{
  "id": 19078,
  "title": "Can’t hear what’s playing on TV? It’s not your ears, it’s the flat screen. These affordable soundbars can help",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/07/29/cant-hear-whats-playing-on-tv-its-not-your-ears-its-the-flat-screen",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-07-29T14:15:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Guardian Technology",
    "slug": "guardian-technology",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us/2026/jul/29/tv-speakers-soundbars"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Television viewers may find the audio from their flat-screen TVs lacking, but the issue lies not in their ears but in the speakers themselves. Modern TVs, with their compact size, are unable to produce sound waves as effectively as older models equipped with larger speakers. This limitation extends to dialogues in television shows, making them difficult to comprehend. Although the problem might not seem critical, it can significantly impact the viewing experience. However, there is a solution that can be acquired at a reasonable cost. Wireless soundbars, priced as low as $130, can enhance the audio quality, bringing back the intended sound of movies and TV shows.",
  "summary": "Get rid of subtitles to hear what movies and TV shows are supposed to sound like – for as little as $130 I tested 42 pairs of wireless earbuds to find the best in the US, and I never want to listen to Fast Car again That’s not an indictment of your shopping skills, your budget or even the…",
  "key_points": [
    "Flat-screen TVs struggle to produce sound effectively",
    "Older models with larger speakers overcome this limitation",
    "Wireless soundbars priced at $130 enhance audio quality"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}