Are Bluetooth headphones an option? My father has Bluetooth hearing aids that come with this little TV audio transmitter device (for non-Bluetooth TVs), but sometimes prefers to use headphones to listen to TV.

Almost anything will be better than today’s built-in speakers. While I’m between homes I’m using this old higher-end JVC micro system with “wood cone” speakers that kinda sat unused for a decade, and damn if it doesn’t sound pretty good for what it is. It also does a hell of a job pumping out bass for speakers the size of a coaster.

I’ve also been shocked by how good a mid-range pair of recent Creative Bluetooth stereo speakers I got for a retro PC sound, so perhaps their soundbars might be decent.