LOL, passive subs are nice, but the pickings are slim...
I like to be UNIQUE.
I don't want to be like EVERYONE else. You kidding me? Please.
The flagship Funk 18.2 sub and the $15,000 Focal Utopia sub are also "unpowered" or "passive" and use an outboard Amp.
Really, the only difference between active and passive subs is WHERE the amp is located.
It's like a Receiver (Denon X4000) vs. a Pre-pro.
Except if the amp inside the Denon dies, you can still output to an ext. amp.
If the amp inside your sub dies, you have no choice but get a replacement plate amp.
So for those who must have pre-pro + amps, why would they want an amp inside their subs that VIBRATE all the time?
And the amp inside the sub is like an amp inside a cabinet. Well, okay, it is an amp inside the cabinet.
It's just another way of looking at it.
Active subs with built-in amps are great, but just not for me PERSONALLY.