Powered speakers show audiophiles are confused

@donavabdear ,

It would probably help if you provided some more information:

• What brands does the dealer you must buy from carry. No point us suggesting stuff if not on their franchised list.
• Are you planning to do anything with your room in terms of treatments?
• How much time are you willing to invest in room correction, not just pushing a button, but playing with and adapting curves to your listening experience?
• When are you going to get those bloody subs fixed so they stop buzzing? 😎 -- sorry had to throw that one in.

FYI

For anyone reading this thread that is looking at all ranges of budget this is a good video on powered speakers over $1000:

That is a marketing video from an online retailer. No complete in their coverage nor free from bias. They have a broad line, but these appear to be some of the only active speakers that they carry.

At around $20K all in the JBL M2 is less money than the Steinways, the Meridian, and even the Bryston, but are those other speakers better (especially $80K+ better)? Diminishing returns are a real thing to consider. Once I got the JBL 230's that use trickle down tech from the M2's hooked up to the right electronics I lost all desire to change. Are their better speakers? Of course, but I just didn't feel the need to change anything as I love what they do. The M2's have influenced every speaker coming out of Harman (all brands) since they became available: