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Audio sounds better with TV off….why??

855 Views 7 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Aztec2013, Feb 27, 2014

Aztec2013

Discussion Starter · Feb 25, 2014

I'm a relative novice when it comes to knowing all the inter-workings of home theater setups, but I do understand most terminology and have always been able to troubleshoot any problems with my personal systems. That being said, I am a little puzzled by something going on with the audio in my current bedroom setup. Hoping someone can shed some light. Here's the setup and everything is connected using the same brand and length high speed hdmi cables.:

AVR

Pioneer SC1223K

Sources

Oppo BDP 103D --> AVR via HDMI

Playstation 4 --> AVR via HDMI

iPod --> AVR via USB

TV

Panasonic ZT60 AVR via HDMI w/ARC

Because it's a plasma TV I almost always turn off the TV when listening to music. I've noticed that with the TV off there is a noticeable difference in audio quality. Everything opens up a little and the sound stage sounds fuller. This happens on all 3 input sources, and with Blu Ray, CD, and digital audio content on the iPod. When I turn off the TV the sound cuts out for a brief moment, but comes right back on and all settings remain the same. Has anyone ever heard of this happening? Is the TV introducing some kind of interference into the system? I don't see why having the TV on/off would matter since the audio source is going straight to the AVR. It's not a huge deal but if I can get more pop out of my movies and concert Blu Rays with the TV on that would be nice. Any insight would be greatly appreciated

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Aztec2013

Discussion Starter · #2 · Feb 25, 2014

Forgot to mention that I did try connecting the AVR to a non-ARC HDMI port on the tv…made no difference. Also, not sure if it matters, but power for everything except the subwoofer is run through an APC H15 power conditioner. Speakers are Paradigm MilleniaOne 3.0 system and SVS SB1000 sub.

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flickhtguru

· #3 · Feb 25, 2014

Hmmm.... I have an LG Plasma TV so I also turn my TV off for music listening. The audio does cut out for a brief moment and that is just because of the interuption in the HDMI handshake. However I do not notice a difference in sound loudness or quality with TV ON or OFF. BTW I have an Onkyo 808 AVR. I would have suggested you do what you already did hooking the HDMI into the NON-ARC Input, so the only thing I can say is if there is a display on your AVR check to see what audio signal is coming thru with TV ON and then with TV OFF. If its showing the exact same signal (eg. DD 5.1 or PCM 2 Channel, etc...) then I have no idea what is causing your issue if the signal is different then that is your issue.

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Alan P

· #4 · Feb 25, 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by Aztec2013 /t/1519670/audio-sounds-better-with-tv-off-why#post_24404297

Everything opens up a little and the sound stage sounds fuller.

These are 2 very subjective conclusions and could be just due to the fact that the TV is off and you have less visual input to distract you from the sound....have you tried listening with your eyes closed? Does it sound the same as when the TV is off?

There is really no way to tell if it's your perception without a double-blind test which is impossible due to the audio cutting out for a second when you turn off the TV.....maybe you could try disconnecting the TV from the system and see if that makes an audible difference.

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beaveav

· #5 · Feb 25, 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan P /t/1519670/audio-sounds-better-with-tv-off-why#post_24408475

These are 2 very subjective conclusions and could be just due to the fact that the TV is off and you have less visual input to distract you from the sound....have you tried listening with your eyes closed? Does it sound the same as when the TV is off?

There is really no way to tell if it's your perception without a double-blind test which is impossible due to the audio cutting out for a second when you turn off the TV.....maybe you could try disconnecting the TV from the system and see if that makes an audible difference.

Good post - I was about to say the same things!

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commsysman

· #6 · Feb 27, 2014

As long as there is an HDMI connection to the TV, and it is on, and the audio is going to the AVR VIA the HDMI cable, you will get the noise over the HDMI from the TV.

Use the analog audio output jacks of the OPPO to send the sound to the receiver, and that should eliminate the noise.

But since turning off the TV is easy, why not just turn it off?

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Aztec2013

Discussion Starter · #7 · Feb 27, 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan P /t/1519670/audio-sounds-better-with-tv-off-why#post_24408475

These are 2 very subjective conclusions and could be just due to the fact that the TV is off and you have less visual input to distract you from the sound....have you tried listening with your eyes closed? Does it sound the same as when the TV is off?

There is really no way to tell if it's your perception without a double-blind test which is impossible due to the audio cutting out for a second when you turn off the TV.....maybe you could try disconnecting the TV from the system and see if that makes an audible difference.

Thanks Alan, I tired both. Still sounds better with the tv off when i close my eyes. Disconnecting the system from the tv sounded the same as connected with TV off.

It's definitely one of the those things where you say to yourself "am I crazy, or…" I must have tried going back and forth between the 2 a hundred times. Today I had a friend listen eyes closed. I didn't tell him what the issue was, I just said to him tell me which sounds better…kinda like the ol eye doctor thing, "which is better, 1 or 2?" He also noticed a difference and the one that he thought sounded better was with the tv off. Weirdest thing ever but glad to at least know that if i'm crazy then my friend is too! haha

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Aztec2013

Discussion Starter · #8 · Feb 27, 2014

Quote:
Originally Posted by commsysman /t/1519670/audio-sounds-better-with-tv-off-why#post_24413975

As long as there is an HDMI connection to the TV, and it is on, and the audio is going to the AVR VIA the HDMI cable, you will get the noise over the HDMI from the TV.

Use the analog audio output jacks of the OPPO to send the sound to the receiver, and that should eliminate the noise.

But since turning off the TV is easy, why not just turn it off?

So it seems like it's just some minor interference being introduced into the system when the tv power is on.

It's not a huge deal at all. In fact, 95% of the time i'm listening to music the TV is turned off. The difference is VERY minor and it's still an awesome sounding bedroom system. Like I said before though, if I can get a little better sound from movies that would be great. Anyhow, thanks for the advice/suggestions guys

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