No sub? Whut?
Not having to use a desk any more, I don't. If I did, space for speakers that big I'd need a bigger desk than I generally used. Altho these days a lot of the paper part has likely disappeared freeing up some space I suppose. I'd still want them on stands off the desk surface myself, tho....
You could alleviate the space the avr takes up perhaps with a little mounting creativity or on the floor or just nearby and use a remote....but hard to know what your options there might be for remote or connectivity options (like wireless perhaps). I wouldn't worry about the standby energy between active speakers vs an avr, tho.....altho older stuff might have a higher standby use than newer stuff...