Maggies and subwoofer integration

I do wish people would be more direct with their opinions. 😉

One can definitely integrate subs into a Maggie setup. To each his own, but there are genres of music that I feel need the punch, and I use subs with box speakers too. 

Being a big REL fan (I run a swarm of 5 at times - it's a massive room) I think there are some misunderstandings about what subs are supposed to do with music.  It's different with home theater where it's supposed to give you the boom of the explosion.  REL subs add a spatial quality, almost more air than boom, and they shouldn't really be setup so that you can "hear" them.  

That's one reason why I like the swarm approach - several set at low gain creates a subtle strength behind the music that I prefer to pushing one sub harder. 

I also have 2 DWM panels that I'll include in the mix sometimes, but if I had to choose between REL subs and DWMs I would take the subs. 

To address the OP: I think your favorite genres might be part of your analysis here.  If you do like a bit more of the phat sound (as I do), I would suggest you see if you can go to at least 2 subs - see if you can run them stereo (i.e. left speaker signal to left subwoofer, right to right).  While upgrading subs to avoid HT-focused versions will help improve sound, relatively cheap subs are still good in a multi-configuration and you want to keep the gain on them relatively low -- you don't want to be able to detect where the bass is from. 

It's all about experimentation and personal preference.  There just isn't any "right" when it comes to sound preference in audio. 

Large panel Maggies require tons of good clean power

No question. I 100% agree. My Maggies never *really* sang until they were actively biamped with 2 amps rated at 500w into 4 ohm (doubling from 8).  Getting those active crossovers out of the picture was a game changer. 

the transparency and neutrality of the music we listen to, getting rid of the inherent sound signature of the box

It’s possible you’re crossing over at too high a frequency? No question I can still hear the detail and agility of the Maggie bass panels. RELs don’t bloat that way.

That said, to each his own. My mother liked ice cubes in her wine. People put ketchup on $50 steaks. I like depth to sharp drum strikes.