Goldenears7
Excellent question, and I wish there was more discussion about the headache inducing, 25 cent cheapo amp and speakers that go into what are otherwise the latest greatest HDTVs.
These components sound just awful, and worse, they clutter up the case and bezel of the television, which could otherwise be thinner and sleeker.
For my TVs and PCs, I have used and recommended Behringer A500 amps, and mini monitors on either side which have ranged from EPOS to ATC. It is simple enough to tap a USB port or the audio outputs of an HDTV cable box.
Unlike the average surround sound system, it is remarkable to me how easy it is to get drawn into a show or movie, and better discern dialogue with simple, even half way decent, 2 channel audio - I have tested this and impressed many friends who think they don't care about audio.
Indeed, my 75 year old mother in law whose hearing is declining and claims she has no interest in technology whatsoever absolutely loves my desktop HDTV with mini monitors.
She takes over my desk and watches it for hours, saying she can't even watch a Sony 1080 LCD elsewhere in the house because she "can't hear it".
Of course, all of this discussion sadly will be to no avail in America.
Because the TVs will get bigger and bigger, the neighbors will all continue to buy and brag about them, and no one will notice or even think about the audio.
Cheers,
