Vandersteen's room with Jon Spelt's shop is one I wish I could listen to. They are showcasing Vandersteen's new Vandersteen Control Center. It's a preamp with an EQ built in that is out of teh signal path. I can't wait to hear it and have been waiting patiently. I always have had fun helping friend and family buy inexpensive systems (relatively) that punch higher than their cost. What draws me to Vandersteen is their built in subs (Quatro on up) and their amps (and now a pre to go with them). I love their sound and the electronics are all matched to the speakers (although I've heard my amps (the 5's) on other speakers still sound incredible to my ears).
I have also enjoyed many other powered speakers over the years. Not the desktop speakers with Class D amps, but full size class AB amps etc.... It's like anything else though as implementation is the MOST important thing.