So how does damping work with the passive networks for this "control" in these speakers? How did you do your comparison with various amps?
I know what you are implying, why don't you go right ahead and call it lies?
The scientifically method of me taking out the power chord, 2 x RCA, 4 x banana plugs and lifting the heavy iron away and setting the new block of iron in.
I don't really know per se if it's the damping factor that does it but what else should it technically be? A difference is present though. And as I wrote, I would rather have my A-S1000 on the table top than one of the pro amps.
Edit: And the behaviour in play with the crossover, the answer to that is; the result must depend on the amp output impedance, ability to supply at any given moment and impedance dip or peak and what's at the secondary side of the crossover network. The load may or may not be a complex one (I have seven drivers in a speaker) and each speaker load is different so I don't think you can give one-answer-fits-all to this (trick) question and at least not for the sake of belittling me or others for hearing a difference in amplifiers.
I really don't think one are able to dismiss a postulate like this without actually having the same speaker load and amplifiers.
Anyway