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71abc89

71abc89 April 16, 2025, 4:14 p.m.

Need help finding the best sound system for sony tv

Hey all, just splurged on a Sony BRAVIA XR A95L OLED and while the picture quality is insane, the built-in speakers are... well, embarrassingly bad. Can barely hear dialogue but explosions shake the walls (how??).

Looking for sound system recommendations that would pair well with this specific TV. My living room is medium-sized (about 15x18ft) with an open floor plan to kitchen. Mostly watch movies, some sports, and occasional gaming.

Main priorities:

  • Clear dialogue without constantly adjusting volume
  • Simple setup (not an audiophile, just want it to work)
  • Preferably something with minimal wires since the TV is wall mounted
  • Would like to keep WAF (wife acceptance factor) high

Don't necessarily need a full surround system, but definitely want something that sounds significantly better than the built-in speakers. Wireless subwoofer would be a plus. Any recommendations from fellow Sony owners?

Heathen

Heathen April 16, 2025, 6 p.m.

you: buys $3000 tv

also you: surprised pikachu face when built-in speakers sound like a tin can telephone

sony's entire strategy = sell premium TVs with trash speakers so you'll buy their audio systems too. tale as old as time πŸ™ƒ

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maz123

maz123 April 16, 2025, 9:23 p.m.

i had 2 sonys, both same garbage audio. Finally taped a sticky note to remote that says "ALWAYS START VOLUME AT 37" bc thats the magic number where dialogue audible but explosions dont wake baby. Modern tvs are sadists

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Alt

Alt April 16, 2025, 11:44 p.m.

DUDE this is so weird but try this before buying anything: put tv on "cinema" or "filmmaker" mode, then switch audio to "compressed" or "midnight" mode. changed EVERYTHING with my setup - suddenly could hear people talk! tv defaults aimed at showroom demos not actual home use

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mna

mna April 17, 2025, 2:50 a.m.

holy crap dude this WORKED??? wife was about to kill me for buying another gadget but changed these settings and suddenly sherlock isn't mumbling anymore?! how is this not common knowledge wtf

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Aldon

Aldon April 17, 2025, 1:11 p.m.

got a $700 soundbar last xmas. still use subtitles. dont waste ur money lol

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amrox

amrox April 17, 2025, 8:38 p.m.

My partner banned me from touching audio settings after i spent literal MONTH trying to fix dialogue issues and made everything worse somehow. Now we just read lips ig

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Ricky Spanish

Ricky Spanish April 18, 2025, 12:23 a.m.

yall wild recommending $1k+ setups to fix basic dialogue issues. Got Sony HT-S40R Soundbar System on sale ($280) and can finally hear british crime shows without subtitles. Nothing fancy but solves the exact problem ur describing without second mortgage

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jackill_

jackill_ April 18, 2025, 9:51 p.m.

secret hack: check if tv has headphone jack -> plug in cheap pc speakers ($30) -> suddenly better sound than any soundbar under $300. Audio engineers HATE this one simple trick

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gambower

gambower April 21, 2025, 3:24 p.m.

My cat knocked over expensive soundbar and broke it. Replaced with $70 computer speakers out of desperation. Family hasn't noticed difference in 3 months. Premium audio might be biggest scam going rn lol

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omega accept

omega accept April 25, 2025, 7:46 p.m.

lmao all these comments acting like OP has choice. modern TVs deliberately terrible speakers -> need external audio -> might as well embrace soundbar life. welcome to capitalism baby 😘

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Al-Du

Al-Du April 29, 2025, 10:54 p.m.

ur tv problem isnt speakers, its that stupid "dynamic range" garbage all modern shows use. Whispers at 5% volume, explosions at 500% volume. Even $2k audio system wont fix badly mixed content

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Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande April 30, 2025, 2:07 a.m.

Paid $$$$ for fancy audio setup. Still cant hear squid game dialogue unless volume at neighbor-waking levels. Modern audio mixing is the real villain here

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korry_64

korry_64 May 4, 2025, 4:55 p.m.

Grandma couldn't hear dialogue so got her bose solo 5 for bday. She texts me weekly saying how "her stories" sound better now. If it works for 87yr old technophobe, probably works for anyone lmao. Dialogue boost button apparently key feature

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Allrelaxx

Allrelaxx May 10, 2025, 9:29 p.m.

Spent 18hrs researching "perfect" solution. Wife bought random Target soundbar while grocery shopping. Guess which one still being used 6mo later πŸ˜‚ sometimes good enough > perfect

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