Ask S&V

Q I want to amplify just the dialogue on my TV. Is it possible to do that? —Glenn Goudeau

A It depends on your TV. Many sets provide a range of enhancement modes in their audio setup menu to help shape the sound for different types of programs. You can usually find some type of proprietary dialogue enhancement mode—Sony’s calls its version ClearAudio+, for example, while LG has Clear Voice II. A number of newer Samsung TVs offer DTS Studio Sound processing, which incorporates a feature called TruDialog that, in DTS’s words “...allows for the application of enhancement algorithms designed to permit the speech to be clearly heard and understood in the presence of high levels of ambient information.” Hmmm...could that be the ticket?

I wouldn’t get your hopes up too high: The speakers on most flat-panel TVs are insufficient for anything beyond casual TV viewing. When watching a movie with a dynamic, multilayered soundtrack, it will often be the case that dialogue, music and sound effects blend together into an incoherent mess when the volume is pushed anywhere past a moderate level. A much better solution would be to invest in an AV receiver and 5.1 speaker system or a good soundbar. You can get a decent soundbar/wireless subwoofer package for as little as $250 that will embarrass your TV’s built-in speakers. At minimum, you’ll be able to hear dialogue better.