Yes, manipulate wasn't a good way of putting it. I've heard very good bass, at least in my subjective opinion, from active monitors. My room isn't huge either which helps.
Physics Question: Why does cabinet volume matter so much to bass response?
If you put the same 8' woofer into a bookshelf speaker or a floorstander, you will get a different frequency response. Does anyone know what's happening with the air pressure on the inside of the cabinet to cause this to happen? Does the woofer in the bigger cabinet have greater excursion, and therefore produce more amplitude?