When buying a new TV, picture quality often takes priority. But sound quality is just as important. If you’ve ever needed subtitles to follow dialogue, or felt underwhelmed during battle scenes, you know that a TV with good sound is vital.
Thankfully, the best TVs for sound now come packed with features like Dolby Atmos and object-based audio, so you get immersive audio without needing additional soundbars or sound systems. If you’re not sure what kind of model you’re looking for, our TV buying guide is a great place to start. But if you know you want a TV with good sound, here’s your all-in-one guide.
Whether you’re a big film buff, a music lover, a gamer, or you just want great audio, this article will take you through our top televisions for each category so you can find what sounds best to you!
What makes a TV great for sound?
Navigating the world of audio features can be confusing. So here are some key things that affect how your TV sounds:
Speaker placement
Where the speakers sit on the TV can make a big difference.
Front-facing speakers push sound directly toward you so you can hear crisp dialogue without muffling.
Down-firing speakers are common in flat-screen TVs as they fit in the slim design. But they bounce audio off surfaces, which can sometimes make it feel softer or less direct.
Rear-firing speakers are found on the back panel and use the wall to reflect sound towards you. However, audio can sound muffled if the TV isn’t installed correctly.
Upward-firing speakers are used in premium models for immersive 3D/Dolby Atmos audio. Speakers placed at the top of the TV bounce sound off your ceiling, creating the illusion of overhead effects.
Processor
Many premium TVs use AI-powered processors to improve sound in real time. They can boost dialogue, balance volume, and even simulate surround sound so everything you watch sounds clearer and more immersive. Major manufacturers tend to have their own versions of audio-enhancing chips:
Sony - Cognitive Processor XR
LG - Alpha AI Processor series
Samsung - Neural Quantum Processor
Object-based audio
Instead of sound just coming from fixed points, this technology treats sounds like physical objects, so it feels like audio moves around you.
You’ll often see Dolby Atmos and DTS:X mentioned. Here’s how they compare:
| Dolby Atmos | DTS:X | |
|---|---|---|
| Sound feel on TVs | Smooth, natural and immersive, even with basic setups | Directionally accurate, but often less impactful without extra speakers |
| Best use on TVs | Ideal for streaming shows and films (Netflix, Disney+, etc.), where Atmos is widely supported | Better suited to Blu‑rays and gaming, though this advantage is more noticeable on full audio systems |
| Performance on built‑in speakers | Generally sounds better and more polished on TV speakers alone | Differences are subtle without a full sound system |
Bass support
Features like built-in subwoofers or bass reflex ports create deeper low sounds, which adds more depth to your music or makes for more gripping action scenes.
Audio power
Also called speaker wattage, this shows how loud and clear your TV can go. Higher wattage means clearer, punchier sound with less crackling or distortion. The level of power your speakers need depends on how you use your TV and the kind of experience you want:
10W-20W – the standard for built-in speakers. Best suited for casual viewing or creating background sound.
20W-100W – for more advanced built-in speakers and matches most entry- to mid-level soundbars. Works well in bedroom setups for streaming and gaming, or medium-sized living rooms around 100 to 200 square feet.
100W-300W+ – rarely found built into TVs but refers to external speakers, which are best for creating a dedicated home theatre system. Suited for larger rooms, higher wattage produces powerful sounds for a cinema-level experience
Best overall TV for sound
Sony Bravia 8 II
The Sony Bravia 8 II is the best overall TV for sound as it turns the whole screen into a speaker using its Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology. On top of that, it creates a surround sound experience with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technology. Watch a lot of the latest blockbusters? This TV is IMAX Enhanced, so your movies will look just as good as at the cinema. Big gamer? Everything looks sharp on this 4K TV at 120 FPS, powered by an AI XR Processor.
Shop all Sony TVs.
Best all-rounder TV for sound and value
LG OLED C6
The LG C6 OLED TV is the perfect balance of stellar performance and price. Its self-lit OLED screen has a punchy picture with dark blacks and vibrant colours with Brightness Booster and Dolby Vision HDR. For audio, it has AI Sound Pro to give you a cinematic 9.1.2 surround sound, while Dolby Atmos enhances any audio to make it bigger and better. It also has Filmmaker Mode that turns off any additional processing, so your movies look as the director and cinematographer intended. The C-series typically sits below the flagship G-series but still delivers strong audio processing and Dolby Atmos support, making it a great balance of performance and price.
Best budget TV for sound
Hisense U71Q
If you’re looking for the best budget TV for sound, the Hisense U7IQ is ideal. For less than €1,000, you get a fantastic display with booming sound and powerful tech. This TV has its own built-in subwoofer, which, in addition to its 2.1 channel speaker system, gives you audio with extra depth, making everything from loud explosions to quiet, tense scenes sound better. It also has Dolby Atmos for that immersive surround sound experience.
Shop all Hisense TVs.
Best TV sound for film lovers
Samsung s95H
If you want the best TV sound for watching movies, then Samsung is a great choice, especially the Samsung QE55S95HA. Samsung is the Official Screen Partner of BAFTA, so you know that the sound quality is going to be excellent for movie buffs. Its stunning 55” glare-free OLED self-lit display is complemented by the Dolby Atmos sound technology and built-in speakers for 360 audio plus Adaptive Sound Pro to give you a fully immersive experience.
Shop all Samsung TVs.
Best large-screen TV for sound
LG OLED G6
For audio as rich as the display, LG’s 65” OLED G6 TV is our best large-screen OLED TV for sound. The display is a beautiful Reflection Free Premium Screen with Bright Booster Ultra and self-lit OLED pixels for vibrant, true-to-life colours and the perfect level of brightness for every scene. Its α11 AI Processor uses AI to continuously fine-tune the sound, so it matches the action on the screen. Its speakers are powered by Dolby Atmos to envelop you in the audio of your favourite show and create a surround sound experience.
Shop all LG TVs.
Best TV for immersive gaming sound
Samsung S90H
For gamers who want to be able to hear a pin drop in the distance or every attack in a boss battle, the Samsung S90H OLED TV has the best TV sound for gaming. As for the TV itself, it is built for gaming with Motion Xcelerator 165 Hz to give you the max response time for smooth, lag-free play. The AI Motion Enhancer Pro makes any fast-paced scenes sharp, so no detail gets lost. The NQ4 AI Gen3 Processor boosts both the picture on screen and the sound so all content looks and sounds spectacular. The Object Tracking Sound Lite, in addition to Dolby Atmos, helps immerse you in your video games, and it moves audio around the screen to match what’s happening in the game.
Need more help?
If you still don’t know what specs you should look for, you can consult our TV buying guide for expert advice. Or if you’re debating which size TV to get, check out our guide to finding the best TV size to suit your living room.
FAQs
What TV has the best sound?
Sony is considered one of the best TV brands for sound thanks to its Acoustic Surface technology, which turns the screen into a speaker. LG and Samsung also offer strong audio performance with Dolby Atmos and other advanced features across their premium ranges.
Do Samsung TVs have good sound quality?
Samsung TVs produce good sound, especially in their mid-to-premium models. Features like Object Tracking Sound and adaptive audio help create a wider soundstage, making them a solid choice if you want strong built-in audio without a soundbar.
Do modern TVs need a soundbar?
A TV can sound good, but it rarely matches a dedicated soundbar. Premium TVs can get close, but soundbars typically offer deeper bass and a more powerful performance.
