3 Ways to Hear Television Dialogue Better (2024)

We bet your TV looks great. But can you hear it? While picture-related tech has gotten exponentially better over the years, when it comes to sound quality, it isn’t just you: Dialogue on modern TVs can be hard to hear, for watch them is easier as you can get a tv wall mount full motion to accommodate to any angle. That’s especially true when a show has loud back-ground music that covers up the voices onscreen. We have some sound advice to improve the situation.

Adjust Your Settings

Your television’s sound settings are the obvious place to start. Various TVs have differing audio setups and often use fancy (or confusing, if you’re not an audio engineer) terminology. To begin, press “Menu” on your remote control and select “Sound.” Here, you will find the settings that may need to be adjusted. This could require some trial and error. First look for something called “Dynamic Range Compression” (some TVs have an option called “Night Mode,” which is similar). The idea of this setting is to even out (or compress) loud noises like explosions and softer ones like dialogue. By bringing them closer together in volume, you will be able to hear words better. If that fixes the problem, great! If not, it’s back to the Sound menu. Adjust the EQ (short for “equalization”) settings: Try going lower on the bass and higher on the treble (this is the part of the sound range where human voices usually fall).

Try Headphones

Wireless headphones can be perfect for TV watchers, especially those that come with their own Bluetooth transmitters, such as HSPRO’s Wireless TV Headphones ($66 at Amazon), Insignia’s RF Wireless Headphones ($120 at Best Buy) and Avantree’s Opera ($150 at Amazon). You don’t even need Bluetooth on your TV, since each of these works by plugging the transmitter into your TV’s audio output jacks; they then transmit the sound to the headphones wirelessly.

Get a Soundbar

Flat TVs have less room for speakers, which are often located in the back. Soundbars are external speakers that can offset both of those issues. The ZVOX Dialogue Clarifying AV157 Sound Bar ($200 at Amazon) comes with its AccuVoice technology plus 12 “voice boost” settings, and the Bose TV Speaker Bluetooth Soundbar ($280 at Best Buy) offers Dialogue Mode right on the remote control; the setting boosts vocals in the speaker’s center. Look for a soundbar that has a speech-enhancement feature—which will hopefully sound like music to your ears.

3 Ways to Hear Television Dialogue Better (2024)

FAQs

How can I hear better dialogue on my TV? ›

First look for something called “Dynamic Range Compression” (some TVs have an option called “Night Mode,” which is similar). The idea of this setting is to even out (or compress) loud noises like explosions and softer ones like dialogue. By bringing them closer together in volume, you will be able to hear words better.

How do I increase dialogue volume? ›

Turn up your center channel

On many sound bars and receivers, you can increase the volume of the dialogue-focused center channel alone, without increasing the level of the other channels, Wilkinson says.

Why is it so hard to hear dialogue on TV? ›

Often, in TV shows there is background music playing when people are talking. This can contribute to the difficulty you may face in hearing clearly what's being said.

How can I hear TV better without disturbing others? ›

How to Hear the TV Without Disturbing Others
  1. Start by Adjusting Sound Controls on the TV. ...
  2. Bluetooth Enabled Headphones. ...
  3. Closed Captioning TV. ...
  4. Hearing Aid Loop Systems. ...
  5. Sound Bars. ...
  6. TV Speakers. ...
  7. A Better Solution to Hear the TV.
May 15, 2021

What is a dialogue enhancer? ›

Dialog enhancement works by boosting speech audio separately from background content without increasing the overall loudness of the scene.

How do you fix very low dialogue but very loud sound effects on Samsung TV? ›

You'll just need to set the sound output. Press the Home button on your remote, and then navigate to and select Settings. Select Sound, select Sound Output, and then select the desired sound output.

What are the best sound settings for dialogue? ›

What are the best TV equalizer settings for dialogue? Well, the clarity of a voice is found in the mid-frequencies – say from 2 kHz to 6 kHz. This should help to amplify the dialogue and make it cut through better. Another way of approaching this is to cut around the 300 – 800 Hz range.

How do I fix very low dialogue but very loud sound effects on LG TV? ›

  1. Push the Home button on your remote.
  2. Select the Settings gear icon in the top-right corner.
  3. Select All Settings at the bottom right.
  4. Select Sound. Select Sound Mode, then select Standard or Clear Voice to see which sounds best to you.

Will a soundbar improve dialogue? ›

It's also a great way to enhance your listening experience when listening to podcasts or audiobooks, especially when you want to cast that content wirelessly. Some soundbars make dialogue clearer and easier to understand, while others can make voices sound more muddy and cluttered.

Why can't I hear dialogue in movies? ›

This is because films are created with a reference level for most sounds, but allow for dynamic swings of up to 20 decibels louder. If you adjust the volume down for these swings, it's hard to hear the regular sounds.

