SPEAKERS, SPEAKERS AND MORE SPEAKERS.. BUT NEED BASS.?

Dear @audiokinesis : In audio always exist trade-offs, nothing is by " free ". The main subject in audio is how good we choosed those trade-offs.

That's what a speaker designer abilities makes the differences. Crossover speakers drivers frequency are determined by the drivers it self, the crossover choosed slopes and what the designer want it: his choosed trade-offs. Unfortunatelly nothing is perfect.

R.

Dear @audiokinesis : """  This may mean hot-rodding the parts inside their device. ""

This is what I'm doing through a teflon cap inside my 20.6 monobloks. As a fact I received several improvements because I only change/replace the ML input cap for a way better and lower value/uf teflon/Cu cap along a resistor replace for a top TX2575 Z-foil one that gives me the high pass frequency I need it: around 80hz. I don't have to add any passive device only replace the ones I need to.

In my case was a : " win to win ".

R.

Dear @audiokinesis : "  works best depends on the specific situation. "

Maybe I'm missing something but I just can't imagine any situation in a passive design speakers where subs can't help to lower speakers IMD that comes with additional benefits as lowering the speakers THD and gives the amps to works way better when are liberated from the low bass range even helps to increment the headroom of the amps.

When the system amps are tubes the subs is a vital condition " sen equa non ".

Even the top Sonus Faber that crossover 50hz and 100hz will be benefited if  frequencies from 80hz down are handled by a dedicated woofers/drivers with a dedicated amps designed to cover the low bass range needs of those woofers/drivers externally.

Till today there is no regular amplifiers that its designs fulfill the low bass range and at the same time all the wide frequency range in any audio system.

At least that's what I learned by first hand experiences in my and other audio home room/systems.


R.

Dear @audiokinesis :  The main reason to integrates a pair of self sealed ( not vented ) powered subs in true stereo fashion along any passive main speaker in a home audio system is to reduce IMD in the speaker/system and you can achieve that main target only through a high pass filter ( teflon cap. ) like the one @bdp24  advise.

As a fact that's why I'm doing inside my ML 20.6 monobloks.

You can read about that IMD main target along all other advantages that other gentlemans posted here:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/do-you-think-you-need-a-subwoofer/post?postid=310058#310058 

According with a scientific JBL studies the ideal number of subs in a home system is four subs and at least two. The number of subs makes evenly the room/system bass frequency range response.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.