You want to keep surround. Get a better or ribbon center channel speaker where the dialogue is and turn it up on your avr settings. Cut the subs volume for the wife. If that isn't good enough you'll be forced to watch in stereo with a Terk VR1 or a compander be like a dBx 119.
It will take some work to hook them in line. Room treatment is mandatory.
It will take some work to hook them in line. Room treatment is mandatory.