I Was Considering Active, Then I Watched This ...

Steve is a veteran and is to be respected.

Does that mean his motives can't be questioned? That someone can't disagree with him? He had a conclusion already developed and created his arguments to fit his conclusion. His conclusion was not based on his observation, but more on his reluctance to change. 
 

For ultimate results, outboard amplification is preferred.

For ultimate performance, we are talking many tens of thousands of dollars, this is probably true. In the range of prices more people can afford, it is not true any more. The control and flexibility of the active systems as well as the ability to tailor the sound to my preference places the active system above any passive system I have owned. I didn't choose the amps and the sound is excellent.

A good compromise is what many Von Schweikert speakers do. They have many models with high quality 500 watt+ plate amps designed for them by by Chanel D. This allows the sound of the main amps to come through untouched and allows one to adjust base to the room +-6 db and allows one to use for example lower watt tube amps if desired.

Here’s some active speakers for the budget constrained.
Insightful ramblings not needed.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BB6XBDA--pmc-bb6-xbd-a-twin-15-inch-3-way-reference-monitor-...

https://almaaudio.com/products/kii-three-bxt-complete-system?variant=29324985073717&currency=USD...

There’s active speakers at all price points from very modest excellent monitors from JBL and Adam to systems in the 6 figures.

I have had passives in past and now use ATC Active 50 towers with upgraded anniversary amp pack. I agree that if you are interested in tweaking your system to get a particular sound then having separate amps seem to make sense. I immensely enjoy my active system and have tweaked it by having professionally designed acoustic wall treatment, buying the best power supplies and isolation transformers along with hi quality sources and electronics. I can’t see how anyone can say that having an active crossover designed specifically for the drivers is a great if not the best way to handle the speakers. I can’t speak for other speaker companies amps, but the ATC line are top notch and once again fully optimized for their drivers.

Hmmmm...
Gutenberg has lots of opinions but small amounts of understanding of current advances in speaker/amp designs, in my opinion...which may not be completely accurate either.  Such is the nature of opinions.

But, my ATC 50's, active, blow the socks off all the separates I have used over the last 50 years.  And that wasn't junk either.  

The smoothness top to bottom, the realism, the dead-black background, the clean sound all sold me and continues to this day.  As an extra, ATC does manufacture its own electronics as well as the drivers.  It makes one hell of an active speaker.  

A few years ago when Steve Gutenburg began his dailies, I even joined his Patron (sp) program to support the effort.  In a month I dropped out.  I was learning very little.  Couldn't justify the time.