STACK #247 May 2025

FEATURE TECH

Connectivity Smart TVs connect wirelessly via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, while HDMI is the standard connection that transmits high-res video and audio via a single cable. Make sure your new TV has sufficient HDMI inputs to run multiple external devices (laptop, games console, 4K Blu-ray player) simultaneously.

SETTING UP You’ve got the gear, now where to put it? Placement matters!

Sound quality Soundbars use numbers like 5.1 or 7.1.2 to indicate how immersive the soundscape is. The first number specifies different sound channels – for example, 5 or 7 speakers – while the second is a subwoofer. Therefore a 5.1 system has 5 main channels and a sub for bass. Premium soundbars can also have a third number, which refers to up-firing speakers. These bounce sound off the ceiling to simulate height channels, and are a must for getting the most from Dolby Atmos audio. Connectivity Soundbars connect simply via a HDMI or Optical cable. HDMI ARC transmits both video and audio in two directions, while HDMI eARC can deliver uncompressed surround sound and formats like Dolby Atmos. Check out the latest soundbars on pages 36–38. 3. SURROUND SPEAKERS & SUBWOOFER A powerful soundbar with 7.1 channels is sufficient for room filling audio, but adding a separate subwoofer gives you much deeper – and sometimes room-shaking – bass. And if your budget allows, or you’re a diehard audiophile, the ultimate immersion can be achieved by connecting standalone wireless surround speakers – centre, front L-R, surround L-R, and rear L-R.

Operating system The TV’s OS is the central hub where you access free and subscription streaming apps. Many TVs now include Google TV built-in, while some of the big brands have proprietary OS, such as Hisense’s VIDAA and LG’s webOS. Check out all the latest smart 4K TVs on pages 16–30. 2. A SOUNDBAR While internal TV speakers have gotten a whole lot better, they still can’t match the sonic impact and immersion you’ll get from a good soundbar. Packing multiple speakers into one long and compact unit, they connect to a TV via a single cable and can simulate the surround sound experience.

The TV Whether it’s sitting atop an

entertainment unit or mounted on the wall, the centre of the TV screen should be at eye level, and the best distance from seating to screen is generally 1–1.5 times the screen size away. For example, a 75-inch screen is best viewed from a distance of around 2.8m.

The sound system Soundbars slip neatly under the TV screen but if you’ve added extra surround speakers, these are best placed at ear level or slightly above. If you’re serious about sound and want the very best from Dolby Atmos, get out the ladder and position ceiling-mounted speakers equal distances apart from each wall, and at least 2m apart from each other. A subwoofer placed in a corner can boost the bass, or you can simply play a bass-heavy song and move the sub around until you find the sweet spot. A room’s acoustics will also determine the soundscape, and many soundbars can self-calibrate to a room’s layout during the set up stage in the companion app.

What to consider: Compatibility with your TV

4. STREAMING & MEDIA PLAYERS Most smart TV STREAMING &

Soundbars will work with TVs that have an HDMI ARC, HDMI eARC, or Optical input. Your new soundbar doesn’t necessarily need to be the same brand as your TV, but matching up has advantages, such as enabling exclusive features like LG’s WOW Orchestra and Samsung’s Q Symphony, which sync the soundbar with the TV’s speakers for more powerful and immersive sound. You can generally use the TV’s remote to also control the soundbar’s volume – look for CEC or HDMI Control in the TV’s settings to enable this handy function. Size Soundbars fit neatly beneath the TV, so if your screen is on the smaller side, a compact soundbar will do the job. But if you’re rocking a 75-inch display or bigger, a wider model will better match where sounds are coming from relative to the picture.

operating systems, such as Google TV, have all the popular apps preloaded and ready to go. But if you’re not upgrading your TV,

streaming devices like Amazon Fire TV, Hubbl, and Fetch (with a built in PVR) bring apps to older TVs, as long as they have an HDMI input. Physical media enthusiasts will definitely want to add a 4K Blu-ray player, while gamers can easily connect an Xbox or PlayStation via a HDMI cable. Check out the streaming devices on page 31.

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