Better TV sound with Kali LP-8 V2 or Kali In 8 V2 or Focal Shape 65

[RaymondFromThePyrénéés]

I am thinking about improving the sound of my television
because the sound bar hurt my ears !

What about these active speakers with a Topping E30 ?

Kali LP-8 V2 used about 300 the pair

Kali In 8 V2 I have a used for 500 the pair

Focal Shape 65 used about 800 the pair.

I hear that the sound of the Focals is much less tiresome which is what I am looking for
but there is a big price difference between the Kali for 300 and the Focals at about 800.

Any comments about these
or perhaps other suggestions ?

I will buy them used, if possible in the 300-500 range.

My room measures 4 meters x 5 meters (13x16 feet).

Mostly for TV and youtube and some movies.

This is NOT my main hifi system, just for watching the tv.

Thank you.

 

[Ellebob]

I have used all 3, the Kali IN-8 would be my choice.

 

[Redacted]

How are you connecting the TV to the Topping? I assume optical....
I'm sure you know you will have to set your TV to use stereo pcm on the correct output instead of HDMI.

 

[RaymondFromThePyrénéés]

Thank you Ellebob for this great advice.

Dear Reacted. Yes, I intend to connect the Topping to the optical.

But I know nothing about
stereo PCM instead of HDMI
but I found this advice :

A setup for your LG 43NANO796NE + Topping E30 :

1. *Plug in the optical cable*
TV `Optical Out` → E30 `Optical In`

2. *Change TV audio output*
`Settings` → `Sound` → `Sound Out` → Choose `Optical`

3. *Force PCM – important step*
`Settings` → `Sound` → `Advanced Settings` → `Digital Sound Output` → Set to `PCM`
If you leave it on `Auto` or `Pass Through`, Netflix/YouTube in 5.1 will give you silence.

4. *Volume*
The TV volume no longer works. You control everything on the E30.
Set the TV volume to fixed if you want to avoid surprises:
`Settings` → `Sound` → `Advanced Settings` → `Optical Out Volume` → `Fixed`

*Why PCM is mandatory?*
The E30 accepts max 24bit/192kHz in PCM.
If the TV sends Dolby Digital 5.1, the DAC can’t read it = no sound.
With PCM, the TV converts everything to stereo 2.0 and it works perfectly.

*Bonus setting on the E30*
Set it to `DAC` mode and not `PRE` if you want the cleanest signal.
Button on the front panel.

 

[staticV3]

*Bonus setting on the E30*
Set it to `DAC` mode and not `PRE` if you want the cleanest signal.

Nonsense tip. How will you control volume when both the TV and DAC are fixed?

 

[RaymondFromThePyrénéés]

I got you, thank you static. I vill leave out this part.

 

[RaymondFromThePyrénéés]

On the same time I wonder if it is not better to buy a normal passive speaker
with a small amp / DAC, but everyone seems to rave so much about these monitor speakers ?
All I want is a "good and easy to listen to" sound from the TV, voice, music, movies.

 

[Ricardojoa]

The problem with an individual speaker like this, when you put it under the screen it creates some distance with the t, the sound is very directional, it will sound like the speaker emitting sound away from the TV. Maybe you need a more robust sound bar.

 

[Ellebob]

The instructions above are correct. You have two ways to configure the settings on the TV

1. Optical out volume: fixed. All the other things stayed the same. When you do this you'll have to use the To remote to control volume. Male sure the E30 is on Pre mode

2. Optical out volume: variable. With this you can use the TVs remote for volume. Make sure the E30 is on DAC mode.

I use method one and my wife's TV with a pair of Kali LP-UNF. My wife's Sony TV does not have a variable option for the optical. So I have to use number one. However, that TV has a universal remote control that she uses with it to control volume and all other functions, like her TV, Roku and Blu-ray that's connected to it.

Adding an amp to the E30 and using passive speakers will not correct this problem. Just add more wires

 

[RaymondFromThePyrénéés]

Thank you Ricardojoa. My speakers will be mounted on the walls about 6 feet away from the TV. A soundbar does not give a good sound to me.

Thank you Ellbob.

I have found a pair of used Kali IN 8 New Wave for 540€ with shipping, I wonder if the cheaper Kali LP UNF could perhaps be sufficient but I think my room 4 meters x 5 meters (13x16 feet) needs the Kali IN 8.

