Single way or multiway

"Some may balk at the need for more amplifier channels, like tripling the amp count for a 3-way setup, but that’s simply what active configuration necessitates; one dedicated amplifier channel directly connected to each driver section with no passive crossover parts in between, meddling with the interface."

You can have an active crossover and still use passive components between the amp and speaker to "meddle with the interface" to improve the results by "fixing" flaws in the original.

@toddalin wrote:

You can have an active crossover and still use passive components between the amp and speaker to "meddle with the interface" to improve the results by "fixing" flaws in the original.

Lovely vintage setup. I imagine it produces stellar sonics. 

Sure you can apply a both/and approach with, in this case, an active, analogue electronic crossover as well as passive components between the amp and drivers, but from a more puritanical perspective it also slightly defeats the purpose of active qua active. On the other hand another puritanical approach, to some, would be avoiding a digital step with a DSP altogether and keeping it all analogue, so there’s that. Whatever works and suits a specific context of equipment and taste. With a quality, transparent pro DSP unit the likes of Xilica/ACX, XTA or Lake I really appreciate the intricate crossover settings they offer and which is especially suited for horn-loaded speaker setups. 

I knew a guy who just had 2 soeaker ,no cabinet. Just tm2 speakers hooked up laying on the floor .With the speaker facing you...2 wires connected and thats it...he was a really good audio equipment repair guy ..and thats how he listened to his music ....crazy but true.

@limomangus 

Isn't there some saying about to cobblers children go barefoot? 

Clearly he could tell and didn't care. 

I have a room dedicated to a use of an Audio System, which as a setting is treated in a way that allows a Speaker to couple to the space and produces an End Sound that is (not only my words) very very impressive when experienced.

Where there is division between individuals is how the decide on what is the attribute to creating the impression that has been made, some accept the Treatments they see to help form the Space Sound is produced in, is the cause.

Some of the other expressed thought suggests the systems bespoke built audio items are responsible as well as the treatment of the spaces created for the sound to be managed.

I have a different take, I see the Space and System as being very encouraging to experience the End Sounds that can be created, hence, I am not Wed to one type of End Sound being produced.

Through my owning, I am able to experience Electrostatic Speakers ( main choice), recently added Floor Standing Cabinet Speakers with Dual Concentric Drivers and long time used Floor Standing Cabinet Speakers with Multi Drivers.

In the past and not too distant past I was also able to listen to Stand Mount Cabinet Speakers and other models of Floor Standing Cabinet Speakers.

For the not too distant future I will be able to experience OB Speakers and if all goes to plan DML Panel Speakers.

When the time is taken to create a positioning for a Speaker where it is coupled to the Space and Treatments are used within the listening space, that as a basic description, creates a sound management where the Listener only hears sent sound once. This condition encourages the inquisitiveness to have encounters with other types of End Sound within the same space.

Added to the experiencing differences to an End Sound produced from different designs for a Speaker, is the inquisitiveness to want to experience the impact of different devices used within the audio system effect on a particular speaker type produced End Sound. 

There comes a Point in relation to Speakers when Driver Type, Passive Xover Type, Active Xover Type, and whether a Single Amp' or a Tri Amping are non-important as a consideration. What matters is how the sound is perceived in the dedicated listening space and the impression that is made.

When a mindset has the intention to create such broad experiences of Sound produced as a result of using a medium that has embedded recorded music. There is not a Fidelity to any one design or configuration within a system.

Each are an intentional intervention to produce a Morphing End Sound. 

Hearing and Taste for the Homosapien 'astute man' are embedded stimulation to be very adventurous and creative as Humans.