Why can I barely hear my TV? ›

Increase the volume on the TV and/or your connected media device (streaming player, Blu-ray player, cable or satellite box, etc.). Check the audio settings on your TV and connected devices. Turn off and unplug your TV and connected devices. Inspect the TV cables and ports, then check the ones on your devices as well.

What is the best TV sound settings for hard of hearing? ›

For televisions with surround sound, switching to “Stereo” or “Normal” is another recommended option. For multichannel sound systems like Dolby Digital or DTS, you can increase the volume of the center-channel speaker while reducing the volume of the others, leading to even clearer dialogue.

What are the best TV audio settings for hard of hearing? ›

If you can change sound mode, opt for 'news', 'voice' or 'speech' mode. Then, turn down the bass and increase the treble. If possible, turn off audio enhancements like Dolby surround sound. This helps people who are hearing impaired hear the TV better, and improve TV sound clarity.

How can dialogue be improved? ›

Here are some strategies for improving the dialogue in your own work:
  1. Mimic the voices of people in your own life. ...
  2. Mix dialogue with narration. ...
  3. Give your main character a secret. ...
  4. Use a layperson character to clarify technical language. ...
  5. Use authentic shorthand. ...
  6. Look to great examples of dialogue for inspiration.
Aug 18, 2021

What are the 5 elements of dialogue? ›

The Five Essential Elements of Strong Dialogue
  • Objective. ...
  • Resource. ...
  • Setting the Stage. ...
  • The Characters. ...
  • A Quick Side Note. ...
  • Back to the Scene – After the meals are delivered. ...
  • Five Elements of Strong Dialogue. ...
  • 1) It is essential to the story.
Dec 25, 2017

Why is the background sound louder than the voices? ›

Information. Most average home receivers have low fidelity speakers which accentuate the upper mid-ranges and highs. The human voice tends to be in the mid-audio range. The rest of the sound spectrum that helps keep these two components separate and distinct is lost.

Why is dialogue in movies so quiet? ›

A common complaint when watching movies is that the sound is too low or the dialog is too hard to hear. This is because movies are recorded at a lower volume than normal TV. These tips can help make it easier to hear everything that is going on on your TV, projector, or Odyssey Ark gaming screen.

What frequency should I boost dialogue? ›

The centre speaker's main job of playing back dialogue takes place mostly along the midrange of the frequency spectrum. For men, the fundamental frequency is between 100 and 125 Hz and between 200 and 250 Hz for women.

What is the best audio quality setting? ›

What is the best audio format for sound quality? A lossless audio file format is the best format for sound quality. These include FLAC, WAV, or AIFF. These types of files are considered “hi-res” because they are better or equal to CD-quality.

What frequency is dialogue? ›

In general, the fundamental frequency of the complex speech tone – also known as the pitch or f0 – lies in the range of 100-120 Hz for men, but variations outside this range can occur. The f0 for women is found approximately one octave higher. For children, f0 is around 300 Hz.

How to fix very low dialogue but very loud sound effects on Vizio TV? ›

Press the menu button on your VIZIO remote; use the arrow keys and the Okay button to select the 'Audio' menu. Arrow down to the 'Surround Sound' option and use the left and right arrow keys to change the setting to off. If the issue is still occurring, try turning off DTS TruVolume.

How do I stop quiet talking? ›

16 Tips to Speak Louder (If You Have a Quiet Voice)
  1. Address underlying nervousness. ...
  2. Use your diaphragm. ...
  3. Moderate the volume to not sound obnoxious. ...
  4. Practice deep breathing. ...
  5. Use your voice in new ways. ...
  6. Explore your voice. ...
  7. Open up your body and breath. ...
  8. Lower your pitch slightly.
Apr 16, 2019

Why can I hear music but not voices on my TV? ›

It's possible that your television could be trying to play 5.1-channel surround sound through its 2-channel stereo speakers. If this is the case then it's sending the voices to a centre channel speaker which isn't there, so you'll hear the music and background noises clearly but the voices will be all but lost.

Is it worth getting a sound bar for TV? ›

Yes, soundbars are worth it because they enhance your audio experience, far outperforming your TV speaker. They also come with a other convenient features that can incorporate other media devices in your home. Placed in front of your TV, a soundbar does an excellent job in improving the sound.

How do I improve my voice clarity with a soundbar? ›

Turn off or mute your television's internal speakers to allow your soundbar's quality sound to shine through. Use HDMI (ARC) or other high-quality cables to relay audio signals to your Soundbar. Adjust your equalizer settings, if possible, to ensure your soundbar is optimally programmed for your specific audio source.

Are soundbars better than TV speakers? ›

Speaker sets offer better audio quality than soundbars. This is partly because of their size. But it's also because by placing speakers throughout a room, you can achieve genuine surround sound. Speaker sets are ideal for providing an immersive experience while watching movies or playing games.

Why can't I hear my TV clearly? ›

If your TV has an equalizer (EQ) that lets you adjust various frequencies, try lowering the bass and lower mid-range and boosting the upper midrange and higher frequencies, where voices are typically found, to compensate. If you don't like the results, change back to factory settings and start again.

