I have a Samsung LN-4095D with optical audio out. I'd like to get speakers for it. Do I need a receiver?

Question

Will I get surround sound? Will the sound be amplified enough?

Answer 1

If it has optical audio out then you will need a surround sound receiver that has optical audio inputs. Since the only reason to have an optical audio out is to provide surround sound I would have to say yes. Apparently your set is designed to receive digital broadcast surround sound information and can pass that on to a receiver!

Answer 2

You don't necesarily need an amplifier, though it is recommended. You can get a receiver and do a component system for relatively cheap (about $600) at your local electronics store. You could also use the stereo monitor output to go into some computer speakers, though you'll only get stereo sound. That optical jack on the back of the television is pretty much useless. The only thing it will do is take the digital signal from the ATSC tuner if you're using an antenna and put it out to the receiver.

If you are going to buy a home theater system, do not buy one that has the DVD player built in. Most of those do not do Dolby Digital surround sound anymore, and they're generally pretty flimsy. Look for a Onkyo, Denon, or Yamaha home theater in a box or build separate components. You will always get better sound out of separate components regardless of what you buy. Even spending money on cheap sony bookshelfs will sound better than a Bose system for twice the price. I'm just browsing and

Sony SS-MB150H bookshelves - $51 x 2
Sony SS- CN550H center - $100
Sony SA-WM500 subwoofer - $180
Pioneer VSX-516-K receiver - $200

And I'm sure that browsing more will find some cheaper things, but yeah.

Answer 3

Strange how your TV set has optical out considering a TV is an input device, not an output device. It has to get its sound from somewhere else (cable box, dvd player). and these devices usually have their own optical output. Also optical outputs dont actually output sound. Its a digital signal that must be "decoded" and carries very little voltage so there is nothing to power anything.

For best results I would get a receiver. Many people have such nice displays but no good sound quality. A movie on a regular tv with digital surround (optical out) will be a 10 fold better experience than the best flat panel tv's with "stereo sound" or "virtual surround".. drop $200 on a receiver with at least 600 watts (100 watts per channel).. then go find some speakers in your local classifieds (you will need 4 main, one center, and one subwoofer).. with good shopping you can get cinema quality sound for under $300

Answer 4

You DON'T have a stereo system with "speaker wire input" ... the don't exist. That's the OUTPUT. To get optical from the TV to the stereo system (which DOES have inputs) you need to either connect using an optical cable (if the stereo system has an optical input) or convert the optical to analog and use a dual RCA cable (usually red/white plugs). The analog signal can connect to any INPUT on the stereo system (look for a pair of red/white RCA jacks marked AUX, CD, DVD, TV, etc. Note that an optical to stereo analog converter costs from ~$20-$90, depending on whether it decodes 5.1 surround. If your TV outputs 5.1 yo need the more expensive converter.

Answer 5

You have 3 options...

1. cheapest - get a HTIB (home theatre in a box). It will include everything (receiver/speakers/cables).
2. middle - get a receiver and at least 5 speakers and one sub
3. best - get a pre-amp/processor, 5-7 channels amplifier, at least 5 speakers and one sub.