The top-of-the-line, full-range models of most companies still use large drivers (10-12-15 inches). The main playback monitors of any well-funded recording studio--those used to judge the quality of a recording once it's finished--always use large drivers, often two 15-inch drivers in each cabinet just for bass frequencies, and usually horn-loaded mids and highs.
Look at the very expensive models that JBL sells (mostly to Japan) or TAD drivers and monitors, or Westlake or PMC or ATC or the top-of-the-line JM Labs or Tannoy or Zu or Zingali or Klipschorns or Edgarhorns or Pass Labs. There's also Iconic (www.seriousstereo.com), the more expensive Coincident models and many, many others.
It is true that a lot more manufacturers sell slim cabinets with small drivers, but this has more to do with marketing strategy meant to conform with the public's preference for "lifestyle" speakers that fit in nicely with their decor and furniture.
For the lowest distortion and the closest approximation of a live concert atd realistic sound levels, you need high sensitivity and low distortion. There's many good speakers that use small drivers, but no amount of design ingenuity can overcome the laws of physics. What's more, the large cones, heavy cast frames, huge motors and extremely close manufacturing tolerances that high quality larger drivers require are very expensive.
A high quality small driver will of course outperform a low quality big driver, but when cost is no object and dynamics, accuracy and transient response must be as close to "live" as possible, the high-sensitivity 12" and 15" bass driver still rules.
Of course, for small domestic rooms where people listen a low to moderate volumes, quality small-driver systems have their place...and since that's what most people want, that's what's most visible in the market...
