The disappearance of the traditional amplifier

Vibration is hardly an issue *only* with tubes. Every single type of electronic component exhibits decreased performance in a high-vibration environment.

A passive crossover is not a big deal if it's simple, as it should be for many other reasons. My experience has proven that they can be far less destructive than running the tiny, low-level signal through an active crossover of any type - a necessary evil with any type of multi-amping.

I have found that most people who are so enamored with powered speakers are those who tend to be impressed by measurements over subjective sound quality and tend to listen mostly to the processed, modern music that masks differences in electronics quality in the first place.

I'm sure there are counter-examples.

Some of us actually can hear, Bob.

I've significantly downgraded my system (cost-wise) while improving sonic quality also.

It's interesting you turned this into a cost issue since that isn't what it's about.

Atmasphere, I asked this question over at AA and I'd be interested to hear your opinion:

I'm curious who believes that a FC motor is inherently superior to even the best AlNiCo magnets, and who, conversely, believes that there is no such inherent superiority, and the only advantage of the field coil is the ability to tune parameters with the coil voltage/current.

Atmasphere,

If this is a sport, why have I gotten so fat?

K_ilpo_p, I once heard a two way-speaker that used a waveguide on the tweeter the same size as the woofer, to even the power response as you say (and get the other benefits of horn-loading such as the increased dynamics and higher sensitivity). It was one of Duke's (Audiokinesis) creations and it was one of the best speakers I've ever heard in virtually every way. I probably would have bought a pair then & there (RMAF) had I not already had something like 5 pairs at home.

It seems to me that the best-sounding speakers are the ones that pay give proper attention to power response, which is indeed rare. The AN/E is another example.

I don't know if it's accurate to say Duke's designs are "based" on Geddes' work, but he certainly pays tribute to the man. (I mean he pays vocal respect and acknowledgment, not that he pays tribute in the Cosa Nostra sense.)

Yes, Dr. Geddes obviously understands acoustics very well and it is enlightening to read his material.