2.1 Stereo System for TV Listening

I've used my 2-channel hi-fi system for my television sound for decades. My system also throws a very sharp center image, so dialogue sounds clear as long as it was recorded clearly, which often is not the case, and music and sounds are a lot better.... 

My two main speakers were 14 ft apart with minor toe-in for music listening.  As such the person not sitting in the middle listening position could not get clear dialouge when watching movie without a Center channel...

I have a pretty small home, not "tiny home", but damn close enough.

I use 2.1 since there is no room or anywhere to have a dedicated stereo listening room, and I watch a lot of movies and shows, and Youtube music/concerts/video, nearly equal to just listening to music.  Though NEITHER is perfect, they are both great mixtures, and suit the space and lifestyle perfectly, with what ever compromises more than willing to be paid.  I can't say that I experience the dialog issues others mentioned, but I am betting I am experiencing 'some', but it's not as bad due to my speakers being only 7' apart.

Honestly I wouldn't watch "TV" of any kind any other way.  Regular shows suffer some, but in general I feel like I am getting way better experience. Things like NPRs "Tiny Desk" concerts are literally, live performances in my tiny living room.  I've never had surround 5.1 so I can't speak to that, but 2.1 has been a mainstay and a must for me for years.  Though I would bet a 5.1 would be a better movie experience, a solid 2.1 system will do really damn good I would think in 'most' living rooms. 

I use a Rega Elex-r integrated amp, fed by a Black Ice FX DAC, and a REL TX5 subwoofer.  The DAC gets TOSLINK from the "TV" (I stream to a Google Chromecast Ultra puck on the TV), and an older Pioneer Elite PD64 CD player.  The Chromecast Ultra Puck will receive 24/96khz, so 'high res' from Qobuz/Amazon Music etc, videos, movies etc, and display the app the TV being broadcast from computer or phone. 

I, like others in this thread have "down-graded" to a 2.1 stereo system that I use for TV as well as living room music streaming. I was using my old Lexicon MC-8 AVP for 5.1 surround for movies and TV and recently thought it was time to consolidate into an all in one Denon AVR. I didn't like the AVR, and it definitely didn't cut it for music listening..it wasn't on par with the ancient Lexicon for music or movies. So I switched to a 2.1 Integrated with an HDMI input and I'm very happy with it. 

With the surround set up, which is awesome when you're in the mood, I feel like it had to be turned up loud to get all the center channel dialog,  which meant the mains and surrounds were really loud when the action got going. With the 2.1 stereo set up I feel I can leave the volume low while still getting a great Phantom center and clear dialog. I have my mains about 8 feet apart with slight toe in and have no issues. At one point I had them with extreme toe in, where the tweeter was crossing in front of the seated center sweet spot. Like if you had the tweeter aimed at opposite ends of a 3 person couch..this set up for me caused a very wide center image. I use a laser line leveler, just place it on top of the speaker and aim it where you want. I will add that with my current set up if I don't want to turn on the receiver (Arcam SA30) I can still use the internal TV speakers. 

Someone here mentioned a Zvox for TV listening, my brother has one and I think they are phenomenal for TV use. Better than your average sound bar if you just want to watch TV, very clear sounding...they are worth looking into and not very expensive I believe. These days we also have the option of 2ch Integrated Stereo's with the Home Theater bypass. Where you can incorporate your AVR/AVP for movies with a dedicated 2ch. Integrated for better quality music listening. Your AVR uses the Integrated's amplifier for the main speakers and subwoofer for movie/TV time, you flip a switch and the AVR is turned off and it's just the Integrated Receiver for Music time. 

So I have no issues using 2.1 for TV, but for dialog and clarity your equipment does play a part in that. If I was a manufacturer I would really consider coming up with a 3.1/3.2 system. Built mostly with music in mind but with a switch to turn on a 3rd channel..a center channel. With crossover or room correction/Dirac Live, a couple sound modes maybe, although I could live without it...but I would be all over a product like that. Somebody please make me one 😃