...contributing something other than opinions, let me know what you like doing and are good at. I know for a fact that we have the tools between us to come up with a really interesting and refined design. Can you cut a baffle? Can you make a PCB? Can you donate parts? Can you make accurate measurements? Etc.
Well, I don't know how to do any of the above, but I do have curiosity and intrigue! It sounds like you don't want any more opinions other than trying to find people who can do things, but perhaps one more perspective...
For me, a complete newbie, an easy DIY speaker would be great. I wouldn't care if it didn't sound like an endgame speaker, nor would I expect it to. It will be more about the fact that this project pulled me from mere curiosity into active involvement - hopefully get me into making exploring more esoteric DIY designs with confidence. Also getting to know more of the community who can help me build down the road.
That said, I do have some thoughts. Making something simple as a community project, then sending it to Amir as you suggest, reminds me of the Pass Amp Camp amplifier that got trashed here at ASR. Discussion of intent/delivery of that amp aside, I fear a simple ASR DIY speaker will not appease. Therefore, while I personally would like for ASR DIY Round 1 to be easy so I can participate, I would rather that ASR develops something incredible. I don't mind cheering from the sidelines and maybe commissioning from someone already making the DIYs.
For this, I think pro-inspired makes sense to me. In every industry, trickle-down technology from professional side is considered favorable - all but audio for some reason. I think this has to be due to the dogma or selling "an idea" over performance for so many years. At least, that is the underlying theme that I have gathered. However, it is slowly changing with direct to consumer and DIY gaining traction; generally a trend to big change in industry in terms of perception. Reminiscent of the rise of DELL and the various boutique DIY makers that followed.
I think that Active DSP would be great. Perhaps the "limit" of an active speaker has always been the amplification factor of the plate, but new plates measure excellently and pretty much all Class D problems of yesteryears are gone. ASR experts can develop a proof of concept of a flawless cabinet that works well with the drivers, then the crossovers will simply be a filter design that anyone here can download and use, right? For connections, SpeakON would be interesting, since I am reading more about advantages and original usage intentions.
Now for some thoughts on roadmap:
1) ASR DIY Round 1 could be developed as a bookshelf that can be used as fronts, with ability to move as rear surrounds. Why?
2) Round 2 should piggyback to be the true main towers - or more accomplished/advanced bookshelves (along with subwoofer augmentations) - perhaps with control for 5.2 ecosystem. Keeping the "pro-inspired" theme of keeping all speakers same is fine too, but would like that 5.2 DSP ability.
3) Round 3: Center Channel. Final build for the 5.2 ecosystem. Design like MTM or MTWTM so with a switch, can be set stereo L/R for a desktop use, or mono for Center. I personally use 1 central speaker under my 6 computer-panels in my office, and I listen to this 1 speaker more than anything, maybe 14hrs a day for 5-6 days a week for many years. Writing this post has just alerted me of this fact. Personally, this should be the first build (with an accompanying first of two subwoofers). It's different and I haven't seen this concept anywhere. But I understand history has subscribed to 2.x instead of 3.x, so perhaps center should be last. Nevertheless, a Center that can change directivity switching from L+R fuction (narrow) to mono (wide) would be really appealing for me. And, as a newbie, being able to tune base down near-field with a knob or a program is convenient!