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Soundbar for Smart TV

Discussion in 'Everything Else (off topic)' started by yooperdave, Dec 2, 2019.

  1. yooperdave

    yooperdave

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    I have a smart TV (yeah, smarter than me) in the basement hooked up to Netflix youtube etc

    Trouble is every time the blower motor on the furnace runs, I punch the tv volume up to max (100) and still struggle to hear what is going on.

    So, a soundbar is the way to go. no? Good. Started looking at them today and there are many different options.....from $35 on up.

    I expect it to sound good but most of all, I need it to be easy to connect to TV and start up. Am I correct in understanding that I will need to purchase some sort of cables to connect the soundbar to the TV?

    I don't think I'll pay more than $100 as this TV is only used intermittently during the snow months here.

    Please advise! Thanks!
     
  2. papadave

    papadave

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    In the same boat here, Dave.
    Seems like all those shows have the sound darn near muted most of the time. :whistle:
    Been thinking about a sound bar too, because our big screen sound just gets more muddled as the sound is turned up.
    I'm looking for one with an HDMI connector for the TV (our TV is almost 12 years old now, which is just about ancient).
     
  3. Grizzly Adam

    Grizzly Adam null

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    Our smart tv lets us choose different levels of sound in the audio settings. We set it for loud.
     
  4. Well Seasoned

    Well Seasoned Administrator

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    I have a Samsung sound bar with a sub woofer that is quite a few years old and I've been very happy with it. It has a blue tooth feature, so if you decide to stream music off of a device you can.

    I recommend getting one before cyber Monday is over :D
     
  5. rottiman

    rottiman

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    Just turn the blower off and throw another block in the stove. Simple cost efficent fix, easy peasy..............................your welcome!!!
     
  6. yooperdave

    yooperdave

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    If the dang TV speakers weren't placed on the back side of the TV to begin with...…(mumble..mumble...gripe.!!#@**#!!)
     
  7. rottiman

    rottiman

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    upload_2019-12-2_21-11-12.png
     
  8. In the Pines

    In the Pines

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    I ran one thru a stereo, plenty of sound . But not what you're looking for.
    quiet shows LOUD commercials, I no longer have a tv hooked up it left with the GF and I don't regret it, either one.
     
  9. LinkedXJ

    LinkedXJ

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    If you were closer, i would give you mine!
    I have a sound bar with a subwoofer and 2 separate speakers.

    It sounds awesome, i just never set it all back up after we moved.
    Sound bars make a massive improvement when in use instead of the tv speakers.
     
  10. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

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    If you buy same brand as TV, some sound bars will pair up with its own Bluetooth. But as far as cables are concerned, hdmi cable is good, but optical cable is more gooder.
     
  11. yooperdave

    yooperdave

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    That's what I'm talking about....

    Now I have to search

    1. bluetooth

    2. hdmi cable

    3. optical cable



    Don't any of those soundbars come complete with the stuff to hook them up?
     
  12. Chvymn99

    Chvymn99 Moderator

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    Bluetooth is free...:yes:.... as long as your TV has it...
     
  13. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

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    The one I bought for my parents/mom had an optical cable but at 3’ it was almost too short.
     
  14. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

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    That’s the catch- the TV is a Visio and IIRC the sound bar was a Samsung. It could probably be done, but I had limited time to do any real research.
    Too, the Visio offered an App, but that wasn’t “old people” friendly.
     
  15. Beetle-Kill

    Beetle-Kill

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    My TV is a Samsung, the soundbar is a Visio w/ subwoofer. Very easy to connect together, Bluetooth not required. Huge improvement in sound, especially the music stations on direct TV, you know- 800's +
    Just mute the TV when using the bar, if not it sounds weird at times.
     
  16. imwiley1

    imwiley1

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    The sound bars I have came with the cables. Very easy connection. Plug the optical cable into the tv and the power cable into an outlet, done.
     
  17. bogieb

    bogieb

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    I have a pair of older Altec Lansing computer speakers hooked up to my TV (2 side speakers and a sub woofer). I don't remember if I got them off of CL or Eb*y, but they work fine and I think I paid like $35. Very easy to hook up as just need power and in audio out. Only limitation is they don't have the very long wires attaching the two small speakers together, but the wire is long enough that they are situated to either side of my TV.

    small altec lansing speaker.jpg

    sub woofer altec lansing speaker.jpg
     
  18. Mwalsh9152

    Mwalsh9152

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    Just get something like this

    b8150ccb348824263eec332c5ca3fc44.jpg
     
  19. yooperdave

    yooperdave

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    :rofl: :lol::rofl: :lol: :thumbs:

    My hearing aids don't help as they amplify all sounds in the room (furnace). I like the version you suggest though I think they may interfere with my aluminum foil hat....

    [​IMG]
     
  20. yooperdave

    yooperdave

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