PC Speakers for TV

[TenOC]

After an lighting strike I needed a new TV. I got a new 40" TV from Walmart for $270. I thought it was a good deal. However, the sound is not loud enough for my 77 year old ears. The only audio output is a headset jack. I understand that I can plug a set of powered computer speakers into this jack and it should work well. I tried it and they work. Now I need to purchase a "good" but not expensive PC speakers.

I do not need the deep base of rock music. Nor do I have room in the RV for a 5.1 system. I only need to hear the normal TV programs (that is I need a 2.0 set). I am thinking that 5 to 10 watts should do OK. Any suggestions in the $20 to $50 range?

[garry1p]

Go to a Thrift Store less than $10 for a pair of PC speakers.
I have the ones that have a 120V/12VDC adapter with volume control.

I ran an RCA cable from the TV to where I sit to watch TV and have the speakers next to me. You can get a phono to RCA adapter for a few $ that plugs into the headphone output on the TV.

[1775]

Don't buy too cheap PC speakers. The TV audio can overwhelm a cheap speaker and result in tinny sound or a sound with a buzz. Go into a store like Best Buy where you can listen to the PC speakers for sale and see what they do with higher volume settings. You will then know that they will handle your television audio with clear audio output.

[Tom_M1]

trb46 wrote:
OK, Mr. Obvious here...why didn't he just return the TV to Walmart when he discovered the sound level was inadequate?

Virtually all new TVs have inadequate sound because there is just not the room for large enough speakers.

Go to a Goodwill or any thrift store and you will find computer speakers for cheap. Many will run on 12 volts.

[APT]

I haven't used TV speakers since I owned my first TV! Even in college I used a mini shelf system for sound. A set of "computer speakers" is a reasonable solution. They are self powered and don't have all the extras of a full blown receiver. I use a set on a secondary TV room. The only issue I have with that setup is that some TVs do not allow volume control of the external speakers via the TV remote. You should check that functionality before pursuing this option.

Amazon offers lots of good options. Creative Labs and Logitech are a couple good brands with products in your price range. Here is one.

[trb46]

OK, Mr. Obvious here...why didn't he just return the TV to Walmart when he discovered the sound level was inadequate?

[2oldman]

1492 wrote:
...headphone jack on the TV,... However, no comparison to a digital audio connection. not to mention, likely to result in even worse sound quality than coming from the HDTV speakers themselves.

I'm shopping now. Fortunately my Sony tv has optical audio out(but not hdmi).

All kinds of choices.. sub wooofer separate, subwoofer wired/not wired, sub built in, sound bar under TV, in front of TV, hung on wall.. ARG! My choice has come down to ZVOX or Bose.

[Tvov]

I use these for my home PC:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA6UM2T51695

I have always had great experiences with Logitech products.

[TenOC]

1492 wrote:

However, no comparison to a digital audio connection. not to mention, likely to result in even worse sound quality than coming from the HDTV speakers themselves.

The TV does not have a digital audio output connection. Only the headset output.

Can I use some type of HDMI splitter to connect the TV and the sound system to my DirectTV box?

Or should I connect my sound system dirctly to one of the outputs of the DirectTV box? . . . . :h .. . . Without a splitter?

[strollin]

1492 wrote:
If volume is the OP's only consideration, then the headphone jack would work. However, no comparison to a digital audio connection. not to mention, likely to result in even worse sound quality than coming from the HDTV speakers themselves.

From the original post, "... the sound is not loud enough for my 77 year old ears." Yup, volume is the OP's only consideration.

[1492]

strollin wrote:

1492 wrote:
Though you can certainly get a set of self-powered speakers in that price range, I doubt that they will come with a remote. Which means that you'll have to manually adjust the audio continuously. ...

Since he wants to use the headphone jack on the TV, his remote for the TV will adjust the sound volume.

If volume is the OP's only consideration, then the headphone jack would work. However, no comparison to a digital audio connection. not to mention, likely to result in even worse sound quality than coming from the HDTV speakers themselves.

[8_1_Van]

TenOC wrote:
After an lighting strike I needed a new TV. I got a new 40" TV from Walmart for $270. I thought it was a good deal. However, the sound is not loud enough for my 77 year old ears. The only audio output is a headset jack. I understand that I can plug a set of powered computer speakers into this jack and it should work well. I tried it and they work. Now I need to purchase a "good" but not expensive PC speakers.

I do not need the deep base of rock music. Nor do I have room in the RV for a 5.1 system. I only need to hear the normal TV programs (that is I need a 2.0 set). I am thinking that 5 to 10 watts should do OK. Any suggestions in the $20 to $50 range?

[MrWizard]

This reminds me
I have a set of pc speakers around here, I was planning on attaching too my TV
A sound bar would be nice, but my TV install is not conventional and there is no room on the desk for the sound bar

[strollin]

1492 wrote:
Though you can certainly get a set of self-powered speakers in that price range, I doubt that they will come with a remote. Which means that you'll have to manually adjust the audio continuously. ...

Since he wants to use the headphone jack on the TV, his remote for the TV will adjust the sound volume. I have a TV in the bedroom of my stick house that I use a cheap set of PC speakers with. I can adjust the volume using the TV remote and I much prefer that rather having another remote just to adjust the volume of something like a soundbar.

If he was using a line out output with fixed volume from his TV then your point would be valid but he should be OK using the headphone jack.

[ksg5000]

I was in same boat - ended up buying a sound bar that came with base speaker - didn't cost much and made a world of difference. As I recall I had to buy an optical adapter to fit into the back of the TV.