Active speaker, the future? or another fad?

Active speakers suffer a few marketing disadvantages. To name a few: expensive, difficult resell, don't allow playing with amps.
The advantages are obvious: 1) no need for mammoth amplification that's overengineered to reproduce dc to daylight; each amp can drive a specific frequency range 2) the crossover before the amp allows maximum efficiency and the amp has an easier load 3) cross-over behind the amp means that there are practically no shifts in cross-over frequencies b/ween drivers (passive x-overs shift with increasing power)... etc

Bi-amping/ multi-amping has been discussed a lot. That's the same principle as an "active speaker"

Active speakers are widely used in pro audio applications. ATCs will knock your socks off.

The major marketing disadvantage is the fact that hifi addicts like to change their equiptment, and with 'Active' you cant change your speakers or amps independent of each other. Its the same reason you see such big discounts on the MF one box CD/Preamp on the used market. The greatest advantages are, amps tailored to the speakers, usually a separate amp for each driver, no cables with the inherent problems and variables, and less electronics to find room for. Meridian has been marketing 'active' speakers for as long as I remember, ATC and other companies that produce professional sound reinforcement have been doing so for quite some time also. Most speakers available as 'active' or 'passive' are said to sound their best 'active'. I think its a very good solution to the matching aspect of amp/speaker interaction. Not a fad, a well tested solution for some. I myself would love to have some active ATCs someday.

I know that Onhwy61 and I are polar opposites when it comes to this, but that's what makes life interesting.

I fully believe that the ATCs will knock your socks off. That is also true of a lot of pro audio gear.

However, looking at the progression that the vast majority of audiophiles go through, combining an amplifier and speaker in one package just does not appeal to most people. Me among them.

In my experience, different speakers work to varying degrees in different rooms, and for different tastes. Partnering amplifiers work to varying degrees with different speakers, and for different tastes. The ability to not alter this equation as I go through my audio journey represents a hindrance, not a benefit to me. Although, I would like to think that if I hear something that knocks my socks off and is the best I have come across, presuming I could manage the cost, I would buy it. But, somehow I just know there is enough evolution in most of us audiophiles that over the long term, I would eventually come to want something else, and the freedom of having these two components decoupled be represent a major appeal to me.

Just one man's opinion...

mackie makes lots of powered speakers and their technology keeps getting better. I use their SA1521 (one 15" and a horn) for amplification (live music) and it's scarily good for the $ (about $850 apiece). The imaging could be better, not surprising given the width of the thing, but it sounds very natural, not at all tinny and plastic, like a lot of PA stuff does (including their lesser models), and you could fill a concert hall or two with it. Plus they're incredibly reliable. It would be interesting to build a two channel system with pro audio gear - the price/value ratio probably would be way better than 'audiophile' gear - except that the wife acceptance factor would kill it!