Cheap, low power, small dimensions, non-black modern AVR, in Europe?

[Pinkynator]

I am confused. You say 2k is too much for a receiver in this post, but a couple of posts below you say 4K is too much but 2k is fine... something like "thanks for the suggestion, it is out of my budget" speaks a lot more in my opinion... good luck with your choices!

Yes. I said "But I also don't want to spend 4k€ on a system. 2k would be nice for a 3.0 setup."

That's 2k total for a receiver and 3 speakers. I don't think I can get that if I go the KEF Concerto Q + Q6 route, those alone are 1600-1700...

... and the TV is also not here yet, nor will be until at least a year from now as I want a good OLED as a passable replacement for my old Panasonic plasma that downmixes everything to stereo on ARC.

 

[Ultrasonic]

I know this is an audio forum but if you don't already own a modern TV I'd suggest you prioritise buying that for now, and do have a listen to what the audio is like from models you're consider before buying. They aren't all terrible. Some also come with deals on soundbars which also may not be the worst option in your position.

What are you using for TV audio currently actually?

 

[Berwhale]

... and the TV is also not here yet, nor will be until at least a year from now as I want a good OLED as a passable replacement for my old Panasonic plasma that downmixes everything to stereo on ARC.

Maybe take a look at Sony's Accoustic Surface TVs which have the capability for the screen to become the centre speaker, so you may only need to add a 2.0 setup to get to 3.0.

*edit* I looks like you still need to feed the TV the centre channel audio from an AVR or compatible soundbar.

Someone got it working with a Denon AVR here: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...tv-as-center-speaker-with-non-sony-avr.48443/

More about the feature and connectivity requirements here: https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/articles/00201071

I think the TV plus Sony Soundbar would at least be worth auditioning given your aesthetic requirements.

 

[DoctorRobert]

I expect that you will have to compromise in some way. I would concider spray paint (or use stick-on foil) some components that technically meet the requirements. The Canton mentioned here before seems like a good candidate for that. Another option is something like this: https://teufelaudio.nl/ultima-20-concept-power-edition-21-set-107002062?v=107002064 The sub is black but I would not hasitate to paint it. And this setup skips the need for a receiver in any color.

 

[Pinkynator]

I know this is an audio forum but if you don't already own a modern TV I'd suggest you prioritise buying that for now, and do have a listen to what the audio is like from models you're consider before buying. They aren't all terrible. Some also come with deals on soundbars which also may not be the worst option in your position.

Some time ago I had my eyes set on the LG G5 OLED series, but it turned out to be not so great. So now I'm waiting for the new G6 to come down to reasonable prices. I need a 77" and those are still over 3500€... Can't do LCD as replacement for plasma. I tried it. Sucked... I'm hoping a 77" G6 will drop to a 2.6-2.8k range within the next 9-12 months.

What are you using for TV audio currently actually?

A cheap LG 2.0 soundbar that a friend gave me. Don't know the model, the sticker is missing, I just know it's LG A lot better than built-in TV audio, but nowhere near actually sounding good. I mean it's okay for regular TV and dialogue is clearer, but music sounds very annoying.

 

[Ultrasonic]

but music sounds very annoying.

In you first post you said this system wouldn't be used for music? Or do you mean music in TV shows/movies here?

What didn't you like about the G5 out of interest? I have 65" C9 for context and am out of the loop on the latest TVs. BTW it used to be that the C and G models had identical image quality (but C cheaper) but I'm not sure if it still is.

 

[Pinkynator]

Music on TV... Sound effects... It sounds like bad car audio. Dialogues are definitely more intelligible compared to built in speakers, but that's the only improvement. I know a better soundbar would sound better, but that's money taken away from purchasing something that will last decades, and there's the hassle of reselling it later on top of losing money

The G5 has serious posterization issues, banding, dithering and noise, and while some things have been improved through a new hardware revision, they are impossible to fix completely because something something that's how the panel works; not sure about exact details. That particular panel generation was new tech and it has problems not present in G4 and earlier. G6 is supposed to fix everything that plagued the hardware side of G5, though I am yet to read all the avforums threads and owner experiences.

 

[ShadowBoxer]

WiiM Soundbar + (optional) WiiM amp (gray or silver)

Optional) WiiM Amp Pro + passive speakers If you want real bookshelf speakers for Left/Right instead of the Bar’s built‑ins, you can add an Amp Pro. The Bar still remains the center channel.

 

[Ruediger]

Cinema 60: would work I guess but the price premium, ugh... (forgot to mention that it also blew up in price by more a third in half a year! 1200€ now)

I see it for 1099 € online.

Not that much for a good AVR and if it meets all requirements...

But maybe there is an AV-preamp doing about the same - which would be better in a closed cabinet anyway. You then have to go with active speakers. Should be no problem if you haven't bought yet.

 

[Miguelón]

Recently bought a pair of KEF LSX 2, they are great for the size, same bass extension (in room) than my Genelecs 8030C.

Once I listened to coaxial driver, I wont listen to anything different, only caveat is the app doesn’t have PEQ.

I only have some fight with this mode which is on transition zone, once connected to a WiiM the PEQ showed the superiority to the onboard Desktop mode and Wall mode.