I’ve heard a couple of speakers where I compared the active version with passive (both Quested monitors) and preferred the passive versions.
Obviously, this is a highly subjective option, not blinded, not Apples to Apples. Strictly anectdata.
I only mention to let you know this is not a universal opinion, and is part of an ongoing personal inquiry which includes this issue.
While there are many advantages to bi-amped active speakers, it’s not a “slam dunk.”
Passive speakers have some advantages.
They are generally cheaper in an “all things” equal scenario, so if you already have an amp you like you can save money.
They are less prone to needing a repair which requires taking them offline, and dealing with a more complex repair scenario.
They tend to be lighter, so easier to move. This can cause difficulty in all sorts of ways. One is that it’s more of a pain to move them around to find a good listening situation. Another is that service is required, it makes it more of pain to have to get them from their listening position.
If you have an installation where heat is an issue you can actually put the amp in a different room.
The heat issue also makes them less suitable for soffet mounting.
They can be more flexible for certain installations. For example a home theater with an AV receiver that does not have pre-amp outs,
Or an installation that has speaker wire run, but not signal.
I have different listening positions, and I do like to compare speakers. In general, it is more trouble to compare active to passive speakers for the above reasons. This tends to make my comparison experiences either active to active or passive to passive. Just something to think about.
Receivers or integrated amps also offer the convenience of multiple inputs.
If you listen mainly from a source like a computer sound module or streamer, this can be less of an issue.
On the other hand, if you want to hook up an old receiver to play vinyl records, these do not interface as easily with active speakers.
In general, there will be more adjustments to things like gain or EQ settings placed awkwardly behind the speaker, away from listening position.
Generally speaker wire is cheaper and more ubiquitous than the special cables you will need to connect to the source. (Unless you are a bit kooky and feel you need fancy wires. ). This can be an inconvenience or expense if you move speakers to where the need a longer run. (If you can make your own cables this is less of an issue.)
Most of these issues are obviously solvable. But as someone who moves speakers around and does comparisons often, these issues of “convenience” start to confront my laziness, making me less inclined to make the small changes that make a big difference.
If you are very confident in your speaker choice, have largely a fixed listening setup, and your source is a computer or streamer, you don’t have amps you want to use, active speakers can make for an incrediblely cost effective and simple solution. A lot of bang for the buck, fewer wires, and consistent performance.
These are some things to consider.