2.0 System for Living Room TV

[rolltide]

Hello friends - I have an LG G3 in my living room and I'd like to add a 2.0 system to it. We currently use a HomePod pair on couch end tables that drop connection constantly.

The TV has HDMI eARC and optical audio outputs. We use the TV to watch movies on an Apple TV 4K and play PS5 and Nintendo Switch games.

I'm open to two active speakers, or a DAC/Amp/receiver and passive speakers. The main listening position is 10.5 feet from the TV.

The most important thing is that the speakers should be fairly small because my wife doesn't want big speakers. I live in the US and my budget is around $2,000.

What would you recommend? Thank you!

 

[Blumlein 88]

To find a better show than Shrinking to watch.

 

[Blumlein 88]

Now seriously, maybe some actives to keep the wife happy. On the lower end maybe some JBL LSR 305, 306 or 308 speakers according to which size fits. They go pretty low and are good. Don't look like much however. So might try some other brands for better looks.

There are some DACs with HDMI input so pick among those I would think to work with the Apple TV 4k. Maybe a Wiim Ultra for $399.

 

[MGJ]

For active speakers I would consider Klipsch "The Nines" if they're not to big for you. They are currently on sale, sound great with plenty of bass and should be a fairly clean install for cable management concerns.

Klipsch

 

[Will P]

For a simple 2.0 I'd go with TV headphones jack cable adapter to RCA on the active speakers side.

Volume would be controlled from the TV via its remote.

I'd pick nice small and accurate active speakers like JBL 305P MkII. ($149ea)

If you are OK to add small subs below the speakers I'd suggest 2x 10" or 2x 12" sealed subs crossed over at 200 Hz. ($500-$700 ea)

That would keep you below your budget and provide really good sound too.


If you have shelf room for 1U and if you'd like to add more x-over, EQ and delay capabilities (really important) for the speaker-sub combo you can get a Behringer UltraDrive DCX2496LE Loudspeaker Management System ($ 289).

 

[twsecrest]

About $300 for a pair of studio monitors (brand?) and $60-$100 for a DAC with optical input, plus $50 for cables.

 

[Blumlein 88]

For a simple 2.0 I'd go with TV headphones jack cable adapter to RCA on the active speakers side.

Volume would be controlled from the TV via its remote.

I'd pick nice small and accurate active speakers like JBL 305P MkII. ($149ea)

If you are OK to add small subs below the speakers I'd suggest 2x 10" or 2x 12" sealed subs crossed over at 200 Hz. ($500-$700 ea)

That would keep you below your budget and provide really good sound too.


If you have shelf room for 1U and if you'd like to add more x-over, EQ and delay capabilities (really important) for the speaker-sub combo you can get a Behringer UltraDrive DCX2496LE Loudspeaker Management System ($ 289).

That is an interface nightmare. Friends don't let friends drive Behringer. Not even ultradrive. The Wiim Ultra vs that for a $100 difference. No way. If the Wiim cost 3x the price it would be worth it. But it doesn't.

I will add the disclaimer I don't like Behringer and it may be irrational. OTOH, I have used this box of Behringer here and while it works, you will curse yourself every time you interact with it. This is even when you obtained good results from it.

 

[Will P]

.

Which part of Behringer interface doesn't work?

XLR inputs or XLR outputs?

Behringer DCX2496 EQ Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Behringer Ultra-Drive Pro DCX2496 digital EQ and speaker crossover. It was kindly sent to me by a member and costs US $359. The main purpose of the unit is for professional sound reinforcement allowing crossovers for up to 3-way speakers in...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[staticV3]

What would you recommend? Thank you!

A WiiM Amp Pro and Polk Reserve 500 in white could be nice.

 

[Matt_Holland]

Wiim Amp Pro is a no-brainer. I don’t think there is a better option for a system of this budget.
Then choose a speaker that has a good score on Spinorama
Or Erin’s Audio Corner have reviewed some good options.
KEF Q7 or Q11 Meta spring to mind and fairly compact and wide friendly and in budget (definitely Q7).

 

[Power Pop 23]

I like the idea of using a WiiM device so as to be able to apply Parametic EQ in the listening space.

I don't know if It matters, but it is my understanding the WiiM Amp Pro (and Wiim Ultra) do not support Airplay 2. The $299 WiiM Amp (not Pro) supports Airplay 2. My WiiM Amp has no trouble driving a pair of Polk ES60's in a 2.0 configuration. The Polk ES60's go low and I perceive greater clarity when I apply Parametric EQ via the WiiM Amp.

 

[Matt_Holland]

I like the idea of using a WiiM device so as to be able to apply Parametic EQ in the listening space.

I don't know if It matters, but it is my understanding the WiiM Amp Pro (and Wiim Ultra) do not support Airplay 2. The $299 WiiM Amp (not Pro) supports Airplay 2. My WiiM Amp has no trouble driving a pair of Polk ES60's in a 2.0 configuration. The Polk ES60's go low and I perceive greater clarity when I apply Parametric EQ via the WiiM Amp.

You are correct regarding AirPlay.

I have a non-Pro Wiim amp driving Revel M16. I’d like it to be a bit cleaner when playing very loud, but for most people it would be more than enough. I would recommend people pair the Wiim Amp/Amp Pro with 4 ohm speakers of at least 88dB sensitivity.

 

[JustJones]

If this is mostly for TV, Sennheiser Amebo Max, Sonos ARC Ultra but if you want separate speakers Klipsch Nines which were already mentioned. Keep it simple.

 

[kyuu]

My first question would be where exactly are you planning on putting the speakers in that setup? Something would have to change to make room for even small speakers.

 

[Matt_Holland]

My first question would be where exactly are you planning on putting the speakers in that setup? Something would have to change to make room for even small speakers.

A nice pair of Tektons would fit no problem.

 

[Mikig]

I solved it, having the same problem that the wife does not want cables, speakers, subwoofer for the living room, with: HT preamplifier, a two-channel power amplifier, a pair of small main L/R speakers and a central channel that I created with an amplified Meridian speaker. I put together things that I already had at home. I must say that the pre/HT allows me to customize the sound and also in the main more central configuration it allows me to enjoy multichannel content, giving a good feeling of effect. It manages to recreate the dialogue part with the effects part very well.

 

[rolltide]

My first question would be where exactly are you planning on putting the speakers in that setup? Something would have to change to make room for even small speakers.

I can move the Article Caliper shelving unit a couple feet to the left to make room for tower or bookshelf speakers on stands. I can also get a wider TV stand to put the bookshelf speakers on (the current TV stand is 57 inches wide by 24 inches tall). Thanks.

 

[kyuu]

Ah gotcha. If you can make room for floorstanders, I'd go with some Revel F35s and a Wiim Amp Pro.

 

[raindance]

A sound bar solution (3.0) that includes a proper mono center channel will provide far better intelligibility than you'll get from 2.0.

 

[Matt_Holland]

Polk Audio Reserve R500

Nice slim floor stander.