Standard speaker

Standard speakers are a practical way to improve a TV’s sound without resorting to complex systems such as surround sound or subwoofers. They offer better sound quality than the built-in speakers found in many TVs and deliver a balanced reproduction of treble and bass. These speakers are a simple solution for users who want to enhance their TV sound without too much hassle. We take a look at the key features of standard speakers, their pros and cons, and what to look out for when buying, and when a device specialised in speech intelligibility is the more suitable solution.

What are standard speakers?

Standard speakers are external TV speakers used to improve the sound of televisions. They offer clearer and richer sound reproduction compared to the built-in speakers, which in modern flat-screen TVs often have limited space for good sound quality. Standard speakers cover a wide frequency range, including bass and treble, ensuring a balanced sound. They are a simple solution for users who want to improve their TV’s sound without resorting to specialised speaker models such as surround sound systems or subwoofers. Standard speakers enhance TV sound and are easy to connect, making them a practical choice for everyday TV viewing.

Sound quality of standard speakers

The sound quality of standard speakers generally surpasses that of a TV’s built-in speakers. They offer balanced and clear sound reproduction that efficiently fills the room with sound. The improved depth and bass reproduction is particularly noticeable when watching films, series or listening to music, making standard speakers a preferred choice for better sound quality.

• Sound reproduction
  : Compared to a TV’s built-in speakers, standard speakers deliver a clearer and more balanced sound. They cover a wider frequency range, allowing high and low tones to come through more effectively. This difference is particularly noticeable in films or series with lots of sound effects, as well as when listening to music. Standard speakers fill the room with sound without the distortion that is often a problem with built-in speakers.
• Dialogue: In certain cases, standard speakers can help improve the clarity of dialogue. Some models are equipped with special technologies that emphasise the mid-range frequencies, which are crucial for the reproduction of voices. This adjustment ensures that dialogue remains clear and easily intelligible even in scenes with a lot of background music or intense sound effects. Particularly in films, series or programmes with complex and multi-layered soundscapes, where speech is often difficult to understand, this feature can make a significant difference and greatly enhance the listening experience.
• Stereo effects and spatial sound: Although standard speakers do not deliver true surround sound, they are capable of producing good stereo effects. They create the impression that the sound is coming from multiple directions, resulting in a wider soundstage. For users in smaller rooms, this offers a good way to experience the sound as more pleasant and balanced.
• Dynamics and power
  : Another advantage of standard speakers is their ability to offer greater dynamics and power. Particularly during loud film scenes or music with significant volume variations, the sound remains clear and undistorted even at higher volumes. Standard speakers deliver enough power to reproduce these sounds without distortion. Many models can also be combined with a subwoofer to produce deeper bass and greater dynamics.
• Rich soundUnlike
  the small, built-in speakers in a television, standard speakers offer a fuller sound. Special speaker technologies and, often, the use of a subwoofer enhance the sound, resulting in deeper bass and better surround sound. This ensures that the sound is reproduced fully and powerfully even in larger rooms, without any loss of quality.

Features and models of standard speakers

Standard speakers are available in various sizes and models. Some offer hi-fi quality for music lovers, whilst others are designed for general use in home cinema systems. Models equipped with tweeters, mid-range drivers and subwoofers offer a more comprehensive sound quality. The choice of an amplifier and the right sound system can also influence the performance and sound quality of standard speakers. They are also used to significantly improve TV sound and create a cinema experience without the need for a surround sound system.

Some models offer additional features such as Bluetooth connectivity for wireless audio streaming, or impedance-matched speakers that provide optimal support for the amplifier. The build quality and design of standard speakers are also important factors, which vary depending on the brand and model.

What should you look out for when buying a standard speaker?

When buying standard speakers, you should pay particular attention to sound quality. It is important that the TV speakers offer balanced sound reproduction, encompassing both deep bass and clear treble, to ensure an authentic and enjoyable listening experience. Another important aspect is the compatibility of the speakers with the TV. Many standard speakers can be easily connected via HDMI, optical inputs or aux ports, so you should check what connection options your TV offers and whether the speakers support them. In addition, it may be worth choosing models that are compatible with a subwoofer to enhance bass reproduction. If the speaker is to be used flexibly, it is advantageous to choose a model with Bluetooth or wireless connectivity so that the TV sound can also be transmitted wirelessly. Furthermore, build quality plays a role, as well-built speakers are generally more durable and offer more consistent sound quality. When choosing the right model, you should also take into account the room in which the speakers will be used, as the size and power of the speaker are directly related to the room size and the desired sound quality.

