Is this a new trend?

viridian has it.  
Besides, how many ONLY listen through their phone with earbuds and call it really awesome!  EVERYTHING, and I do mean EVERYTHING is now a passive activity. If you are eating, watching sports on mute whilst streaming music in the background while you surf the web, which of these activities need be of great quality?  Judges?  None.  And we wonder why half of the public is ADHD?

I also like a great sounding 2 way stand mount.   I just picked up a pair of Studio Electric M4  for my bedroom system.  Damn ! They are a great speaker !   

They exceeded my expectations,  my search for a small speaker is over.   

Stand mount speakers have worked better in my space.  It's a big room, but the actual listening space is pretty small, I'm about 9 feet from tweeters.  Stand mounts have provided better imaging, soundstage, and clarity.  Plus I have 4 large subwoofers in the room, which more than compensate for any lack of bass and add to the soundstage and feeling of "being there" when listening to live music.  Some stand mount speakers are capable of producing a surprising amount of bass on their own.  My current speakers are Gershman Studio XDB, which are rated down to 23 hz.

Think this to be the genesis of a legitimate sub/sat sound system.  https://www.kreiselsound.com/_images/timeline_files/DavidGoliath1359x900.jpg
First heard at Broadway Music in SLC 1978, not believing how good for something that literally fit in a large carry bag.  For awhile, a custom built carry bag was available.  Started a revolution.