How Do I Choose A Sound Bar For My Tv?

[Stargazer]

I have a slimline modern Panasonic tv and always have subtitles turned on as the volume is not always loud enough especially on films and many of the Sky channels like PBS which do not allow subtitles. I miss huge amounts of dialogue especially when watching films. I need to buy a sound bar but only to increase the volume for speech. I never listen to music and do not want to unnecessarily buy one with all bells and whistles. Do I need one with Bluetooth - I don't even know what that is? I am 76 and not even deaf athough my kids say I have the tv on too loud.

[10ClarionSt]

Have a look here, Stargazer.
https://www.richersounds.com/tv-home-cinema/soundbars.html
I don't know if there's a Richer Sounds near you but if there is they will give you good advice. Check on the website Storefinder.

[Stargazer]

Thank you Clarion St.

[10ClarionSt]

Some more here, Stargazer. Probably a bit more local too. I'm sure if you fancy one of them, the kids will help with the installation. Bluetooth is quite a simple process. And I'm in your age bracket! Be not afraid!

[10ClarionSt]

Sorry. Forgot the link! Now that IS an age thing! :o)

https://www.argos.co.uk/browse/technology/dvd-players-blu-ray-players-and-home-cinema/home-cinema-systems-and-sound-bars/sound-bars/c:30123/

[Barsel]

I have the same problem as you stargazer, but I didn't want one too big as my TV is only a 32" so I got this compact one from Currys and it really does make a difference.
https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/tv-and-home-entertainment/dvd-blu-ray-and-home-cinema/home-cinema-systems-and-sound-bars/jvc-th-d227b-2-0-compact-sound-bar-10157471-pdt.html

[Barsel]

Forgot to mention another reason I bought it was because it's half price plus 10% off, so quite a bargain.

[Buenchico]

While you might not be 'deaf', I'd be prepared to put money on an assessment showing that you're 'hearing impaired'. My friend never thought of herself as having a hearing problem until someone from the local council contacted her to say that her neighbour had complained about the volume of her TV set. The lady from the council visited my friend and asked her to let her hear how loud she normally had her telly set to. She then suggested that my friend needed a hearing test which, as expected, showed that my friend's hearing wasn't too good. An NHS hearing aid soon made things a lot easier for her (and for her neighbour).

Coming back to your main question though . . .

Bluetooth is now a standard feature on the vast majority of soundbars on sale but you only need it if you want to be able to connect your mobile phone (or other Bluetooth-enabled device) to the soundbar so that you can play music on your phone (or whatever) through the soundbar. You don't need it to connect the soundbar to your TV (which will be done via a cable).

The cheapest soundbars, such as this one
https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/tv-and-home-entertainment/dvd-blu-ray-and-home-cinema/home-cinema-systems-and-sound-bars/logik-l32sbt17-2-0-sound-bar-10157451-pdt.html
often connect to a TV set using a 3.5mm cable. That means that your TV set must have a 3.5mm headphone socket to connect it to (unless you use some sort of adapter). They also have quite low power ratings. The one in my link is rated at 16 watts, which should be enough to fill a typical living room with sound but a soundbar with a higher power rating not only gives more volume but is likely to give better sound quality too (because it won't be 'pushed to the maximum' when in use).

A slightly more expensive model, such as this
https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/tv-and-home-entertainment/dvd-blu-ray-and-home-cinema/home-cinema-systems-and-sound-bars/jvc-th-d227b-2-0-compact-sound-bar-10157471-pdt.html
provides more than enough power for your needs and also has an optical connection. (So, as long as your TV has either a 3.5mm headphone socket, or an 'optical out' audio socket you'll be able to connect it up).

If you need guidance as to which connections your TV has available for connecting to a sound bar, please provide the exact model number. (It's on the back of the set).

[Stargazer]

Thanks everyone but I still do not know what it is and whether or not I need Bluetooth. What is it anyway? The Richer Sounds are all very expensive starting at £89. Argos etc have them much cheaper but are they any good? It looks as though the expensive ones are aimed at the younger sophisticated generation who want stereo and superb music tones.

[Barsel]

Stargazer read what Chris has put, he has recommended the same one as I did for you, but Chris has explained why you don't really need Bluetooth. The soundbars come with Bluetooth but you don't need to use that facility.

[Barsel]

The sound on a lot of TV's isn't that good, so a soundbar enhancers the sound. The one at Currys that I have has been reduced from £100 to £49.99 plus another 10% off. You don't need an expensive one for your needs.

[derek-33]

buy some headphones saves your neighbours banging on the wall
( richer sounds beat any high street shop on price btw)

[drmorgans]

I bought a Panasonic SC-HTB200 (the HTB208 is identical but only available from PC World) soundbar mainly for when I watch films - not for loudness but to improve the sound quality. Some soundbars are quite wide but the HTB 200/208 is more rectangular (similar size to a hardback book). I connect it to the TV using an optical cable rather than Bluetooth.

[bhg481]

Before you start spending on anything I'd take Buenchico's advice and get your hearing checked. If other people think you have the volume too high that is a good indication that you might have a problem. The hearing test might show that it is just certain frequencies which you have problems with, which leads to speech being "blurred"; modern digital hearing aids can be set to enhance just these frequencies. Hearing checks are free at Boots/Specsavers etc and you've nothing to lose.

[Khandro]

Panasonic TVs allow you to put a jack into the headphone socket on the side of your set without it switching of the sound from the TV, (mine does) so you have two options; you can add an extra speaker situated near to you, or if you are watching on your own (and don't want to talk to anyone while watching) you can use headphones with an inline volume switch- this way you will get an amazing sound quality.

I bought an expensive soundbar & found it a real nuisance fiddling with an extra remote control & I gave it away. If Chris is correct, that your hearing is less than it once was, you won't find a big improvement from a soundbar on the other side of the room.

[gingejbee]

If it's just for yourself, I'd go down the wireless headphones route....Sony Bluetooth headphones and a Bluetooth "dongle" (plugged into the headphone socket) will give you volume and clarity, without disturbing anybody else.
(I'm assuming that your TV isn't a VERY recent one, as these are usually Bluetooth enabled and you wouldn't even need the dongle).

[TonyV]

I would go down hearing test first. I had one because my Mrs was moaning about the volume I had TV set at, initial test was at GPs who said my hearing was fine. I was not impressed with age of equipment they were using so ended up at hearing clinic at local hospital, and walked out with free hearing aid and batteries. I would make an appointment with your GP. I would not use store based free tests, I and am cynical by nature and think they will be trying to sell you a hearing aid / aids ultimately.

[bhg481]

Alternatively, Google "Hearing Test" and do a free one online. It will give you an idea of whether or not you have a problem.

[Zacs-Master]

Have you gone into the 'sound' settings on your TV. Before splashing out a fair amount on a sound-bar I'd have a look at changing the setting. They're usually something like 'speech' / 'music' / 'theater' / 'sport' etc etc.

[Stargazer]

Thank you to all of you who have given me advice. I was given one yesterday and it is a Goodmans 60w 2.1 soundbar. I am hoping one of you will read this and advise me. It is so straightforward that I expected to plug it in and go.... but nothing is coming out of the soundbar. I have plugged the two leads correctly into the tv and soundbar so what do I need to do next please

[bhg481]

You might have to go into your TVs menu and tell it about the soundbar (ie, turn it on). Depending on your TV it might turn-off the TV speakers or you might be able to have both speakers and soundbar on.