Well being pedantic it was quad amped passive
..... With all the new Akurate model line up, plus at a lot of the time the KDS.
For me, and I can only judge by what I am accustom to, they have sterile cold digital "Hi-Fi" sound, they just don't engage me in the music, a bit boring to be honest. I also find them a bit boxy sounding and lack openness, air and detail. They don't make me believe I'm listen to real music. Bass was also lacking definition, strong but not clean and open enough.
Personally I really think they need to be active before they would come alive... Some say a Solo power can do it.... I'm not convinced.
Don't get me wrong there not a bad speaker, and certainly when turned up loud really kicked out and were nice and tight, they are "accurate hi-fi" .... Which isn't what I won't..... I want music......
Just other and cheaper speakers offer a more natural real enjoyable musical experience, where I forget the equipment and enjoy the music, the Fact8's have done this for me on demo's... 242's never did, the longer I listen the more I wanted to turn them off !..... They are just wrong somehow.
Now I've felt this about them for years, and been dammed for daring to suggest it on some forums
...... but after some very interesting chat at the musical evening at the dealer, to launch the new Akurate range...... I know I'm right and not alone in my view.