Powered speakers show audiophiles are confused

@lonemountain , you are absolutely correct. This concept applies to all speakers. Theoretically, you can get any speaker to perform at it's best in most rooms if you are given free rein and have enough processing power. Back in the day the tools we had available were awful. I managed he problem by picking the right speaker for the room. I used a lot of Maggies because they caused less room interaction and my typical customer was not interested in high volumes.

It was fun just to sit and watch the Plasmatronics glow. We did not sell any. Did you miss the Levison HQD system? That was really nuts.

@rudyb , My current processor has dynamic loudness filtered programmed into it. They look like the reverse of the Fletcher Munson curves. As the volume changes the processor hops from one curve to the next, but it is not just in the bass. Treble changes also. The end result is that the system sounds exactly the same regardless of volume. 

@mijostyn, Atmos overcomes limitations in 2 channel reproduction that are inherent in the format. Very poor ability to position sounds being the primary one. 2 channel could be considered a subset of Atmos. Atmos add the ability to capture and reproduce more of the complexity of the sound in a live venue, and adds addition creative elements to studio productions. The downside is using likely like 3D in movies, using it as a gimmick and not to enhance realism.

@mijostyn , you can’t build a CHANNEL based system with Atmos, 2,5,7, or whatever. Atmos is object based, different format. You don’t NEED an object based setup for music. It is just fun to have both available on your remote. I prefer channel based for acoustic jazz, folk, and strings. Object based for rock, hip hop. house, and EDM. Smooth jazz and go either way as it is both bass heavy and acoustic.

I also prefer active speakers for both formats but especially for Atmos and bass forward music.

@rudyb I have both the active and passive versions of Paradigms Reference 20 speaker. The passive version extends down to around 55hz, the passive to around 36hz, big difference. Active has the advantage here.