Only Center Speaker

[kyuu]

Have you tried it compared with a decent soundbar similarly situated?

I have a soundbar (well more accurately my wife does) for the bedroom TV. It's fine. Better than TV speakers. Certainly not as good as my living room system. I haven't compared it to a decent speaker in mono though, no. But given the OP's stated intended usage, I doubt he'd notice much difference either way.

 

[Timcognito]

https://www.rtings.com/soundbar FYI background that will apply to single speaker too

 

[Kal Rubinson]

I have a soundbar (well more accurately my wife does) for the bedroom TV. It's fine. Better than TV speakers. Certainly not as good as my living room system. I haven't compared it to a decent speaker in mono though, no. But given the OP's stated intended usage, I doubt he'd notice much difference either way.

You may be right. We have no idea how the OP will respond and neither does he. I am just saying that there's a huge difference in the presentation via a single small speaker and a soundbar and, imho, that applies to almost any single small speaker.

 

[Timcognito]

Sonos Five Smart Speaker Review

This is a review, listening tests, and detailed measurements of the SONOS Five streaming wired/wireless smart multi-room speaker. It was kindly drop shipped by a member and costs US $549. The Five is solidly built and feels rather substantial in hand. Packaging is always is apple-like...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Trdat]

We are talking about mono, but what is wrong with PL2 Movie does the AVR really need a mono option? I mean it does have multichannel which is technically mono to the center right?

 

[Dougey_Jones]

I think OP would also be interested in something like the Definitive Technology Mythos LCR on-wall speaker. They make a few varieties, and other speaker companies make them as well.

Mythos 3C-65 - Ultra-Slim On-Wall Passive Sound Bar for 65" Class TVs | Definite Technology - United States

The Mythos 3C-65 ultra-slim, on-wall passive sound bar for 65”-class TVs elevates your home theater experience with premium sound and designer aesthetics in an adjustable-width, weather-protected enclosure.

www.definitivetechnology.com

Would use the front three channels of your AVR and is well reviewed from what I've read. The upside to this setup as opposed to a sound bar is that you can still use Audyssey and Dynamic EQ / Volume as well as add a subwoofer (even wireless) if you feel like it.

That's what I would do anyway.