Premium smart TV audio quality review

Beyond the Pixels: A Deep Dive into Premium Smart TV Audio Quality

For years, the pursuit of the ultimate home entertainment experience has primarily focused on the visual. From the advent of high-definition to the stunning realism of 4K HDR and now 8K, manufacturers have pushed the boundaries of display technology. Yet, while our eyes have feasted on increasingly vibrant and detailed images, our ears have often been left wanting. The audio from the vast majority of flat-panel TVs has, for a long time, been an afterthought – thin, tinny, and utterly uninspiring.

However, a significant shift is underway in the premium smart TV segment. Recognizing that true immersion is a multi-sensory experience, leading manufacturers are now investing heavily in sophisticated audio technologies. No longer content with merely "acceptable" sound, these high-end televisions are striving to deliver an audio performance that complements their breathtaking visuals, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible from a device just a few centimeters thick.

This comprehensive review will delve into the world of premium smart TV audio quality, exploring the technologies, innovations, and design philosophies that are transforming the listening experience. We’ll examine what sets these TVs apart, what to look for when investing, and whether they can truly stand alone as the centerpiece of a high-fidelity home entertainment system.

The Paradigm Shift: From Afterthought to Front and Center

The historical struggle of TV audio stems from a fundamental design challenge: physics. As TVs became progressively thinner to fit modern aesthetics, the space available for robust speaker drivers and acoustic chambers dwindled. Traditional speaker designs, which rely on volume and depth to produce rich, resonant sound, simply couldn’t be accommodated. This led to down-firing or rear-firing speakers that bounced sound off surfaces, resulting in muddy, indistinct audio lacking in bass and clarity.

But the demand for better audio grew alongside the proliferation of high-quality streaming content. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, object-based audio formats that create three-dimensional soundscapes, became standard in movies and games. Music streaming services offered lossless and high-resolution audio. Consumers, accustomed to excellent sound from their headphones and dedicated audio systems, began to expect more from their primary entertainment hub.

Premium TV manufacturers responded by rethinking their approach entirely. They began to integrate custom-designed speaker systems, advanced amplification, and sophisticated digital signal processing (DSP) specifically tailored to overcome the limitations of their slim form factors. The goal was no longer just to produce sound, but to create an immersive, detailed, and dynamic audio experience that could stand on its own, or at least provide a solid foundation for further expansion.

Core Audio Technologies in Premium Smart TVs

The leap in premium TV audio quality isn’t due to a single breakthrough but a combination of synergistic technologies:

1. Advanced Speaker Systems and Driver Design

Front-Firing and Multi-Channel Arrays: While many budget TVs still rely on down-firing speakers, premium models often incorporate front-firing drivers, sometimes hidden behind a mesh or integrated into the bezel. This directs sound directly towards the viewer, significantly improving clarity and soundstage. Furthermore, premium TVs are moving beyond simple 2.0 or 2.1 channel setups. Many now feature multi-channel arrays, such as 4.2.2 or even 6.2.2 configurations, with dedicated drivers for left, right, center, and even up-firing channels to create a more expansive and immersive soundfield.
Acoustic Surface Audio (Sony): Perhaps one of the most innovative approaches comes from Sony with its "Acoustic Surface Audio" and "Acoustic Surface Audio+" technology, primarily found in their premium OLED models. Instead of traditional cone speakers, the entire screen acts as a speaker. Actuators placed behind the OLED panel vibrate the screen itself, producing sound directly from the image’s source. This revolutionary design creates an incredibly precise soundstage, making dialogue appear to emanate directly from the characters’ mouths and effects sound as if they are truly part of the on-screen action. The "Plus" version adds additional subwoofers and actuators for enhanced bass and a wider soundfield.
Custom-Designed Woofers and Tweeters: Instead of off-the-shelf components, premium TVs feature custom-engineered woofers for mid-bass and mid-range, and dedicated tweeters for crisp highs. Some even integrate passive radiators to enhance bass response without requiring larger, power-hungry active woofers.
Wattage and Amplification: While raw wattage isn’t the sole indicator of quality, premium TVs often boast significantly higher output (e.g., 60W, 80W, or even 100W+) compared to the standard 20-30W found in entry-level models. More importantly, they employ advanced Class-D amplifiers, which are highly efficient and can deliver clean power without generating excessive heat, crucial for thin chassis.

