Going active... Am I mad?!
Even though I've just settled with my current system listed in my sig; the wife isnt keen on the hifi rack, amp, DAC and cables running along the floor etc...
So...
Would I be mad in selling my current system and going down the active route?
I'm thinking of just mid-range active speakers to connect to either my current ATV2 or I'd look to buy an Airport Express
Around £500 on speakers and then whatever necessary for stands and cables on top is around the figure I'm thinking.
The only ones I can think of currently are the Audioengine A5's, Epoz Actimate MAXI and the AVI 9.1's (I think that's what they're called) which my friends father has along with the dedicated AVI sub and in all honesty; I dont like them (so please dont suggest them) 
What other active speakers should I consider?
I don't think you are going mad 
Indeed there are many people who have found bliss in an active set up and swear by them. The setup would be neater, fewer boxes and not to mention that you probably won't be able to match an amplifier as closely as they do. I see you have rounded up the usual suspects, just wondering why you don't like the Avi's.....they seem to have a cult following. Have you considered the Adam Audio Artist 3s? They have a ribbon tweeter and are known to be detail fanatics.....worth a look....cost about 800 us. Google audiophiliac adam audio and you'll find the review. Hope this helps,
Shafin
Didnt like the AVi's as I didnt feel that they sounded that good; even when the sub was added in I felt they were lacking and a bit aggressive at times.
My pals father even has a small Marantz/Rotel and B&W CM1 system in their dining room and I thought that sounded better but I suppose that's not a fair comparison
The ADAM Artist 3's are on my checklist as are the 5's (stretching the budget though) as well as the EPOZ Aktimate Maxi's, some Swan active speakers and a few others.
So this is what I'm looking at as a postential system set-up:
Active/powerd speakers (TBD)
Atacama Nexus 5i stands loaded with atabites
Music via iTunes/AirPlay to an Apple Airport Express OR stick with my ATV2 connected via optical to non-expensive DAC to speakers
I think the current shortlist of speakers will be (these are ones I can definitly demo):
EPOZ Aktimate MAXI's
ADAM Audio Artist 3's
ADAM A5X's
So this is what I'm looking at as a postential system set-up:
Active/powerd speakers (TBD)
Atacama Nexus 5i stands loaded with atabites
Music via iTunes/AirPlay to an Apple Airport Express OR stick with my ATV2 connected via optical to non-expensive DAC to speakers
I think the current shortlist of speakers will be (these are ones I can definitly demo):
EPOZ Aktimate MAXI's
ADAM Audio Artist 3's
ADAM A5X's
If you can find them, add RCF Ayra 6 to that list. You can probably get a pair for not much over £300 and I found them to be more than excellent. They look quite nice too 
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Even though I've just settled with my current system listed in my sig; the wife isnt keen on the hifi rack, amp, DAC and cables running along the floor etc...
So...
Would I be mad in selling my current system and going down the active route?
I'm thinking of just mid-range active speakers to connect to either my current ATV2 or I'd look to buy an Airport Express
Around £500 on speakers and then whatever necessary for stands and cables on top is around the figure I'm thinking.
The only ones I can think of currently are the Audioengine A5's, Epoz Actimate MAXI and the AVI 9.1's (I think that's what they're called) which my friends father has along with the dedicated AVI sub and in all honesty; I dont like them (so please dont suggest them)
What other active speakers should I consider?
I don't think you are going mad
Indeed there are many people who have found bliss in an active set up and swear by them. The setup would be neater, fewer boxes and not to mention that you probably won't be able to match an amplifier as closely as they do. I see you have rounded up the usual suspects, just wondering why you don't like the Avi's.....they seem to have a cult following. Have you considered the Adam Audio Artist 3s? They have a ribbon tweeter and are known to be detail fanatics.....worth a look....cost about 800 us. Google audiophiliac adam audio and you'll find the review. Hope this helps,
Shafin
Hi-fi:
Denon DNP-720AE network streamer, Mordaunt Short Mezzo 6, Cayin A-55 T, Technics-SLQ210, Denon DP-29F turntable, 540p, Dac-magic, Marantz 5004CD and 6025 Turntable, Mac ,Pure AV interconnects, QED Revelation speaker cables, QED Performance interconnects.
Head-fi:
Akg K702, Grado SR60i, UE Triple-fi, Musical Fidelity X-cans, HRT Music Streamer 2+