Active or passive are equally good. Doesn't matter at what end the amps are placed. Speaker wire should be a non-issue. I hold that it is all transparent to the source and therefore of no consequence. Only the neurotically obsessed fixate on the length of speaker wire as a tone control, which is eliminated by going active. If you must have active then I recommend a pair of Genelec monitors.
Active Speakers Better? No, per Michael Borresen
The best sounding speaker I have had the pleasure to hear is made by Borresen.
I recently spent time with Michael Borresen in Seattle at a show. It was slow so
I was able to speak with him for a time. I asked him if he plans an active speaker.
His answer was a definitive and immediate "No". He said separates sound better.
His statement flies in the face of what passes in most audio corners as commonly recognized facts.
Sadly I am too technically challenged to convey any of his further explanation.
I invite all intelligent commentary on this question. Theoretical or not.