Is active speaker the future?

The worst place for your amps is in your loudspeaker cabinet. I have own costly active models they can sound very good. But this is a weakness having to house amps in speaker. External crossovers are proven to sound better than same design mounted in cabinets this is true with higher voltage amps housed in cabinets. OK for subs but to me thats about it. Now active with external amps that is interesting.

I would like to see more speaker manufsacturers do hybrids (Zu Audio, Avantgarde)with powered subs... and throw in room correction for the lower registers.

Now active with external amps that is interesting.

Good point. That is how active speakers originated - I believe Westlake and ATC and others still use this approach on large models especially where severe heating from high levels of amplification can be an issue. In order to place amps inside a speaker cabinet there are definitely additional design considerations and limitations. Nothing "microphonic" like tubes, some caps and some pots could be used - the use of cheaper surface mounted components may be an issue also. Of course electronics works in airplanes, cars and countless other environments with severe vibration or heat but John is right that this will be the toughest environment. It would probably be advisable to stick with companies that have been using active designs for at least 10 years - as design limitations from a tough enviroment might not be expected to show up immediately but through extended use.

not if you want sweet tube sound... the myth that one sound will eventually be available that all will find pleasing is what drives some.... but as noted, people at this site are hobbyists who want to fine tune sound to suit an ALWAYS subjective ear and environment. as a voice over artist, my active mini monitors are great but if i want to listen to a musical performance i want tubes and a soundstage that seems organic to MY tastes.

We of the curmudgeon and proud of it persuasion probably will not give up our separates in our stereos, but HT is the area that really matters for most folks. I too cain't wait to get rid of the wires and the mess and the bother in my own HT. Soon we will simply set the stuff down and it will adjust itself (or yell to be moved to a better location). No Wires no bother. You bet!