Rcprince brings up the typical objections to powered speakers. However, when carefully examined, the advantages of active speakers with active crossovers will far out weight the drawbacks. And, what is too frequently overlooked is that not all active speakers are powered speakers with built-in amps. The active speaker with outboard amps provides both the superior performance and the choice of amps, cables, and the option of experimenting all you want.
The disappearance of the traditional amplifier
In the studio and post production world, powered monitors are displacing traditional speakers and amps at record pace. the pro shops as well appear to be abandoning the 'box'. its not like this 'just happened', but is the power amp fading out like a record?