Why can I hear background sound but no dialogue or commentary? ›

This issue is caused by having multiple sound input/output devices (like a built-in microphone, headset, and speakers). You will need to set your headset as the default device under the sounds settings in Windows.

Do soundbars help hard of hearing? ›

Yes, there are now soundbars available with built-in technology that provides extra dialogue and voice clarity for people who are hearing impaired. Plus, soundbars have extra speakers built-in to provide a high-quality, room-filling sound.

What is dialog clarity on TV? ›

Dialog Clarity feature allows you to listen clear dialogues while you are watching your favourite TV programmes in your Samsung TV. Dialog Clarity feature is present in all E and F Series Samsung TV. It helps to emphasize voices while keeping the background volume steady.

How can I amplify my TV sound for elderly? ›

Sound boxes have volume control and can be used with earphones. Wireless headphones. Styles that cup the ear create a clearer sound because they block out noise in the room and enhance speech on the TV. The headphones typically have a volume control feature, and you can adjust frequencies on some models.

How can I hear my TV wirelessly? ›

To connect wireless headphones to your TV, you'll either need to connect to the TV via Bluetooth or connect the headphone's transmitter to the TV through a 3.5mm or optical cable. You can also connect headphones directly to the media streaming source, instead of the Television.

Why is it so hard to hear dialogue in movies? ›

This is because films are created with a reference level for most sounds, but allow for dynamic swings of up to 20 decibels louder. If you adjust the volume down for these swings, it's hard to hear the regular sounds.

Why is the background sound louder than the voices on my TV? ›

Many home TVs have relatively low fidelity speakers which accentuate upper mid-range and high frequencies, while the human voice tends to be in the mid-audio range. The rest of the sound spectrum, which would ideally help keep music and voices distinct, is often deficient on home televisions.

Why do I hear background noise louder than voices? ›

You may have hyperacusis if some everyday sounds seem much louder than they should. It can sometimes be painful. You may be affected by sounds like: jingling coins.

What are the best equalizer settings for TV dialogue? ›

What are the best TV equalizer settings for dialogue? Well, the clarity of a voice is found in the mid-frequencies – say from 2 kHz to 6 kHz. This should help to amplify the dialogue and make it cut through better.

How do I reduce background noise on my TV? ›

This can be corrected via your remote control, accessing MENU, and then the audio or sound profile. Set 'Front Surround' to 'OFF. ' We have found that some cable remotes have crossover signals (for instance their DVR button) which activate the 'Front Surround' on the adjacent television set.

How do you fix very low dialogue but very loud sound effects MI TV? ›

If you're having trouble hearing the dialogue, try going into your system's audio setup menu & look for the level controls. Turn the center speaker up by 2–3 db & see if that helps.

How can I drown out background noise on my TV? ›

  1. Try adjusting the audio settings on your TV (if that is the main set of speakers that you listen on). ...
  2. Try adjusting the audio settings on your source (the cable, satellite, or digital receiver) menu. ...
  3. Adjust your home theater or sound system or change speakers. ...
  4. Add a sound bar.
Jul 8, 2019

How do you make dialogue less boring? ›

  1. Skip the greetings and small talk.
  2. Keep to three dialogue beats.
  3. Use action beats.
  4. Don't be afraid to use 'said'
  5. Add variety to your dialogue scenes.
  6. Avoid excessive exposition.
  7. Use catchphrases or quirks in moderation.
  8. Know that characters don't always mean what they say.
Jan 6, 2023

How to fix very low dialogue but very loud sound effects on LG TV? ›

  1. Push the Home button on your remote.
  2. Select the Settings gear icon in the top-right corner.
  3. Select All Settings at the bottom right.
  4. Select Sound. Select Sound Mode, then select Standard or Clear Voice to see which sounds best to you.

Why can't I hear actors on TV? ›

Consonant sounds tend to be more soft in volume and can often be washed out if a person has some high frequency hearing loss. This can cause the dialogue to sound muffled making it difficult to clearly understand what is being said. In addition to hearing loss, another issue could be the speakers of the TV.

Why do I struggle to hear what people are saying? ›

Auditory processing disorder (APD) is where you have difficulty understanding sounds, including spoken words. There are things you can do that can help.

How do you improve background noise? ›

How to get rid of unwanted background noise when recording
  1. Get close to the mic. ...
  2. Find a sturdy mic stand. ...
  3. Use pop filters to block out plosives. ...
  4. Opt for dynamic mics in noisy environments. ...
  5. Use clean electrical sources. ...
  6. Record in the quietest room in your house. ...
  7. Check your plugs. ...
  8. Watch your gain levels.
Jul 29, 2022

Why can't I hear in a crowded room? ›

In a crowded situation there are many sounds across the frequency spectrum competing with one another. Much of the background noise – such as people dancing or walking – occurs at lower frequencies. Speech is layered on top of this in the higher frequency ranges.

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