Settings in TVs and Soundbars to get the best quality for sports

There’s nothing quite like being at a game in person: the roar of the crowd, the taste of a hot meat pie, the elation you feel at seeing your team kick the winning goal! For those times when you don’t want to brave the elements (or couldn’t get a ticket), watching at home – with a great  TV and soundbar – can still make you feel part of the action.

One thing you might not know is that your TV and soundbar might have some hidden features or tricks to make sports action almost jump off the screen. We’re going to let you in on a few secrets about what your gear can do (it might also give you the perfect excuse to justify an upgrade to the family!).

Why it’s better to watch sports at home

While few things beat cheering on your team at a home game, there’s nothing better than enjoying an away game at home with your mates. According to John Milonas, The Good Guys Buyer – Televisions and Accessories, there’s never been a better time to enjoy sport at home. “With Foxtel broadcasting certain games in 4K, and bigger screens becoming more affordable, not to mention the rise of sports streaming services, you can watch any game, at any time, in style and comfort.”

The latest TVs and soundbars are chock-full of features to boost your TV sport watching experience. Here are some tips, secrets and hidden features, so you get the most out of game day with the best TV settings for sport, as well as the best soundbar settings.

“With Foxtel broadcasting certain games in 4K, and bigger screens becoming more affordable, not to mention the rise of sports streaming services, you can watch any game, at any time, in style and comfort.” John Milonas, The Good Guys Buyer – Televisions and Accessories

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Tip #1: The best TV setting for sport is not sport mode!

It sounds weird, considering you’re going to watch a game of sport, but sport mode generally just boosts the visual contrast. Ditto game mode, which is just for video games. Turning up the contrast is great if that’s what you prefer, and it can help you quickly tell the difference between the teams. But for a more realistic experience you want movie or cinema mode. “You also shouldn’t be afraid to mess about with the picture settings until the display is the way you like it, because your eyes are the ones that matter here,” says John Milonas.

Tip #2: Turn off motion smoothing on your TV

Some people love motion smoothing, and it’s ideal for some kinds of content such as Reality TV shows. However, it’s not what you want for sports, because it can give the game a kind of ‘soap opera’ effect. Simply jump into the picture settings and turn off smoothing motion to enjoy more realistic sports motion.

Tip #3: Watch free-to-air sports on the HD channel

This is a big one. If you have a large-screen TV, there’s no doubt watching standard definition content feels a bit retro. All free-to-air TV channels have a HD version and most of the time, games are simulcast on both an SD and HD channel. Make sure to always pick the HD version to get a high definition, richer picture quality.

Tip #4 Select sport or dialogue mode on your Soundbar

Some soundbars have a dedicated sport mode, designed to balance the roar of the crowd, sound of the whistle, thud of the ball and commentary. Others might have a dialogue mode setting, which will keep the commentary clear while still allowing those other important sounds to have space. If you have an older bar with none of those modes, see if you can adjust the equaliser to play more to the needs of the game, like boosting the bass a bit.

Tip #5: Calibrate the soundbar for your room

Many soundbars have a calibration setting, like Trueplay on Sonos bars, that allows you to tune the bar specifically to the room it’s in. Using a provided microphone or your phone, you can hear how the sounds from the bar bounce around your room. To ensure you get the cleanest sound possible, this feature accounts for the height of your ceiling, positions of walls and the distance between your couch and the screen or soundbar.

Tip #6: Get a Subwoofer!

For optimum audio, make sure your subwoofer is properly connected. And if you don’t have a subwoofer, get one! That way, you’ll get that rumble of bass and clearer commentary. If you’re getting dropouts from a wireless subwoofer (common in apartment buildings where there are  a lot of wireless signals competing), consider wiring it for a better experience. For an even better sound, try expanding your system to include rear speakers as well.

If you’re ready to take game day to the next level with a new TV or soundbar, come chat to the experts at The Good Guys. See us in-store or online for the best range and lowest prices. Don't forget ... The Good Guys offers Next Day Delivery on a range of TVs. Click to find out what is available for your purchase here: The Good Guys Delivery Options.

FAQs

Does a soundbar make watching sport better?

Absolutely. The built-in speakers on most TVs, even premium models, are a weak point, and it's noticeable during sport. A good soundbar adds width, depth, and clarity to the audio, making crowd noise feel more immersive, commentary easier to follow, and big moments, like a goal siren or the crack of bat on ball, hit with a lot more impact. For sport specifically, look for a soundbar with a wide soundstage and clear dialogue performance so commentary doesn't get lost in the mix. Many soundbars also include dedicated sport or game modes that prioritise voice clarity and ambient crowd sound. You don't need to spend a fortune to hear a significant improvement over your TV's built-in audio, and even a mid-range soundbar will transform how live sport sounds in the room.

Do I need a subwoofer for watching sport?

A subwoofer isn't essential, but it makes a genuine difference if you want to feel as well as hear what's happening on screen. The low-frequency rumble of a packed stadium, the thud of a bouncing ball, or the bass drop of a broadcast intro all come through with much more weight and presence when a subwoofer is in the mix. Most soundbars come packaged with a wireless subwoofer, which handles the low-end frequencies separately so the soundbar can focus on midrange clarity and dialogue. If you're buying a soundbar primarily for sport and movies, a model that includes a subwoofer is worth the step up. For apartment living or smaller rooms, a compact subwoofer still adds plenty of punch without needing to be cranked up loud to make an impact.

What soundbar setup is best for a large TV in a big living room?

For a large TV in a big living room, a 3.1 or 5.1 soundbar system gives you the most immersive sport-watching experience. A 3.1 setup includes a soundbar plus a dedicated subwoofer, which fills a larger space with more authority than a 2.0 bar alone. A 5.1 system adds rear speakers to create genuine surround sound, putting you in the middle of the crowd rather than just in front of it. For very large rooms, look for a soundbar with high output wattage and Dolby Atmos support, which adds height to the soundscape and makes stadium atmosphere feel three-dimensional. Matching your soundbar brand to your TV brand can also be worth considering, as many manufacturers like Samsung and LG have developed their own ecosystems that allow the TV and soundbar to communicate directly for easier setup and optimised performance.