Purchasing a new TV, and becoming increasingly frustrated - please advise

[compl3x]

What you should be considering next is some surround sound or a sound bar if a proper home theatre isn't possible. That Panasonic plasma is a good TV, but I can guarantee you the speakers will be ****-poor. Generally all TV speakers are of below average quality. I think manufacturers only put them in because consumers wouldn't accept buying a TV without inbuilt speakers.