Hello John,
I haven't used active speakers, but have been using YAMAHA CLUB Speakers (15+Horn)running out of a YAMAHA EMX 5000 powered mixer for a number of years & i'm quite happy with the sound. We're putting a KN7 + KN5 + 2 mics.through this system & there is ample volume even for large venues.

As our audiences (Dancers) are mostly of a more mature age, I feel that it is very important to have a warm & clean sound without the harshness that some types of music demand.

At the present time the YAMAHA's fit the bill nicely. We have tried out both timber & plastic boxes from both JBL & YAMAHA but haven't found anything more suitable as yet. There is not a lot of choice of different brands of speakers available in our area & i would hesitate to buy something without first trying it with our set-up.

While our system works for us, I'm always on the lookout for something better. I have noticed that on the GENERAL ARRANGER FORUM that there is a wide variety of speakers (active & passive) being used by keyboard players but not much mention of YAMAHA products. I've often wondered why.

While I still favour the powered mixer / non powered timber speakers set-up for sound quality, there are probably many good active speakers available.

Hope this helps.

Yours in Music
Alan