Are big subwoofers viable for 2 channel music?

I haven’t heard all the DBA/Swarm setup, But I do know the best bass systems I’ve heard were Columns. This may sound like a 70-80s design but still the most accurate and detailed system was again Bass columns. Whether infinite baffle, sealed accelerometer servo system, multi driver and size, passive radiator tuning, OB servo system with step baffle amps. ALL were a column style.

I’ve heard a few swarm systems NOW over the last year or so...

Good yes, great NO

But columns at this point in time for me is still KING, and have been for 20+ years.

A pair of 4-8 drivers per side is a good place to start. They actually take up less floor space, but cover FAR more ground evenly, in any application, including HT. I’ve heard as many as 4 in a system.
perfection... One still works better than most pairs of lowriders,
The Taller, The Better,

I know omnidirectional, NOT above 80, most pure BASS columns are 80-150 or <. Above 70-80 hz they get pretty directional. and very stereoish..(is that a word?)

Ay but what do I know, I made one out of an underground concrete vault, I got off a job site. a shop sub... 20 cubic foot interior, yea I know how to make BASS, really I do.. 2 18 inch PA 104s. City block of bass with that thing.

Regards

One still works better than most pairs of lowriders,
The Taller, The Better,

Good yes, great NO

Someone saying a BDA is not that great compared to Columns,

millercarbon, what was said is, "most pairs of lowriders", (24" or shorter).
good yes, great no... A little different "than not that great"

Bass columns, not sub columns, apples, oranges, (I’m trying to shorten the response honest) I should have explained my setups clearer.

I have a pair of 300 lb mid riders 12 cf boxes 65" tall. They work better than most lowriders. But the are not subs, They are Bass columns. SAT
(Stack and Test), There are a couple more setups here with multi MB, and taller cabinets.

Most of the systems I’ve heard over the last year or so, use multi lowriders, normally used as subs, 60-100 and below. Omnidirectional.
Bass columns are NOT. Bass columns are Very directional Up to 250 hz and down, usually 80-150 <

I've see, subs stacked also, they sound better to me, too.

I think I understand how most are using DBA/Swarm. I like ALL the bass in a its own structure. Something I learned from Mr. Bass Brian C. He used 3 columns, powered br Dayton SA1000s, 20 years ago.
lowers distortion, a lot...Especially on Sub/Bass/Mid Bass couplers using phase plugs. 20% distortion in the bass region is very common (non servo), not in my system, closer to 5%. Very little vibration issues with my planars monitors, again lowering distortion. with narrower baffles. and separate cabinets.

Regards

4 12s and 1 15" active, can be tuned with a single 15 passive.

I'm saying 4 ea 12" active drivers,  and 1 15" active driver, can be tuned with a single 15" passive radiator, without over excursion of the passive. The reason, column can have a much larger volume, like 8-12 cf. or more.  It's easier to tune to a given room, and the roll off is much quicker mechanically. It's much more controlled, like an infinite baffle, but can go very low, without the ever present noise from ports.

Columns are just better, but they are not usually partner pleasers and they cost more to build, The units I've seen and built can be very heavy, 3-500 lbs. BUT you get what you pay for, when it comes to bass.

Just because there is a lot of it, and it's everywhere, doesn't qualify it as good bass. I've heard a lot of that over the last couple of years, now all of a sudden it's the big craze. walk on subs through a room. LOL

What I don't see is the blending, between low mids, MB, Bass and Sub
ALL are very important to address, not just squat and grunt out a sub/bass unit,  like a pile of dung.. Geezzz. That's "a way" though.. for sure..

Regards

Must make my acquaintance with bass columns, as you should with horn subs, be they Tapped Horns of Front Loaded Horns - if you haven’t already.

I agree with you here. My first real system had a Jensen imperial sub a 
a pair of Imperial horns. LOL A local lumber company sold the cut lumber from 1" marine ply, and the drivers were optional. You could build your own or they would do it for a small fortune. Took most of my earnings from my after school job for over a year.. I built those things and lined them with shag carpet of all things.. tamed them right down...

Met a guy named Brian C had a little start up company called VMPS he was the guy that told me about the shag carpet...

Took 2 pick up loads to move 3 speakers and 4 strong fellas to lift the sub..

Those three speakers were ran on a pair of 20s and a 30 watt mono block kit, 2 C-4s, all Mac gear.. Had Altec XOs. They would fill a whole indoor basketball court, with ease... and did.. HS dances...

I think I had a whoppin' 850.00 dollars in that system. I know I tripled my money, 4 years later or so. late 70s.

I been making bass for a long long time.. it's one of my personal favorites...BIG bass, low distortion...

I also like a 15" active, firing up, with a single 18" HE alu passive.. firing forward paired, then face to face, 6 feet apart.. kids call it "in da chamber".. It will concuss if your not careful. 130-140 db..Nose bleed material.. 2 12k behringers.. to run that set up..3500 watts per voice coil
1800.00 total with amps, 2496 OXO, drivers, MDF, Ply, thick FG batting, and finish. 140 db.. when you face the actives, 120 with the passives face to face. Source is a 10 dollar broken G3 smartphone..2 20 amp breakers, too. It can trip 15s when its heated up..and were breakin'
glass, in the lab...

Big bass is easy. Great bass.. can be really tough with boundaries involved...

Columns ... Boom Boom, in the Room Room