Current amp vs Voltage amp

I think Hifigeek1`brings up an excellent point!

Why aren't more manufacturers making powered speakers, and why is it that people don't seem to buy them.

Lots of reasons come to mind. Charles mentioned an important one.

Let's say that a passive speaker is designed such that it will perform optimally, in a typical room, with an amplifier having a certain output impedance, a certain amount of feedback, and a certain power capability.

Separate power amplifiers meeting those criteria might range in cost from say $500 to $100,000. Their size, weight, and design philosophies will vary enormously. If the speaker manufacturer were to design a speaker incorporating an amplifier meeting the impedance, feedback, and power criteria, how would he choose among all of those kinds of possibilities without greatly limiting the number of potential customers?

Also, the size and weight of the speaker is likely to increase considerably. Its physical complexity and its appearance will change. WAF is likely to decrease considerably. Microphonics would have to be addressed in the design. Finally, the expertise required to design speakers is obviously very different than the expertise required to design amplifiers. As might be expected, there don't seem to a lot of high-end companies capable of, or even interested in, producing both kinds of products to a high standard. Israel Blume of Coincident being a notable exception.

Regards,
-- Al

Al,
Israel Blume is one of the very few.
MBL,Gryphon and Tidal for example build power amps and speakers.The problem, some like their speakers but not necessarily the amplifiers to match them.Again, the reality of being limited to a particular voicing chosen by the builder.Al you list many other good reasons against the universal practically of powered speakers.
Regards,

The only disadvantage I can see is a service issue. If one of that amps fails in an active speaker system you lose both the speaker and the amp vs. just one or the other in a passive system. Remember, in an active speaker system the filters for the crossover can be active.

Another thought on the powered speaker issue (btw, I love the NHT powered speakers I use at my computer)is that they don't appeal to the tweaky gearhead side that exists in many of us that the high end market is geared (pun intended) toward.