Help with getting Bose speakers to work on Vizio HDTV

[Dresgeve]

Hey guys, I have a Vizio E422VLE (found here: http/store.vizio.com/e422vle.html) that I'm attempting to interface with a set of Bose Companion 2 Series 2 speakers (these: http/worldwide.bose.com/productsupport/en_us/web/companion2_series2/page.html). However, I'm having a little trouble. I'm running analog RCA to RCA on the TV (the TV has the red/white connections as well, rather than splicing them into a typical audio jack). The TV has a setting for Analog audio to be Fixed, where the audio is controlled by the speakers, or Variable, where it is handled by the TV (thus allowing control with the remote). When on Fixed, the sound is great! Exactly what I would expect from a set of Bose. When on Variable, however, the audio is really not much better than the built in speakers (which aren't bad, just not as good as the Bose). I contacted Vizio and they said "The device being connected must be amplified in order to take full advantage of the variable option." What exactly are they saying? Is there anything I can do to make things work? Eventually I'll probably invest in a soundbar or similar, but I figured I'd try this out first since I'm not using these speakers for anything now that my desktop is connected to the TV.

 

[americanaudiophile]

Your speakers are amplified meaning that there is a power amplifier inside one of the speakers. That is why they have to be plugged into the wall for AC power.
You should set the volume control on the Bose all the way up. Then you should be able to use the TV on variable. If not then the max output of the TV on variable is not as high as when on fixed. You can use this to boost it:
http/www.amazon.com/TC-780LC-Stereo-Booster-BLACK-VERSION/dp/B000RZXAHI

 

[Dresgeve8710]

Hey, thanks for the response. I did try turning the speaker volume all the way up, but got the same poor sound quality. Volume really isn't an issue, just the quality of the sound. Since the amp you mentioned is $50, would I be just as well off looking for a different set of speakers that will do what I need? I don't mind tossing some money that way if it means a better option (and an extra set of speakers certainly wouldn't hurt, since I do use them elsewhere sometimes). I don't have a lot right now, need to keep the budget under $100, but I don't need insane theater quality speakers, just some nice computer speakers that will work with this TV is fine. As long as they're better than the internal speakers, I'll take it.