It's a cultural thing. American consumers of high end audio simply do not choose active systems. 75% of all Mercedes-Benz autos sold in the world are diesel. 0% are sold in America. The American consumer for whatever reasons chooses otherwise. Not right, not wrong, just is.
My ATC 40A floor standers on loan to a high end store in Portland, OR for two months never failed to impress and even shock those who listened. Nobody ordered a pair and therefore the store does not stock ATC or any other active speaker. The owner was quite perplexed, but appreciated the no cost loan and use to test the market.
The manufacture of many of the most respected active transducers in the world seems heavily weighted toward the English. I've no numbers to support, but must conjecture that not only do studios consume these, but also consumers outside America.
I will never go back to passive. For my tastes, passive now is deficit of immediacy, timbre, slam and overall involvement. It does not make me right, only very satisfied with what works for me.
