Amp vs powered speaker confusion….

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.

A "fantastic" amp produces no sound waves.

@thomastrouble , I think it is because people who buy amps like to buy and tinker with amps. I own both the passive and active version of the Paradigm Reference 20 speaker. Even when the passive version is biamped it is no contest, the active version is better.

"why people spend a fortune on an amp when powered speakers don’t require a separate amp "

when you buy powered speakers, you are "stuck" with that sound. If it's good, you are done. Some people don't want to be done. They have different amps, speakers, sources, that produce different sounds. It's like collecting cars, the fun doesn't stop with one car that you label the "best" on Tuesday.

+1 jond

Eliminating speaker cable in Pro sound reinforcement speakers quickly became a no brainer. It also allowed designers to tailor the bandwidth and frequency response of the amplification to provide a more controlled output of the speaker. Now consider you love tube amplification.

+1 kota1  

As a past Paradigm Reference and S customer the active multi amp version clearly have a different presentation. I concluded the brand has an inherent design path which is once again alluded to in a current periodical review of listening and measured performance of their latest model. 

Thomas, If you're questioning the presentation of your Paradigm S2v2's paired with the excellent Benchmark electronics I'm almost certain changing electronics will likely not be a solution.

Sit back, relax and close your eyes. Can you hear the glistening of the S2 tweeter and the foundation of its woofer? I can't do that anymore because I can't differentiate the drivers with my current speakers unless I put my ear very close the the drivers.