Thoughts on Active/Passive Speakers? Looking for pros and cons.

Some of the Legacy speakers allow partial (just the woofers) or full range active operation. Couple with the Wavelet line stage/processor/DAC for active equalization and room correction.

There seems to be a big disconnect here. An active speaker design is a system which includes amplifiers, drivers and an active crossover. What I am talking about is an electronic crossover or active crossover which distributes the correct band of frequencies (my choice) through the amplifiers of my choice to the drivers of my choice. The active electronic crossover can be analog or digital and include a range of other options. By locating the active crossover and amplifiers outside of the speaker enclosure, it allow for so many more choices. Crossover frequencies, slopes and many driver options. Just because a tweeter is designed to operate over a range of say 1kHz. to 20kHz., with a 12db/octave slope, doesn't mean it should or must be operated over those parameters. For example, a large Heil tweeter will operate from 800Hz. on up in a 2-way design. I have used this driver crossed over at 3kHz. or higher with astonishing results in 3-way or 4-way systems. If this is beyond comprehension, I can just stop my participation. Does anyone understand or want my input? I think cd318 understands what I'm talking about. 

@fiesta75 your second sentence above is what I'm describing.  Also well summarized in the video above, thanks @hilde45.  

Well fiesta75, I think everyone hears you loud and clear. The problem with Active XOs from bottom to top is the cost. A GOOD active is 4-6k from bottom to top. Krell makes a GREAT active. Behringer on the other hand is good for bass duty. :-) Exactly what it is good for 300hz and below..

I have a First Watt active that is FULL of Wima caps.. sound wonderful...

STL another GREAT (valve) active crossover 3-5K.. BIG valve design too.. Power valves being used as PRE amp valves..  Go crazy ALL the way DUDE!!!

Offer a solution with some chops.. :-)

Active speakers are sure easy on speaker cable cost.  No 20K cables there thank God.. 

Regards

When one compares the exact same speaker in active/passive configuration the difference is actually not terrific. That was borne out by my comparisons in reviews of the Legacy Audio Whisper DSW Clarity Edition and the more recent Iconoclast Cables, both at Dagogo.com

Proclamations that actives are always superior are worthless. Declarations made with either different brands/models of speakers, different systems, and different rooms are of marginal value - regardless how vehemently the poster insists.   :) 

Active bass in a speaker can be quite nice and advantageous to incorporate it into a room. However, things such as genre of speakers, imo, are far more important than whether it has active bass. YMMV