even though i probibly was, i mess with volume on an older 55" tv and external speakers on a daily basis. This thing is staticy as hell the moment you first turn it on for roughly the 5 minutes it take it to "warm up" and behave like a normal tv. i can avoid the sound problems if i split the sound off the hdmi to a set of hi-fi speakers i used for my computer, which is also on my tv stand for the screen about 6 feet from my couch. i then have the computer os for volume, the knob on the speakers, or if i turn off the speakers i have the tv remote for volume. this does not count the any volume bars from the browser on down. short version if i want the best sound, i have to physically get up and adjust the volume on the speakers (no remote, meant for a desktop setup and be within arms reach) its a choice i made that "i'm not old or fat, so if i want the best sound i can get up off my ass and turn a knob when i want to." i fine tune the max sound each time i turn my computer or tv on. i guess it rubs me the wrong way when i hear someone complain about volume when there are so many options to fiddle with and get exactly what you want.