Is active speaker the future?

The market responds to demand and not necessarily to objective analysis. As is demonstrated by Hifitimes' response, most audiophiles reject active loudspeakers and, thus, the majority of speaker manufacturers accommodate that. OTOH, it is interesting to see that some, e.g., Focal and Dynaudio, do offer active speakers in their professional lines.

IMHO, audiophiles are hobbyists who like the mix/match and playing with all the variables. Active loudspeakers, regardless of their advantages, deprive them of the fun.

Kal

Besides personal component matching,one major problem would be vibration isolation.Tube and solid state amplifier components have microphonic problems from vibration.That is one reason Wilson Audio,Orpheus,along with other speaker manufacturers use isolated crossovers of some sort.

I agree with Kal. Part of this hobby is "cooking" - making your own sound and individually unique system - for many people that is where the fun and pride is generated.

The problem with high end active speakers is that you get a reference sound. The entire amplifier speaker system has been matched and calibrated for optimal sound production at ultra low levels of distortion. For professionals this is great - they can acquire an ATC SCM 150ASL, PMC, Meyer or other suitable system and hear the music in the same way as many other professionals and artists (Pink Floyd, Mark Knopfler, Telarc etc.) Professionals are often worried about how the sound of their recordings will "translate" - so a reference sound is actually desirable. Active speakers still differ but not nearly as much as what you can achieve with mix and match with passive systems.

A few audiophiles may want to hear the music as closely as to how it sounds to their favorite artists but the majority are interested in creating a unique sound that appeals just to themselves. So active speakers will never be as popular as passive speakers unless attitudes change.

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.