Partly aesthetics/market driven.
Having this idea allowed buyers to use boutique tube amps for the mid/highs, letting them feel part of the process of creating the sound.
Certainly when these speakers came out, no one wanted an all-active speaker in the high end market. That is pretty much still the case (sadly). There are almost no fully active speakers in the "high end" while they thrive in the pro world.
Don't shoot me, I know active speakers are out there, I'm just saying they have not yet caught on, and may never.
Best,
E
Having this idea allowed buyers to use boutique tube amps for the mid/highs, letting them feel part of the process of creating the sound.
Certainly when these speakers came out, no one wanted an all-active speaker in the high end market. That is pretty much still the case (sadly). There are almost no fully active speakers in the "high end" while they thrive in the pro world.
Don't shoot me, I know active speakers are out there, I'm just saying they have not yet caught on, and may never.
Best,
E