Kerry Wan/ZDNET
Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.
Say you're watching an edgy new streaming series and find yourself turning up the volume for every scene where two actors are engaged in a dramatic dialogue. It seems like both characters are whispering -- until an explosion happens on screen, and the sound is the opposite, almost deafening.
Also: LG's new Dolby Atmos system promises immersive sound no matter where your speakers are
What's up with that? It's not just the imbalanced proportion of sound that bothers you, and it's not that your hearing is going bad. Keep reading, and you might find an easy fix for improving (and balancing) your TV's audio quality.
In the scenario above, my first recommendation would be to turn on your closed captions. While enabling video subtitles is an obvious solution for understanding the dialogue, some people find on-screen text to be clunky and distracting. If you can't stand reading scripts on your screen, try the following solutions.
1. Experiment with these audio settings
Excessive bass can hinder speech clarity, making words seem muffled or buried. Instead of adjusting individual bass and treble controls, begin by trying out the preset sound modes. Use your remote to locate the TV's Audio or Sound section. While watching a TV show or movie with substantial dialogue, cycle through the modes to determine which option provides the best (or clearest) sound quality -- such as Movie, User, or Standard.
Also: The best sound systems of 2025: Expert tested
... continue reading