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Sound Quality On LE40M86BD
Audio
Normally you would expect to find TV speakers paraded either at the bottom or at both sides of the panel, but then again the Samsung LE40M86BDBuy this for £679.98 at Dixons
Use code 'AW20' to get £20 off is far from conventional. Playing a game of hide-and-seek, the 2 speakers – rated at 10 watt each – are stowed away inside the bottom of the panel, firing the sound downwards/ backwards.
Understandably sound quality (especially stereo separation and transparency) is ruined somewhat by this unorthodox design. It still sounds much better than the Samsung LE40F71BX due to an expanded dynamic range and soundstage, probably helped by improved woofers and cabinet enclosure.
Here's my take on the preset sound modes available on the Samsung LE40M86BDBuy this for £679.98 at Dixons
Use code 'AW20' to get £20 off:
- Standard: This is my preferred mode.
- Music: Reduces the midrange so much that dialogues become distant.
- Movie: Boomy bass with frequent low-end distortions even at normal volume.
- Speech: Emphasises the midrange at the expense of bass.
The "SRS TruSurround XT" option sounded more enveloping to my ears so I used that a lot, but the "Auto Volume" was too erratic for my liking so I left it off.
All in all, the internal speakers are adequate for your day-to-day programmes, but don't expect it to replace a dedicated home theatre system for critical viewing.
| Samsung LE40M86BD Sound Meter | ||
| Resolution | Below average | |
| Transient Response | Average | |
| Dynamic Range | Average | |
| Stereo Separation | Below average | |
| Dispersion | Average | |
| Volume | Average | |
| Notes | SRS TruSurround XT enabled | |
Background Noise
No buzzing or humming could be heard even from 1 feet away in front of the Samsung LE40M86BDBuy this for £679.98 at Dixons
Use code 'AW20' to get £20 off. When changing Freeview channels there were the intermittent pops and crackles (which may be specific to our set) as the channels were initialised.
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