MatMan, you can give us a non scientific opinion especially if you take critical notes on various recording with the passives before you send them in.

On what is better I trust Ian … although I’m a bit surprise that this test was not tried yet.
I can say that I’m totally pleased with with my actives. Or should I say the actives driven with 2 ADA1500-5 as I can not separate them.

The Active/ADA1500 is the best system I’ve ever owned. Of this I’m certain.
It maybe the best system I’ve ever heard … but from memory I can’t be certain.
I can only comment that I’m blown away with its clarity, image, and dynamics and can not remember another system which impressed me to this level.

If someone does compare them … they need to use similar amps in the setup as
I can not say how much of my impression is the actives and how much the ADA1500. I can only guess.