Big smart TVs crop up in computer setups online as external displays with increasing regularity. That includes today’s featured M2 Mac mini rig with a 55-inch Hisense smart TV as well as a 32-inch LG 4K monitor that looks tiny by comparison.
And the setup’s audio is no slouch. It features excellent Audioengine bookshelf speakers, a dedicated digital-to-audio converter (DAC) plus a wireless subwoofer for a big low end. Most setups stop at speakers on the desk.
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Hisense smart TV dwarfs 32-inch LG display in M2 Mac mini setup
In a post entitled “M2 Mac Mini Setup w/ TV,” Redditor thescor showcased the display-heavy setup. Their M2 Mac mini is concealed from view in the photograph, but you can’t miss the giant 55-inch Hisense QLED 4K smart TV. In fact, it dwarfs the pretty-big second external monitor in portrait (vertical) orientation on the right, a 32-inch LG 4K display. By the way, QLED, or quantum dot mini LED, differs from OLED in that its bright and vibrant with colors whereas OLED is better known for mastering deep blacks and contrast.
“I haven’t seen a lot of setups with TVs so I thought I’d post mine,” thescore said. “Hopefully someone can inspire the next generation to pair their’s with an OLED or greater. I want to see it!”
Hisense smart TV
This big, bold smart TV includes 4K resolution, Native 165Hz refresh rate, VRR 288, up to 3000 nits peak brightness, HDR10+, Dolby Vision IQ Atmos, IMAX Enhanced and 2.1.2-channel surround sound.
- Bold and bright colors
- Clear 4K resolution
- High refresh rate (165Hz)
- May lack the deep blacks of OLED
So this model, backlit by thousands of mini LEDs, gets up to an astounding 3,000 nits of peak brightness and includes 3,000 local dimming zones. That means deep shadows and bright highlights, according to Hisense.
And get this — TVs have gotten so big that 55 inches is the runt of the Hisense U7 litter. Its siblings measure 65-, 75-, 85- and 100 inches. Once upon a time, 50 inches was huge for a TV, but no more (though it still is kind of insanely big for a computer monitor).
Features:
- The 2.1.2 Multi-Channel Surround creates an immersive home theater experience with a left and right channel, subwoofer with a deep bass and two up-firing speakers that project sound above.
- Game Mode Ultra has a Variable Refresh Rate of 48Hz to 165Hz and with up to a blistering fast 288 VRR. AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, Auto Low Latency Mode and Low Latency MEMC eliminate screen tearing and controller lag. And a new Game Bar helps control multiple game settings from the TV remote and on-screen display.
- Powered by the Hisense proprietary chipset, Hi-View AI Engine Pro automatically optimizes the picture and sound based on the content onscreen.
- Anti-Reflection Pro incorporates a special filter on the screen to minimize glare and reflections.
- QLED Color made up of quantum dots — very small particles that display more than a billion shades of color — renders every frame with rich, vibrant color.
- Total HDR Solution distinguishes between the colors perceived onscreen. That means ink-black blacks and vibrant colors with every HDR format, including Dolby Vision IQ, HDR 10+Adaptive, HDR 10, HLG and Advanced HDR by Technicolor.
- Google TV brings together movies, shows, live TV and more from across your apps and subscriptions.
Audioengine sound system
These premium Bluetooth bookshelf speakers features 24-bit, 150-watt Hi-Fi sound for the home or studio.
- Suitable for home or studio use
- 24-bit audio
- Wireless connectivity
- Look elsewhere for massive volume
Another cool aspect of thescor’s setup is the audio. Unlike most computer setups, it’s complete, pairing accomplished Audioengine HD6 Bookshelf Speakers run through a Creative Sound Blaster DAC with an Audioengine S8 Subwoofer Speaker for a big low end. Many setups leave out both audio interface and subwoofer.
Bookshelf speaker features:
- 150 watts of 24-bit Hi-Fi audio can pump up a home theater or studio.
- Bluetooth APTX-HD wireless connection has range of up to 100 feet away with a smartphone or computer.
- Custom tuned by musicians for signature Audioengine sound.
- Wood cabinets finished in a high gloss 13 step paint process or real wood veneer
- 5.5 inch woofers, 1 inch silk tweeters, Bluetooth aptX-HD, optical, AUX and RCA in and outputs, Class AB amp, magnetic grille, remote control
- Optical, RCA or 3.5mm AUX wired options
- Includes remote control, 12-foot speaker wire, power supply with cord, 6-foot 3.5mm mini-jack audio cable and 6-foot RCA audio cable.
S8 Subwoofer Speaker features:
- 8-inch woofer with 250 watts of premium bass power.
- Big bass in a small, wireless package allows for ideal placement.
- Works with all speakers, receivers and turntables equipped with RCA analog output.
- Heavy duty hand-painted and hand-finished MDF cabinet, anti-resonant steel frame and heavy-duty rubber speaker surround, with selectable crossover frequency adjustment and phase switch.
- Includes an RCA audio cable, mini-jack audio cable, AC power cord, microfiber cloth bag and quick start guide.
Add more bass for a big low end with this compact, wireless, 8-inch subwoofer. It packs 250 watts of power with a built-in amplifier and dual audio inputs.
- Compact enough for easy placement
- 250 watts for powerful sound
- Dual audio outputs
- Suitable for home use, not enormous spaces
Shop these items now:
Computer and dock:
Display and light bar:
Input devices:
Audio:
- Audioengine HD6 Bookshelf Speakers
- Audioengine S8 Powered Subwoofer Speaker
- Creative Sound Blaster GC7 DAC/sound card
If you would like to see your setup featured on Cult of Mac, send some high-res pictures to [email protected] (iPhone pics usually work fine). Please provide a detailed list of your equipment. Tell us what you like or dislike about your setup, and fill us in on any special touches, challenges and plans for new additions.
David Snow, an expert on Apple hardware and software, writes on a variety of technological and cultural topics for Cult of Mac. They include Apple news, technology buying guides, and features about computer setups and Apple TV shows and movies.
With 30 years of experience covering technology and other subjects, he has written and edited for numerous print and online publications, including CMP Media, TechTV.com, CNET, Wired News, Red Herring magazine, Law.com, The National Law Journal and Law Technology News magazine. Among other roles, he served as executive editor of the Law.com network of websites and editorial director, technology, for ALM Media.
Snow graduated with a B.A. from Syracuse University with majors in magazine journalism and psychology. While there, he worked as a reporter for The Daily Orange newspaper and associate editor of Equal Time magazine.
Founder of the blog At the Waterline, he can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) via @atthewaterline and on Mastodon via @dsnow.
