Which studio monitors (2.0) for a home theater setup?

[twsecrest]

I just moved into a 2 bedroom townhouse (from a 1 bedroom condo) and share almost no wall with anyone
So I decided to make the master bedroom a home theater, with a 75" LG TV, a Yamaha A/V receiver and 5.1 speaker setup.
But realized the 5.1 is overkill for a 12' by 14' room, so I decided to sell off the Yamaha and 5.1 speakers.
And just use a 2.0 studio monitor setup (maybe subwoofer later). and a topping DAC.
Right now the M-Audio Forty Sixty is at the top of my list.
Or maybe go for studio monitors with 8" woofers.
But looking for input from others about what studio monitors they might recommend?

 

[jmdesignz2]

The Ascend acoustic sierras would be my choice or the philharmonic BMR monitors

 

[twsecrest]

The Ascend acoustic sierras would be my choice or the philharmonic BMR monitors

Little bit more then what I budgeted for, but temping

 

[jmdesignz2]

Little bit more then what I budgeted for, but temping

Sierra 1 v2 are $998/pair

 

[jmdesignz2]

Or go with a set of Kali powered studio monitors. Although those are supposed to hiss slightly you won’t need to buy amps

 

[Ellebob]

What's the budget? How do you plan to control it? Topping makes great DACs but most don't come with HDMI ARC.

Some options.
1. Inexpensive option. Kali Audio MM-6, or other powered speakers with opticql input. Connect your TVs optical output to the monitor. They come with a remote to control the volume. So, you would have two remotes, one to control the TV and one for volume.

2. WiiM Ultra with your choice of studio monitors. Advantage is the WiiM Ultra can use HDMI ARC which allows you to control the volume with the TV's remote. So, only one remote needed.

3. Wiim Amp with passive speakers of you choice. Had HDMI ARC and can use TV"s remote. Basically, same as #2 with passive speaker instead of active studio monitors.

 

[twsecrest]

What's the budget? How do you plan to control it? Topping makes great DACs but most don't come with HDMI ARC.

Some options.
1. Inexpensive option. Kali Audio MM-6, or other powered speakers with opticql input. Connect your TVs optical output to the monitor. They come with a remote to control the volume. So, you would have two remotes, one to control the TV and one for volume.

2. WiiM Ultra with your choice of studio monitors. Advantage is the WiiM Ultra can use HDMI ARC which allows you to control the volume with the TV's remote. So, only one remote needed.

3. Wiim Amp with passive speakers of you choice. Had HDMI ARC and can use TV"s remote. Basically, same as #2 with passive speaker instead of active studio monitors.

I'll be using a Topping DX7, for the DAC.
Optical out of TV, to optical input on DX7 DAC.
Expect to Watch Netflix, Paramount Plus, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, etc.
Guess would run optical out of Blu-ray player, when watching discs.

 

[Ellebob]

You don't need to use optical out of Blu-ray. The Blu-ray will send the sound to the TV via HDMI and the TV will send it out through its optical.

Studio monitors make sense as you don't need to add an amp for passive speakers if using the DX-7.

The 8" version of any of the these speakers will go a little lower in bass and be able to play a little louder. If you don't mind the larger speaker of course.

The Kali LP-6 (same as MM-6 without optical connection and remote and a little less expensive) will have better bass than the M-Audio 40/60. The 40/60 has elevated high frequencies. The 40/60 would definitely benefit from a sub as it doesn't go that low.

Other options for studio monitors that are in approximately the same price range.
Kali LP-8
JBL LSR-305/306/308
Adam T5/7/8V
Mackie 6/824
iLoud MTM
KRK Rokit 6/8

Do you already own the DX7? If you don't, here are options that don't require it and have HDMI ARC making the system easier to use.
Klipsch The fives or Seven
Kef LSX LT
Kef Coda
SVS Wireless Pro
Elac Debut Connex

 

[CapMan]

I just moved into a 2 bedroom townhouse (from a 1 bedroom condo) and share almost no wall with anyone
So I decided to make the master bedroom a home theater, with a 75" LG TV, a Yamaha A/V receiver and 5.1 speaker setup.
But realized the 5.1 is overkill for a 12' by 14' room, so I decided to sell off the Yamaha and 5.1 speakers.
And just use a 2.0 studio monitor setup (maybe subwoofer later). and a topping DAC.
Right now the M-Audio Forty Sixty is at the top of my list.
Or maybe go for studio monitors with 8" woofers.
But looking for input from others about what studio monitors they might recommend?

My cinema room is 14'x14' , has a 65" tv on the wall and 5.2 set up - it's not overkill

 

[twsecrest]

My cinema room is 14'x14' , has a 65" tv on the wall and 5.2 set up - it's not overkill

What size are the 5.2 speakers?

 

[CapMan]

What size are the 5.2 speakers?

Revel F226Be towers and C205 at the front, 2 SVS 2000 Pro subs, Neat Iotas at the rear as I am a little limited for space there. They are mounted from the ceiling firing down towards my ears

 

[twsecrest]

Now I'm temped to order a 5.1 speaker setup with the Monoprice Premium 5.1.4 Channel ($350) speakers and use the Yamaha A/V receiver.
Small rear speakers would be fine to work with.
Maybe get a better sub-woofer.

 

[EngineerNate]

Buy a nice set of monitors for your LCR and some subs and save cost with less expensive surrounds.

 

[Head_Unit]

Or maybe go for studio monitors with 8" woofers.

Yeah, this. Some of https://www.kaliaudio.com https://www.presonus.com could probably fill that room well even without a subwoofer (though as with anything perhaps needing some room EQ). But if you're feeling 5.1 that can still work in small rooms-heck John Kellogg played me his surround mix of Brain Salad Surgery in a small studio room.