Do you use a Subwoofer when listening to stereo?

@emergingsoul --

Do you use a Subwoofer when listening to stereo?

I do, very successfully, and god (or, that is: the DBA-inquisition) forbid only two of them. They're tapped horns taking up 20 cubic feet per cab, and tuned just below ~25Hz. Low-passed @83Hz, and symmetrically set up in relation to the main speakers. Smooth, enveloping and totally effortless bass.

At a future point will plan to have me built two 10"-loaded PicoWrecker tapped horn subs in addition to the pair of larger 15"-loaded MicroWrecker tapped horn siblings that I already use in my set-up (they share a similar tune), for a quad sub set-up/DBA. That should smooth out the response for minimal if any DSP-corrections with the bonus of even more headroom - not that the latter is strictly needed, to say the least. Subs are essential in most any stereo system, not just Home Theater ditto, and when properly implemented will add an extra dimension to the sonic experience.

@ozzy62 --

...
If your speakers are generally of the full range variety, no need to add an additional electronic crossover to the mix. KISS applies here, less electronic artifacts, the better.

It depends on the specific set-up and quality of the digital cross-over (which needn’t be expensive per se); where well-chosen it can, potentially, lead to an even better outcome with the main speakers high-passed. For this to have the best effect (i.e.: a HP on the mains) it seems generally accepted that a cross-over no lower than ~80Hz leads to the best outcome in taking advantage of relieving the mains (+ their amp(s)) from the central to lower bass, leading to 6-10dB more headroom and a likely cleaner, more effortless reproduction (with 2-way main speakers the benefits of a HP may be even more pronounced as this more obviously affects midrange cleanliness).

Such an approach however may call for added attention in regards to subs placement being in symmetry with the mains, as directivity will have a bigger say with a chosen, higher XO-frequency. Theory may dictate it’s difficult to nigh on impossible to localize bass even with a XO up to 100Hz or a bit higher to the mains, but when practically experimented with I’ve found placing a pair of subs symmetrical to the mains is very beneficial, even when crossed into the 70’s.

This type of set-up with two symmetrically placed subs would still be compatible as a future DBA, as additional subs could be crossed lower and placed more freely to best take advantage of smoothing out room modes, or where ever interior decoration may dictate them to be placed. In fact that’s what I may intend at a future point, adding to my existing two subs.

For all its apparent prowess a DBA set-up as configured with the mains run full-range doesn’t take advantage of the potential gains to be had with a HP on the mains and a higher XO here. Added component complexity in the form of a quality digital XO - while justified, to my ears, run in the signal chain over passive speakers - mayn’t be so in every case; my set-up is fully active via separate components, and as such the digital cross-over used is, by necessity, in the signal chain to begin with acting as the XO (without ANY passive filter components) for both the mains and subs, and so a high-pass on the mains isn’t adding more physical components, but simply an extra high-pass digitally.

(by poster @mijostyn)

... It has to sound like I am listening to one speaker. As I evaluate lower down I go from listening to feeling. Do I feel that kick drum the way I do at the club. Are those low synthesizer notes shaking me the way they should. Does the room move under low organ pedal. Hearing is one thing feeling is another. Part of the thrill of live music are the visceral sensations you get.
These sensations are missing or greatly attenuated in most home systems. I started playing around with subwoofers in 1978 for this very reason. I wanted to feel as if I were at a live performance. Again, I can now move a subwoofer 15 feet just by delaying it 15 msec. I can change crossover points and slopes on the fly at one Hz increments 2nd to 10th order. You can hear these changes immediately. ...

This. Implemented with DSP tools on the fly, at the listening position and a full range of parameters, proper integration of a pair of preferable stereo-coupled and symmetrically (to the  mains) placed subs certainly becomes easier and a more likely actuality. I prefer crossing over to the mains in the 80-100Hz range (or higher if dictated by the mains and subs upper range performance permitted), as this also makes the positive effect of high-passing the mains more pronounced while generally, to my ears, making for a better integration between the mains and subs. Seamless integration is more than smooth frequency response for sure, and I couldn't imagine listening without subs implemented as lined out above, be that for both music and movies.