2. Spatial Audio Processing and AI Enhancement

Dolby Atmos and DTS:X Integration: These object-based audio formats are no longer exclusive to dedicated home theater systems. Premium smart TVs feature built-in decoders and processors that can render multi-dimensional soundscapes, including height effects. While the internal speakers cannot replicate a true 7.1.4 home theater setup, the TV’s processing algorithms can virtualize height and surround channels, creating a more enveloping sound experience.
AI Sound Pro / AI Acoustic Tuning / SpaceFit Sound (LG, Sony, Samsung): Manufacturers are leveraging artificial intelligence to optimize audio performance based on the viewing environment. These technologies use built-in microphones to analyze the room’s acoustics – identifying reflective surfaces, furniture, and room size – and then automatically calibrate the TV’s sound output to compensate. This ensures a more balanced and accurate sound profile tailored to your specific living space.
Dialogue Enhancement and Clarity: A common complaint with TV audio is difficulty understanding dialogue, especially during action sequences. Premium TVs often include dedicated DSP algorithms to enhance dialogue clarity, separating voices from background noise and ensuring they remain prominent.
Object Tracking Sound (OTS) (Samsung): Samsung’s OTS technology uses multiple speakers placed strategically around the TV’s frame. It analyzes the movement of objects on screen and projects sound from the corresponding speaker, making audio follow the action. For example, a car moving from left to right across the screen will have its sound move across the TV’s speakers, enhancing realism and immersion.

3. Connectivity and Ecosystem Integration

eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel): This is a critical feature for anyone considering connecting external audio. eARC, available on HDMI 2.1 ports, allows for the transmission of high-bandwidth, uncompressed audio formats like Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, as well as object-based formats like Dolby Atmos, from the TV to a compatible soundbar or AV receiver. This ensures the highest possible audio quality when using external systems.
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Audio Streaming: Premium TVs often support high-quality Bluetooth codecs (like aptX or LDAC) for connecting wireless headphones or speakers with minimal latency. Wi-Fi capabilities enable integration into multi-room audio systems (e.g., Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in, or proprietary ecosystems), allowing the TV to act as a source for music playback across your home.
Proprietary Soundbar Integration (Q-Symphony, WOW Orchestra): Samsung’s Q-Symphony and LG’s WOW Orchestra are groundbreaking features that allow the TV’s internal speakers to work in conjunction with a compatible soundbar. Instead of the TV speakers being silenced when a soundbar is connected, they become additional channels, enhancing the soundstage, height, and overall immersion. This creates a much richer and more cohesive sound experience than using either component alone.

Leading Brands and Their Audio Innovations

Let’s look at how some of the top manufacturers are implementing these technologies:

Sony: Renowned for their Acoustic Surface Audio/Audio+ technology in OLEDs (A95L, A90J, A80L series), which truly makes sound emanate from the screen. Their Cognitive Processor XR also plays a crucial role, performing "3D Surround Upscaling" to virtualize surround sound even from non-Atmos content. Sony’s premium LCD/Mini-LED TVs (X95L, Z9K) also feature multi-speaker arrays and powerful amplification.
LG: With their Alpha series processors (Alpha 9 Gen6, Alpha 7 Gen6 in G3, C3 series), LG TVs boast "AI Sound Pro" for intelligent audio optimization and virtual 9.1.2 or 7.1.2 channel upmixing. Their "WOW Orchestra" feature seamlessly integrates with compatible LG soundbars, using both TV and soundbar speakers for a larger, more dynamic sound.
Samsung: Pioneered "Object Tracking Sound (OTS)" in their Neo QLED (QN90C, QN95C) and OLED (S95C) models, creating a truly dynamic audio experience where sound follows the action. Their "Q-Symphony" technology is arguably the most advanced proprietary soundbar integration, allowing the TV and soundbar to work in harmony. "SpaceFit Sound" further optimizes audio based on room acoustics.
Panasonic: Often collaborating with high-fidelity audio brands like Technics, Panasonic’s premium OLEDs (MZ2000, LZ2000) feature integrated "360° Soundscape Pro" speaker systems, including up-firing, side-firing, and front-firing drivers, often tuned by Technics audio engineers. These TVs aim for an all-in-one immersive experience.
Philips (TP Vision): Known for their unique Ambilight technology, Philips’ premium TVs (OLED808, OLED908) often incorporate sound systems designed by reputable audio brands like Bowers & Wilkins. These collaborations result in dedicated, high-quality speaker enclosures and powerful amplification built directly into the TV, providing a robust, detailed, and expansive soundstage.

The Premium Audio Experience: What Does It Sound Like?

So, after all these technologies, what does a premium smart TV sound like?

