while brands like Vizio Provides a variety of sound bar options. Sound bars specifically designed to improve dialogue clarity, such as Zvox AccuVoice SeriesIt can make speech crisper and clearer.
Sound bases serve a similar purpose: they provide a larger speaker that sits under the TV. They typically include powerful bass drivers, eliminating the need for a separate subwoofer. Be sure to choose a sound base that supports at least Dolby Digital or DTS 5.1 audio streams. Selecting the right sound bar or sound base can transform your TV’s audio for a more enjoyable home theater experience.