Powered speakers show audiophiles are confused

Very few statement systems have powered drivers with the exception of low frequency drivers in some cases. I can't say I ever heard a powered studio monitor that made my jaw drop, they are really made to be working loudspeakers not home playback systems. Don't confuse decent working performance with the stunning sound of large home audio loudspeakers. 

So how do you protect the amplifier inside the speaker from the rear waves off the drivers. That rear wave is equal too the wave coming from the front of the speaker? 

I've said this before... audiophiles of the type who frequent discussion boards like this are hobbyists. They like playing and experimenting with equipment.  If they buy a powered speaker, they've just given up one of the big components with which they can experiment. 

The OP's suggestion probably works much better with those who are only interested in music playback but consider the equipment end of things a necessary evil.  For them, simpler is better as long as they are getting the sound quality they like.

That made my brain hurt.

What you said is not wrong, but it is also not the whole story. 

"this concept is much more important to sound quality than the vibration systems we often buy."

This is true when the transparency of a system is very low, like powered Gelenecs with something like Mogami cables. But once you move to very high levels of transparent high-grade audio components, you will begin hearing substantial effects of having the components inside the speaker versus outside or even the sound of a connector. It's not a black and white argument, it's relative to many situational circumstances. Similar to saying "I have a Prius, and all these Forumla 1 engineers who talk about the importance of aeroyamics is simply irrelevant. The difference in horsepower is far more important than the shape of a car." On a Prius, that is absolutely correct. 

Therefore, please avoid black and white thinking in audio.