Actually, I've always liked the idea of powered towers. Not to replace a sub for LFE, but simply to allow a truly full-range speaker that might be relatively flat to 24Hz or so. Plus, having the built-in amps just takes that much more off the receivers load.

Finally, in my square room, the more bass sources the better to even out my nodes!

I'd love to see an M80-type speaker with an 8" or 10" woofer and a built-in 250 watt amp...

::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::