The answer to question #1 is PRICE, and YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR! It isn't like this is JBL's best effort. They were originally built to a price point (remember the cost-effective phrase?), and on top of that they were now sold for $111............. Mine haven't arrived yet for analysis (I couldn't resist buying a pair) but I frankly don't expect much from them. Did you pick up some CS3115's? That would have been a better choice. My 4655's are headed for garage/workshop speakers......... MBB