We can't meaningfully conclude that "active sounds no different from passive" unless we follow it all the way through.
Hello Groucho
The way I see it just bi-amping is where you get the most bang for your buck. You don't have to do a 4 way active set-up just bi-amp for very obvious reasons.
This whole Digital Room Correction issue should not be part of this conversation. What we are comparing is an active vs a passive version of the same crossover. One uses passive components the other an active crossover. When all is said and done the drivers could care less as the actual voltage drives from either version will be identical. You could also use the room correction with either version of the speaker. As I see it this just confuses and clouds the issue at hand.
I don't understand why you think it's easier to go 4 way over 2 way. You still have 2 additional crossover points that will be just as hard to get right passive or active. You are going to have to do measurements either way to confirm you got it right. Active may be easier to implement as you don't have to build up networks but you have to get the voltage drives right either way.
There is no reason you can't match dispersion through the crossover in a 2 way design all you have to do is use a horn or waveguide as Revel does.
Rob
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