Yes, Kodiak, you're exactly right about the average consumer.

They indeed do work particularly for just stereo. My entry mid-level Onk for example is equivalent to an ADA-1000-2 for stereo with every passive Axiom speaker I've tried. Multi-channel is a different story. The ADA-1000 really puts out.

House of the Rising Sone
Out in the mid or far field
Dedicated mid-woofers are over-rated