I've come to expect a lot from my electronics. They have to be smarter, thinner, more powerful. They should provide a fun gaming experience AND help me find a good recipe for dinner. And maybe they should shine my shoes while they're at it.

Most of the time, I am not disappointed. There are a lot of amazing gadgets out there. Occasionally though, the limitations of reality set in. Namely, the paradox of flat-panel TVs.

Today's models have ridiculous pictures. So lifelike. And what's even better is that they've all gone on some sort of super Hollywood fitness plan - they're sleek and svelte, and constantly getting thinner. I think we can all agree that they look amazing, really, on or off.

But I'd like to pass on some wisdom here that I'm sure we've all received from someone at some time or another: it's not all about looks. Nope. When it comes to watching TV shows, movies, anything - sound matters.

Today's super-sleek HDTVs do look amazing, but they can't keep up when it comes to sound. (Do you see room for full-range speakers in there?)

And this is the point at which our beautiful, centerfold-ready TVs run up against the cold hard facts of physics. And that is: Speakers can only sound so good when they're crammed into a panel that's only a couple of inches deep. They can't provide great stereo imaging - or even consistently clear, understandable dialogue - when they're firing out of the back or bottom of your TV. And most manufacturers aren't paying tons of attention to improving their TVs' speakers, as they expect many people will ultimately opt for a surround sound setup with free-standing or wall-mounted speakers. I know, truth hurts.

A full surround sound speaker system is generally your best bet for detailed, engaging sound, but there are lots of ways to get better sound with your TV.

The good news? You have A TON of options for getting some quite impressive sound to go along with your knockout picture, everything from extremely décor-friendly, to extreme hi-fi, and some very affordable options as well. Personally, I go for a full surround sound speaker system. If I'm supposed to track down an enemy in a game, for example, I want to be able to hear exactly where they are - if they're flanking me to the right, or sneaking up directly behind me. But for my bedroom TV, where I just do a little casual TV watching, I'd be completely thrilled with a simple soundbar system (I've been consistently impressed with the Boston Acoustics TVee 2 and many of the Polk SurroundBars). You can check out more options for adding better sound to your TV in our learning center article.

So what do you think? Are your TV's speakers adequate, or are you itching for an upgrade?