The news regarding FIFA 14 for PC gamers came in the late hours of last night as we reported via our Twitter account. FIFA 14 on PC will not utilize the next-gen EA Sports IGNITE Engine announced yesterday at the Xbox One reveal event.

ON MAY 22, 2013 0 10

For years Liverpool FC fans have wondered why their beloved club has not undergone the special FIFA treatment, with facial scans and custom club covers. That all changed this morning as LFC agreed a 3-year partnership with EA SPORTS and the FIFA franchise.

On Jun 27 0 20

Setting up a soundbar for football nights at home

Whether you are playing a football video game or watching a live match from Europe on a Saturday morning in Miami, audio matters more than most fans expect. Flat-panel TVs have thin built-in speakers that struggle with low frequencies, so crowd noise, chanting and the thump of a ball being struck lose much of their weight. A budget soundbar like the TaoTronics 40-inch model is one way to bring some of that atmosphere back without building a full surround system.

What "how low can it go" really means

Bass extension is the lowest frequency a speaker can reproduce at a useful volume. Compact soundbars without a separate subwoofer usually roll off well above the deepest notes in film scores, but stadium ambience and commentary sit mostly in the mid-range. For football, clear dialogue and a convincing crowd roar count for more than deep sub-bass. When judging any soundbar, listen to a full match broadcast rather than only music, and check whether the commentator stays intelligible when the crowd peaks after a goal.

Practical setup tips

  • Placement: put the bar directly below or in front of the screen, not inside a closed cabinet, which muffles sound and exaggerates boominess.
  • Connection: use an optical or HDMI connection where available for a cleaner signal than the analog headphone output.
  • Sound modes: "movie" presets often boost bass and blur voices; a dialogue or standard mode usually suits sports better.
  • Game consoles: if you play football titles, route audio from the TV and check for lag between picture and sound, adjusting the TV's audio delay setting if needed.
  • Neighbours: in apartments, keep bass levels modest for early kick-offs from European leagues.

Making it a matchday setup

Good sound is only part of a home viewing session. Check fixture times in our Match Center, and if you would rather share the noise with other supporters, our Fan Zone guides cover ways to watch with fellow fans around South Florida. Specifications and features vary between product versions, so confirm details with the manufacturer before buying any audio gear.