Best Powered Monitors

How about Yamaha hs50m, it is active biamp with 45 watts to woofer and 25 watts to tweeter.

All the brands you mencionated are excellent.
The Meridian are too expensive but work wonderfull. But they are not minimonitors.
For me, try the Genelec and Dynaudio.

There is a comment in this thread that hi-end enthusiasts don't usually like pro audio components. Why is that? I am thinking about having some active speakers custom made by John Janowitz, but having never heard them (or active speakers at all) before I am a little nervous.

NHT is closing out their powered monitors for <$1K pair. The company is shutting down, so buyer beware.

Marty

There is a comment in this thread that hi-end enthusiasts don't usually like pro audio components. Why is that?

They tend to be revealing, harsh, clinical and inflexible - often designed to hear into the mix. They make an excellent choice for critical listening. A good recording will sound extremely good but a bad one may be revealed to be bad - warts and all. Many enthusiasts like to color the sound to their individual tastes and to have something they can really call their own. Many professionals want something accurate and standard that can be relied upon for consistent reproduction at any SPL level - this means what they hear can translate to other systems and still sound as intended.

If you accept higher expert authority (i.e. Artists and Presitigious Studios use XYZ active speakers => so they must be OK), then go for it! If you trust your own senses and want them to be the final judge/expert then a mix/match system tailored to your tastes may be a better investment.

Remember that many studios and high end professional system are in bespoke acoustically treated facilities. This probably ensures that these type speakers perfrom their best. In the wrong untreated room, active speakers may be disappointing compared to someting appropriately colored.