Modern TVs have incredible picture quality, but the audio often leaves a lot to be desired. Thin televisions simply don’t have enough space for powerful speakers, which is why dialogue can sound muffled, action scenes lack impact, and you constantly find yourself reaching for the volume control.
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The good news is that you don’t need an expensive home theater system to enjoy noticeably better sound. In many cases, a few simple adjustments or an affordable audio upgrade can dramatically improve your listening experience. In this guide, I’ll walk you through practical ways to get better TV sound without spending a fortune, and help you decide when upgrading your audio equipment is actually worth it.
Why Do Modern TVs Sound So Weak?
As TVs have become thinner, there’s been less room inside them for quality speakers.
Most modern televisions use small, downward- or rear-facing speakers that prioritize saving space over producing rich, full sound. While they’re perfectly adequate for casual viewing, they often struggle with:
- Clear dialogue
- Deep bass
- Loud action scenes
- Balanced volume
- Wide soundstage
This is why even an affordable external speaker can sound significantly better than the built-in speakers found in many televisions.
Start With Your TV’s Audio Settings
Before buying anything, it’s worth checking your TV’s built-in audio options.
Many people never change the factory settings, even though manufacturers include several sound modes designed for different types of content.
Look for settings such as:
- Movie Mode
- Dialogue Enhancement
- Voice Boost
- Standard Mode
- Night Mode
Switching between these presets can noticeably improve clarity, especially if you’re struggling to hear conversations during movies or TV shows.
Turn On Dialogue Enhancement
One of the biggest complaints about modern movies is that voices seem too quiet while music and explosions are far too loud.
Many TVs now include a dialogue enhancement or voice clarity setting that increases speech frequencies without significantly affecting other sounds.
This feature is particularly helpful for:
- News broadcasts
- Movies
- TV dramas
- Documentaries
- Sports commentary
If your TV includes this option, it’s one of the easiest improvements you can make.
Check Speaker Placement
It might sound obvious, but where your TV sits has a surprising effect on sound quality.
For example:
- Avoid blocking the speakers with decorations.
- Leave space around rear-firing speakers.
- Don’t place the TV inside a tightly enclosed cabinet.
- Position the TV at a comfortable listening height.
Even small changes in placement can help sound travel more freely throughout the room.
Reduce Echo in Your Room
Sometimes poor audio isn’t the TV’s fault at all.
Rooms with hardwood floors, large windows, and empty walls reflect sound, making dialogue harder to understand.
Simple additions can improve acoustics:
- Area rugs
- Curtains
- Bookshelves
- Fabric furniture
- Wall art
These surfaces absorb reflections and often make voices sound clearer without changing your equipment.
Use HDMI ARC or eARC When Available
If you eventually connect external speakers or a soundbar, choosing the right connection matters.
Most newer TVs include HDMI ARC or eARC, which allow high-quality audio to travel through a single HDMI cable.
Compared to older optical cables, HDMI ARC often provides:
- Easier setup
- Better compatibility
- Remote volume control
- Support for advanced audio formats
If your TV supports ARC or eARC, it’s usually the best connection option.
Should You Use Bluetooth Speakers?
Bluetooth speakers can improve TV sound, but they’re not always the ideal solution.
While they’re convenient and wireless, some introduce noticeable audio delay, causing voices to appear slightly out of sync with the picture.
Bluetooth speakers work best for:
- Casual viewing
- Bedrooms
- Small rooms
- Temporary setups
If you’re watching movies regularly, a wired soundbar generally provides a better overall experience.
When Is It Time to Upgrade?
If you’ve already adjusted your TV settings and still struggle to hear dialogue or want richer sound, upgrading your audio equipment is usually the next logical step.
Fortunately, you don’t need to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on a surround sound system.
Today’s affordable soundbars deliver dramatic improvements in:
- Dialogue clarity
- Bass response
- Overall volume
- Movie immersion
- Music playback
Even entry-level models can completely change how your TV sounds.
Why Soundbars Offer the Best Value
For most people, a soundbar provides the biggest improvement per dollar spent.
Unlike traditional home theater systems, soundbars are:
- Easy to install
- Compact
- Affordable
- Compatible with most TVs
- Simple to control
Many also include modern features like Dolby Atmos support, Bluetooth streaming, smartphone apps, and automatic room calibration, all at prices that were almost unheard of just a few years ago.
If you’re ready to move beyond your TV’s built-in speakers, a quality soundbar is often the smartest upgrade you can make without stretching your budget.
