Ease, coherency, virtually unlimited full-range dynamics, high resolution, transparency, and natural tonality are the core traits pursued.
"Full-range" with a proviso; to some what is full-range covers down to or even below 10Hz at full click, but in my use of the term I "merely" refer to honest 20-25Hz, which my corner-loaded tapped horn subs will be able to achieve up to +125dB's - at the listening position. I never use their full SPL envelope even when being "liberal" with the volume control, but that's the whole point behind ample headroom: it translates into absolute effortlessness at any desired volume, while also making you more comfortable at higher SPL's (but be sure to protect your hearing and avoid extended exposure to higher SPL's).
Some may ask: why go with a pair of active, dutch PA/jazz club main speakers from 1990 in a home audio setup? Looking at the driver implementation it becomes clear these aren't your ordinary PA-fare; a horn-loaded high sensitivity 20 pound planar magnetic driver from 1kHz on up is very much the heart of the sound in conjunction with a massively built 15" woofer/mid. The PMS5000 class A/B amp/analogue filter module takes up the whole backside of the speaker and is equally a testament to built quality and design prowess. The sound quality from this speaker system + subs impresses in most any audible aspect, absolutely effortless at that, and at a price level that calls for one to self-scrutinize when comparing them to "high-end" speakers/subs costing a downright fortune.
So, what's the catch? Mainly it boils down to looks, size and conjecture. Aesthetics are very important to many audiophiles, more so than many will admit, and pro speakers with rugged (blue) industrial looks don't appeal to audiophiles with interior decoration demands, be they self-inflicted or by their spouse. Even if it doesn't concern interior design audiophiles often want or expect their speakers to have a particular "audiophile" look, which typically translates into a slender and deep enclosure with smaller, inefficient drive units. Finish-wise high gloss lacquer surfaces with (concealed) wood or other beneath it, are very popular. That's HiFi speaker looks in a nutshell.
Size and preconceptions: audiophiles at large would rather pay dearly for smaller high-end category speakers than have much larger, cheaper and less "fancy" looking alternatives with pro or DIY origins in their homes. It feeds the association that high-end speakers of limited size are refined, cultivated, voiced-by-ear and naturally adapted to home environments, whereas pro segment speakers and horn-based subs are expected to be coarse sounding brutes that are only about playing hellishly loud. High level SPL and durability is a factor for sure, but some pro designs truly excel in sound quality in addition - something audiophiles generally tend to be in denial over. For those with an open mind and who can cut loose conjecture and vanity it's about letting physics have its say, acknowledging excellent design, built quality and proper implementation - regardless of the segment origins of the products.
The fact of the matter is that with care taken implementing an active speaker system like the SA4525 + subs they will serve up a sound that in core aspects obliterates most any lower eff. high-end speakers. Add to that a great source/DAC, care taken with cables, wall power, coupling/decoupling and acoustics - something, I take it, most audiophiles wouldn't fully consider with this segment of speakers - and you'll end up having a speaker + gear package with no severe limitations in most aspects of sound reproduction.
