Reddit mentions of High Performance 16 Gauge Speaker Wire, Oxygen Free Pure Copper - UL Listed Class 2 (50 Feet Spool)

Then choose your quality level with a corresponding budget:

Lowest entry level mini amp and speakers: $50 6-1/2" 2-Way Bookshelf Speaker Pair and Hi-Fi Mini Amplifier Bundle.

A step up mini amp and speakers: $120 SMSL SA-36A $52 with Dayton Audio B652-AIR 6-1/2" with AMT Tweeter speakers $52 with Speaker Wire and wire tool.

Receiver and better speakers: Around $300 to $400. Look for similar used for the best value.

Receiver: Refurbished with a 1 year manufacturer warranty.

Stereo: ONKYO TX-8220 $135, or ONKYO TX-8140 $200.

Or AV: For use with a TV even with just 2 speakers, 4K HDMI switching, high pass crossover for your speakers if ever adding a subwoofer.

• DENON AVR-S540BT 5.2 $150
  
• DENON AVR-S640H 5.2 $200 adds Audyssey Multi EQ room correction EQ speaker setup and HEOS wireless networking and smartphone app.
  
  Speakers: Recommendations from AverageJoeAudiophile and r/HTBuyingGuide.
  
  
• 4" Pioneer SP-BS22-LR $100.
  
• 5.25" Infinity Reference 152 $140 refurbished, originally $350 MSRP or Boston A25 $150 bogo.
  
• 6.5" $200 a pair, JBL Studio 230 refurbished or Boston A26 bogo.
  
• Towers: Pioneer FS52 $150 pair. (note the long ship time), JBL Studio 270 $260 pair, or Boston A250 $225 pair bogo.
  
• DIY speakers, build your own: C-Notes $100. Add around $50+ for tools and supplies. Kits includes pre-cut cabinets. Glue, solder, paint, assemble. Comparable to built speakers costing twice as much.
  
  Speaker wire: Pure Copper Oxygen Free 16 Gauge Speaker Wire 50 ft. and self adjusting wire strippers, optional banana plugs to add. Or already with banana plugs, Micca or DFWCableConnection.
  
  Speaker stands: Dayton Audio SSMB24, Monoprice Glass or Monolith by Monoprice and Audio Advisor where most are also available at Amazon.
  
  OR KEEP GOING UP? .....
  
  Also an optional Subwoofer on sale: 10" Infinity SUB R10 Reference Series $399 $140 flash sale.
  
  Guides:
  
  Home Audio: Intro to home stereo systems • Introduction to Audio Components | Lifewire • Zeos Tutorials, Diagrams and Videos • Guide to Home Audio • AverageJoeAudiophile's Guides
  
  Home Theater: r/HTBuyingGuides FAQ • How to Set Up a Basic Home Theater System - Lifewire • How to Set Up Your Home Theater Receiver • r/hometheater
  
  Speaker Positioning: Speaker Placement for Stereo Music Listening • How to position your speakers for great sound • Speaker Placement for Home Theater
  
  TV Positioning: Vertically centered at eye level while seated

Something like this would be great:

Speakers

Recommended Receiver or Budget Reciever

Speaker Wire

HDMI

You need speaker wire. Unless you need very long lengths 16 gauge wire is good enough.

https://www.amazon.com/Performance-Gauge-Speaker-Oxygen-Copper/dp/B01N6EF3GZ

And a wire cutter for a clean job:

https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-3797-7-Inch-Stripper-Cutter/dp/B00AZWWY2K

You can also buy banana plugs to install at the tips. Once you do this you never have to waste time inserting bare wire carefully into the posts.

https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-109436-Plated-Speaker-Banana/dp/B0097JLQVC/ref=pd_aw_fbt_23_img_2/143-4216225-4180333?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0097JLQVC&pd_rd_r=9abe4956-cd3f-4392-835d-422b349f4f55&pd_rd_w=w5ces&pd_rd_wg=578Lx&pf_rd_p=6e6afc8a-fbbd-4649-97cf-4e08f5113612&pf_rd_r=ZXGYDM5KD6H0FC4Z4S8M&psc=1&refRID=ZXGYDM5KD6H0FC4Z4S8M

Yes, you'll need a receiver. Or else look at powered monitors (though you'll likely need a DAC as well).

As for what receiver, if in America, this is a one of the cheapest receivers that'll do what you want.

All your devices go into the receiver via HDMI.

The HDMI the tv connected to has ARC (Audio Return Channel), so any audio from smart apps will play.

Speaker wire is cheap: Here is 50ft of 16 gauge oxygen free speaker wire for <$15. If you don't have a stripping tool, you can use scissors to strip the wire.

You'd need stands (or at least something to put them on). Ideally, the tweeters (small speaker up top) should be level with your ears. I got stands off Craigslist for $25, I think they start at $60 new. Take note a bunch of speakers stands have the a built-in angle to them, so have that in mind in figuring out what height you'll need.

> I want to keep my speakers fairly close to my TV.

The rule of thumb is the front speakers should be spread apart no less than 1/2 your viewing distance and no more than 1:1. So, since you sit 8ft max, the speakers should be spread out 4ft to 8ft.

Yes. Don't buy the Mackies, they are neither good studio monitors nor good value. Instead, some Micca MB42Xs and a small amplifier such as the SMSL SA-36A would be far better in performance and fidelity to the input. Also some good 100% copper speaker wire is a good idea to use for a low resistance connection between the amplifier and speakers. Then all you need to hook up is a source via two RCA, which can be through a 3.5mm to RCA splitter if your preferred audio source's output is a 3.5mm jack.