Affordable Soundbars That Make a Big Difference
If you’ve tried adjusting your TV settings and improving speaker placement but still aren’t satisfied, an affordable soundbar is usually the next step. The nice thing is that you don’t have to spend several hundred dollars to hear a dramatic improvement.
Many budget-friendly soundbars now include features that were once reserved for premium home theater systems, including Dolby Atmos support, Bluetooth connectivity, wireless subwoofers, and automatic room calibration.
Here are two excellent options that offer strong performance without stretching your budget.
1
TCL S55H 2.1 Sound Bar: Best Overall Value
If you want the biggest upgrade for your money, the TCL S55H 2.1 Sound Bar is an outstanding choice. Priced at around $120, it delivers a much fuller and more cinematic experience than most built-in TV speakers.
The biggest advantage is the included wireless subwoofer, which adds depth and impact that smaller TV speakers simply can’t reproduce. Explosions feel more powerful, music sounds richer, and action scenes become much more immersive without overwhelming dialogue.
Despite its affordable price, the S55H includes features like Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Auto Room Calibration, allowing the soundbar to automatically adjust its performance based on your room. These technologies help create a wider, more balanced soundstage while keeping voices clear during movies and TV shows.
Bluetooth support also lets you stream music directly from your phone or tablet, turning the soundbar into a capable everyday speaker even when the TV is off.
The TCL companion app and included remote make adjusting sound modes and settings quick and simple.
The TCL S55H is an excellent choice if you:
- Watch a lot of movies and streaming content
- Want stronger bass without buying a full home theater
- Need clearer dialogue
- Prefer a simple one-cable setup
- Want premium features at an affordable price
For most households, this is the sweet spot between performance and value.
2
TCL S45H 2.0 Sound Bar: Best Budget Upgrade
If you’re looking to improve your TV sound while spending as little as possible, the TCL S45H 2.0 Sound Bar offers excellent value at around $98.
Unlike the S55H, this model doesn’t include a separate subwoofer. Instead, it focuses on delivering cleaner dialogue and fuller sound than your television’s built-in speakers while keeping the overall system compact and affordable.
Even without dedicated bass hardware, the S45H supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and automatic room calibration, helping create a wider soundstage and improving overall clarity. Movies, sports, and everyday TV programming all sound noticeably more natural than they do through standard TV speakers.
Its slim profile also makes it easy to place beneath almost any television without taking up much space. Bluetooth connectivity adds flexibility for streaming music from your smartphone whenever you aren’t watching TV.
The TCL S45H is a great option if you:
- Have a smaller room or apartment
- Want a cleaner dialogue experience
- Prefer a compact setup
- Don’t need heavy bass
- Have a tighter budget
For under $100, it delivers a significant improvement over built-in TV audio without complicating your entertainment setup.
Buying Guide: What to Look for in a Budget Soundbar
Not every affordable soundbar offers the same experience. Here are the features worth considering before making a purchase.
Sound Channels
A 2.0 soundbar focuses on left and right speakers, while a 2.1 system adds a dedicated subwoofer for deeper bass. If you enjoy action movies or music, the extra bass is often worth the additional cost.
Connectivity
HDMI ARC or eARC provides the easiest setup and lets you control the soundbar’s volume with your TV remote. Bluetooth is also useful if you want to stream music from your phone.
Dialogue Clarity
If your biggest frustration is struggling to hear conversations, look for soundbars that include voice enhancement or advanced audio processing technologies.
Room Size
Larger rooms benefit from more powerful soundbars with higher output and dedicated subwoofers. Smaller bedrooms or apartments may only need a compact 2.0 system.
Ease of Installation
Most budget soundbars can be connected in just a few minutes. Choosing a model with straightforward controls and automatic room calibration makes setup even easier.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need an expensive surround sound system to enjoy better TV audio. In many cases, adjusting your TV settings, improving speaker placement, and reducing room echo can make a noticeable difference without spending anything.
When those improvements aren’t enough, an affordable soundbar is one of the best upgrades you can make.
If you’re looking for the strongest overall performance with deeper bass, Dolby Atmos support, and a wireless subwoofer, the TCL S55H 2.1 Sound Bar offers exceptional value for the price.
If your goal is simply clearer dialogue and fuller sound while keeping costs below $100, the TCL S45H 2.0 Sound Bar is an excellent budget-friendly option.
Whichever model you choose, upgrading from your TV’s built-in speakers is one of the fastest and most affordable ways to make movies, sports, and everyday television far more enjoyable.
