Subwoofer for classical music listener

For what it’s worth, I don’t like running my main speakers through some external crossover. I am concerned that additional electronics in the way of the main speakers will cause a loss of transparency. I let them play full range, and feed the subs by a second set of outputs on my line stage, directly to the amps on a pair of 15 inch sealed Rythmiks. I haven’t had the room measured yet, but I got them playing pretty good without muddling up the mid bass; you almost don’t know they are there, except for added bass punch when it is on the recording; even when there is no low bass in the program material, the subs seem to add air and dimensionality in the lower octaves which, surprisingly, improves the midrange as well. And I’m crossing over really low- the subs are set to start rolling off at 50hz at a fairly steep curve- 24db. Not shilling for Rythmik, but this is the second transaction I’ve had with Brian and he’s very good. My subs do not have a speaker level connection, i.e. taking the signal from your main amp to feed the subs, to lend the character of the main amp to the sub amp for increased coherence. That’s how the integrated woofers in my Avantgarde’s are set up, which benefit from the extra punch and depth of these "external" subs. I’m also messing with cheap DSP on the subs, which does make some improvements but I think getting the subs located optimally, with a minimum of room treatment and processing is the first step and getting measurements is essential for that. I do have bass traps in all 4 corners and the room sounds pretty good. Once I’ve got that sorted, and it may involve some additional room treatment, repositioning, and possibly some EQ, I’ll be cooking. I’ve only had the system up and running for a couple weeks now since I moved from the NE, and continue to dial it in. Those Blue Jeans woofer cables are OK, and cheap. I use fancy cable elsewhere in the system and it all plays together pretty nicely. I’m sure I’ll tweak and improve it more as time goes on but that’s part of the fun, so long as it doesn’t interfere with your ability to enjoy what you have.

@audioconnection : I take your point. Believe it or not, I do not own a CD player. Oh, I’ve had many over the years, just gave them all away before I moved. I was thinking about buying a pretty good one for the vintage system downstairs, so it’s not like I’m anti-CD at this point in my life; in fact, I want one precisely because I need access to more music that isn’t available, or only at astronomical prices, on vinyl.
I do use a DSP unit on the subs, as mentioned, but I’m not sure how effective it is at a 50hz crossover point (24 db slope) for the subs.
The reason for my reluctance is I go directly in the mid horn with no crossover whatsoever, and with the Lamm SET, I get great midrange. As a longtime Quad Loudspeaker owner, I lived for the mids (cause there wasn’t a lot else) and want as much of that spooky ’you are there’ quality I can get (which of course is highly recording dependent).
There are undoubtedly some peaks, bumps, troughs, what have you going on in the integrated bass units of the Avantgarde but I haven’t focused on processing those, together with the separate subs, to get a better blend. I’m not even sure if that’s possible, but I’d also have to go back and check the frequency of roll off for the integrated woofers (it’s a numerical designation, not a frequency), and where the mid horn picks up. I just so don’t want mess with mid horn, given the set up, which is minimalist.
I have had it dialed for a long time so the integrated woofers don’t sounded pronounced compared to the horn sound; this means the bass is a bit reticent on the Avantgarde integrated woofers, in order for them to blend better with the horn., As Jim Smith would no doubt say, this is dependent on placement as well as the integrated woofer settings. I do know some people who have done completely digital crossovers for very sophisticated systems; I’m not there yet. I suppose I could buy a digital crossover or the rare analog and sell or return it if I don’t like it. But, that’s where I’m at.
I am planning on having someone come in and do sweeps, measurements and advise on optimal placement. That, to me, will be money well spent, and I think you’d agree, the starting place. My goal is to optimize, rather than buy more equipment, but if more gear (or different gear) is necessary, at some point I will get there. I just had a large isolation transformer installed a few days ago, and am trying to take the sonic "measure" (by ear) of that as it burns in (if you believe it that, I know some reject it as nonsense). I’m in a new room, having just moved a few months ago, and have been working hard to get this thing to sing.
regards and thanks,
bill hart