Simplify Your TV Setup

Modern televisions look fantastic, but they’re slim cabinets leave little room for speakers. The result is often a great picture paired with crap sound, unclear dialogue and little impact. Improving it does not have to mean filling your room with equipment, running cable everywhere or learning to operate a big AV receiver.

Today, a single HDMI connection can transform your TV sound while keeping the room clean and easy to use. Start with a soundbar, choose a compact streaming amp and speakers, or build a wireless surround system in stages. The best option depends on your room and how you listen.

Better TV Sound without a Complicated System

The simplest TV audio systems bring amplification, streaming and TV connectivity together in one product, removing the need for a cabinet full of separate components.

HDMI eARC is a big part of the simplicity. One cable carries sound from the television to the audio system and everyday control remains straightforward. The upgrade feels like part of the TV rather than another device to manage.

Built-in streaming makes the system more useful too. When the TV is off, the same soundbar or amplifier can play music from popular streaming services, Internet radio or your personal library. One neat setup can replace both basic TV speakers and a separate music system.

Start Simply with a Bluesound Pulse Cinema Soundbar

For the cleanest setup, a soundbar is difficult to beat. Now, that might not be true with all soundbars, there are plenty of duds out there. But we are not talking about just any soundbar, Bluesound offers the Pulse Cinema and compact Pulse Cinema Mini, two awesome sound bars setting the benchmark high. Based on your room size, one of these two will not disappoint.

The Pulse Cinema is the more immersive option, using a 3.2.2 channel configuration with dedicated centre and upward-firing channels for a spacious Dolby Atmos presentation. Dialogue is clearer and effects have more scale. The 2.1 channel Pulse Cinema Mini brings the same idea to bedrooms, apartments and smaller living areas, including Dolby Atmos processing.

Both models contain their own amplification and connect using HDMI eARC, so no separate receiver is required. BluOS adds app-based high-resolution music streaming and lets you group compatible Bluesound products in other rooms.

For many homes, this is all that is needed: one soundbar, one HDMI cable and a major improvement over the TV’s built-in speakers.

Build a Wireless Surround System When You Are Ready

Starting simply with a soundbar, does not mean you are limited later. Bluesound lets you begin with a soundbar and expand as your space, budget or just for the sake of making it even better goes.

Add a pair of Pulse Flex or Pulse M wireless speakers for your Rear Speakers for genuine surround effects. The audio signal is sent wirelessly, removing the need to run speaker cable from the front of the room to the rear. Each speaker still requires power, but the installation remains far neater than a traditional wired system.

The Pulse Sub+ adds deeper bass and greater impact to movies, games and music. The whole system is managed through the BluOS Controller app, so expanding it feels like an upgrade rather than a complete rebuild.

Prefer Separate Speakers? Choose The Bluesound Powernode

Some listeners want soundbar simplicity, but others are still chasing the wider soundstage and musical performance of separate speakers. The Bluesound Powernode N331 offers a clever middle ground.

This compact streaming amplifier connects through HDMI eARC and powers your choice of passive bookshelf or floorstanding speakers. It provides 100 W per channel in stereo, or can power three front speakers at 80 W per channel. Adding a dedicated centre speaker brings clearer dialogue and a stronger front sound stage.

The Powernode removes the need for a full-size AV receiver while retaining the character of traditional speakers. Add wireless Pulse Flex or Pulse M surrounds and a Pulse Sub+ if you want more immersion. BluOS also makes it a capable high-resolution music system.

This path is ideal if music matters as much as television sound, or if you already own speakers you enjoy.

Other Ways to Keep TV Audio Simple

Sonos follows a similar start and expand approach. Either with the Sonos Beam (for smaller rooms) or the Sonos Arc Ultra Soundbar, then you can add your rears, and Sonos Sub, for greater detail and bass. It is an easy option for homes already equipped with Sonos.

If you are looking for a 2-channel system, the Marantz Model M1 is another fantastic choice. It connects through HDMI eARC, supplies 100 w per channel and includes HEOS music streaming. Pair it with some awesome bookshelf speakers for clear dialogue, convincing stereo sound and enjoyable music playback. Add a powered subwoofer for deeper bass.

Choose The Setup That Fits Your Room

Simplifying your tv setup is about removing unnecessary complexity, while keeping the sound quality and features that matter to you.

A soundbar is the cleanest solution and can be expanded later. But if you want something truly decent, the amp and speaker setup, is slightly bigger, but worth the quality. Finally, if you want the surround sound option, without the long cables and bulky Receiver, then a wireless Bluesound or Sonos System may be the ideal choice for you.

At Audio Trends, we can help you compare these options and choose a system that suits your television, room and needs. Visit our Ringwood showroom to hear how simply great TV sound can be. Written August 2026