Why are we so passive?

The current Meridian D series take digital input and divide/EQ before the power amps.

Kal

And if you use a ribbon or compresion driver with active you still need a passive after active to keep driver from damage when amps are turned on so active powered is not the end all be all.Many ways to design hiquality loudspeakers no one way:) And to me thats why its interesting if computers could design crossovers and loudspeakers as well as humans we wouldnt have a hobbie nothing to talk about except music but hey that might be a good thing;)

both a lover of chamber music and a heavy metal fan in one design it would have been achieved by now.

Good point. The desired tailored coloration of many audiophiles means that "foolproof" active speakers are unattractive in many cases.

However, funnily enough, Michael Bishop at Telarc (well respected classical audiophile recording label) and ACDC (no introduction necessary) both agree on the same active speakers. So it might be possible to make a design that satisfies both camps.

with enuf $$$ a single package ultimately may be produced to satisfy all. makes me think of the car homer invented in the simpsons. btw, in that episode did anyone notice the thiel like speakers in uncle herbs' mansion? danny devito did the voiceover...

does a manufacture who is a speaker designer necessarily have a good ear ? he may select an amp which creates an unbalanced frequency response. when it comes to audio or life, one size (sound) does not fit all.

if i like set amps, and like a speaker, i might not purchase the speaker if it is designed with a solid state amp. it's an inflexible approach, regardless of the technical justification.