Mprime - "3a vs 1" IMO: better midrange resolution and musicality, and far better transient attack. The Supra WILL "pre-amplify" the source signal w/out compromising detail. The LK140's, while not the last word in clarity IMO, will easily drive the aktiv system & provide sufficient headroom and air.
B&W vs. Katan: I haven't heard these two against each other. The Katans offer a musical midrange and in aktiv form have good dynamics and lower-mids resolution that tends to "mask" the lack of lower bass. I would expect the B&W to have more pronounced high's, evidencing the need for a sub... Remember, the B&W's would be driven in passive mode whereas the Katans benefit from the aktiv configuration! Cheers
B&W vs. Katan: I haven't heard these two against each other. The Katans offer a musical midrange and in aktiv form have good dynamics and lower-mids resolution that tends to "mask" the lack of lower bass. I would expect the B&W to have more pronounced high's, evidencing the need for a sub... Remember, the B&W's would be driven in passive mode whereas the Katans benefit from the aktiv configuration! Cheers