Connections on standard speakers

The connections on standard speakers can vary, but they usually offer a variety of options to enable easy connection to different devices. Common connections include:

HDMI: The HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) connection is a digital interface that enables high-quality audio and video transmission between your TV and external TV speakers. The HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) is particularly handy, as it allows the TV’s audio to be sent to the speakers via the same cable, reducing the number of cables and enabling easy integration. This connection not only offers excellent picture and sound quality, but also a user-friendly solution, as it can transmit both audio and video signals simultaneously without compromising sound reproduction.

Optical input (Toslink): The optical input is a digital transmission method often used with external TV speakers to ensure lossless audio quality. Instead of using electrical signals, the optical connection transmits audio data via light pulses, thereby eliminating noise and interference. This method ensures stable and clear audio transmission, making it particularly ideal when the TV and speakers are far apart or when undisturbed, high-quality sound reproduction is required.

Aux connection (3.5 mm): The 3.5 mm aux connection is an analogue connection available on many external TV speakers, offering a straightforward way to connect various devices such as smartphones, tablets or laptops. Despite its practicality, this port has the disadvantage that sound quality can vary depending on the cable and device, as it does not offer the digital precision provided by modern connections such as HDMI or optical inputs. Nevertheless, the aux port is a simple and readily accessible solution for users who do not require a complex setup.

Bluetooth: With Bluetooth, TV speakers can be connected wirelessly to smart TVs, smartphones or other Bluetooth-enabled devices, enabling very flexible and convenient use. This wireless technology is particularly beneficial for users who prefer a simple, cable-free solution to enjoy their TV sound without additional connections. However, sound quality with Bluetooth connections can vary depending on the standard and the distance between devices, although newer Bluetooth versions such as 5.0 offer improved transmission quality and operate more reliably.

RCA socket: The RCA socket, also known as a cinch socket, is an older analogue connection often found in traditional TV speakers or hi-fi systems. This connection uses two separate cables for stereo audio transmission, enabling easy connection to older devices. Although the RCA connection is still in use, modern digital connections such as HDMI or Toslink offer far better sound quality and more stable transmission rates, which is why the RCA connection is increasingly being replaced by these more advanced options. However, it remains a useful choice for integrating older devices into the speaker system.

These connection options ensure versatility and make it easy to connect standard speakers to various devices.

Advantages and disadvantages of standard speakers

Advantages:

• Versatility: Standard speakers are suitable for various applications such as home cinema, music and TV sound. They offer a good solution for enhancing a TV’s sound without the complexity of a surround sound system.
• Easy integration: These speakers can be easily connected to a TV or other audio devices, usually via standard connections such as HDMI, optical inputs or aux ports. This makes them a practical and user-friendly solution.
• Improved sound quality: Standard speakers deliver better sound quality compared to a TV’s built-in speakers. They offer a balanced reproduction of bass, midrange and treble, enhancing the overall listening experience.

Disadvantages:

• Limited bass reproduction: The bass from standard speakers is often not as deep or powerful as that from specialised speakers such as subwoofers. For users who particularly rely on powerful bass, this can be a limitation.
• No true surround sound: Standard speakers do not provide a true surround sound experience. They can fill the room with sound, but the immersive effect offered by surround sound systems is lacking.
• Build quality and sound quality vary: Depending on the model, the quality and build of standard speakers can vary significantly. Some models may not offer the same precision and clarity as higher-quality TV speakers.
• Size: Standard speakers often take up a lot of space and are therefore more of an option for large rooms.

Standard speakers or a dedicated speech amplifier?

Standard speakers perform confidently across the entire frequency range and are the stronger solution for music and film. In return they need space, careful positioning and, depending on the model, a separate amplifier.

If you mainly want clearer speech from your television, a dedicated speech amplifier such as the OSKAR by faller audio is an option instead. It is considerably smaller and easier to operate, but it does not replace a full speaker system and is not the first choice for enjoying music.