I fought the idea of internally powered and active speakers for a long time also. But as you've suggested, the pro audio guys have been doing this for ages. It seems to me that pro audio is usually about twenty years ahead of the audiophile industry.
I owned Focus SE for 14 years before upgrading to the Focus XD. After hearing what they can do, I've reached my end-game. I've not even tried the Wavelet II processor yet.
In a smaller system 2-channel system, I just switched to a pair of Neumann KH 150 active DSP monitors. These follow a trend in pro audio where manufacturers are employing DSP with FIR filters in the active crossover to linearize the phase of the drivers over a broad frequency range. The results are unlike anything I've ever heard from loudspeakers with passive crossovers.
As much as I've enjoyed tinkering with "synergy" between loudspeakers and amplifiers over the past 3+ decades, for what I've gained in sound quality by moving to active or internally powered loudspeakers, I don't see myself ever going back.