Clarity and Dialogue Intelligibility: This is perhaps the most immediate and noticeable improvement. Voices are clear, crisp, and well-separated from background effects and music. No more straining to understand what characters are saying.
Expansive Soundstage and Imaging: While not true discrete surround sound, the virtualization and multi-speaker arrays create a surprisingly wide and tall soundstage. Sounds appear to come from beyond the TV’s physical boundaries, and in the case of Acoustic Surface Audio or OTS, they can even track on-screen movement.
Improved Bass Response: While deep, chest-thumping bass remains the domain of dedicated subwoofers, premium TVs offer significantly more robust and controlled low-end frequencies than their budget counterparts. Explosions have more impact, and music has more body.
Dynamic Range and Detail: Premium TVs can handle the quietest whispers and the loudest explosions with greater fidelity, preserving subtle audio details that would be lost on lesser systems. This translates to a more engaging and immersive experience.
Music Playback: While primarily designed for movies and TV, the improved audio quality makes premium smart TVs surprisingly capable for casual music listening, especially when integrated into a multi-room audio system.

Limitations and When External Audio Still Reigns

Despite the remarkable advancements, it’s crucial to understand the inherent limitations of even the best internal TV audio:

Physics is Still Physics: A TV, no matter how premium, is still a thin panel. It cannot replicate the depth, power, and precise channel separation of a dedicated home theater system with large, custom speakers and a powerful subwoofer.
True Surround Sound: While virtualization is impressive, it’s not the same as discrete physical speakers placed around your room. For a true 360-degree immersive experience, a multi-speaker setup remains superior.
Deep Bass: The subwoofers integrated into premium TVs are impressive for their size, but they cannot produce the subterranean, room-shaking bass that a dedicated 10-inch or 12-inch subwoofer can.
Upgrade Path: While some TVs integrate well with their brand’s soundbars, a dedicated AV receiver offers far more flexibility in terms of speaker choice, future upgrades, and advanced audio processing.

For the serious audiophile, the dedicated home theater enthusiast, or those with very large rooms, an external soundbar (especially premium models with a subwoofer and surround speakers) or a full AV receiver and speaker system will still offer a superior audio experience.

Making the Right Choice: A Buyer’s Guide

When considering a premium smart TV for its audio quality, here’s what to look for:

Listen Before You Buy: This is paramount. Specs only tell part of the story. Visit a showroom and listen to different models with content you are familiar with (e.g., a specific movie scene, a favorite song).
Look for Advanced Speaker Designs: Prioritize TVs with front-firing speakers, multi-channel arrays, or innovative technologies like Sony’s Acoustic Surface Audio.
Check for Spatial Audio Support: Ensure it supports Dolby Atmos and/or DTS:X for immersive content.
Inquire About AI Calibration: Features like AI Sound Pro or SpaceFit Sound can significantly optimize audio for your specific room.
Consider Ecosystem Integration: If you plan to add a soundbar, check if the TV offers proprietary integration features like Q-Symphony or WOW Orchestra for a synergistic experience.
Verify eARC: If you plan to connect an external sound system, eARC is essential for uncompressed, high-fidelity audio passthrough.
Read Professional Reviews: Tech reviewers often delve deeply into audio performance, providing insights beyond basic specs.
Understand Your Needs: Be realistic about your expectations. If you crave cinema-level bass and true surround, factor in the cost of a good soundbar or home theater system.

Conclusion & Future Outlook

The landscape of smart TV audio has undergone a remarkable transformation in the premium segment. No longer a mere afterthought, audio quality has emerged as a crucial differentiator, with manufacturers pushing the boundaries of what’s acoustically possible from a slim panel. Technologies like Acoustic Surface Audio, Object Tracking Sound, AI-driven calibration, and seamless soundbar integration are delivering an audio experience that is surprisingly rich, immersive, and detailed.

While a premium smart TV will likely never fully replace a dedicated, high-end home theater system for the most discerning audiophiles, the gap is narrowing significantly. For many consumers, especially those in smaller living spaces or who prefer a minimalist setup, the internal audio of a top-tier smart TV can now provide a truly satisfying and immersive viewing and listening experience.

As technology continues to evolve, we can expect even more sophisticated AI processing, innovative speaker materials, and deeper integration with smart home ecosystems. The future of premium smart TV audio is bright, promising a holistic entertainment experience where breathtaking visuals are finally matched by equally impressive sound. The pixels may capture our eyes, but it’s the sound that truly captures our souls and pulls us into the story.