Have heard the original JBL 305 ($300/pair USD) here for a week, midfield in my 8ft x 13ft x 21ft room. Very nice, could live with them for a very long time. Some say in desktop use you can hear the hum of the amps but I didn't notice it.
Heard JBL 305 Mk2 briefly in my room ($300/pair USD). Significant step up, more musical.
Owned Dynaudio BM5 Mk3 for a year+ ($850/pair USD), a small step up from the original JBL 305 that we A/B'd.
Owned JBL 708P for a couple of years ($3900/pair USD), the best overall loudspeaker I've ever heard (accuracy, dynamics, suitable for small and large rooms, imaging, etc.) but use built in ADC and DAC of unknown quality (typical of built-in DACs).
Active monitors come in many variations, from simple active design (low voltage analog input to crossover to individual amps for each driver) all the way to "all in one" products like the KEF LS50W Mk2 and Buchardt A500 where you just connect a source. All active monitors have substantial sonic advantages simple due to their inherent direct connection between each amp and driver and more sophisticated low voltage crossovers. Integrating more features can add to synergy, less fuss/clutter, and improved performance (such as EQ or DSP). Overall active monitors make passive loudspeakers seem like dinosaurs. Check out the review of the Kali (former JBL engineers) IN-5 at Sound On Sound for a good taste of what's possible from a simple active design (and professional active monitors in general).
I've heard crummy and lackluster examples at places like Guitar Center but have avoided wireless.
But I must admit to going back to my 16 year old commissioned single driver floor standing transmission line loudspeakers which fit my tastes, would be hard to sell, and the JBL 708P built-in ADC/DAC used to convert analog for use in the digital circuitry really bugged me. And my commissioned loudspeakers are exceptional from a number of perspectives plus the single driver design is active by default.
