About Tvsoundguide

Why I Started This Site

I was tired of reading reviews written by people who clearly never plugged the thing in. Three years ago, I bought a "highly rated" soundbar based on a generic roundup from a major tech site. It arrived, I set it up in my living room, and it sounded like a tin can full of bees. That $400 mistake made me realize something: most audio reviews are written from press releases and spec sheets, not from actually listening to the gear.

I started Tvsoundguide because I couldn't find honest, practical advice for regular people who just want better TV audio without getting a PhD in acoustics. I'm not interested in impressing you with technical jargon or pretending every product is amazing. I want to save you from buying the wrong soundbar, picking a subwoofer that rattles your neighbor's walls (unless that's the goal), or spending $1,000 when $300 gets you 90% of the performance.

About Derek Lowe

I'm Derek Lowe, and I review audio gear the way you'd test it: by actually living with it. Over the past four years, I've tested more than 80 soundbars, speakers, and home theater systems—not in a soundproof lab, but in my own living room, bedroom, and patio. I'm not an audio engineer with a degree in acoustics. I'm a home theater enthusiast who got obsessed with finding the best sound for the money, and I learned by making mistakes so you don't have to.

My expertise comes from hands-on problem-solving. I've spent Friday nights measuring frequency responses with an SPL meter while my family sleeps upstairs. I've discovered that a $250 soundbar can outperform a $600 one when you account for room acoustics. I've battled Bluetooth latency issues during playoff games and wrestled with HDMI-ARC handshake failures that would make a monk curse. These aren't theoretical problems—I fix them, test the solutions, and document what actually works.

You should trust my judgment because I buy most of the gear myself (or borrow it from retailers with no strings attached), I keep products for weeks instead of days, and I don't owe favors to any brand. If a speaker sounds muddy, I'll tell you. If the app is garbage, you'll hear about it. My only loyalty is to readers who want straight answers about whether that new speaker is worth their hard-earned cash.

What We Cover

Tvsoundguide is for people who want better audio without the audiophile pretension. Whether you're trying to hear dialogue clearly on your new OLED, build a full surround system for movie nights, or find a Bluetooth speaker that won't die at the beach, I've got you covered.

I write detailed reviews, direct comparisons, setup guides, and honest recommendations based on real rooms and real budgets.

How We Test & Review

Every product gets tested in my actual living space, not a treated listening room. I measure sound quality using calibrated tools and reference tracks I know by heart—explosions from Mad Max: Fury Road, the low-end rumble in Blade Runner 2049, acoustic guitars from Nick Drake, and dialogue-heavy scenes from The West Wing. If a subwoofer can't handle the opening of Jurassic Park without choking, you'll know about it.

I evaluate build quality by physically inspecting cabinets, testing port stability, and stress-testing buttons and connections. Most importantly, I test over weeks, not hours. Speakers change as they break in, apps get updated, and flaws show up after extended use. I note HDMI-CEC compatibility issues, lip-sync delays, and whether that "smart" feature actually works or just frustrates you.

Yes, Tvsoundguide uses affiliate links. No, that doesn't change my scores. I return or give away products I don't like, and I've publicly panned gear from brands that send me free units. My reputation is worth more than a commission check. If I recommend something, it's because I'd buy it again with my own money.

Get In Touch

Questions about a setup? Disagree with one of my reviews? Just want to talk about whether you should go with the Sonos Arc or the Samsung Q990D? Drop me a line at info@tvsoundguide.com. I read every email and usually respond within a couple of days.

Questions? Reach us at info@tvsoundguide.com