Advanced Audio Settings on Smart TVs: How to Enhance Your Sound

17 February 2025

When it comes to smart TVs, most people get excited about the sharp, vibrant visuals. After all, when you're binge-watching your favorite shows or catching the latest blockbuster, who doesn’t want to be blown away by an ultra-crisp image? But there's something else that often gets overlooked—the sound. Think about it: what good is a stunning picture if the sound quality feels weak or flat?

If you've ever felt like your smart TV's sound is subpar or wondered if you could make your favorite movie sound more immersive, you're in the right place. Let's dive into the advanced audio settings on smart TVs and explore how you can tweak them for a better listening experience.

Why Audio Quality Matters on Smart TVs

You might think, “It’s just sound, right?” But think about how impactful audio is. Imagine watching an intense thriller, and right before the big reveal, the sound drops off. Or worse, it’s so muffled that you miss half the dialogue. Frustrating, right?

The truth is, audio plays a huge role in how we experience content. Whether it’s the deep rumble of an explosion, the low hum of a dramatic score, or the crystal-clear dialogue in your favorite drama, sound creates atmosphere. Good audio can make you feel like you’re right in the middle of the action, while poor audio can take you right out of it.

Default TV Audio vs. Customized Settings

Most smart TVs come with default audio settings that are supposed to work for a wide variety of content. But here's the thing: these settings are often designed to be “good enough” for the average viewer. They’re not optimized for specific types of content or your personal preferences.

That’s why you might find that a movie sounds great, but when you switch over to a sports game, the commentary seems drowned out by the crowd noise. Or maybe you’re playing a video game, and the music overshadows the sound effects.

Luckily, you don't have to settle for “good enough.” With just a little bit of tweaking, you can take control and make your smart TV’s sound work for you.

Understanding Your Smart TV's Audio Settings

Before we jump into how to enhance your sound, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the basic audio settings available on most smart TVs. These settings can usually be found in the TV’s menu under “Audio” or “Sound.”

1. Sound Modes

Most smart TVs come with preset sound modes that are designed for different types of content. The names of these modes might vary depending on your TV brand, but common options include:

- Standard: A balanced mode intended for everyday TV watching.
- Cinema/Movie: Enhances bass and surround sound effects for a more immersive experience.
- Music: Optimizes the frequency range for listening to music, often boosting the midrange.
- Sports: Focuses on dialogue clarity and crowd noise for a stadium-like experience.
- Game: Lowers input lag and emphasizes sound effects for an enhanced gaming experience.

These modes are a great starting point, but they’re not perfect. Depending on your preferences, you might want to make some additional tweaks.

2. Equalizer (EQ) Settings

If you’re a bit more tech-savvy, you can manually adjust your TV’s equalizer settings. The equalizer allows you to adjust different frequencies to fine-tune the sound. Think of it like mixing audio tracks in a song. You can boost the bass, lower the treble, or adjust the midtones.

- Bass: These are the low-end frequencies. Adjusting the bass will make your audio sound deeper and more powerful. This is great for action movies or music with a lot of low-end, like hip-hop or EDM.
- Midrange: This is where most dialogue sits. Adjusting the midrange can make voices clearer and more prominent.
- Treble: These are the high-end frequencies. Boosting the treble can make sounds like cymbals or high-pitched voices stand out more.

3. Surround Sound

Many smart TVs offer some form of virtual surround sound. While it’s not true surround sound (like what you’d get from a dedicated home theater system), it can still be a nice enhancement. This setting creates the illusion that sound is coming from multiple directions, making your audio feel more immersive.

4. Volume Leveling

Have you ever noticed that commercials are often louder than the show you’re watching? Volume leveling is a feature that helps to balance out those sudden changes in volume. It can be especially useful if you find yourself constantly reaching for the remote to adjust the volume between different shows or channels.

5. Dialog Enhancement

If you struggle to hear dialogue over background noise, this setting is your new best friend. Dialog enhancement boosts the midrange frequencies where most voices sit, making it easier to hear what people are saying without having to crank up the overall volume.

6. Lip Sync Adjustment

This one might not seem important—until it is. Lip sync issues occur when the audio and video are out of sync, making it look like people are speaking out of time with the sound. Some TVs allow you to adjust the audio delay so that everything lines up perfectly. It’s a small tweak, but it can make a big difference in your viewing experience.

How to Enhance the Sound on Your Smart TV

Now that we’ve covered the basic settings, let’s get into how you can actually enhance your sound. These tips will help you optimize your TV’s audio for different types of content, and ensure that you’re getting the best sound possible.

1. Choose the Right Sound Mode

This might seem like an obvious tip, but it’s one that a lot of people overlook. If you’re watching a movie, switch to the “Cinema” or “Movie” mode. If you’re watching sports, switch to “Sports” mode. These modes are designed to optimize the audio for specific types of content, so switching between them can make a noticeable difference.

2. Fine-Tune the Equalizer

If you’re not satisfied with the preset sound modes, take a few minutes to adjust the equalizer. If you’re watching a movie and want more impact from explosions or background music, try boosting the bass. If you’re watching a dialogue-heavy show, raise the midrange to make voices clearer.

3. Turn On Surround Sound

While virtual surround sound isn’t the same as having a full home theater setup, it can still add depth to your audio. This is especially useful for movies and video games, where sound cues from all around can enhance the experience.

4. Use Volume Leveling

Nobody likes being jolted out of their seat by a loud commercial or an unexpected spike in volume. Turning on volume leveling will help to smooth out these fluctuations, so you can enjoy your content without constantly adjusting the volume.

5. Boost Dialogue

If you’re watching something where dialogue is key—like a drama or a documentary—consider turning on the dialogue enhancement feature. It can make it easier to hear what people are saying, without having to crank up the volume and risk drowning out other sounds.

6. Pair with External Speakers or Soundbars

Let’s be honest here—no matter how much you tweak your TV’s built-in speakers, they’re never going to sound as good as a dedicated speaker system or soundbar. If you’re serious about getting the best audio experience, consider investing in external speakers. Soundbars, in particular, are a great option because they’re relatively affordable and easy to set up.

Many soundbars also come with their own audio settings, so you can further customize your sound experience.

7. Check the Audio Format

Some smart TVs support different audio formats, like Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, which offer better sound quality. If your TV and content support these formats, make sure they’re enabled in your settings. This can make a significant difference, particularly for movies and shows that are mixed in these formats.

8. Position Your TV Correctly

It’s not just the settings that can affect your sound quality. The position of your TV in the room can also have a big impact. If your TV is tucked into a corner or surrounded by furniture, the sound can become muffled or distorted. Try to place your TV in an open space, and if possible, mount it at ear level. This will help the sound travel more clearly throughout the room.

9. Customize Settings for Different Content

No one-size-fits-all approach works for every type of content. For example, while you might love booming bass for action movies, it could be annoying when watching a news broadcast. Most smart TVs allow you to save custom sound profiles, so you can easily switch between them depending on what you’re watching.

Final Thoughts

Your smart TV’s audio settings are often underutilized, but they hold the key to transforming your viewing experience. Whether you’re watching movies, playing games, or just catching up on your favorite shows, taking the time to tweak your audio settings can make a world of difference.

From adjusting the equalizer to optimizing sound modes, you’ve now got the tools to enhance your sound and make your TV experience even more immersive. And if you really want to take things to the next level, consider investing in external speakers or a soundbar. After all, great visuals deserve great sound, right?