Most loudspeakers are designed to be used in "whole space", away from
corners and walls. Consequently, when such a loudspeaker is placed on a
large television, there is an unneeded bump in some of the lower
frequencies. A test for timbre comparison between the main (left/right) and
centre loudspeakers using the AVIA calibration DVD can reveal just how badly
a huge TV can poison otherwise sublime sound. Male voice dialogue especially
requires a tad more effort to understand. Theoretically, such distortions
could be corrected with competent use of gear such as the Rane THX 44 EQ,
but it isn't an easy undertaking.
I wonder if front projection systems, such as the DLP projectors by InFocus,
more or less bypass the acoustical hardships of big box TV's (both by not
having the mass of obstacle to sound, and greater latitude in achieving
optimal centre speaker height). For one, I've never come across a front
projection TV manufacturer making such boasts. But if true, the price
premium of front projectors may be more easily swallowed by those for whom
any manner of poorer sound is a compromise too painful.

Tumara Baap