My LG 43NANO796NE, seems that I can choose between fix or variable if I understand it right but that the sound is better using it on the fix setting with the Topping's remote ?

 

[Redacted]

Dear Reacted. Yes, I intend to connect the Topping to the optical.

But I know nothing about
stereo PCM instead of HDMI
but I found this advice :

I was noting that setting TVs to output audio in PCM stereo can be important. On other forums, I have 'solved' lack of sound from LG TVs, by advising not using the default "auto" setting. That was it, just a small point really.

And it has been said often enough, it's very convenient to use ARC from a TV to a stereo system (instead of optical) as you can control volume from the TV remote, mute for when the adverts come on, and auto-power on the steteo. Another small point, but for me (and family) only having one remote on the coffee table is useful for TV through the stereo. And I can keep my tablet controller for my music, and the amp's own remote, away from unskilled hands !

 

[RaymondFromThePyrénéés]

Thank you for sharing Redacted. However, I have another problem that would be solved, I THINK ?, using the Topping remote for the sound and that is that I want to be able to use a jack 3.5 headset "with a cable", WITHOUT getting into the TV's configurations. With the topping remote my wife can watch tv with the headset without having to get into the TV's configurations by simply cutting off the sound of the speakers with the Topping's remote, so now she is pleased and she can watch her series and we have a quiet home My HIFI is in another room where only I have the key to enter without our cat !

 

[staticV3]

Thank you for sharing Redacted. However, I have another problem that would be solved, I THINK ?, using the Topping remote for the sound and that is that I want to be able to use a jack 3.5 headset "with a cable", WITHOUT getting into the TV's configurations. With the topping remote my wife can watch tv with the headset without having to get into the TV's configurations by simply cutting off the sound of the speakers with the Topping's remote, so now she is pleased and she can watch her series and we have a quiet home My HIFI is in another room where only I have the key to enter without our cat !

You can turn the Topping DAC off with the remote which will mute your speakers, but to use the TV's 3.5mm Aux out you still need to go into the TV menu and switch audio output from Optical to Aux.

The TV has no way of knowing whether the device at the other end of the Toslink output is turned On or Off. Optical is Simplex, after all.

 

[RaymondFromThePyrénéés]

yes, thank you static, so that is why I will have two remotes because my wife does not want the hassle of going into the TV menu to change between headset and speakers. Thank you

 

[Ellebob]

Thank you Ellbob.

I have found a pair of used Kali IN 8 New Wave for 540€ with shipping, I wonder if the cheaper Kali LP UNF could perhaps be sufficient but I think my room 4 meters x 5 meters (13x16 feet) needs the Kali IN 8.

My LG 43NANO796NE, seems that I can choose between fix or variable if I understand it right but that the sound is better using it on the fix setting with the Topping's remote ?

I would go with the IN-8.

In theory it shouldn't matter between fixed and variable but worth trying both ways.

 

[komhst]

The instructions above are correct. You have two ways to configure the settings on the TV

1. Optical out volume: fixed. All the other things stayed the same. When you do this you'll have to use the To remote to control volume. Male sure the E30 is on Pre mode

2. Optical out volume: variable. With this you can use the TVs remote for volume. Make sure the E30 is on DAC mode.

Option 1 should be used, in any case gives the best sound results.

Option 2 reduces bit resolution and gives worst sound in low levels.

 

[JaapD]

Regarding your question 'or perhaps other suggestions'; with reference to my own setup I can very much recommend a pair of Adam T7v's.

 

[RaymondFromThePyrénéés]

thank you Jaap and komhst.

 

[Andi_P]

Hi,

I would highly recommend the IN8.
Reason ist that the coaxial drivers give you a quite good sounds stage with phantom center.

For the other question use simply the headphone output of the TV than you can use your normal TV remote for volume control.
It is not the highest quality solution but in my opinion more than enough. If you bring in an wiim mini in between you also can do some room correction and it fits easily behind the TV.

In the moment that is exactly my system at home with the only addition of a sub for very low frequency effects in movies ( but already quite good without sub). I have the IN8 wall mounted beside TV that gives the phantom center exactly at TVs height. My room is 4x5m.

 

[RaymondFromThePyrénéés]

Great idea, thank you Andi.