Amp vs powered speaker confusion….

I think most probably look speakers first then amp, the speaker you buy will determine the sort of amp you need. The "problem" with buying powered speakers is you have no options your locked into the built in amps. Some folks love powered speakers and others don't.  It's really not that complicated getting out and listening to gear really helps.

Most speakers are not powered

Man, this has gone on and on a thousand times on this site already this year.  Please search this site for "active speakers."

Yes, I have a pair of decent but never used Totem One speakers overseas where I live these days and have settled on a Benchmark system to drive them but I’ll have to wait a month to bring the amp etc over there.

I’ve just came across a pair of powered Paradigm Signature S2v2 speakers in storage - is anybody familiar enough with these to compare them to the Totems? I might consider bringing them overseas with me if people thought more highly of them than the Totems with the Benchmark AHB2 and the Benchmark DAC3 HGC.

Most "overseas" AC mains is 230v then you have import duties and shipping.

The very best speakers are bi-amped or tri-amped with an active crossover.

The cost of the cables alone is prohibitive.

The best active speakers I've heard were Dutch & Dutch.