Built-in TV speakers

The sound quality of a television is just as important as the picture quality for enjoying a truly immersive viewing experience. Whilst many modern TVs are equipped with built-in speakers, these often fail to deliver the performance required for an immersive and crystal-clear audio experience. We explore why built-in speakers are usually insufficient and why external TV speakers are the better choice for discerning viewers who value clear, powerful and dynamic sound, or who have hearing impairments and therefore wish to improve sound quality.

What are built-in TV speakers?

Built-in TV speakers are speaker systems that are installed directly inside the TV chassis. They provide the TV’s sound and are the standard solution for most TVs. Although these speakers are space-saving and easy to use, they generally do not offer excellent sound quality. They are often overwhelmed, particularly at higher volumes or with complex sound effects, and offer a less dynamic sound experience. Even for many users who simply want to watch TV, built-in TV speakers are often inadequate. Built-in TV speakers quickly reach their limits, not only when it comes to a high-quality, immersive sound experience, but also in terms of sound quality and acoustics.

Technological developments in built-in speakers

Modern TVs have further developed the technology of built-in speakers in recent years. Brands such as Dolby and DTS have integrated advanced sound technologies into some devices to improve sound quality. Dolby Atmos, for example, is designed to reproduce sound in a 3D space, thereby creating a more intense sound experience. These advances enable built-in speakers to deliver greater power and clarity, yet they generally still reach their physical limits, particularly when it comes to reproducing bass and low frequencies. Furthermore, they cannot adequately cater to individual listening needs, such as those arising from hearing difficulties or hearing loss.

Sound quality: what can you expect from built-in TV speakers?

The sound quality of built-in TV speakers is generally sufficient for basic functions such as listening to the news. However, they usually do not provide the desired sound for TV series, films, intense action scenes or when playing music. The sound is often flat, and the absence of a powerful subwoofer means the low frequencies are missing. TV speakers can generally only reproduce high and mid-range frequencies, which means that the sound experience is perfectly satisfactory for dialogue, but many scenes or film soundtracks lack depth and power.

Why built-in speakers are often insufficient

Built-in speakers are installed in TVs to meet basic sound requirements, but they often do not offer the performance needed for a proper viewing experience. The biggest drawback of built-in speakers lies in their physical limitations. Modern TVs have become increasingly thin, which means that space for powerful speakers has been significantly reduced. These built-in TV speakers cannot reproduce lower frequencies properly, resulting in a flat and lacklustre sound. Anyone looking for an immersive experience, clear dialogue and perhaps also sounds such as bass will almost always be disappointed by a TV’s built-in speakers.

Differences in built-in speakers from different brands

The quality of built-in speakers varies considerably between different brands and models. Higher-end TVs from well-known brands often feature more advanced technologies such as Dolby Audio or DTS for better sound reproduction. Cheaper models, on the other hand, often have basic TV speakers that cannot deliver high fidelity. Sound quality therefore depends heavily on the choice of manufacturer, and even here the sound often falls short of expectations if you are looking for a truly immersive audio experience.

Who are built-in speakers suitable for?

Built-in speakers are a practical solution for users who do not have high expectations regarding sound quality and do not have any underlying hearing issues. If the TV is used solely for watching the news, the built-in speakers generally provide a satisfactory solution. If you wish to watch films, series or realistic documentaries, an external TV speaker is always recommended. Even for very small rooms, where surround sound is less of a priority, a TV’s built-in speakers may be sufficient, provided there are no hearing impairments.

Available speaker positions and arrangement

An important aspect of sound reproduction from built-in speakers is their positioning within the TV. In many sets, the speakers are directed downwards or backwards, which completely impairs sound distribution in the room. The sound is not directed straight at the viewer but has to be reflected off the room, leading to distortion. However, some TVs feature forward-facing speakers, which result in better sound reproduction. But even this arrangement cannot adequately reproduce the low frequencies.

Advantages of built-in speakers

• Space-saving: As the speakers are built directly into the TV, there is no need to find additional space for external speakers or soundbars.
• Cost-effective: There is no need to purchase additional external speakers, sound systems or subwoofers, which reduces the overall cost of the TV.
• Easy connection: No need for additional cables for HDMI, Bluetooth or RCA connections.

Disadvantages of built-in speakers

• Limited sound quality: Built-in speakers cannot reproduce lower frequencies and sound effects properly.
• Lack of volume and clarity: The speakers do not offer the same volume and clarity as external speakers or full sound systems.
• Limited immersion: For a true TV experience, additional speakers or a surround sound system are required to enhance the spatial sound.
• People with hearing impairments are often unable to follow dialogue or pick up background sounds.

Why built-in speakers are not the best choice

Although built-in speakers offer a practical and cost-effective solution for basic TV viewing, in many cases they are insufficient to ensure a high-quality sound experience. Anyone who values deeper bass, clear dialogue and an immersive TV experience should opt for external TV speakers or surround sound systems. These offer much better sound quality and improve speech intelligibility and the overall experience, particularly for more complex films and series and/or for people with hearing difficulties.