Modern TVs look better than ever. They are thinner, brighter and sharper than anything most of us had at home a few years ago.
The downside is that the speakers inside them are usually limited by the size of the screen itself.
A slim TV simply does not have enough cabinet space to create rich bass, clear dialogue or a proper sense of scale. That is why films can sound flat, voices can be difficult to hear, and music can feel thin even when the picture looks excellent.
The good news is that you do not need to jump straight into a full cinema room to make a big improvement. There are several sensible ways to upgrade your TV sound, depending on your room, your budget and how you use the system.
Here are three strong options, starting from simple stereo and moving up towards a more complete cinema experience.
Option 1: A proper stereo hi-fi setup
Best for: TV, music, everyday listening and people who want the best sound quality for the money
Typical setup: WiiM Amp + a pair of bookshelf speakers
Example speakers: Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3 or Focal bookshelf speakers
Target budget: Under approximately 5,000 AED total spend
A simple stereo hi-fi system is one of the most underrated ways to improve TV sound.
Instead of relying on the small speakers built into the TV, you use a compact amplifier and a pair of proper bookshelf speakers. A product like the WiiM Amp is a good example because it is compact, easy to use and includes modern streaming features. Connect it to your TV, add a pair of quality bookshelf speakers, and you immediately get a much more natural, detailed and powerful sound.
Speakers such as the Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3 or a good pair of Focal bookshelf speakers can deliver clearer speech, better stereo separation and much more convincing music than a TV or most basic soundbars.
This type of system is particularly good if you care about both TV and music. You can watch Netflix, YouTube, sports and films, but also use the same system for Spotify, Apple Music, internet radio or other streaming services.
The main limitation is that this is still a stereo system. You will not get rear surround effects unless you build a more advanced setup later. However, for many living rooms, a good two-speaker hi-fi system gives the most balanced improvement for the money.
Why choose this option?
Choose this route if you want a system that sounds good with TV and genuinely good with music. It is also a strong option if you prefer proper speakers over a single bar below the TV.
Option 2: A Sonos soundbar
Best for: Simple TV sound, clean installation and future expansion
Main options: Sonos Beam or Sonos Arc Ultra
Approximate pricing: Around 2,500 to 5,500 AED depending on the soundbar, with additional cost for Sub and rear speaker upgrades
Expandable with: Sonos Sub and Sonos rear speakers
A Sonos soundbar is often the easiest upgrade for a living room TV.
The main advantage is simplicity. One soundbar sits below the TV, connects neatly, and gives you a clearer, bigger and more enjoyable sound than the TV speakers. For many homes, this is the cleanest solution because there are fewer boxes, fewer cables and less visual impact.
There are two main Sonos options to consider.
The Sonos Beam is the more compact and affordable option. It is a good match for smaller rooms, bedrooms, apartments and casual TV use.
The Sonos Arc Ultra is the bigger, more capable option. It is better suited to larger living rooms, bigger TVs and people who want a more cinematic soundbar experience.
As a rough guide, expect the soundbar itself to sit somewhere between approximately 2,500 and 5,500 AED, depending on which model you choose. From there, you can expand the system over time. Adding a Sonos Sub gives much deeper bass, while adding rear speakers creates a more immersive surround effect.
These add-ons increase the total system cost, but they also make the system more capable. This is one of the strengths of Sonos: you can start with a single soundbar, then upgrade later when budget or room requirements change.
The trade-off is music performance. Sonos soundbars are very good for TV and very convenient, but they are not quite as strong for music as a proper stereo hi-fi system with separate speakers. For background listening they are excellent. For serious music listening, the hi-fi route usually has the edge.
Why choose this option?
Choose Sonos if you want something simple, tidy and easy to expand. It is ideal when the main priority is better TV sound with minimal disruption to the room.
Option 3: A premium all-in-one speaker
Best for: Style, simplicity, music quality and rooms where separate speakers are not practical
Main options: Naim Mu-so or Cambridge Audio Evo One
Approximate pricing: Naim Mu-so around 4,600 AED, Cambridge Audio Evo One around 6,200 AED
A premium all-in-one speaker sits somewhere between a soundbar and a hi-fi system.
Products like the Naim Mu-so and Cambridge Audio Evo One are designed to look good, sound big and keep the system simple. They are not traditional soundbars, but they can work very well in a TV area where you want better sound without separate speakers and an amplifier.
The Naim Mu-so is a popular option for people who want strong music performance, premium build quality and a clean design. At around 4,600 AED, it is not cheap, but it offers a polished all-in-one experience.
The Cambridge Audio Evo One is a more expensive option at around 6,200 AED, but it adds more flexibility. It has more input options, which can be useful if you want to connect additional sources such as a turntable or other hi-fi devices.
This type of system is especially attractive in open-plan spaces, lounges or apartments where you want one stylish speaker that can handle TV audio, streaming music and everyday listening.
The limitation is that you do not get true left/right speaker separation in the same way as a pair of separate bookshelf speakers. You also do not get the same surround expansion options as Sonos. But as a premium lifestyle solution, it can be very compelling.
Why choose this option?
Choose an all-in-one speaker if you want better TV sound, excellent music streaming and a premium design without filling the room with equipment.
Which TV sound upgrade is best?
There is no single right answer. It depends on what matters most to you.
If you want the best sound quality for music and TV under around 5,000 AED, a WiiM Amp with proper bookshelf speakers is probably the strongest option.
If you want the simplest TV-first solution, a Sonos Beam or Sonos Arc Ultra is hard to beat. Budget around 2,500 to 5,500 AED for the soundbar itself, then allow extra if you want to add a Sub or rear speakers.
If you want a stylish premium speaker that works well for both music and TV without separate components, look at the Naim Mu-so or Cambridge Audio Evo One.
What about a full home cinema system?
The three options above are great ways to improve a normal living room TV setup.
But if you want a true cinema experience, that is a different level of system.
A proper home cinema setup can include an AV receiver, multiple speakers, a subwoofer, acoustic planning, correct speaker placement, calibration and clean integration into the room. This is where brands like Anthem come in, offering much more powerful processing, amplification and room correction.
A serious home cinema system typically starts from around 20,000 AED, depending on the room, speaker layout, wiring, equipment and installation requirements.
This is the route to consider if you want films to feel genuinely cinematic, with clear dialogue, powerful bass and surround effects that properly move around the room.
Final thoughts
Improving your TV sound does not have to be complicated.
For many homes, even a simple upgrade can completely change the way films, shows, sports and music feel. The key is choosing the right type of system for how you actually use the room.
A soundbar is easy. A stereo hi-fi system sounds more natural. A premium all-in-one speaker keeps things stylish and simple. A full home cinema system gives the most immersive experience.
The right answer depends on your room, your budget and whether you care more about TV, music or full cinema performance.
Need help choosing the right TV sound upgrade for your home?
If you are renovating a villa in Dubai or the UAE and want a system that is properly matched to your room, get in touch. Hurst First can recommend, supply and install the right audio solution for your space.
